Octopus Tracker

SJMALBA

mmmmikey said:

SJMALBA said:

From Tracker FAQ:



If they aren't going to move people off Tracker should their smart meters stop sending readings, how could they justify kicking existing Tracker customers, who don't have smart meters, off the tariff just because Octopus have chosen to force them onto a new version? It also says that the smart meter requirement is for those switching to Tracker...

Taking your question at face value, it seems to me perfectly reasonable for customers to expect Octopus to take the hit and absorb any costs associated with putting things right if something goes wrong with a customer's smart meter and it stops sending readings, or if there are technical issues that stop the meter working in the first place. 

On the flip side, if a customer chooses not to have a smart meter it seems perfectly reasonable to me for Octopus to take the view that they've set the Tracker rates based on a fully automated smart-meter system and decline to take on customers who won't have a smart meter.

Similarly, the market for smart energy tariffs is still in development with customers being told that some of the Octopus tariffs are beta tariffs - i.e. still being tested. So perfectly reasonable, in my view, for Octopus to change the terms and conditions of their smart tariffs as they gain experience from testing. Again, IMHO, this would reaasonably include stipulating a requirement for existing customers to have a smart meter, and given reasonable notice declining to offer Tracker to those customers who choose not to.

I didn't say anything about what Octopus can/can't do (it's their tariff, with Ts & Cs that allow them to change various aspects), merely asked how they could justify it, given their stated policy (as a way of adding to the speculation about what Octopus might do).

MultiFuelBurner

On a personal note I do hope they kick everyone off without a smart meter unless they are prepared to have one fitted (I do wonder what happens though if they ask for it to be commissioned in dumb mode)

Could be a can of worms 🤣

Oh well we will find out in 2024 what tracker brings us all. Smart and dumb alike.

Matt17

bristolleedsfan said:

Matt17 said:

I requested to be moved to Tracker last week but I'm still waiting for them to do it. Should they honour the previous formula or put me on the new more expensive one? 

Those who applied to switch to tracker before 12pm yesterday get version with previous formula.

I been moved on to the Tracker tariff now and it has indeed been backdated to the date that I applied with the November 22 version

knight123

Wait, are there people on Tracker without a smart meter? How does that even work.

wakeupalarm

QrizB said:

MultiFuelBurner said:

What happens when Octopus hit the change everyone to the new fixed tracker tariff in the new year and they are still on dumb meters. The December 2023 v1 clearly states smart meters are a requirement.

Either the dumb meter customers get swtched over, or they get kicked off the tariff.

They will get kicked off the tariff onto Flexible Octopus tariff. This happened to me early this year when my renewal came up and I didn't have a smart meter.

QrizB

knight123 said:

Wait, are there people on Tracker without a smart meter? How does that even work.

Originally, it wasn't a requirement. That changed a year or two ago.

wakeupalarm said:

QrizB said:

MultiFuelBurner said:

What happens when Octopus hit the change everyone to the new fixed tracker tariff in the new year and they are still on dumb meters. The December 2023 v1 clearly states smart meters are a requirement.

Either the dumb meter customers get swtched over, or they get kicked off the tariff.

They will get kicked off the tariff onto Flexible Octopus tariff. This happened to me early this year when my renewal came up and I didn't have a smart meter.

It's good to have an example of what happens in practice, thank you for sharing your experience.

Pat38493

knight123 said:

Wait, are there people on Tracker without a smart meter? How does that even work.

The usage is spread over the days according to an industry formula - generally the colder it is, the more they assume you are using on those days.

Even if you have a smart meter they do this if there is any data missing in the month.

MultiFuelBurner

wakeupalarm said:

QrizB said:

MultiFuelBurner said:

What happens when Octopus hit the change everyone to the new fixed tracker tariff in the new year and they are still on dumb meters. The December 2023 v1 clearly states smart meters are a requirement.

Either the dumb meter customers get swtched over, or they get kicked off the tariff.

They will get kicked off the tariff onto Flexible Octopus tariff. This happened to me early this year when my renewal came up and I didn't have a smart meter.

Well that is definitive then, from the horse's mouth so to speak.

Did you then get a smart meter and then rejoin Tracker?

wakeupalarm

Yes, you are given the option to get a smart meter and rejoin tracker once your smart meter is installed, you remain on Flexible Octopus until your meter is installed and providing readings to Octopus.  There is no 9 month waiting period if the reason is dumb to smart meter installation.

This is what happened in my case when my tariff was up for renewal, it may not be what happens if Octopus move existing customers half way through their terms.

calleyw

Matt17 said:

I requested to be moved to Tracker last week but I'm still waiting for them to do it. Should they honour the previous formula or put me on the new more expensive one? 

I have been waiting close to 4 weeks since requesting to go on a tracker and I had an email on the 1st december confirming my requestion never told me when I was getting put on the tracker just that I would have to wait up to 2 weeks to leave it!!!