Outfox Energy

born_again

BubbleResident said:

I entered all the usage data when I made the switch and the deal was confirmed. Given that we're still in October, I can't believe my usage has changed excessively since then.

But Outfox have made the same point about actual cost being affected by changes in usage. 

I still don't understand how the rate can go up by 185%, especially as the first increase was announced during a period when I wasn't (or hardly at all) using any heating. I'll check my usage against MSE's figures. 

I've never experienced anything like this with multiple other suppliers. Normally, I go into the red in the winter and build up substantial credit in warmer/milder months, without too much (or, in some cases, any) variation in monthly payments.

More fool me for signing up for a deal with a £250 exit charge, but this feels like mis-selling given it's so at odds with what I signed up to.

And it seems obvious that the rate will go up by a whole lot more when the heating is on for longer periods, and that the rate is effectively meaningless, and that I'd be mad not to pay the exit charge ASAP.

All suppliers now seem to want you to be in credit in April. So joining just before your usage increases if the worst case possible.

luci

BubbleResident said:

I entered all the usage data when I made the switch and the deal was confirmed. Given that we're still in October, I can't believe my usage has changed excessively since then.

But Outfox have made the same point about actual cost being affected by changes in usage. 

I still don't understand how the rate can go up by 185%, especially as the first increase was announced during a period when I wasn't (or hardly at all) using any heating. I'll check my usage against MSE's figures. 

I've never experienced anything like this with multiple other suppliers. Normally, I go into the red in the winter and build up substantial credit in warmer/milder months, without too much (or, in some cases, any) variation in monthly payments.

More fool me for signing up for a deal with a £250 exit charge, but this feels like mis-selling given it's so at odds with what I signed up to.

And it seems obvious that the rate will go up by a whole lot more when the heating is on for longer periods, and that the rate is effectively meaningless, and that I'd be mad not to pay the exit charge ASAP.

The rate and the direct debit are two entirely different things. The rate can't go up if you have a fixed rate tariff. However the DD can go up if it shows that your usuage is likely to be higher than the usage you gave the supplier when you applied.

debitcardmayhem

BubbleResident said:

I entered all the usage data when I made the switch and the deal was confirmed. Given that we're still in October, I can't believe my usage has changed excessively since then.

But Outfox have made the same point about actual cost being affected by changes in usage. 

I still don't understand how the rate can go up by 185%, especially as the first increase was announced during a period when I wasn't (or hardly at all) using any heating. I'll check my usage against MSE's figures. 

I've never experienced anything like this with multiple other suppliers. Normally, I go into the red in the winter and build up substantial credit in warmer/milder months, without too much (or, in some cases, any) variation in monthly payments.

More fool me for signing up for a deal with a £250 exit charge, but this feels like mis-selling given it's so at odds with what I signed up to.

And it seems obvious that the rate will go up by a whole lot more when the heating is on for longer periods, and that the rate is effectively meaningless, and that I'd be mad not to pay the exit charge ASAP.

Glad you can throw £250 away, and then pay more than your £70/mth as well. Think rational, how much did you think it would cost, do you know how much energy you used in the 12 months before you switched?

luci

BubbleResident said:

Quite possibly; but when I've signed up for deals like this before, the headline figure (eg, £70 or whatever a month) is what I've ended up paying for the duration of the deal.

How much were you paying with your previous supplier?

BubbleResident

debitcardmayhem said:

BubbleResident said:

I entered all the usage data when I made the switch and the deal was confirmed. Given that we're still in October, I can't believe my usage has changed excessively since then.

But Outfox have made the same point about actual cost being affected by changes in usage. 

I still don't understand how the rate can go up by 185%, especially as the first increase was announced during a period when I wasn't (or hardly at all) using any heating. I'll check my usage against MSE's figures. 

I've never experienced anything like this with multiple other suppliers. Normally, I go into the red in the winter and build up substantial credit in warmer/milder months, without too much (or, in some cases, any) variation in monthly payments.

More fool me for signing up for a deal with a £250 exit charge, but this feels like mis-selling given it's so at odds with what I signed up to.

And it seems obvious that the rate will go up by a whole lot more when the heating is on for longer periods, and that the rate is effectively meaningless, and that I'd be mad not to pay the exit charge ASAP.

Glad you can throw £250 away, and then pay more than your £70/mth as well. Think rational, how much did you think it would cost, do you know how much energy you used in the 12 months before you switched?

I can't 'throw away' £250 away, but pretty sure I will end up burning a lot more cash if I don't act fast: in three (fairly mild) months, the monthly rate has already gone up by £115. I dread to think what they'll be asking for in February.

BubbleResident

luci said:

BubbleResident said:

Quite possibly; but when I've signed up for deals like this before, the headline figure (eg, £70 or whatever a month) is what I've ended up paying for the duration of the deal.

How much were you paying with your previous supplier?

I was with Octopus, who had just said they wanted to raise my rate from about £120 to £170 a month. Hence the move.

tim_p

Looks like both Octopus and Outfox had a reasonable idea of your usage. That £250 would be far better spent paying for your actual usage. 

debitcardmayhem

BubbleResident said:

luci said:

BubbleResident said:

Quite possibly; but when I've signed up for deals like this before, the headline figure (eg, £70 or whatever a month) is what I've ended up paying for the duration of the deal.

How much were you paying with your previous supplier?

I was with Octopus, who had just said they wanted to raise my rate from about £120 to £170 a month. Hence the move.

Obviously it seems £160 would have been nearer the mark than £120 and they wanted to put it up to £170 to catch with your shortfall. Tell us what your actual 12 month kWh was, and we will work it out what you need to pay. You will be wasting the exit fee and still have to pay however much you use going forward, and it won’t be any less than £120 / month at least.

BubbleResident

tim_p said:

Looks like both Octopus and Outfox had a reasonable idea of your usage. That £250 would be far better spent paying for your actual usage. 

My worry is that Outfox are just going to keep asking for more money.

Swipe

Have you had your final bill from Octopus yet? It should give you an annual estimated usage figure. Use that to work out what you should really be paying as a monthly direct debit monthly based on Outfox's rates and standing charges.