EDF - cancel Direct Debit

slowprogress

Hi

I'm currently a customer with EDF and my deal ended at the end of April, I had built up a reasonable amount of credit with the amount I was paying however EDF keep increasing my direct debit (3 times since last october) even though what I am paying is 40% more than my usage (i'm happy with continuing to pay this amount so I have a buffer for next winter), twice now it has caused difficulties as my direct debit has gone out without me allowing for the larger payment.  The suspicious part of my brain thinks they were hoping i'd cancel my direct debit so they could move me over to the price cap ahead of my deal ending.  They do always reduce my direct debit when asked but i'm worrying they're going to keep increasing it and therefore causing a degree of hardship, and all this when my account is in credit.

Because of this i'm tempted to cancel my direct debit and make a payment monthly on payday of the amount I believe I should be paying, this also has the advantage of knowing the balance of my bill when I do my metre readings as i also do this monthly but only gt a bill twice a year.  Is there any financial reason why I shouldnt do this? I know when I was on a deal I got a discount for being a direct debit customer, is this the case now with the price cap?

Thank you

[Deleted User]

Hi,

you could maybe switch to a variable DD.

QrizB

slowprogress said:

twice now it has caused difficulties as my direct debit has gone out without me allowing for the larger payment.

EDF need to give you at least ten days notice of a DD change.

Because of this i'm tempted to cancel my direct debit and make a payment monthly on payday of the amount I believe I should be paying, this also has the advantage of knowing the balance of my bill when I do my metre readings as i also do this monthly but only gt a bill twice a year.  Is there any financial reason why I shouldnt do this? I know when I was on a deal I got a discount for being a direct debit customer, is this the case now with the price cap?

As frugalmacdugal says, you can switch to paying the whole amount of your bill monthly, by DD. You'll keep the DD tariff but won't carry a credit balance on your EDF account.

You will be responsible for providing monthly meter readings (unless you have a working smart meter) and for ensuring you have enough credit in your bank account to cover the varying payments.

The_Fat_Controller

Paying by DD always means you get a cheaper tariff, just look at the EDF rate card for where you live.

Overpaying in the summer is usual, however the buffer you imagine you are building up will possibly be wiped out completely when the cap rises by the predicted 45-52% in October.

EDF always advise of a change in DD amount, you must have ignored, missed or deleted the communication depending on which method they used to advise you.

slowprogress

Thank you all for your help, i'll keep the direct debit going and double check the communication methods, as I have no recollection of being notified of the increases.

Robin9

slowprogress said:

............. double check the communication methods, as I have no recollection of being notified of the increases.

This will be written on your bill - you won't get a separate text/email or letter

Mobtr

As @Robin9 said, read your bills, tells you on there if your direct debit is changing 

The_Fat_Controller

@slowprogress and @Robin9 just for information, my old fix ended 30th June and a new one started.

I pay EDF by DD Whole Amount Monthly.

The new DD amount which would be taken should readings fail changed immediately in my online account.

I received an email notification at 0005 today, 2nd July of the same.

I am in the middle of the billing cycle, they automatically read the meter on 30th June as the tariff changed and my next regular reading date will be 20th July.

EDF have got it 100% right this time !