Octopus Energy - Bonkers Cheap 24 Month Fixed Electricity Rate - No Exit Fees ( Now Withdrawn )

bristolleedsfan

Random example of Octopus Energy replying on Social Media saying same thing that gets said here  - "All our tariffs are here: https://octopus.energy/tariffs/ if someone sees one they want to be on, we can help!"

Octopus Energy on Twitter: "@Foxyloxy1075 Hi Chris, our MD Rebecca explains why prices can be different (by a v small amount) depending on where you sign up: https://t.co/zses9KqLDo All our tariffs are here: https://t.co/ea2pr4oVj1 if someone sees one they want to be on, we can help! https://t.co/mdLjkMMxIf" / Twitter

Octopus Energy on Twitter: "@MichaelHarmon4 Hi Michael, this definitely sounds odd. Our Fixed & Flexible tariffs are open to all customers to switch to at any time and it wouldn't be like us to ring up with a "special" rate. Could you DM us with your phone number and can find out a bit more about what's happened here?" / Twitter

Octopus Energy on Twitter: "@MichaelHarmon4 Hi Michael, something is definitely off here, we pride ourselves on being fair and transparent with our pricing and make our tariffs available across the board. Our field sales team offers the 24MF Fixed tariff which you can find on our website here: https://t.co/cPrbQeEoKW 1/2" / Twitter

WillPS

MWT said:

I would not recommend that anyone tries to switch to Octopus on the basis of this tariff, from what I understand, it is not a generally available option for people to switch to, or for existing customers to move to.

Exactly who it is intended for is not clear right now but if I get that information I will post it here.

If you make clear that you are only interested in the 'Helpful Octopus' tariff, what is the worst that can happen?

I agree incidentally that they almost definitely did not intend for this to be a product available to all and sundry; but they are putting it out there. If there are hoops to jump through the market is such that some just might do it, so it's a shame that detail is lacking.

bristolleedsfan

WillPS said:

MWT said:

I would not recommend that anyone tries to switch to Octopus on the basis of this tariff, from what I understand, it is not a generally available option for people to switch to, or for existing customers to move to.

Exactly who it is intended for is not clear right now but if I get that information I will post it here.

If you make clear that you are only interested in the 'Helpful Octopus' tariff, what is the worst that can happen?

Worst that can happen is they say No cannot change/switch to the tariff, however that would contradict the tweet replies i highlighted above where they link all tariff list replying to different people saying any tariff listed as current is available to anyone to change/switch to hence no special/cheaper rates are offered door to door.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/78733767/#Comment_78733767

MWT

bristolleedsfan said:

WillPS said:

MWT said:

I would not recommend that anyone tries to switch to Octopus on the basis of this tariff, from what I understand, it is not a generally available option for people to switch to, or for existing customers to move to.

Exactly who it is intended for is not clear right now but if I get that information I will post it here.

If you make clear that you are only interested in the 'Helpful Octopus' tariff, what is the worst that can happen?

Worst that can happen is they say No cannot change/switch to the tariff, however that would contradict the tweet replies i highlighted above where they link all tariff list replying to different people saying any tariff listed as current is available to anyone to change/switch to hence no special/cheaper rates are offered door to door.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/78733767/#Comment_78733767

That has never been 100% accurate though as for a long time now there have been tariffs that are listed there which have additional limitations, like needing to have already been on a 12 month fix (Loyal), own a Tesla Powerwall (Tesla Energy Plan), or having a particular EV charger (Intelligent Octopus), or more recently, just having an EV (Go/Go Faster).

It would be more accurate to say that all current tariffs are available to anyone who qualifies for them, but in this case we don't know what the requirements are for the 'Helpful' tariffs...

... and yes, I really wish they would put that level of detail onto the tariff page...

bristolleedsfan

MWT said:

bristolleedsfan said:

WillPS said:

MWT said:

I would not recommend that anyone tries to switch to Octopus on the basis of this tariff, from what I understand, it is not a generally available option for people to switch to, or for existing customers to move to.

Exactly who it is intended for is not clear right now but if I get that information I will post it here.

If you make clear that you are only interested in the 'Helpful Octopus' tariff, what is the worst that can happen?

Worst that can happen is they say No cannot change/switch to the tariff, however that would contradict the tweet replies i highlighted above where they link all tariff list replying to different people saying any tariff listed as current is available to anyone to change/switch to hence no special/cheaper rates are offered door to door.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/78733767/#Comment_78733767

That has never been 100% accurate though as for a long time now there have been tariffs that are listed there which have additional limitations, like needing to have already been on a 12 month fix (Loyal), own a Tesla Powerwall (Tesla Energy Plan), or having a particular EV charger (Intelligent Octopus), or more recently, just having an EV (Go/Go Faster).

It would be more accurate to say that all current tariffs are available to anyone who qualifies for them, but in this case we don't know what the requirements are for the 'Helpful' tariffs...

... and yes, I really wish they would put that level of detail onto the tariff page...

Irony https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/78482104/#Comment_78482104  "Octopus allow existing customers to switch to any of their current tariffs, including the ones designed for specific switching partners, so they list them all for anyone to see."

MWT

bristolleedsfan said:

MWT said:

bristolleedsfan said:

WillPS said:

MWT said:

I would not recommend that anyone tries to switch to Octopus on the basis of this tariff, from what I understand, it is not a generally available option for people to switch to, or for existing customers to move to.

Exactly who it is intended for is not clear right now but if I get that information I will post it here.

If you make clear that you are only interested in the 'Helpful Octopus' tariff, what is the worst that can happen?

Worst that can happen is they say No cannot change/switch to the tariff, however that would contradict the tweet replies i highlighted above where they link all tariff list replying to different people saying any tariff listed as current is available to anyone to change/switch to hence no special/cheaper rates are offered door to door.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/78733767/#Comment_78733767

That has never been 100% accurate though as for a long time now there have been tariffs that are listed there which have additional limitations, like needing to have already been on a 12 month fix (Loyal), own a Tesla Powerwall (Tesla Energy Plan), or having a particular EV charger (Intelligent Octopus), or more recently, just having an EV (Go/Go Faster).

It would be more accurate to say that all current tariffs are available to anyone who qualifies for them, but in this case we don't know what the requirements are for the 'Helpful' tariffs...

... and yes, I really wish they would put that level of detail onto the tariff page...

Irony https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/78482104/#Comment_78482104  "Octopus allow existing customers to switch to any of their current tariffs, including the ones designed for specific switching partners, so they list them all for anyone to see."

Agreed, things change though, but as far as we know at the moment, that particular set of tariffs is still open for everyone.

I'll freely admit I swapped my father-in-law onto 'Go' earlier this year, it was allowed then, but he won't be able to stay there when he renews as he doesn't own an EV.

The 'wild west' is feeling a bit more regulated these days it seems

.

bagand96

So just to update...

After Octopus Twitter told me last night they couldn't switch me to Helpful Octopus I just sent a quick "no worries thanks for your help, can I ask why I can't be switched to it please?". I didn't really expect much in response and was prepared to leave it there.  

This morning they've been back in touch and signed me up for it. Very quick and straightforward. My account is set up showing my electricity switch due in a couple of weeks. 

So far so good and they seem to live up to their reputation for communication.  On a quick glance I can't find anything in My Account that states my tariff though....

MWT

bagand96 said:

So just to update...

After Octopus Twitter told me last night they couldn't switch me to Helpful Octopus I just sent a quick "no worries thanks for your help, can I ask why I can't be switched to it please?". I didn't really expect much in response and was prepared to leave it there.  

This morning they've been back in touch and signed me up for it. Very quick and straightforward. My account is set up showing my electricity switch due in a couple of weeks. 

So far so good and they seem to live up to their reputation for communication.  On a quick glance I can't find anything in My Account that states my tariff though....

Keep us all post on progress, they may have taken your message to mean 'not worried about the tariff but please switch me anyway'. but either way lets see where you land...

bagand96

MWT said:

bagand96 said:

So just to update...

After Octopus Twitter told me last night they couldn't switch me to Helpful Octopus I just sent a quick "no worries thanks for your help, can I ask why I can't be switched to it please?". I didn't really expect much in response and was prepared to leave it there.  

This morning they've been back in touch and signed me up for it. Very quick and straightforward. My account is set up showing my electricity switch due in a couple of weeks. 

So far so good and they seem to live up to their reputation for communication.  On a quick glance I can't find anything in My Account that states my tariff though....

Keep us all post on progress, they may have taken your message to mean 'not worried about the tariff but please switch me anyway'. but either way lets see where you land...

They came back to me and said they had found the tariff and gave me a quote for my use with the "Helpful Octopus" rates as per the tariff chart. 

Then replied confirming I was "happy to switch on Helpful Octopus 24M November 2021 v1" and gave them the information they asked for so I'm hoping there's not much room for error. 

It is all a bit odd though but we will see. I'll be no worse off it it all fails. Decided to ride out the winter on the BG SVR for gas as like most, the bulk of my gas use is in the next 4 months. Also feel it will be a little easier to keep a relationship with BG until my PFP account is settled properly. 

WillPS

MWT said:

bagand96 said:

So just to update...

After Octopus Twitter told me last night they couldn't switch me to Helpful Octopus I just sent a quick "no worries thanks for your help, can I ask why I can't be switched to it please?". I didn't really expect much in response and was prepared to leave it there.  

This morning they've been back in touch and signed me up for it. Very quick and straightforward. My account is set up showing my electricity switch due in a couple of weeks. 

So far so good and they seem to live up to their reputation for communication.  On a quick glance I can't find anything in My Account that states my tariff though....

Keep us all post on progress, they may have taken your message to mean 'not worried about the tariff but please switch me anyway'. but either way lets see where you land...

The sign up process on Twitter DM at least involves them confirming the unit rate and standing charge.

There is no room for ambiguity if you get it via that channel.