Energy companies and direct debits

[trumpton]

Octopus seem like a good outfit albeit 50% more expensive then Avro .. but it is what it is.

They, like all utility companies are a shower of shite.

Part of the reason they are more expensive is the suppliers mystery daily 'standing charge' which works out nearly 100 quid a year more with Octopus.

Anyway, given readings to Avro, the Avro variant that appeared after it went tits up and Octopus.

Octopus account says I haven't provided any meter readings and have no direct debit set up. Can't be arsed dealing with it, left the DD running with Avro, it will sort itself out eventually. Also took two months for them to finally advise how much they were going to fuck me over with, sorry, charge me per day/unit.

Appreciate they are busy but assume the regulators didn't put a gun to their head to take on the customers of failed companies.

 

[denislawsbackheel]

Seems people want to pay the uneconomic tariff that caused their company to go bust to their replacement company.
World isn’t like that.

 

[Kompany Car]

They, like all utility companies are a shower of shite.

Part of the reason they are more expensive is the suppliers mystery daily 'standing charge' which works out nearly 100 quid a year more with Octopus.

Anyway, given readings to Avro, the Avro variant that appeared after it went tits up and Octopus.

Octopus account says I haven't provided any meter readings and have no direct debit set up. Can't be arsed dealing with it, left the DD running with Avro, it will sort itself out eventually. Also took two months for them to finally advise how much they were going to fuck me over with, sorry, charge me per day/unit.

Appreciate they are busy but assume the regulators didn't put a gun to their head to take on the customers of failed companies.

Tell me about it, left Octopus a 2 months ago as they couldn't match the fixed price I got and they still haven't refunded me the £450 that I am in credit. Called them three times now and keep getting, oh it's been processed and should be with you in a few days shite. Absolute shysters the lot of them, have already started the formal complaints process and will be taking it up with the regulator if it's not resolved.

 

[Uncle Wally One Ball]

Just had an email off Bulb confirming that they have now gone.
Shame really as, unlike some other posters, I think they were brilliant.
Got my credit off them 2 weeks ago, just in case.
Great company with fantastic service.

Never be in credit with them. Im with Ovo, and I find them great, My DD is about right but sometimes they ask me to pay a bill if we are out. That suits me down to the ground. Not ripped off on the DD, sometimes they are up, not often, but if not I will settle up that day

 

[Rammy Blue]

I still haven't been contacted by my new supplier Octopus after Avro went bust. Just an email but no account details yet.

Anyone else?

Yep, same. Wouldn’t worry, it’ll all get worked out.

 

[ell]

Can anyone help here.

Moved house in July, took on energy tarrif with green who went two months later. I got my first bill and noticed they had used incorrect meter readings (I've got photos of the meter the day I moved in) when I disputed this they told me as they had lost their licence they couldn't open a dispute and I would need to get my new supplier to do it. After loads of faff shell have finally set up my account, I've asked them to open a dispute and they are now saying they are only responsible for my account since September when they took it over and can't dispute the July opening read.

I was overcharged by 300m3 of gas during August and September (two weeks of which I was abroad) so I've been overcharged a few hundred quid or something.

Do I just have to accept the previous owners didn't give a final meter reading and now I've had to pay for it or is there a way of getting my money back?

 

[xgorton]

Unbelievable people on here saying they are owed £500 or 600 why do you pay that up front,been with utility warehouse for 7 years now both gas and electricity never had a problem every 3 months I take my own readings phone them in so I always pay for what I use no more no less.Also keep well away from those smart meters biggest con going.

 

[Blue Mist]

Can anyone help here.

Moved house in July, took on energy tarrif with green who went two months later. I got my first bill and noticed they had used incorrect meter readings (I've got photos of the meter the day I moved in) when I disputed this they told me as they had lost their licence they couldn't open a dispute and I would need to get my new supplier to do it. After loads of faff shell have finally set up my account, I've asked them to open a dispute and they are now saying they are only responsible for my account since September when they took it over and can't dispute the July opening read.

I was overcharged by 300m3 of gas during August and September (two weeks of which I was abroad) so I've been overcharged a few hundred quid or something.

Do I just have to accept the previous owners didn't give a final meter reading and now I've had to pay for it or is there a way of getting my money back?

The best answer is the one you will get from me. Contact the ombudsman as the old company won't help and clearly Shell won't.
You are not liable for someone else's mistake but at the moment it is you that is out of pocket so 'he' is the only one that can help.

N.B. That was my one sensible post of the year, normal service will now be resumed.

 

[ell]

The best answer is the one you will get from me. Contact the ombudsman as the old company won't help and clearly Shell won't.
You are not liable for someone else's mistake but at the moment it is you that is out of pocket so 'he' is the only one that can help.

N.B. That was my one sensible post of the year, normal service will now be resumed.

Information for Green customers​

Green Supplier Ltd ceased trading on 22 September 2021. As a result, we are not accepting any new complaints about the company. Shell Energy (formerly First Utility) has been appointed by Ofgem to take on Green customers. If you are unhappy with any element of the service Shell Energy offers as your new supplier, you should contact them in the first instance. If you complained to us about Green before the company ceased trading and were awaiting action, we've now provided a written update to affected consumers.

Do you think if I make the complaint about Shell they would look at it?

 

[Citizen of Legoland]

Information for Green customers​

Green Supplier Ltd ceased trading on 22 September 2021. As a result, we are not accepting any new complaints about the company. Shell Energy (formerly First Utility) has been appointed by Ofgem to take on Green customers. If you are unhappy with any element of the service Shell Energy offers as your new supplier, you should contact them in the first instance. If you complained to us about Green before the company ceased trading and were awaiting action, we've now provided a written update to affected consumers.

Do you think if I make the complaint about Shell they would look at it?

From the link in your post, this is the main point to me:

Shell Energy will be in contact in the coming days. Please be assured that any outstanding credit balances, including money owed will be honoured.

To me this means that Shell will be handling payment disputes from prior to when they took over the supply, so they cannot use the line that they have given you as this is not a complaint but notification of a statement error. The delay on your side sounds like it was due to the fact that you didn't get the statement from Green in time to know the reading was wrong (and that Green said they could not deal with the error) and Shell have only just set up your account - these are key dates to get straight in your mind. Normally you would make a complaint and then wait 8 weeks to go to OFGEM. You might still need to do this, but if they won't accept your complaint then you are in deadlock and can immediately go to OFGEM with a complaint about Shell.

If the readings on the meter today are still below what was on the Green statement then take a photo of it to prove the statement must have been wrong and include it with the complaint to Shell or OFGEM.