Recommendations for electricity companies

dunstonh

dealyboy said:

@dunstonh said:

I'm on economy 7.

What is your off peak/peak ratio?

I left Bulb in January to move to EDF.  Service with EDF and billing system isnt great but the 8p off peak rate was just too good to miss out on.  If you have a higher off peak ratio, then some alternative suppliers may be more cost effective.  If you have a lower off peak ratio, then others are more viable.

... it was 7p then and you were even more smug 

I was ultra smug at 7p.   At 8p, I am one notch lower on the smug scale but still finding as many opportunities to rub it in as I can

mrsyardbroom

Gerry1 said:

You can read the smart meter on the wall visually unless it's faulty, in which case it should be replaced.

Post a photo of the meter (redact the bar codes and serial number) and someone will be along to tell you how to read it.

I cannot read the smart meter on the wall. I have spoken to the experts at Octopus and they have told me it's not possible. I was on the phone to them and explaining what the meter looked like and everything that was on it. I had to hang on the phone for some time while they went to more technical experts. I was told that I would not be able to read my own meter. It's not faulty. They promised they would contact Bulb and I would hear from them within 24 hours. That was just over a week ago.

mrsyardbroom

MikeyPGT said:

Less a reccomendation than a warning - do not, under any circumstances, even think of Scottish Power!

I have a friend who swears by them but I will take your advice into account.

Gerry1

Think twice before leaving Octopus.  If you read the posts on the forum you'll see that the consensus is that they're very good, and they've been rated by Which? as the best supplier several times.

Octopus bills are extremely clear and they issue a bill every time you send a meter reading, so there's no confusion about seemingly being in credit only to find a 6-monthly bill arrives and you're in debit.

Their standing charges are slightly lower and you can share £100 with everyone that signs up on your recommendation.

Just give the transfer time to settle down; if you jump ship now any alternative will be worse unless you have high night usage and can find someone offering a very low night rate.

Gerry1

mrsyardbroom said:

Gerry1 said:

You can read the smart meter on the wall visually unless it's faulty, in which case it should be replaced.

Post a photo of the meter (redact the bar codes and serial number) and someone will be along to tell you how to read it.

I cannot read the smart meter on the wall. I have spoken to the experts at Octopus and they have told me it's not possible. I was on the phone to them and explaining what the meter looked like and everything that was on it. I had to hang on the phone for some time while they went to more technical experts. I was told that I would not be able to read my own meter. It's not faulty. They promised they would contact Bulb and I would hear from them within 24 hours. That was just over a week ago.

That advice sounds seriously wrong. Post that photo and see what happens.

MikeyPGT

mrsyardbroom said:

MikeyPGT said:

Less a reccomendation than a warning - do not, under any circumstances, even think of Scottish Power!

I have a friend who swears by them but I will take your advice into account.

Are you sure your friend doesn' swear AT them?

Robin9

mrsyardbroom said:

If only it was that simple. They say they can't give me a bill unless I submitted a meter reading. When I rang them they said it wasn't possible for me to read the smart meter.

THe Secure Liberty is regarded as the worse and even that can be read OK  - just need to know 6 or 9 on the key pay day and 4 times.

mrsyardbroom

Gerry1 said:

mrsyardbroom said:

Gerry1 said:

You can read the smart meter on the wall visually unless it's faulty, in which case it should be replaced.

Post a photo of the meter (redact the bar codes and serial number) and someone will be along to tell you how to read it.

I cannot read the smart meter on the wall. I have spoken to the experts at Octopus and they have told me it's not possible. I was on the phone to them and explaining what the meter looked like and everything that was on it. I had to hang on the phone for some time while they went to more technical experts. I was told that I would not be able to read my own meter. It's not faulty. They promised they would contact Bulb and I would hear from them within 24 hours. That was just over a week ago.

That advice sounds seriously wrong. Post that photo and see what happens.

There are specific instructions on the Octopus website for reading your smart meter. I have been unable to use those instructions as my  my meter is an old SMETS 1. It doesn't have the required keypad to be able to read it from home. Bulb were able to read it using their specialised equipment but Octopus doesn't have that equipment. I'm assuming it was specialist software they were talking about as they said it would be no problem getting it from Bulb. Please believe me there is no way of me being able to read it. I may be an OAP but I am a well qualified OAP and if there was a way for me to do it I would have found it. This is the type of meter I have. I knew when I posted on here that no-one would believe it can't be read at home, but I have spoken to the people who have tried to connect to the meter. The photo isn't very sharp I'm afraid.

MattMattMattUK

Can you take a clearer and higher resolution image of the screen please? Also, is that water marks and damage on the meter?

mrsyardbroom

MattMattMattUK said:

Can you take a clearer and higher resolution image of the screen please? Also, is that water marks and damage on the meter?

I will do later. I took this is a bit of a hurry as I'm just going out. I don't know what you think you can do though as the Octopus technical team have given me their best advice. The reason I posted on here is that I feel I'm getting very poor customer service. I've begged them to at least reply to my emails and they haven't bothered to get in touch. Promises of letting me know within 24 hours have been broken. I just don't want to deal with people like this. Bulb were much better at dealing with customers.