Octopus Tracker

masonic

Chrysalis said:

Telegraph_Sam said:

This may well be old hat but whenever I have switched I made a note to inform both suppliers in writing of the meter reading on the change-over date, leaving it to them to say if they disagreed. I can't remember there being any particular problem with this (whereas there could be if the suppliers were working to different meter readings on different dates)

I did this when moving to TE from Octopus, seems logical, but then I got told in a different thread, there is a set process where gaining provider should take responsibility to inform the losing provider which seems a bit optimistic.  I was also told the backup plan to do this is to use seasonally adjusted estimated based on predicted annual usage.  This is backed up by a page on Octopus website (which states the starting point would be the last validated reading).
Octopus support then after a bit of prodding told me if they end up using an estimate, and its above my reading they will credit the difference.  But given my recent experience with them, I will now take this with a grain of salt.

Suspect from various commentary that TE will be billing based on HH readings from the start date and not making any adjustments for the opening reading. So any estimated change of supplier reading will result in either free energy or double charging. So I will be sending photographs of my meter read to Octopus and insisting they make an adjustment if the latter. That said, if they end up coughing up the £40 for a late final bill, I may feel more charitable and let it drop.

masonic

Telegraph_Sam said:

I remember your previous comments.
It will not be simple to put my side of the case intelligibly without getting tied up in accountancy knots.

Although the process was slow, once I complained to their issueresolution email address, I got assigned a specific individual to look into my complaint, and they were very agreeable throughout the process. This will be an issue they'll have seen before, given it has happened to a number of us in this thread alone. I doubt you will need to go as far as Greg's office or the Ombudsman.

Telegraph_Sam

I take it that I can resort to this thread instead for a resolution to all my problems    !

Chrysalis

masonic said:

Chrysalis said:

Telegraph_Sam said:

This may well be old hat but whenever I have switched I made a note to inform both suppliers in writing of the meter reading on the change-over date, leaving it to them to say if they disagreed. I can't remember there being any particular problem with this (whereas there could be if the suppliers were working to different meter readings on different dates)

I did this when moving to TE from Octopus, seems logical, but then I got told in a different thread, there is a set process where gaining provider should take responsibility to inform the losing provider which seems a bit optimistic.  I was also told the backup plan to do this is to use seasonally adjusted estimated based on predicted annual usage.  This is backed up by a page on Octopus website (which states the starting point would be the last validated reading).
Octopus support then after a bit of prodding told me if they end up using an estimate, and its above my reading they will credit the difference.  But given my recent experience with them, I will now take this with a grain of salt.

Suspect from various commentary that TE will be billing based on HH readings from the start date and not making any adjustments for the opening reading. So any estimated change of supplier reading will result in either free energy or double charging. So I will be sending photographs of my meter read to Octopus and insisting they make an adjustment if the latter. That said, if they end up coughing up the £40 for a late final bill, I may feel more charitable and let it drop.

Yeah if I get the delay compensation, any double charging that is within that I wont be bothering.

Spoonie_Turtle

Telegraph_Sam said:

I take it that I can resort to this thread instead for a resolution to all my problems    !

Or start your own

bristolleedsfan

Chrysalis said:

Telegraph_Sam said:

This may well be old hat but whenever I have switched I made a note to inform both suppliers in writing of the meter reading on the change-over date, leaving it to them to say if they disagreed. I can't remember there being any particular problem with this (whereas there could be if the suppliers were working to different meter readings on different dates)

I did this when moving to TE from Octopus, seems logical, but then I got told in a different thread, there is a set process where gaining provider should take responsibility to inform the losing provider which seems a bit optimistic.  I was also told the backup plan to do this is to use seasonally adjusted estimated based on predicted annual usage.  This is backed up by a page on Octopus website (which states the starting point would be the last validated reading).
Octopus support then after a bit of prodding told me if they end up using an estimate, and its above my reading they will credit the difference.  But given my recent experience with them, I will now take this with a grain of salt.

Touching on subject difference in switch readings old/new supplier which is not one offs or unique to switches to Tomato E, having switched both fuels out has been difficult getting any interest from Octopus via X despite them being very helpful  re different issue new supplier, finally got a comment today they seem oblivious to fact they should be using same reading as new supplier.

"The gas is estimated, but it fits in line with the previous smart meter read we had" ( No gas used between  previous smart meter read and switch out, new supplier opening read correct same as meter reading at the time.

Telegraph_Sam

I get queasy whenever the word estimate(d) crops up in such situations. I have made a resolution (not very original as far as contributors to this thread are concerned) to take at least one, preferably more, photos of the meter(s) on the critical days in question. To be used as evidence in arguments where the outcome risks being based on guesstimates (from smart meters). Dumb meters do have their uses.

Spoonie_Turtle

Right, well, looks like it's not coming back down below the SVT before the end of our term if the demand/renewable supply is anything to go by, so I've taken the plunge for Octopus Cosy.  Not massive savings with our usual usage patterns but the average for the past year without any load shifting comes out below the SVT still, and with a couple of simple tweaks we can make better use of the cheap periods and I'll set the heat pump to be off during the peak.  And then just keep an eye out for Agile prices to fall (if they do).

Btw does anyone know why electricity is currently so relatively expensive?  The renewable supply vs demand doesn't look terrible on emoncms but it's more expensive for this level of supply/demand than it used to be (on the same tariff, so formula differences don't count).  It's not even particularly cold?

Qyburn

A lot of gas use, 55% of demand just now.

Spoonie_Turtle

Qyburn said:

A lot of gas use, 55% of demand just now.

Thanks, I've now just looked at the wholesale prices for the past year and that explains why electricity has so rarely been cheap for the past several months!