Breeze gone.

ABN

Just had an e-mail from Octopus

Really sorry – we've had a bit of trouble switching you over to us.

When we applied to transfer you, we were told that you'd already tried to switch to another supplier in the last 28 days.

As you can only switch suppliers once every 28 days, this means your transfer to us has been stopped.

The wording to me implies that BG are deliberately blocking transfers.


Since Octopus were once a SOLR they should know the ins and outs so will e-mail them to see how to progress

rmtucker

It looks as though my switch has gone through:beer:

After My second attempt to switch to Yorkshire Energy i received an email from British Gas tonight saying:-

We’re sorry you’re leaving us

Hello Mr ********

We’ll finish supplying your energy on 4th February 2020, and your new supplier will automatically take over– so you won’t be left without any gas. If things change, we'll let you know.

ABN

The plot thickens.


https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/ofgem-publications/39076/14326-solr-report-steering-group-final-version-agreed-sg.pdf

The purpose of this document is to provide a summary of the views discussed in the Part B workgroup on supplier of last resort (SoLR). Please note that this paper is for discussion purposes only and does not seek to represent the view of the Authority. The specific SLCs being considered are:

6.The Authority would also expect (as per the guidance notes) this letter to confirm that under a deemed contract, the customer is free to terminate their deemed contract with the SoLR should they wish to switch to a supplier of their choice. Ofgem suggested that this requirement be included in the licence condition. The group had different views on this issue: a.The view of ERA suppliers is that this obligation should not be introduced into the supply licence. They argue that it is unnecessary, that a suppliershould not be required to encourage its customers to leave it, and “that it must be assumed that Ofgem in its statutory consumer protection role will, through the SoLR appointment procedure, have selected the optimum rescue deal available from the market at that time and in all the particularcircumstances of the supplier insolvency in question.” (a view not shared by Ofgem). A paper from the ERA paper is attached below (Appendix 1). b.Energywatch agreed with the Ofgem proposal, and argued that thecircumstances of the appointment of a SoLR were unusual and a major disruption of the normal commercial contracting arrangements between customer and supplier. Every opportunity should be taken to make the position clear to customers, in particular on the circumstances under which the customer could move to their preferred contract terms, whether that be with the SoLR or not (See Appendix 2). c.A number of non-ERA suppliers advised Ofgem that they supported the Ofgem proposal noting the confusion that some customers had expressed about their new contract terms. d.The Steering group agreed that were the obligation to be added to the licence then the requirement in SLC 29 (6) for the letter to be approved bythe Authority should be removed.

7.During the workgroup’s discussion of SoLR issues, Ofgem has made clear that it believes that a fourth prescribed element should be added to the three existing elements of the SoLR’s information letter. The new element would be a statement to the customer that he/she is free to switch from the SoLR to a new supplier. The rationale for this is that customers may need to be reminded that they are free to shop around for the best terms the market is able to offer, and that the person whoshould be obliged to remind them of this right is the SoLR. 8.Ofgem believes that its published guidance about the operation of SoLR procedures already effectively requires the SoLR to incorporate this further requirement into its information letters. However, the guidance is not legally binding and it is not clear that a blanket policy of refusing to approve a SoLR’s letter unless it expressly states that the customer is free to leave the SoLR for another supplier would be lawful, having regard to the precise terms of SLC 29 (7). 9.The suppliers strongly oppose Ofgem’s proposal to make the new fourth element a requirement of the licence. They point out that customers are both well aware of the competitive supply market and constantly reminded of it by Ofgem, energywatch, and the mass media. They also say that it must be assumed that Ofgem in its statutory consumer protection role will, through the SoLR appointment procedure, have selected the optimum rescue deal available from the market at that time and in all the particular circumstances of the supplier insolvency in question.

11.By virtue of SLC 29 (15), the SoLR’s deemed contracts are required to allow for termination from the moment that a customer takes supply from another supplier.In order not to prejudice the key competitive principle while nevertheless securing the wider regulatory objective, it should be sufficient for Ofgem to satisfy itself that the SoLR’s deemed contracts comply with that requirement. 12. The Steering Group is invited to endorse the suppliers’ case above and to recommendOfgem to abandon its proposal. So far, failing supply companies have been quite small. If a larger company should fail, the prospect of customers leaving in droves will adversely affect SoLR bid prices and, therefore, the consumer protection objective. No company, in any industry, should be required by law to have to encourage its customers to leave it – which is what the proposal really means.

Not sure what to read into it but seems ofgen wanted to allow customers switch away but the suppliers were objecting.
Also a note at the top of the memo states that the solr should send letter/e-mail to new customers detailing whats happening and what the customers options are. BG never did this.

katies_mum

I gave BG my meter readings yesterday and sitting in my emails this morning is an email from them! :mad:

We need your meter readings so we can set up your account accurately before we start supplying your gas and electricity on 16 January 2020

gwapenut

peterx wrote: »

Smart meters are compulsory on that tariff.

Are smart meters still that bad nowadays? I thought the 2nd generation fixed the compatibility issues when changing suppliers.

EDIT: From their webpage.
We’ll be rolling out second-generation SMETS2 smart meters soon, which means you’ll stay smart even if you switch energy suppliers. If you’ve got one of our SMETS1 meters – we’ll look to upgrade your meter remotely as soon as possible.

Seems like it is STILL too early to jump ship into the land of smart meters.

gwapenut

rmtucker wrote: »

It looks as though my switch has gone through:beer:

When was your supply start date? I'm guessing it was less than 14 days ago.

Benight

ABN wrote: »

The plot thickens.


https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/ofgem-publications/39076/14326-solr-report-steering-group-final-version-agreed-sg.pdf
Not sure what to read into it but seems ofgen wanted to allow customers switch away but the suppliers were objecting.
Also a note at the top of the memo states that the solr should send letter/e-mail to new customers detailing whats happening and what the customers options are. BG never did this.

That appears to be quite an old article and the clue is given by their reference to what representations Energywatch were making at the time

Energywatch was created in November 2000 and desolved in 2008 when it became Consumer Focus.

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/gas-and-electricity-consumer-council-energywatch

Edit: Published March 2006
I guess a lot of water has passed under the bridge since then

Edit2: It doesn't strike me that BG are trying to hide anything as far as what's happening and what the customers options are
https://www.britishgas.co.uk/energy/solr.html
(This link is prominently displayed on the British Gas homepage)

This includes, but is not limited to:

Will I stay on the same tariff?


No, we've moved you onto our competitively priced 'Cap Tracker Plus Sep 2021' tariff - this tariff has no exit fees. But if you decide it's not right for you, you can switch as soon as we've fully set up your account. Take a look at our wide range of tariffs at britishgas.co.uk/tariffs.

and

Can I leave without paying any exit fees?


Yes, you can switch to a new tariff or a new supplier. You won't pay any exit fees. Our advice is to wait until your account is set up before switching. If you're moving to a new supplier, let them know you're switching from British Gas and they should sort everything out for you.

and

Can I move to another supplier before the transfer to British Gas?


Ofgem's advice is to complete your transfer to British Gas first, before you think about switching to another supplier. We'll let you know as soon as we’ve finished transferring you over.
While you wait, why not check out our Rewards programme? You could get some great discounts at your favourite restaurants and on family days out. We'll treat you to movie nights and free energy days too. It's just one of the reasons why so many people choose to stay with British Gas.

NINJA59

Not hide anything?

So why are those that have tried moving away within 28 days (minus one person on a second attempt) of the supply and account going live getting turned down?

There is no mention of this on that link, or anywhere until you push BG.

Furthermore Ofgem's own advice is:

No. Our advice is not to switch immediately, but wait until your new supplier has got in touch with you. They can then tell you what to do about any credit balances you might have had with your old supplier.

Once you have been contacted by your new supplier you should then ask them to put you on their cheapest deal or shop around if you aren't happy with them as a supplier. You won’t be charged exit fees.

There has been no direct communication regarding credit balances and simply the contact is we are taking over supply. At no point in my recollection has it been stated you can transfer away during this period without waiting another X period (in this case 28 days).

And BG go one step further on that link:

Ofgem's advice is to complete your transfer to British Gas first, before you think about switching to another supplier. We'll let you know as soon as we’ve finished transferring you over.

While you wait, why not check out our Rewards programme? You could get some great discounts at your favourite restaurants and on family days out. We'll treat you to movie nights and free energy days too. It's just one of the reasons why so many people choose to stay with British Gas.

So where is the mention of 28 days after going live that a switch will be rejected? That is what ultimately is:
a) unfair
b) unclear
c) totally underhand
d) not communicated at any point to the customer in obvious terms.

Why should I (and others wanting to switch) have to wait 49 days because of something so stupid and that is the above?

rmtucker

gwapenut wrote: »

When was your supply start date? I'm guessing it was less than 14 days ago.

My switch date to British Gas was 15-01-2020.

sousie27

I sent the meter readings as per their email but when I logged into my account ( I have a home care account with them), there was nothing there. Went on chat & it turns out they had opened the account with the title of "Ms" which has never been used either by Breeze or themselves! When this was corrected by the agent I was able to see the gas & electric accounts but it was asking again for the meter readings, When I mentioned this, he said they hadn't gone through.

He said to wait 48 hours for everything to be updated so I'll see what happens. I've decided to wait to get the billing sorted out anyway before switching as I was in credit with Breeze.

I also read all the advice on the Ofgem website & there was no mention of 28 days before you can switch. IMO it seems unfair to apply this ruling to someone who has been forcibly switched because their supplier ceases trading.