OVO "You're moving to a monthly Direct Debit"

MWT

Den249 said:

Thanks for informing me that Ofgem does require suppliers to offer more than one payment option, something OVO certainly hasn't mentioned.  Where can I find which payment methods are required by Ofgem, please?  The way OVO puts it, I have two options: Do as I'm told or Find another supplier.  Which as you imply above might be problematic at this time.

Ofgem require suppliers with over 50,000 customers to offer as a minimum, cash and prepayment options in addition to DD.

Ofgem does require them to offer a quarterly bill or statement if requested, but do not confuse this with paying quarterly, that is not something Ofgem require them to offer...

t0rt0ise

You can change supplier. Both Octopus and EDF will take new customers if you call them.

Alnat1

Not sure they will allow new customers to pay 3 monthly in arrears though, why would they?

OP is demanding a very old-fashioned payment method in a modern world. Maybe they still have a B&W TV and license too?

t0rt0ise

Alnat1 said:

Not sure they will allow new customers to pay 3 monthly in arrears though, why would they?

OP is demanding a very old-fashioned payment method in a modern world. Maybe they still have a B&W TV and license too?

You can pay monthly in arrears which might suit the OP.

Den249

Alnat1 said:

Not sure they will allow new customers to pay 3 monthly in arrears though, why would they?

OP is demanding a very old-fashioned payment method in a modern world. Maybe they still have a B&W TV and license too?

Because the previous supplier that they took over agreed to that arrangement? But within months OVO unilaterally finds a need to end it with little notice.

It may be a "very old fashioned payment method" but one that the previous supplier had no problem with, suited my budgeting arrangements and until last week OVO made no mention of as being a condition of being supplied by them.  The impression I was given as a transferring customer, was that everything would continue as it was under my existing contract. 

Thanks to all for their replies, helpful or not, although the silly sarcasm about B&W TV was out of place when discussing an entirely amicable and mutually acceptable arrangement merely because it had been that way for years.  More than likely I would have accepted being moved to payment in advance DD if they'd put it a little less like an order and spun it to be a tad more like a mutually beneficial arrangement.  But why bother when they know that customers have very little choice other than to do as they're told.

It now surprises me a little less that corporations like OVO act like dictators when it seems that most people who replied seem to think that because they are a corporate size business they are entitled to do so and think that it's best to do as one is told without comment or complaint.

ariarnia

Den249 said:

ariarnia said:

rp1974 said:

You answered your own question OP,change supplier if what OVO are proposing doesn't suit your requirements.
Unless your on a good fix the prices are broadly similar across suppliers so you are unlikely to be much worse off if you find a supplier that will take you on,the options there if you so choose.

this exactly. they offer all of the payment methods that they are required to offer by ofgem. any other methods they choose to offer or not offer are up to them. if the majority of there customers pay by dd annually then they are under no obligation to provide any other payment method that will increase their admin cost for a minority of customers who want something different. there are some energy companies who still offer the way you want to pay and you are free to move to one of those companies (assuming they want your business). just the same as accepting cheques or card only payment. businesses can choose their customers and customers can choose their businesses. 

Thanks for informing me that Ofgem does require suppliers to offer more than one payment option, something OVO certainly hasn't mentioned.  Where can I find which payment methods are required by Ofgem, please?  The way OVO puts it, I have two options: Do as I'm told or Find another supplier.  Which as you imply above might be problematic at this time.

"Businesses can choose their customers and customers can choose their businesses"
Can they?
Businesses can apparently move their goal posts whenever they want and with little notice.  They're also clever enough to co-ordinate these changes with their "competitors", leaving customers with little or no real choice.  Yes, I'm sure I can find exactly what I want, but only if I pay (heavily) for exercising any form of choice.  The reality is with energy dominated by so few corporate players there is no real competition of any benefit to customers.  Whichever "choice" the customer makes they end up paying almost the same and having to accept whatever conditions the companies decide to impose. 

The clue is in my title as quoted from OVO's curt letter "You're moving to a monthly DD".  Is there any hint of choice?  It is what it is an order.

MWT has answered your question about payment methods. ovo offer pre-payment, credit payment (monthly on receipt of bill), payment by dd and payment methods for those without a bank account (like paying at the post office in cash). ofgem also say that companies can charge different amounts for paying by different methods but only if the cost reflects the different administration costs (such as charging more for pre payment meters or offering a discount to dd or smart meter customers). if you google 'ofgem payment methods' you can find all the information you could possibly want. 

your choice is to stay with ovo and accept their policy or to move to a different supplier that offers the payment method you want. im sure you can even find someone who will accept a cheque if you want to pay that way, but it might be more expensive. 

the letter says you are moving to monthly dd. then the letter also points out that if you want to you can choose to move to someone else. you might not like the choice but it is your choice. 

Den249

t0rt0ise said:

Alnat1 said:

Not sure they will allow new customers to pay 3 monthly in arrears though, why would they?

OP is demanding a very old-fashioned payment method in a modern world. Maybe they still have a B&W TV and license too?

You can pay monthly in arrears which might suit the OP.

Thanks for the suggestion.  Rang OVO but was given a definite "No".  Also asked about when monthly DD would start being deducted.  I will get a letter in the next couple of weeks "probably" telling me that the first will be in November.  Luckily for me my pension hits the bank early in the month so there will be money to cover it.

ariarnia

Den249 said:

Because the previous supplier that they took over agreed to that arrangement? But within months OVO unilaterally finds a need to end it with little notice..

sse was taken over by ovo in early 2020. they kept everything the same for 2 years. 

things change. if you aren't happy then vote with your feet and move to a different supplier. 

[Deleted User]

‘Little notice’?  Suppliers only have to give reasonable notice of changes which may be deemed to be detrimental to the consumer. Reasonable notice is usually linked to the time needed to switch away.