MSE News: Ovo Energy to take on Economy Energy's 235,000 customers

Official link from Ofgem here:

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications-and-updates/ofgem-appoints-ovo-energy-take-customers-economy-energy

I hope OVO dont take over Eversmart when they go bust.

OVO's electricity prices are horrendous at 5p/kwh more than Eversmart's it would cost me an extra £360 a year.

I thought Octopus were expensive when I got transferred to them when IRESA died but OVO makes Octopus look like a bargain.

A quick shufti on the comparison sites, shows that I can get 12 deals better than Octopus and 60 better than OVO so I suggest you start looking for a quick swap as soon as you can.

Hopefully you've all read your meters and downloaded your latest bills and statements so you've got some evidence of the state of your accounts when they turned their toes up.

wavelets wrote: »

If there's a cheaper alternative for you, get prepared to switch as soon as Ovo give you the nod.

I have learned a lot about the contrivances that a smaller energy supplier could use to manage its cash flow:

[1] switch the customer from an agreed in term fixed price contract to a variable price contract in breach of contract;

[2] block a customer from switching for no good reason;

[3] stop credit refunds to ex-customers without explanation;

[4] continue to access to direct debits for ex-customers long after account closure;

[5] charge a double monthly direct debit at the outset of the contract;

[6] increase direct debits without good reason and without explanation;

[7] stop using customer readings and smart meter readings in preference for using inflated estimated readings;

[8] use inflated estimated readings as a means of increasing direct debits;

[9] making once off direct debit claims upon the customer's account;

[10] failing to cooperate with the Ombudsman;

[11] failing to follow a complaints process;

[12] failing to publish complaints statistics;

[13] failing to answer telephone calls and emails;

[14] removing social media communication;

[15] use an Internet link to refer to terms and conditions but then changing the terms and conditions to which the link refers; and

[16] refusing upward referral.

I am wondering whether the safest way of switching is firstly to select fixed priced switches only and secondly to select tariffs where direct debit mandates are not required.