Octopus - Can you have a variable (pay as you use) direct debit as a new customer?

What_time_is_it

I'm switching to Octopus's Flexible tariff. The direct debit they are quoting seems a little high. Is is possible to set up a variable direct debit with them to pay off the balance each month? Alternatively, are they open to negotiations with new customers for a lower monthly fixed direct debit?

Dolor

Octopus allows customers to adjust their DD payment in the App. I am presently paying £10 a month.

When you say ‘high’ have you calculated your actual usage in kWh for the last year and compared it to Octopus’ estimate? That would be the first thing that I would do before calling CS. Based on 5 years as a customer, they will be happy with whatever DD you set PROVIDED there is enough ‘credit in the bank’ to cover the next month’s bill in full.

What_time_is_it

Thanks Dolor. The ability to adjust the payment in the app is great. I basically don't want to build up a big credit balance with them. Their quote is a little high based on my actual usage, yes.

Qyburn

What_time_is_it said:

I'm switching to Octopus's Flexible tariff. The direct debit they are quoting seems a little high. Is is possible to set up a variable direct debit with them to pay off the balance each month? Alternatively, are they open to negotiations with new customers for a lower monthly fixed direct debit?

Pretty much yes, that's what we did. We transferred to Octopus as SOLR when Neo went bust in Summer 2022 and have always paid actual bill by DD.

It's not exactly what you say because it's the bill that initiates the DD about two weeks later, so if there's more than one bill in a month there can be more than one DD.

northernsparky

What_time_is_it said:

I'm switching to Octopus's Flexible tariff. The direct debit they are quoting seems a little high. Is is possible to set up a variable direct debit with them to pay off the balance each month? ……..

In a word -Yes

When I first switched to Octopus, I asked to pay by variable direct debit & they sorted it out straight away.  I’m not sure how the app settings work, because for me it shows a monthly payment of zero

mmmmikey

Yes, it's very simple and I did exactly that about 6 weeks ago when I switched to Octopus. I just replied to one of the "welcome to Octopus is there anything we can do to help?" type emails and asked if it was possible to pay the full amount monthly by DD and if so could they set my account up like that. They replied the same day having made the change - it was as easy as that and just worked.

Gerry1

Another confirmation that Octopus will happily bill you via Variable Direct Debit and that sending a meter reading triggers a bill.

luvchocolate

I've just switched to Octopus from Shell. The amount they quoted was too high so I gave them the actual units used for a year. They immediately set it to the correct amount 

rodmaker

Currently in my experience with Octopus you cannot reduce your direct debit amount to  below their estimated dd charge online. When I tried today it refuses to change below the dd amount recommended down, (lol up is no problem however!) a message comes up to phone them to discuss this request.

KxMx

After I signed up I let one fixed DD payment go out, then called and asked to go onto Variable DD.
I waited about 3 minutes for the call to be answered, and they made the change instantly for me.