Can SSE move me from a Variable Direct Debit to Monthly Direct Debit??

TheJackmans_1963

I get my gas and electric from SSE, and have always had a quarterly variable direct debit, so I just pay for what I've used in that 3 month period via direct debit.  They emailed me last week to say that they are moving me onto a monthly direct debit to help me budget! and have set it at £68 for gas and £69 for electric. So that means I am paying for something I may not use.  Can they do this?  I've never been in arrears and am perfectly capable of managing my own budget!   Basically the email said if you don't like it move!!   I've been on some comparison sites but they all say they cannot move me at the moment due to the current situation, is this correct also?  I've tried ringing them but they say they are only taking emergency calls.  Any advice would be welcome.

sammyjammy

I'm no expert but I would contact them and say thanks but no thanks I am ok as I am - cheeky beggars!  I pay my bill the same way so I'll keep an eye out for similar

[Deleted User]

Yes they can.  There is no obligation for them to offer variable direct debit as a payment option.

If you want to move to another supplier, you will have to ring that supplier to move to them, you can’t do it with a comparison site at the moment.

Jonboy_1984

I went to sign up for a variable direct debit a few days ago and it’s no longer available to sign up to. 

The monthly offering seemed excessive (new home so not sure what annual usage will be) so have let it as pay on receipt of bill.

ariarnia

several recent threads on the same topic that may contain information you find useful or interesting 

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6395029/ovo-youre-moving-to-a-monthly-direct-debit/p1
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6390476/sse-ovo-end-or-variable-direct-debit/p1
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6378369/ovo-energy-quarterly-bills
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6369122/sse-to-ovo-false-policy-of-monthly-billing-replacing-quarterly-billing
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6395691/sse-forcing-direct-debit

if you dont have time to look at them all then the basic answer is yes. they offer all the payment methods they are required to by ofgem. its been two years since ovo took over sse. things change. you could always move supplier if you wanted to (its not like theres any different rates on offer really at the moment anyway). octopus and edf are taking new customers but yo might be put on a wait list or have to phone not do it online. 

GlasgowExpat2

I moved my gas to EDF recently as they offer a monthly direct debit option based on actual readings. I had to phone but the switch was done in 5 days

wild666

Just tell them you will pay the full amount monthly rather than every three months it just means more frequent payments. If you can then tell you want the three monthly billing option because all the suppliers are doing is increasing their bank accounts if you go on monthly DD.

[Deleted User]

“Just tell them no” is not a particularly good idea, it doesn’t work like that.

ariarnia

wild666 said:

Just tell them you will pay the full amount monthly rather than every three months it just means more frequent payments. If you can then tell you want the three monthly billing option because all the suppliers are doing is increasing their bank accounts if you go on monthly DD.

i can't think of a single company that would accept a customer dictating payment terms. a handyman or builder might accept something like that if they were desperate for the work (which i don't think many have been for at least a couple of years).  its like me trying to tell tesco i will pay the driver in cash after they have delivered my order not give them my card details to take payment when its packed. 

MWT

wild666 said:

... because all the suppliers are doing is increasing their bank accounts if you go on monthly DD.

... or from the supplier perspective they are no longer willing to offer free credit for 3 months...

They already have to pay for a large percentage of the supply costs in advance, so the demise of 'quarterly in arrears' billing is long overdue.

[Deleted User]

Energy suppliers have the right, as most companies do, to change their terms and conditions at any time. The only ‘rule’ is that if the change is to an energy consumer’s detriment, he/she must have time to transfer their supply to A N Other supplier. I suspect that the EPG - and the costs that suppliers can get back from the Government - is the driver behind some of these changes.