Octopus direct debit automatic amount still broken a year on after smart meter fitted.

Chrysalis

So those on here who know my history with Octopus.

I had to ring them last spring to manually set my direct debit as it wanted to set an amount that would be billed for approximate to 4x my usage.  Based on real not estimated readings.

A staff member manually configured it and through out the winter as I expected it was pretty much bang on with my bills.  I am in credit by a small amount at the end of the winter period.

Now the £67 monthly scheme has finished it did not increase my direct debit again, so I tried to manually set it back.

However I cannot as it still thinks I need to pay £480 a month (and obviously with it that high wont let me set £95), despite a year of smart meter readings including a full winter period.

I gave it a chance but will instruct them to set variable direct debit, whatever software they using is broken on my account.

Xbigman

I have the opposite problem. I moved my gas to Octopus from British gas last month and it hasn't set up properly. I tried to increase my Octopus DD but it wouldn't let me, instead it defaulted back to the original estimate from over a year ago that is clearly too low. There does seem to be a disconnect between some Octopus accounts and the DD mechanism. I too am considering variable DD. Not only because of this issue but because I'm starting to think variable DD is the best overall.

As for British Gas, they were completely incompetent right up until I left but they spat out a final bill (that was right) 10 days after I switched and I got a refund cheque a week later. I suspect they are losing so many customers they are getting good at it.


Darren

[Deleted User]

I have been an Octopus customer for over 5 years. During this time, I have had one conversation with them about DD payments. 

I have an ‘agreement’ with them that provided I leave enough credit on my account to cover in full the previous month’s usage then I can change my monthly DD payment at will. Clearly, the account credit balance held by the supplier is higher in December than it is in July. 

We do ask a lot of our supplier’s systems. In my view, energy accounts need to be proactively managed by the consumer. I do my own calculations of usage and cost and I have set a nominal monthly DD amount. When I drop my payment to £10 as I have done this month, the balance goes into a 3.2% interest easy access savings account. The difference being that I am holding on to my own energy account credit balance not the supplier.

armistice

Why not switch to variable dd, then you can keep all your spare funds in a savings account?

70sbudgie

I've proactively managed my energy account with Octopus for the last few years and haven't ever had an issue with changing the DD value. So I don't think it is how the system is set up. But, that doesn't mean that there isn't something squiffy with your account. (I have other issues with mine, just not the DD value)