Avro Energy first Direct Debit timing

Pete99

I was thinking about switching to Avro, I got a quote and noticed on the quote page that they take the first debit 12 days after signing up, that's before the 14 day cooling off period has ended, the last two energy providers I used took the first amount on the day the switch completed, even Outfox, I thought it was a typo but no the Avro rep says “The first initial payment with us is always taken 12 days after the date you sign up with us and this is stated at the quotation stage and also confirmed in your Welcome Pack. This is to ensure that there is a credit on your account at the point of going live on our supply,” so if you change your mind they've got the best part of £80 of your money which you have no idea when you'll get it back, seems like a strange way to do business to me, the sort of thing that businesses do when they're strapped for cash, any thoughts ?

clochi

Pete99 wrote: »

I was thinking about switching to Avro, I got a quote and noticed on the quote page that they take the first debit 12 days after signing up, that's before the 14 day cooling off period has ended, the last two energy providers I used took the first amount on the day the switch completed, even Outfox, I thought it was a typo but no the Avro rep says “The first initial payment with us is always taken 12 days after the date you sign up with us and this is stated at the quotation stage and also confirmed in your Welcome Pack. This is to ensure that there is a credit on your account at the point of going live on our supply,” so if you change your mind they've got the best part of £80 of your money which you have no idea when you'll get it back, seems like a strange way to do business to me, the sort of thing that businesses do when they're strapped for cash, any thoughts ?

It's mentioned on their website, it's mentioned at the quotation stage, it's mentioned in the welcome pack, and you get advance notice specifying when they will collect the first payment.
The amount will depend on the cost of your anticipated usage.

It's up to you if you decide to agree to the payment. If not go elsewhere. Perhaps paying on receipt of bill would be more suitable for you?
You have up to 12 days to decide whether or not you still agree with the collection - they certainly tell you often enough.

Avro have been supplying for 4 years now in the UK energy market.

Pete99

Any "USEFUL & RELEVANT" thoughts I should have said, by the way it isn't mentioned initially on their web site, it only appears if you click on the Full Tariff Details button, I've been with Outfox and now Octopus and neither of them took an initial payment before they'd completed the switch.

cranford

So you want to know if we have any thoughts.
I presume that signing up with AVRO will save you money. In my case I have been with them for nearly 4 years and they have always been the cheapest in the market for me and always exit fee free. When a lower tariff has come along I have been able to switch without any fuss. If you read the AVRO reviews some people expect AVRO to tell you that they have a better deal available but I don't think any companies do this. I have also sent monthly readings following the email reminder they send but some of the reviewers complain of lack of bills but I wonder if they don't do this. There have also been complaints concerning the lack of refunding of credits but some of these seem to want their money back at the start of Winter and AVRO wont do this. They also have dragged their feet in giving refunds when customers leave although I think that the regulations now mean they have to pay compensation.
Other complaints have been made about the readings that they and your previous company use for a switch but this is all down to the Independent meter company that sets the values from the reading you give.
Other complains concern lack of telephone capacity and time to answer emails but I guess they run a tight ship with low staff numbers.

In my case I am always in credit but I have saved hundreds compared with the next lowest companies so paying the DD in advance and being in credit is a small price to pay.

So if you are concerned by paying the DD early look at AVRO reviews on this forum and decide whether any on the other issues will trouble you too.
In the last few months the complaints against AVRO on this forum have fallen so If you keep an eye on your bills etc it should all work like clockwork.

Pete99

Thanks, that's what I meant by a useful comment, looks like it's all a matter of timing so that you won't be short £80 to £100 or so for too long having switched, Avro taking the first payment early and your current provider also taking the next monthly Direct Debit, as long as it all goes smoothly after switching Avro looks OK to switch to from what you say.

JuneS

Pete99 wrote: »

...by the way it isn't mentioned initially on their web site, it only appears if you click on the Full Tariff Details button, ....

https://www.avroenergy.co.uk/Advice/Topics.aspx?HELP_TOPIC_ID=5

See 2nd question - Changing the date of my Direct Debit.

Steve_Newbury

Just having a similar experience . This seems contrary to the further information section on the cheap energy club website page on AVRO which states 'Further info: Avro Energy takes direct debits in advance, so your first payment will be taken 21 days after applying to switch. ' My application was made on 21.12.19 and the switch is due to take place on 10.1.20 and they want to take the first direct debit on 1.1.20. That seems to be only 11 days rather than 21?

cranford

Steve, Are you referring to a comment made by a MSE member on their forum made in 2016? If its stated by the Cheap Energy club themselves maybe you should put them right. Avro themselves have used the 12 day rule for as long as I can remember and I switched early in 2016. But on the upside I have saved hundreds compared with the next best deals and I do regular comparisons.

clochi

Steve_Newbury wrote: »

Just having a similar experience . This seems contrary to the further information section on the cheap energy club website page on AVRO which states 'Further info: Avro Energy takes direct debits in advance, so your first payment will be taken 21 days after applying to switch. ' My application was made on 21.12.19 and the switch is due to take place on 10.1.20 and they want to take the first direct debit on 1.1.20. That seems to be only 11 days rather than 21?

New Years Day is a Bank Holiday, so no money will be taken from your bank account on that day

The first possible day it could be taken, therefore, will be the 2nd January which would be 12 days after application, as per the Avro website.