Unable to set up Direct Debit on SSE account

Kippets

I have a normal SSE meter and always pay my bill directly when it is received, but decided that it would make sense to set up a Direct Debit, since I already enter my meter readings online every couple of weeks. Unfortunately, when I clicked on the appropriate link on the website, I received a message reading "We're sorry, you can't set up a Direct Debit instruction for this account."

Has this happened to anyone else, and what was the explanation?

I have of course tried calling SSE on the number provided in the error message, but had to abandon it after being on hold for 20 minutes the first time and 30 minutes the next time without getting through.

Robin9

It's SSE who set up the DD -  use their chat to ask 

Kippets

I take it you're not an SSE customer or you wouldn't say that....

Robin9

Kippets said:

I take it you're not an SSE customer or you wouldn't say that....

No I'm not  - enough of a challenge being an Edf (ex GNE) one.

If you are on a pay on receipt of bill tariff and haven't changed suppliers  for some time why not hit the comparison sites change supplier and pay by DD then.

Kippets

The reason I say that, is SSE's chat option hasn't been available on the website for some time, and the "Contact us" page seems a sort of endless loop.

Also, I am unable to change suppliers due to being on a THTC tariff with 2 meters and 2 seperate mpan numbers or I would do so like a shot.

QrizB

Kippets said:

Also, I am unable to change suppliers due to being on a THTC tariff with 2 meters and 2 seperate mpan numbers or I would do so like a shot.

You should be able to change to a another supplier even if you've got THTC meetering. Depending on exactly what you're paying for THTC it could work out cheaper.

See for example this post where someone switched to EDF:
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/77745939/#Comment_77745939

Edit: and also this thread:
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5957327/sse-thtc-monopoly/p1

Kippets

Thanks, EDF was a good suggestion, plus they came through with a quotation very quickly.