Octopus Energy takes on Avro customers

BooJewels

@beeniecarol  I don't think my spreadsheet workings would help you as I suspect I do things oddly - plus the tariff varies a little by region.  But if you want to post meter readings and tariff, I'm sure we can work some costs out for you.

Consumerist

beeniecarol said:

I have all my meter readings so could try and work out what I owe.  To save me re-inventing the wheel does anyone have a spreadsheet template they are willing to share?

I don't think a spreadsheet is necessary - it's a one-off calculation to find what you you owe since 26 September based on (1) your closing readings at Avro/Igloo and (2) your current readings. You then just need to subtract any credit balance due to you.

Edit

You can assume a CV of 39.4 for gas throughout the period, which is a fairly representative value but may slightly over-estimate the costs.

cycloneuk

I am still waiting on my credit to be transferred and a final bill, I have emailed Octopus a few times but just get excuses. I can't see what's complicated about my account, I was with Avro for around 8 months and had £300 credit. They have even stopped updating the website, the last update was 15th Jan.

johnbhoy70

Got this about 10 mins ago after asking them what was happening a few days ago??

First time i've contacted them since October.

'Thank you for your reply.

We are still waiting for Avro to issue your final bill and transfer all the needed details so there is not much that we can do about it.

We will do our best to try to resolve this as soon as possible.

I am very sorry for the inconvenience because the process is taking much longer than expected.'

badger09

Pootle1 said:

beeniecarol said:

I'm one of the customers still waiting for the transfer from Avro to Octopus and starting to get very frustrated now.

We were due to switch to Avro just before they went bust. I have had a final bill up to 29th Sept from igloo and the credit refund from Eon.

Has anyone any idea what's happening or how many of us are in the same position?

We're also in the same boat - no DD taken and haven't paid for gas or electricity since last September. With all the recent news we're frightened we'll be presented with a huge bill.

When something similar happened with my internet, PlusNet had to give us most of the unpaid months for free. I wonder if there are similar laws for utilities?

Have you actually set up new DDs with Octopus, or are you just waiting for them to be transferred from Avro?
If you haven't set up fresh DDs, why not?

You could also make one off payments.

Can you submit meter readings? If not, are you keeping records (photos of meter readings?) 

You're not going to get free gas & electricity and have already used over 5 months worth over the winter period. But you must know this already. Have you at least been saving towards what you owe?

Pootle1

badger09 said:

Pootle1 said:

beeniecarol said:

I'm one of the customers still waiting for the transfer from Avro to Octopus and starting to get very frustrated now.

We were due to switch to Avro just before they went bust. I have had a final bill up to 29th Sept from igloo and the credit refund from Eon.

Has anyone any idea what's happening or how many of us are in the same position?

We're also in the same boat - no DD taken and haven't paid for gas or electricity since last September. With all the recent news we're frightened we'll be presented with a huge bill.

When something similar happened with my internet, PlusNet had to give us most of the unpaid months for free. I wonder if there are similar laws for utilities?

Have you actually set up new DDs with Octopus, or are you just waiting for them to be transferred from Avro?
If you haven't set up fresh DDs, why not?

You could also make one off payments.

Can you submit meter readings? If not, are you keeping records (photos of meter readings?) 

You're not going to get free gas & electricity and have already used over 5 months worth over the winter period. But you must know this already. Have you at least been saving towards what you owe?

Yes,  set up DDs. I wouldn't make an one off payment, that's asking for trouble!

The meters are Smart, I can't see the readings directly but back in August I wrote down the readings shown on the little unit inside the house.

I have some savings yes, but on the news there's all sorts about the bills rising astronomically. I'm worried I won't be able to afford it all.

MWT

Pootle1 said:

Yes,  set up DDs. I wouldn't make an one off payment, that's asking for trouble!

One-off payments are a very normal thing to do with Octopus as they leave the DD payments under your control, so if your account is a bit short after a new bill has arrived, you can make a one-off payment to top it up.

It is a far more civilized approach than the draconian enforced DD changes you often hear about with other suppliers...

Pootle1 said:

The meters are Smart, I can't see the readings directly but back in August I wrote down the readings shown on the little unit inside the house.

I have some savings yes, but on the news there's all sorts about the bills rising astronomically. I'm worried I won't be able to afford it all.

If you have a rough idea what your closing reading should have been when Avro failed you can work out what you owe, if you are unsure how to do that then just post the readings here and others will help...

beeniecarol

Yes,  set up DDs. I wouldn't make an one off payment, that's asking for trouble!

I decided not to set up a new DD with Octopus until they got my account set up properly; but have been making one off payments each month.  I have also been submitting meter readings each month since Oct by email or their online portal. 

I don't understand; why would making a one off payment be asking for trouble?  Do I need to change my approach?

I've also worked out (in a spreadsheet) my gas and electricity cost since 3rd Oct (when my Avro deal should have started) If I've got this right I'm only £46 in debit so far, phew......


Thank you

Carol

Consumerist

beeniecarol said:

I've also worked out (in a spreadsheet) my gas and electricity cost since 3rd Oct (when my Avro deal should have started) If I've got this right I'm only £46 in debit so far, phew......

If you've got any doubts then post your readings and tariff rates and someone will be glad to verify them.

janbeno

It's really worrying the way things are spiralling. I thought I'd check what a fixed tariff would be. 44p per unit electric. Estimated monthly debit £302. The fix is for 10 months.