Octopus energy initial charge

hungry_hippo

Last night I switched my energy supplier to Octopus from Shell.  After the refer a friend discount is applied, I'll be 1.6 months in credit based on my payment which is an accurate estimate from my annual usage with shell.  However, Octopus said they'll charge me a full payment initial charge on 16 Nov which is a blanket charge to ensure my account opens in credit on migration. 

https://octopus.energy/help-and-faqs/articles/why-do-you-take-an-initial-payment-when-my-supply-starts/ 

This is a bit dubious as it makes an incorrect assumption that there isn't already credit on my account (or what if my account had > 1 month debt!). But it will result in my account being nearly 3 months in credit before the 1st payment is taken on 1 December, and also means I'm charged twice in a month.  I've sent them an email asking them if they'll waive the initial charge, it seems a bit unfair automatically overcharging people just in case they're not in credit.  I know I can probably get it refunded back again if I wait for it to all go through next month, but I'd rather just not get charged twice in a month!

MultiFuelBurner

Your credit from your current supplier will not be sent to Octopus it will be refunded to your account.

If you chat to octopus use Twitter ask them to put you on whole month variable direct debit and they won't take a payment until your first bill and by that time hopefully your refund will be in from your previous supplier and you can add that to your account. Then change back to plain fixed direct debit if you want to.

hungry_hippo

ok thanks, didn't realise that, thought it was transferred over rather than refunded

Alnat1

Also, the £50 won't be credited until you make your first payment on the account.