Octopus asking new homeowner to moved to fixed tariff on registering account - no option for SVR

serendipity109

Daughter just moved into her first home, Octopus sent a letter stating she is on variable tarrif, all good and the letter was offering her £25 off when she registers online.
On trying to register online she is asked to choose a tariff, there are only 2 both fixed at £140+ per month, bearing in mind the previous owner paid £70 per month. It appears that if you don't register online you would be put on a pre-payment meter instead, so she's stuck between a rock and a hard place, welcome to the world of home ownership...Anyone else come across this? She is going to try to call them today, seems unfair they stated she's on variable but them insisting she moved to fixed....

[Deleted User]

Where does the word ‘insisting’ come from? If your daughter does nothing she will remain on the deemed variable tariff. Octopus is offering an incentive if she chooses a fixed tariff - not surprising given that Octopus is no longer offering its variable tariff to new customers.

DiseasedBunny

Not insisting at all - just ignore them as she’s on variable anyway 

serendipity109

I use the word insisting as if she doesn't register online with them they move her on to a pre-payment meter which she doesn't want.

serendipity109

DiseasedBunny said:

Not insisting at all - just ignore them as she’s on variable anyway 

If she ignores their request they will change her to a pre-payment meter

molerat

How will they do that ?

Ultrasonic

See what you she is told over the phone and report back. My gut reaction is that Octopus almost certainly aren't allowed to do what is being described...

serendipity109

Ultrasonic said:

See what you she is told over the phone and report back. My gut reaction is that Octopus almost certainly aren't allowed to do what is being described...

That's my gut reaction too as the letter gives all the variable tariff details. I don't like the threat of if you fail to register you'll be placed on a pre-payment meter though. Doesn't seem fair nor right.

serendipity109

molerat said:

How will they do that 

I have no idea..

[Deleted User]

serendipity109 said:

I use the word insisting as if she doesn't register online with them they move her on to a pre-payment meter which she doesn't want.

There are very few suppliers that are offering variable tariffs to new customers as to do so will lose them money. Your daughter has an enshrined right to be on a deemed variable tariff. If she calls Octopus or contacts them via hello@octopus.energy, I am sure the no one will 'insist' that she moves to a fixed tariff. Clearly, she will not get the £25 incentive payment which I suspect is the reason for your post. Octopus will through want to set up an online account as this is how Kraken produces monthly statements, and where your daughter enters meter readings.

serendipity109

There are very few suppliers that are offering variable tariffs to new customers as to do so will lose them money. Your daughter has an enshrined right to be on a deemed variable tariff. If she calls Octopus or contacts them via hello@octopus.energy, I am sure the no one will 'insist' that she moves to a fixed tariff. Clearly, she will not get the £25 incentive payment which I suspect is the reason for your post. Octopus will through want to set up an online account as this is how Kraken produces monthly statements, and where your daughter enters meter readings.

Thank you, this is very helpful. The incentive would have been a nice welcome but obviously she would rather forgoe this than be on a fixed tariff.