Switching to EV tariff

CSI_Yorkshire

cm4ever said:

Dolor said:

I would put that down to a lack of knowledge and appropriate checks within the CS team. With respect, I think that you will find that contract terms and conditions are legally binding on both parties to a contract. I would remind people what they signed up to:

1. Octopus Flux is designed for customers who have a photovoltaic (PV) solar system and a home battery installed and operational at the property which we supply. We will ask you to provide your G98 / G99 certification from your distributor and the MSC certificate for your PV installation. If you sign up to our Octopus Flux tariff but do not meet this eligibility criteria, we can place you on an alternative tariff that we consider is more appropriate for your circumstances. We will let you know if we do this and advise you of the rates and terms that apply to the alternative tariff.

What defence would you offer if Octopus was to implement their contractual right to change the tariff (in bold)?

Well yes what you have outlined is a very true black and white state of the T&Cs my friend, but in reality there are two current flaws that are causing policy to not match reality: -

1. Octopus themselves are a quite unique 'customer friendly' energy supplier - they often operate some of their tariffs in that middle ground or 'grey' area - instead of a letter of the law 'black and white' 100% T&Cs requirements way..... 
2. It's very curious indeed that many of the home battery naysayers who only have solar installed (as they have a militant attitude against battery storage based on mainly a questionable return of investment basis) who frequent the 'Green & ethical MoneySaving' forum have eagerly switched to Octopus Flux and sing it's praises as if it's better than 'garlic bread', I mean really ..... 

Only time will tell what the future holds, but certainly the present 'selective' T&Cs requirements for specifically allowing someone to join Octopus Flux is a definite reality and is unlikely to change in the short term. 

The consequences, if Octopus change their stance, in the future, from operating Flux in the current grey area to the black and white are for others to consider. But ignoring the current reality exists is also not helpful to others 

So you concede that it is exactly the "mandated requirement" that you said it wasn't?

Ok.

You're also right that it is a mandated requirement that Octopus seem relatively comfortable to ignore at the moment.

cm4ever

...... it is a statement requirement that isn't mandated 

[Deleted User]

cm4ever said:

...... it is a statement requirement that isn't mandated 

Please define what you mean by ‘isn’t mandated’? So are you saying that a £75 per fuel exit fee or a fixed term in a contract isn’t legally binding and the supplier and the customer can just ignore what is written in a contract terms and conditions.

cm4ever

No more straw man questions please my friend, the fact is still valid as many of my friends have confirmed Octopus is allowing people who don't have home battery storage and who actually tell them that at time of application to join Octopus Flux.

CSI_Yorkshire

cm4ever said:

No more straw man questions please my friend, the fact is still valid as many of my friends have confirmed Octopus is allowing people who don't have home battery storage and who actually tell them that at time of application to join Octopus Flux.

And hopefully all of those friends are completely accepting of the fact that, should Octopus choose to enforce the T&Cs to which they have agreed, they can be removed from the tariff without notice or consultation.  No problem then.

That's what needs to be remembered, and failing to point that out to people considering the tariff would be an error.

cm4ever

Very true to give such a warning but also to not ignore the current reality either 

[Deleted User]

cm4ever said:

Very true to give such a warning but also to not ignore the current reality either 

Octopus has had an exponential growth in CS staff so I am not surprised that these types of mistake keep happening. I just wonder how many of those on Flux with PV solar ( or indeed, PV solar and a battery) will still be on this tariff come October. I will be switching back to IO or Go.

Alnat1

[Deleted User] said:

I just wonder how many of those on Flux with PV solar ( or indeed, PV solar and a battery) will still be on this tariff come October. I will be switching back to IO or Go.

Don't have an EV so if Octopus don't make any changes to Flux for winter I'll probably go E7.

cm4ever

I've thought about what we'd do and as we'd be able to charge our batteries fairly well with the 3hr window if desired, I'm quite relaxed about sticking with Flux.

We're very lucky with a low house baseload and gas central heating.

There is always the remote and probably unlikely chance that come the potential October review/price change, Octopus may tinker with the cheap rate period, but admit that's a long shot.