ebico comeback?

Grizzlebeard

Thanks for the link bristolleedsfan. (A month ago I signed up for new Ebico mailing list but haven't received anything - yet.)

I was an Ebico Zero customer for years. They earned my loyalty through their ethical values and, for me, the fastest and friendliest customer service ever, and of course a tariff which was less than half of any other quotes for a very low energy user (less than 600kWh total G+E).

It's a pity if they won't be supplying a Minimum Usage Fee instead of a Standing Charge, but laws of economics (and Octopus) will have determined that. The Minimum Usage Fee is like a Standing Charge but with a "You get your first xxx kWh for free." (lots better than a 50quid M&S voucher) so can still be a lot cheaper for many low users like myself. (As they evolve there's a chance new tariffs will come along, perhaps along these lines.)

My Ebico Living quote is about twice as much per year as my old Zero v5, but honestly, after my experience with British Gas I would probable go for it, even if it's not the cheapest on the market. I trust the new Ebico will be as stress and anxiety free as the old Ebico to deal with, and British Gas has taught me that's more important than saving a few quid. (Not that BG will have anything to offer when our fixed terms end.)

I've seen quite a few scathing criticisms of Ebico in the past, and I can't nay say them all, but many clearly laid fault at the wrong door**, many lump distrust on all utilities equally, and some were blatant trolling. I'm only defending Ebico here because the "System" clearly stinks.

(** It seems the wrong billing, missing bills then final demands, unexplained charges on energy statements etc happened around change-over when Ebico staff had been sacked and a BG team had taken over.)

I will stick with my own personal experience - and that of friends and family who I introduced who feel the same way.

Looking forward to how this develops.

Oneye12

"Many will be aware that a Court-appointed Administrator is now in charge of our supply partner, Robin Hood Energy.  Whilst this is sad news, we would like to reassure everyone that we, at Ebico, remain very much in business.  We have not been taken over by British Gas and we will be returning to the energy market very soon." 

Yes we know - glance at Companies House records confirm.

But why make such a 'pigs ear' last September which I have detailed elsewhere 

by alleged contravention of the many rules/regulations ?

Oneye12

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6258526/energy-ombudsman-wont-investigate-yorkshire-energy#latest

Grizzlebeard

Oneye12 said:

..........

Yes we know - glance at Companies House records confirm.

But why make such a 'pigs ear' last September which I have detailed elsewhere 

by alleged contravention of the many rules/regulations ?

Well, as I said, in September (by Sept 3rd actually) all Robin Hoods customers, including Ebico's, had been transferred to British Gas control. The RH staff were made redundant, and all operations including Accounting when the major 'pigs ear' stuff started were in the hands of BRITISH GAS. The 'alleged contravention of the many rules/regulations' were British Gas responsibility's.

Ebico and Robin Hood had only retained a skeleton staff to assist with the change-over by then as a BG team had been shipped in weeks earlier.

Point your anger, which I share and understand, at the right people.

The REAL News in this thread has nothing to do with Companies House records, but that Ebico have re-appeared as a public facing entity with a new website and new tariffs. We didn't know this a few days back, but thanks to bristolleeds fan, we do know now.

At the moment it's very a skinny website, obviously still under development, so I eagerly await further developments

niktheguru

Like "london power", this is just an octopus energy account under another name. As the main question in the FAQ says, Octopus basically handles absolutely everything for ebico.....so whats the point.

What is the relationship between Ebico Living and Octopus Energy?

Octopus Energy is our chosen supply partner. Under the rules of Ofgem, the energy supply market’s regulator, electricity and gas must be delivered to your meter by a licensed supplier; so our partnership with Octopus Energy enables us to work with them to deliver energy to you. This means that Ebico Living customers will have an energy supply contract with Octopus Energy. They will also be the company that arranges meter readings, sends out your bills and statements, and collects payment on our behalf.

Verdigris

 As the main question in the FAQ says, Octopus basically handles absolutely everything for ebico.....so whats the point.

The tariff I had with Ebico, when they were partnered with SSE, was different to anything SSE offered. Yes, the bill said SSE on the header, yes, SSE arranged the meter reading, but the no daily charge deal wasn't available from SSE.

In short, Ebico market a proportion of Octopus's wholesale supply to a niche market. That makes Octopus a bigger player in the wholesale market, so gives them more clout in purchasing forward contracts.

niktheguru

Verdigris said:

 As the main question in the FAQ says, Octopus basically handles absolutely everything for ebico.....so whats the point.

The tariff I had with Ebico, when they were partnered with SSE, was different to anything SSE offered. Yes, the bill said SSE on the header, yes, SSE arranged the meter reading, but the no daily charge deal wasn't available from SSE.

In short, Ebico market a proportion of Octopus's wholesale supply to a niche market. That makes Octopus a bigger player in the wholesale market, so gives them more clout in purchasing forward contracts.

Completely agree with that, but they're not doing that here. They are just mirroring octopus normal tariffs. If they had a no standing charge or slightly different offering to what octopus offer, then thats different. 

Grizzlebeard

niktheguru said:

Verdigris said:

 As the main question in the FAQ says, Octopus basically handles absolutely everything for ebico.....so whats the point.

......

Completely agree with that, but they're not doing that here. They are just mirroring octopus normal tariffs. If they had a no standing charge or slightly different offering to what octopus offer, then thats different. 

Very early days.

From day 1 I expect they will have a small Customer Service team dedicated specifically to their customers.

If they want (and I suspect they do) to evolve tariffs specifically for social/low-income homes it will require changes and development at Octopus's accounting systems as well as inside Ebico.

I don't know, but like to think they're working with Octy to support new tariff structures similar to the Zero with minimum usage, but ones which won't break the bank. I doubt the downfall of Robin Hood was all due to their contract with Ebico: it was only a very small part of the overall picture. Also last time Ebico got hit with all the holiday-home accounts which were only used 2-4 weeks a year and minimum usage charges or suchlike at least stops them being such huge loss making machines.

Unlike SSE and British Gas, Octopus has a very good grasp on public image, and social responsibility is a big part of that, so I'm hopeful they could make this happen. The energy market is a rough sea for small fish to live in, but Ebico have been around for 23+ years, navigated a couple of big storms, and are still swimming. And at least 43 other energy companies have gone bust since Jan 2019.

Honestly I have no relationship with them other than being a very happy customer since April 2017.

[Deleted User]

No paper bills and no card/cheque/cash payments like the old RHE setup? If not then their not really catering for the core customers they used to cater for.

Oneye12

Grizzlebeard said:

Well, as I said, in September (by Sept 3rd actually) all Robin Hoods customers, including Ebico's, had been transferred to British Gas control. The RH staff were made redundant, and all operations including Accounting when the major 'pigs ear' stuff started were in the hands of BRITISH GAS. The 'alleged contravention of the many rules/regulations' were British Gas responsibility's.

Ebico and Robin Hood had only retained a skeleton staff to assist with the change-over by then as a BG team had shipped in weeks earlier.

Point your anger, which I share and understand, at the right people.

We are pointing ‘anger’ at the right people, but the above explains a lot and puts BG in the firing line which will hopefully lead to criminal allegations.