Can I switch to a supplier that I can pay per bill?

wittynamegoeshere

I'm currently with Eon Next, they were a forced switch after Symbio went bust.

I'm paying them whatever amount they demand based on a computer algorithm.  I don't think their computer understands seasonal use of electricity, as we have no gas and use electric heaters.  Obviously our winter bills were high, and as a result they've decided we need to cough up £270 a month.  We're now in credit and will be using a fraction of this through the summer so will end up basically loaning them a pile of cash over the coming months.  I'm assuming they won't reduce it without a fight, probably based on an argument that the bills will rise in the autumn.  I don't need enforced budgeting to save money with them, we can afford high bills in the winter.  Our current account pays interest so the money is much better off remaining ours until next winter.  Besides, I just object on principle to lending them a pile of money against my will.

I don't think Eon Next allow direct debit payment of the billed amount per month, I can't see an option for this on their website.

Is there a supplier that is actually taking new customers that would just take payment per bill, by direct debit?  I'm just looking for the standard capped tariff.

Thanks.

MWT

E.ON Next do offer variable Direct Debit, you may have to call them to change to it though...

QrizB

E.ON Next T&C para 4.3.4 seems to think you can pay them by variable DD:

4.3.4 We usually set your Direct Debit amount based on the amount of energy we think you’ll use over the year divided by twelve unless you pay by variable Direct Debit; which means you pay your bill in full when you receive one, so the amount may go up or down each time;

wittynamegoeshere

Thanks very much, hugely appreciated.  Need to go out on business now, will try calling them later.

I will update the thread with the good or bad news.

wittynamegoeshere

Twas a busy day, will phone them on Monday.

Their website is just full of waffle about how monthly fixed payments help you budget bla bla etc.  I can't find anything saying you can just pay them what you owe.  Clearly they prefer being paid more than they're charging!  Hopefully it's available but just not promoted. 

I will update with what I'm told on Monday.

Marky4040

wittynamegoeshere said:

Twas a busy day, will phone them on Monday.

Their website is just full of waffle about how monthly fixed payments help you budget bla bla etc.  I can't find anything saying you can just pay them what you owe.  Clearly they prefer being paid more than they're charging!  Hopefully it's available but just not promoted. 

I will update with what I'm told on Monday.

Hi there , with Eon next, just cancel your direct debit, they will send you an email the next day asking what the hell you think you're doing, tell them your in credit and not paying more than you need, they will offer variable direct debit, tell them thats fine and set it up.

They don't make it easy because then they won't be able to steal everyones money each month.

bristolleedsfan

No need to cancel DD, ask them to change it to  Tariff Name Next Flex Product Type Variable Payment Method Direct Debit

wittynamegoeshere

I don't want to do anything that risks me ending up on the higher capped tariff for non-DD payment.

I'll phone them on Monday, looking forward to cynically analysing just how much hard sell I get for staying on the scheme where I pay them whatever made-up amount they fancy.  I'll see what powers of persuasion they attempt to use on me.

Between them, the energy suppliers must be sitting on £millions (or even billions) of people's money at any point in time.

[Deleted User]

I can confirm that you can pay Eon Next via Variable Direct Debit as that is what I do.  Upon Eon Next getting a reading from me on the due date for statement generation, they generate said bill and then some 17 days later they request a direct debit payment for the balance of the account arising from said bill.  I pay the same rates as I did when paying a fixed amount DD.

 wittynamegoeshere said:

I don't want to do anything that risks me ending up on the higher capped tariff for non-DD payment.

I'll phone them on Monday, looking forward to cynically analysing just how much hard sell I get for staying on the scheme where I pay them whatever made-up amount they fancy.  I'll see what powers of persuasion they attempt to use on me.

Between them, the energy suppliers must be sitting on £millions (or even billions) of people's money at any point in time.

I moved to this method back in February and it has been straightforward since then.  On the phone call I made to them,  I asked them what I wanted, they agreed to it without any hard sell to remain on fixed DD.

Variable DD is listed in

 https://assets.ctfassets.net/gmgnreshss7h/73aJWQiTaT96SpbScmbqGF/fba74e6de590b0093ae13c89a73b1d96/20201215_External_Comms_ManagingYourDirectDebit-v4.pdf

   

Pdman

Shell Energy offer variable DD.

pochase

Pdman said:

Shell Energy offer variable DD.

Does not really help if you cannot switch to them, they don't have a fixed tariff and don't accept new customers on SVT.

It really leaves you only with EDF and Octopus who accept new customers.

Not sure about the Green fix @Qrizb found. Do they do variable DD?