£400 energy rebate.

chris_n

DE_612183 said:

Don't forget - prices will also probably rise in April if you are on a variable tariff and their is unlikely to be anymore government help.

Really? Your payment may change when the government money finishes depending on supplier but prices won't change.

brilec

chris_n said:

DE_612183 said:

Don't forget - prices will also probably rise in April if you are on a variable tariff and their is unlikely to be anymore government help.

Really? Your payment may change when the government money finishes depending on supplier but prices won't change.

Exactly, the present guarantee is fixed for much longer fortunately.

brilec

DE_612183 said:

brilec said:

And by variable Direct Debit, I mean the energy company has the ability to vary the payments without asking my permission. It doesn't mean I would pay each month individually. Never heard of anyoe doing that on DD with energy payments.

Loads of people do - it allows them to get the reduced DD prices but not have to build up credit ( like you do ) they just pay each month for what they use.

Not with Bulb.

In banking terms, a variable Direct Debit is one where the company being paid can vary the amount without asking permission, though of course they have to give notice.

Currently it seems Bulb think I should be paying the amount they expect (£163) plus the £66 "rebate". Nice interest free loan for them by the end of the rebate period.

RobM99

Snwps said:

There are 2 different direct debits when paying for energy:

Variable direct debit is where the supplier bills you for usage used the previous month and you pay that in full each month so theres no debit/credit rolling over. 

...and this is what I have. My bill is different every month - just got mine from UW and it's £23 - including the £66 discount.

t0rt0ise

brilec said:

DE_612183 said:

brilec said:

And by variable Direct Debit, I mean the energy company has the ability to vary the payments without asking my permission. It doesn't mean I would pay each month individually. Never heard of anyoe doing that on DD with energy payments.

Loads of people do - it allows them to get the reduced DD prices but not have to build up credit ( like you do ) they just pay each month for what they use.

Not with Bulb.

In banking terms, a variable Direct Debit is one where the company being paid can vary the amount without asking permission, though of course they have to give notice.

Currently it seems Bulb think I should be paying the amount they expect (£163) plus the £66 "rebate". Nice interest free loan for them by the end of the rebate period.

It is exactly as stated with Bulb. Terminology is important and essential for good communication. I was with Bulb until recently and paid by variable DD, with them taking the exact sum each month for what I'd used. Bulb don't advertise that they accept that method of payment but will arrange it when asked. 

TimSynths

brewerdave said:

Snwps said:

There are 2 different direct debits when paying for energy:

Fixed direct debit is where the supplier fixes the amount of DD you pay each month. They calculate/estimate your annual usage then split that over 12 equal monthly instalments. 

Variable direct debit is where the supplier bills you for usage used the previous month and you pay that in full each month so theres no debit/credit rolling over. 

Its the other way around to how you think it is.

Some suppliers operate like that - my own personal experience over the past 10 months or so with BG, is that they have some sort of algorithm which constantly updates some mystical "end of plan " balance resulting in ever changing DD requests. I've paid 6 different DD amounts and they are now "suggesting" another lower amount for November!

Snap! I did wonder why mine kept changing almost every other month, don't mind as just want the bill paying but I've never had this before with any other supplier. Thanks for the info.

Andy7856

brilec said:

And by variable Direct Debit, I mean the energy company has the ability to vary the payments without asking my permission. It doesn't mean I would pay each month individually. Never heard of anyoe doing that on DD with energy payments.

Quite a few suppliers allow this. Shell is one of them. I give readings every month, and they bill me for those readings.  So I pay a variable amount via DD (so still get the DD discount).   As result I am never in credit with Shell, and only every in debit for a couple of week between bill generation and DD collection.  My bills vary over the course of the year as  result.  Its all very old skool but works for me perfectly.   I am never in a position where they "hold my credit" and have to ask for it back.   

inkydolphin

I'm with Bulb and they credited the £66, let me reduce my monthly payment from £140 to £85 and haven't taken a payment at all for October (I wasn't expecting that last bit...) so it seems to be different for different people. FYI I'm £426 in credit with an estimated yearly cost of £2,000.

Whether you submit regular meter readings might make a difference. I submit mine every month the day before my billing date.

brilec

Well I'm now £743 in credit with Bulb, October payment was taken later than usual (usually on the 15th, but only credited on the 20th), but has just been credited to my credit. No doubt on 1st Nov. they will be adding another £66 to that.

This thread was to point out that the advice given on the MSE website regarding Bulb was incorrect as far as I was concerned, it was not about the pedantic detail of the meaning of variable direct debit.

brilec

So I contacted Bulb and asked why the £66 had not been refunded to me and they say that Government funds cannot be transferred to members' accounts. So they are claiming they cannot reduce my payments, not what the Government say is it.