Deleted

bristolleedsfan

Deleted_User said:

bristolleedsfan said:

Deleted_User said:

peter3hg said:

Deleted_User said:

ariarnia said:

Deleted_User said:

ter3hg said:

Their £185 can't be based on the figures you've quoted as they would lead to a DD of nearly £300.
I would estimate based on your previous usage you would be looking at around £162 a month so they aren't stupidly over. Energy companies aren't likely to take your word that you will reduce usage so I can understand why they wouldn't accept £126 a month, especially heading in to winter where usually you would be using a lot anyway.

Which is why I want to switch to paying for what I actually use. It's not the energy company's place to decide whether or not they will take my word for what energy I intend to use. I want to pay for what I use - not for what an energy company that has no clue about my circumstances THINKS I will use. 

They don't need to take my word about anything. Just as I don't need to pay them £185 a month simply because they demand it (although if I don't cancel my direct debit they actually CAN just help themselves to whatever they want). 

I really just need to know if there's any drawback (other than higher tariff) if I just cut them out of the loop (on the grounds that they are too difficult to contact) and tell my bank to cancel the direct debit. If they don't give me a bill for amount actually used by the 27th Nov (my direct debit date) I can calculate the amount I owe based upon actual usage and send them a payment (with a bit extra to cover the cost of a higher tariff). I don't see how this can lead to any problems as I won't be behind on payments at any time?

if you just cancel your dd then as far as they know the dd will just fail. that will trigger problems on there end and probably letters and trying to set the dd back up. much better to either try and get hold of them to switch to paying directly or if you just dont trust them anymore then switch suppliers and start with a new supplier paying by variable or cash (some places dont do variable but i think all of them have to offer cash or card on recept of a bill thanks to ofgem requiring them to offer payment methods for people who dont have bank accounts). 

I contacted them and asked them to reduce my direct debit explaining why it was too high. They essentially told me that I was too thick to manage my finances so they were taking the £185 for my own good (OK, paraphrasing, but that truly is how it came across). 

I then spent two days picking through their website trying to work out how to change to full amount DD - all the relevant info has been removed from their site. I've tried to get through on chat and whatsap. Paying for phone calls will add insult to injury - and it seems you can't switch supplier without phone calls.

So quite frankly, at this point I don't care if it triggers problems on their end. They made their bed. They shouldn't make it so damn difficult/expensive to contact them. I just want to stop them from taking money from my bank account that they aren't entitled to. I have tried very hard to do it through them. 

So, if it triggers problems at their end - can they penalize me in any way?

I've explained why from their point of view the direct debit isn't too high based on the information they have.
You know your circumstances have changed so it is logical to move to whole amount direct debit, at least until they have a full year of your revised usage.

Don't just cancel your direct debit though as they will move you to a more expensive tariff (7-10% more).


The variable direct debit is described as Whole Amount Direct Debit on their website so asking directly for that should get you that you want.

https://www.edfenergy.com/for-home/help-support/ways-to-pay

Thank you, but I know all this. 

The problem is, they have removed all information from their website about how you switch to whole amount direct debit. 

https://www.edfenergy.com/for-home/help-centre/faq/i-pay-direct-debit?steps=23147-23136#chapter-23133-3

Maybe I'm having a brain freeze, but I can's see the bit where they tell you how to switch from budget direct debit to full amount direct debit? Not that it matters as I have established that I don't want to pay by direct debit. But thank you!

I only read a few post replies and they all said best way to change from budget direct debit to full amount direct debit is via Twitter communication  https://twitter.com/edfenergy

ariarnia

Deleted_User said:

pochase said:

And here is the site with the links to their rate tables. Nothing has been removed.

https://www.edfenergy.com/for-home/latest-price-cap-rate-cards

This is btw the same table @ariarnia has linked already on the first page of this thread.

EDF never had the possibility to change to variable direct debit online, so nothing has been removed.

That seems to be only for economy 10 etc? I can't find anything on there for standard meters. The link I saw from @ariaria seemed to be for British Gas and she pointed out that it would give me an idea but I'd need a quote from EDF. Did she post another link that I've missed? If you say the info on how to change payment method has never been available on the EDF website I'll take your word for it. There is a place where it says 'find out how much more it will cost if you cancel direct debit' but that link takes you to an empty page. Which is why I said they'd removed info. But hey - maybe their website has always been incomplete!! Bottom line is, I want to switch to paying by monthly bill. Easiest way to do that has been established as just cancel the direct debit. I know roughly how much more it'll cost to pay by cheque based on generic info. So really all I'm missing now is the EXACT tariff details for EDF pay by cheque/cash.

that first link was BG as spoonie had posted it on a differnt thread and i couldnt find the edf ones. more googling and fresh coffee and i think this is the standard variable tarrifs for edf. second page is cap rates. and obviously they'll change in april to whatever the cap is then. 

https://www.edfenergy.com/sites/default/files/ofgem_default_tariff_cap_prices._standard_variable_deemed_and_welcome_-_credit.pdf 

ariarnia

Deleted_User said:

cmgurney said:

Deleted_User said:

cmgurney said:

I was switched to EDF when UP failed last year. I initially opted not to set up a DD with them because I thought I might be moving away again quickly. Then I realised that they were likely to take massive sums in advance. I wanted to set up a 'whole amount' DD but couldn't find how to do that on their website. Now I'm concerned by what I've read here about them taking estimated amounts under that method, not the actual usage. As the OP says, with interest rates now so much better, it's possible to offset some part of the higher tariff from the interest on savings. After all, that's why they want us to pay by DD, so that they can earn interest on the money we've paid in advance. I also pay my EDF bills from my Chase bank account, which earns me 1% cashback each time. 

So are you on their higher tariff? Do you know offhand what the standing charges are? 

Yes.

Standing charges (South West region):

Electricity: 59.03p per day

Gas: 33.53p per day

Thanks - but of course, I forgot about different regions!!

 But regardless of the exact detail I think it's well worth paying by monthly bill to take back control of your own finances. Most of the extra cost can be mitigated by setting up a direct savings account. I use such little energy that it's really only the standing charge that matters - and that's in the ballpark of around 12p or so extra a day for gas and electric combined. 

I've just this second cancelled my direct debit. It feels good!! LOL

please if you can come back and keep us updated with how smoothly or not it goes. i dont know if its a concern for you or not but OH thinks the failed payment might be reported on your credit file which might be a problem if someone is planning on applying for something soon but thats the biggest problem he could think of. 

ariarnia

Deleted_User said:

ariarnia said:

Deleted_User said:

pochase said:

And here is the site with the links to their rate tables. Nothing has been removed.

https://www.edfenergy.com/for-home/latest-price-cap-rate-cards

This is btw the same table @ariarnia has linked already on the first page of this thread.

EDF never had the possibility to change to variable direct debit online, so nothing has been removed.

That seems to be only for economy 10 etc? I can't find anything on there for standard meters. The link I saw from @ariaria seemed to be for British Gas and she pointed out that it would give me an idea but I'd need a quote from EDF. Did she post another link that I've missed? If you say the info on how to change payment method has never been available on the EDF website I'll take your word for it. There is a place where it says 'find out how much more it will cost if you cancel direct debit' but that link takes you to an empty page. Which is why I said they'd removed info. But hey - maybe their website has always been incomplete!! Bottom line is, I want to switch to paying by monthly bill. Easiest way to do that has been established as just cancel the direct debit. I know roughly how much more it'll cost to pay by cheque based on generic info. So really all I'm missing now is the EXACT tariff details for EDF pay by cheque/cash.

that first link was BG as spoonie had posted it on a differnt thread and i couldnt find the edf ones. more googling and fresh coffee and i think this is the standard variable tarrifs for edf. second page is cap rates. and obviously they'll change in april to whatever the cap is then. 

https://www.edfenergy.com/sites/default/files/ofgem_default_tariff_cap_prices._standard_variable_deemed_and_welcome_-_credit.pdf 

PERFECT!!!

This is that last piece of info I need. So I'll be able to calculate exactly what I owe them.

it might be that it takes a month for them to move your tarrif to the cash one. like i said you might get random calls or letters first telling you theres a problem with your dd and trying to set it back up. 

pochase

Deleted_User said:

pochase said:

And here is the site with the links to their rate tables. Nothing has been removed.

https://www.edfenergy.com/for-home/latest-price-cap-rate-cards

This is btw the same table @ariarnia has linked already on the first page of this thread.

EDF never had the possibility to change to variable direct debit online, so nothing has been removed.

That seems to be only for economy 10 etc? I can't find anything on there for standard meters. The link I saw from @ariaria seemed to be for British Gas and she pointed out that it would give me an idea but I'd need a quote from EDF. Did she post another link that I've missed? If you say the info on how to change payment method has never been available on the EDF website I'll take your word for it. There is a place where it says 'find out how much more it will cost if you cancel direct debit' but that link takes you to an empty page. Which is why I said they'd removed info. But hey - maybe their website has always been incomplete!! Bottom line is, I want to switch to paying by monthly bill. Easiest way to do that has been established as just cancel the direct debit. I know roughly how much more it'll cost to pay by cheque based on generic info. So really all I'm missing now is the EXACT tariff details for EDF pay by cheque/cash.

The first link is for Standard meters AND E7 AND prepayment meters

Standard (Variable), Deemed and Welcome rate card. For customers with standard, E7 and prepayment meters.

The_Fat_Controller

I hope you have also followed the advice given by all banks when cancelling DDs and have advised the originator, in your case EDF.

You do no need to contact them to change your billing method. 

ariarnia

Deleted_User said:

ariarnia said:

Deleted_User said:

ariarnia said:

Deleted_User said:

pochase said:

And here is the site with the links to their rate tables. Nothing has been removed.

https://www.edfenergy.com/for-home/latest-price-cap-rate-cards

This is btw the same table @ariarnia has linked already on the first page of this thread.

EDF never had the possibility to change to variable direct debit online, so nothing has been removed.

That seems to be only for economy 10 etc? I can't find anything on there for standard meters. The link I saw from @ariaria seemed to be for British Gas and she pointed out that it would give me an idea but I'd need a quote from EDF. Did she post another link that I've missed? If you say the info on how to change payment method has never been available on the EDF website I'll take your word for it. There is a place where it says 'find out how much more it will cost if you cancel direct debit' but that link takes you to an empty page. Which is why I said they'd removed info. But hey - maybe their website has always been incomplete!! Bottom line is, I want to switch to paying by monthly bill. Easiest way to do that has been established as just cancel the direct debit. I know roughly how much more it'll cost to pay by cheque based on generic info. So really all I'm missing now is the EXACT tariff details for EDF pay by cheque/cash.

that first link was BG as spoonie had posted it on a differnt thread and i couldnt find the edf ones. more googling and fresh coffee and i think this is the standard variable tarrifs for edf. second page is cap rates. and obviously they'll change in april to whatever the cap is then. 

https://www.edfenergy.com/sites/default/files/ofgem_default_tariff_cap_prices._standard_variable_deemed_and_welcome_-_credit.pdf 

PERFECT!!!

This is that last piece of info I need. So I'll be able to calculate exactly what I owe them.

it might be that it takes a month for them to move your tarrif to the cash one. like i said you might get random calls or letters first telling you theres a problem with your dd and trying to set it back up. 

Have you taken a look at the figures on that tariff card?

So for example (unless my brain is completely scrambled) they say that the unit rate for electricity on DD is 50p or so. From 1st Oct I've been charged 32.15p.(I'm southern scotland). I'm on Welcome DD Budget tariff. 

https://www.edfenergy.com/sites/default/files/ofgem_default_tariff_cap_prices._standard_variable_deemed_and_welcome_-_credit.pdf

yes those are the tariff rates at the ofgem cap. not the tariffs wit the government discount (i don't think there online anywhere so you would need to phone for those). 

i think (not sure) its 17p off electric and 4p of gas? or thats the equivalent they give for fixes. but only to unit rate not standing charge. 

ariarnia

Deleted_User said:

ariarnia said:

Deleted_User said:

ariarnia said:

Deleted_User said:

ariarnia said:

Deleted_User said:

pochase said:

And here is the site with the links to their rate tables. Nothing has been removed.

https://www.edfenergy.com/for-home/latest-price-cap-rate-cards

This is btw the same table @ariarnia has linked already on the first page of this thread.

EDF never had the possibility to change to variable direct debit online, so nothing has been removed.

That seems to be only for economy 10 etc? I can't find anything on there for standard meters. The link I saw from @ariaria seemed to be for British Gas and she pointed out that it would give me an idea but I'd need a quote from EDF. Did she post another link that I've missed? If you say the info on how to change payment method has never been available on the EDF website I'll take your word for it. There is a place where it says 'find out how much more it will cost if you cancel direct debit' but that link takes you to an empty page. Which is why I said they'd removed info. But hey - maybe their website has always been incomplete!! Bottom line is, I want to switch to paying by monthly bill. Easiest way to do that has been established as just cancel the direct debit. I know roughly how much more it'll cost to pay by cheque based on generic info. So really all I'm missing now is the EXACT tariff details for EDF pay by cheque/cash.

that first link was BG as spoonie had posted it on a differnt thread and i couldnt find the edf ones. more googling and fresh coffee and i think this is the standard variable tarrifs for edf. second page is cap rates. and obviously they'll change in april to whatever the cap is then. 

https://www.edfenergy.com/sites/default/files/ofgem_default_tariff_cap_prices._standard_variable_deemed_and_welcome_-_credit.pdf 

PERFECT!!!

This is that last piece of info I need. So I'll be able to calculate exactly what I owe them.

it might be that it takes a month for them to move your tarrif to the cash one. like i said you might get random calls or letters first telling you theres a problem with your dd and trying to set it back up. 

Have you taken a look at the figures on that tariff card?

So for example (unless my brain is completely scrambled) they say that the unit rate for electricity on DD is 50p or so. From 1st Oct I've been charged 32.15p.(I'm southern scotland). I'm on Welcome DD Budget tariff. 

https://www.edfenergy.com/sites/default/files/ofgem_default_tariff_cap_prices._standard_variable_deemed_and_welcome_-_credit.pdf

yes those are the tariff rates at the ofgem cap. not the tariffs wit the government discount (i don't think there online anywhere so you would need to phone for those). 

i think (not sure) its 17p off electric and 4p of gas? or thats the equivalent they give for fixes. but only to unit rate not standing charge. 

OK - now you're going WAY over my head. I didn't know there was a government discount ! (other than the £400).

Rather than fuddle my tiny brain even more - is it safe to say that I can calculate what my new tariff would be by adding the difference between the DD and Cheque payment rate to my current tarrff?

or a safe estemate is that its roughly 7-10% more expensive to not pay by dd so if you work out the cost of your monthly use based on actual meter readings then add 10% to it then you should cover your bill and maybe start to build a credit in your bank account. 

re the cap you might want to spend a minute reading this. https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/energy-price-guarantee/

but basically ofgem were going to raise the cap to the rates you see quoted in the edf doc. (near as 50p and 14p per unit) and that would be unaffordable to most people. so the goverment (truss i think) gave everyone a discount from 1 oct to 1 april of 17p and 4p on the unit rates to bring the prices to what you are currently paying (thats on top of the 150 council tax and 400 energy bill payment).

 because ofgem keep reviewing the cap in the background that means in april everyone on the variable rate could see a price rise (currently forecast) of up to 66p and 17p for gas and electric. the actual cap will be announced at the end of feb i think. so when people are not happy about having high dds or lots of credit they need to bear those prices in mind. 

EssexHebridean

PhilHornby said:

Deleted_User said:

I asked them to reduce my DD back to £126 (which I think is double what I'll actually use). They refuse. I told them they don't have my permission to take £185 from my account but they intend to take it anyway.

If they take a payment that you haven't agreed to it, you should be able to claim it back (from your bank) under the Direct Debit Guarantee. You could then send them the correct amount manually. Write EDF a letter, to tell them them what you've done, if they won't answer the phone 

This isn't strictly speaking true - it's not whether you've agreed to it in the circumstances the OP is discussing, it's whether they have correctly notified the amount they intend to take. For example, if they send you a monthly statement telling you that they will take £150 direct debit within 3 days of the 7th, and in fact they take £175 on the 2nd, then you have recourse to the DD Guarantee.

As for cancelling a DD, it is usually better to cancel it at both ends (although personally when I cancelled my EDF one I  just sent them a Twitter message stating that it was cancelled) as otherwise it can cause problems when they try to take it, and find the request bounces back. Indeed, some companies even have in their T's and C's that they can make a charge for this. You could also use whatsapp for this I'm guessing if that's the only social media you use. 

It looks like there may also be a couple of freephone numbers available for EDF.

ariarnia

Deleted_User said:

ariarnia said:

Deleted_User said:

ariarnia said:

Deleted_User said:

ariarnia said:

Deleted_User said:

ariarnia said:

Deleted_User said:

pochase said:

And here is the site with the links to their rate tables. Nothing has been removed.

https://www.edfenergy.com/for-home/latest-price-cap-rate-cards

This is btw the same table @ariarnia has linked already on the first page of this thread.

EDF never had the possibility to change to variable direct debit online, so nothing has been removed.

That seems to be only for economy 10 etc? I can't find anything on there for standard meters. The link I saw from @ariaria seemed to be for British Gas and she pointed out that it would give me an idea but I'd need a quote from EDF. Did she post another link that I've missed? If you say the info on how to change payment method has never been available on the EDF website I'll take your word for it. There is a place where it says 'find out how much more it will cost if you cancel direct debit' but that link takes you to an empty page. Which is why I said they'd removed info. But hey - maybe their website has always been incomplete!! Bottom line is, I want to switch to paying by monthly bill. Easiest way to do that has been established as just cancel the direct debit. I know roughly how much more it'll cost to pay by cheque based on generic info. So really all I'm missing now is the EXACT tariff details for EDF pay by cheque/cash.

that first link was BG as spoonie had posted it on a differnt thread and i couldnt find the edf ones. more googling and fresh coffee and i think this is the standard variable tarrifs for edf. second page is cap rates. and obviously they'll change in april to whatever the cap is then. 

https://www.edfenergy.com/sites/default/files/ofgem_default_tariff_cap_prices._standard_variable_deemed_and_welcome_-_credit.pdf 

PERFECT!!!

This is that last piece of info I need. So I'll be able to calculate exactly what I owe them.

it might be that it takes a month for them to move your tarrif to the cash one. like i said you might get random calls or letters first telling you theres a problem with your dd and trying to set it back up. 

Have you taken a look at the figures on that tariff card?

So for example (unless my brain is completely scrambled) they say that the unit rate for electricity on DD is 50p or so. From 1st Oct I've been charged 32.15p.(I'm southern scotland). I'm on Welcome DD Budget tariff. 

https://www.edfenergy.com/sites/default/files/ofgem_default_tariff_cap_prices._standard_variable_deemed_and_welcome_-_credit.pdf

yes those are the tariff rates at the ofgem cap. not the tariffs wit the government discount (i don't think there online anywhere so you would need to phone for those). 

i think (not sure) its 17p off electric and 4p of gas? or thats the equivalent they give for fixes. but only to unit rate not standing charge. 

OK - now you're going WAY over my head. I didn't know there was a government discount ! (other than the £400).

Rather than fuddle my tiny brain even more - is it safe to say that I can calculate what my new tariff would be by adding the difference between the DD and Cheque payment rate to my current tarrff?

or a safe estemate is that its roughly 7-10% more expensive to not pay by dd so if you work out the cost of your monthly use based on actual meter readings then add 10% to it then you should cover your bill and maybe start to build a credit in your bank account. 

re the cap you might want to spend a minute reading this. https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/energy-price-guarantee/

but basically ofgem were going to raise the cap to the rates you see quoted in the edf doc. (near as 50p and 14p per unit) and that would be unaffordable to most people. so the goverment (truss i think) gave everyone a discount from 1 oct to 1 april of 17p and 4p on the unit rates to bring the prices to what you are currently paying (thats on top of the 150 council tax and 400 energy bill payment).

 because ofgem keep reviewing the cap in the background that means in april everyone on the variable rate could see a price rise (currently forecast) of up to 66p and 17p for gas and electric. the actual cap will be announced at the end of feb i think. so when people are not happy about having high dds or lots of credit they need to bear those prices in mind. 

Thanks for that!

I don't get the logic of building up a balance in an energy company's coffer so that THEY can earn interest on YOUR money.

I get that some people can't sit the right way around on a toilet without help, but I am getting mightily sick of the way big businesses are taking it upon themselves to manage other people's money (in a way that DOESN'T benefit the individual). 

Either you have the money to pay your bills or you don't.

1. If you don't then you need to stop using energy. But what's the point in doing that if the energy companies insist on charging you according to what you used last year when energy was cheap? Intervention from energy companies is FORCING people into debt and incurring them bank charges for unauthorized overdraft.
   
   
2. If you do have the money why give it to the energy company? Why not put it into an account where it'll earn a bit of interest? You will then have the money to pay your bills when they come in. Of course, the answer to this is that they give you cheaper energy if you let them take over budgeting of your energy (which includes giving them the right to dip into your bank account and take what they want - even when you tell them not to. But now that interest rates are going up those 'bribes' are starting to look less appealing. Especially when the energy companies are so overworked that you can't get info out of them and you can't get problems fixed when things go wrong. 
   
   
   
   

no need to insult people who prefer to pay there bills differently than you. we have a large credit balance and intentionally over pay our dd and yet here i am helping you do something that i think is a bad idea. i respect your right to manage your money how you want. please extend the same respect to others.