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

pseudodox

I have been with SSE since 2007, on quarterly whole bill DD.  My sole income is state pension, have always been a good manager and never have an issue with those high winter bills.  The WFA always helps. The energy price rises are unwelcome but I can adjust my finances to not have to actually choose between eating & heating.

Last week OVO emailed to say I will be joining them and they offer no payment option other than Fixed Monthly DD.  OK - I could adjust to this (reluctantly), but not to the figures they have told me they will remove from my bank every month.  OVO dictate that I can like it and lump it or go elsewhere.

The monthly FDD given for gas and electric (at the latest raised prices) equate to double my kWh consumption of both services -  a consistent usage of 8000kWh gas/1600 kWh electric, which has hardly varied for 15 years.  And the FDD represents nearly 30% of my monthly income.  The email has no contact details whatsoever, so no-one to even talk to about this!  The only way I could pay what they demand is to draw an amount each month from my "old age care" savings fund, where interest rates are finally improving.  Why should OVO have MY money in their coffers?  I have no issue paying for what I use, but resent this highway robbery model, that is presented as making life easier for me.

I joined this forum yesterday after the OVO dictatorial email had given me several sleepless nights.  So glad to find such helpful people here with all the links above.  It has just taken me 5 minutes to get through to EDF sales team and 20 minutes later a very helpful Michael has organised my switch, which will happen in just 5 days.  Even offered the option of quarterly or monthly whole bill DD as long as I provide readings.  Now my savings can stay in my account and accumulate even a little interest, which all helps when I am faced with a winter bill.  The option of a FDD with EDF was also discussed - this would be almost £100 per month lower than OVO.  But for now I will stick with the quarterly whole bill, with the reassurance that should EDF eventually go down the FDD as the only option route they will perhaps be more realistic.

Hopefully many more will kick OVO in the teeth and assert their right to manage their lives in a way that suits them.  One size does not fit all and we should have the right to personal control over our finances.

When I was working I got paid at the end of the month for work done.  So why not pay for energy after it has been supplied?  I don't give Tesco an upfront sum each month against what food, petrol or household items I might choose to buy in future.

Chrysalis

My advice to anyone been refused variable DD, is to complain officially.  Make it clear if the request is refused you will pay manually and be chasing back the processing costs of non DD payments, how effective that would be, no idea.

Anyone who is not using up to date readings and also not in account credit has less legs to stand on though.

(Try to get them to reduce fixed DD first before forcing manual, as manual payments has the problem human error can miss payments which can create problems in itself).

Also check your contract, if its in the contract you are obliged to build up credit.

pseudodox

Unfortunately the Nanny State that has crept into so many aspects of life with their "we'll make life soooo easy for you" which has resulted in people not taking energy readings, not watching their bank balance, not controlling spending beyond their income, not realising Big Brother is not on their side etc.  How difficult is it for anyone to read a meter these days?  When I was a child the meter reader used to have to go down into our coal cellar with a torch to access the electric meter. 

[Deleted User]

Complaining that a company is not doing something that they do not have to do is unlikely to be successful.

Even less successful would be trying to charge them for you paying your bill in a less efficient manner (for which they are already allowed to charge you more).

pseudodox

Just vote with your feet - simples. First time I have moved companies since 2007 and it took just 25 minutes to organise.  Looking back at my old paperwork I find that the reason I changed in 2007 was because SSE offered a no standing charge option, with a higher unit rate.  Suited me, but sadly those days are long gone.

[Deleted User]

pseudodox said:

Just vote with your feet - simples. First time I have moved companies since 2007 and it took just 25 minutes to organise.  Looking back at my old paperwork I find that the reason I changed in 2007 was because SSE offered a no standing charge option, with a higher unit rate.  Suited me, but sadly those days are long gone.

Not long gone, and my suspicion is not gone forever - just gone at the moment because of how the price cap is written.

jimjames

Jonboy_1984 said:

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.

In which case you'll likely be paying around 7% more for your energy, for the average bill around £200 or so

Chrysalis

[Deleted User] said:

Complaining that a company is not doing something that they do not have to do is unlikely to be successful.

Even less successful would be trying to charge them for you paying your bill in a less efficient manner (for which they are already allowed to charge you more).

In his case they not allowing him to pay by DD whilst not building up a credit balance, I would agree if the customer was simply refusing to pay by DD outright.

I think I remember been told in my dispute with Octopus, I was unlikely to succeed, yet it is possible.

[Deleted User]

Chrysalis said:

Deleted_User said:

Complaining that a company is not doing something that they do not have to do is unlikely to be successful.

Even less successful would be trying to charge them for you paying your bill in a less efficient manner (for which they are already allowed to charge you more).

In his case they not allowing him to pay by DD whilst not building up a credit balance, I would agree if the customer was simply refusing to pay by DD outright.

I think I remember been told in my dispute with Octopus, I was unlikely to succeed, yet it is possible.

But they don't have to "allow him to pay by DD whilst not building up a credit balance".  Complaining about it doesn't make it a requirement.

[Deleted User]

My local garage now displays a sign over the counter which states ‘We no longer accept American Express Cards’. This presumably was a business decision. Suppliers changing the way that their customers pay their energy bills fits into the same category. We may not like it: if we don’t, then we are free to take our business elsewhere. What is there to dispute: that said, I am sure they will appreciate customer feedback on the change.