OVO have sent an email about my Direct Debit - Why are you increasing my monthly payment when I’m already in credit?

Thank you for your reply. I will have a look at these and do some computations.

As with most people we will be making savings with energy usage where possible. I mentioned we are already over £1000.00 in credit also. 

A standing order for our current payment can replace a DD. The additional amount can then be made via BACS credit monthly if applicable AFTER our credit has been used.

Sorry, but Standing Orders won’t work I’m afraid. Most energy suppliers don’t support them and you can’t use one in place of a Direct Debit. If you still try to use one anyway, it might get rejected.

If you don’t want to pay by Direct Debit, then your only option is to pay on-demand/on-receipt which will on average cost you an extra £200 a year. You would also lose the ability to keep any fixed rate deals.

Thank you again for that. 

We are not on fixed rate. 

If £200 per year means we control our own finances and budgets then we are happy with that.

I think you can pay actual bills by DD. 

Apatently though they are not variable DD'S so I have read.

It now remains to try to get hold of an OVO representative to change to pay on demand/receipt🤣

I am trying to contact OVO by telephone by all their lines seem to be overloaded have tried waiting for more than 30 minutes. Any ideas - no the online system does not allow me to change the DD or get a rebate ….

I certainly do not want to end up with a huge credit £ with OVO …. 

The phone wait message says that OVO is doing everything it can …. mmmm

David

Hi @dspinks41 ,

Right now, it’s probably best to leave things as they are if you can. As a forum volunteer I can’t access your account so there’s no way for me to make the changes on your behalf. You may find the advice in my guide useful though.

If you still need to speak to OVO, try Live Chat instead of the phones. It’s likely to be faster!

Social media is often touted as the best option.  If you have a substantial credit you have an absolute right to have it refunded, and move onto a new DD.

Prices though will rise substantially in October 22 and January 23 (assuming you are on a variable tariff).  Prices for paying after the event are higher £215 extra for the average customer @ oct 22 prices so DD is the best way to pay.

DD is a sound system but it does rely heavily on getting the forecast of consumption reasonably correct.  If the DD is set too high you can get the developing credit balance back, if its set too low you will have to pay more later on.  It is though virtually impossible to get the DD absolutely correct given the variables involved.

Recognise too that rising prices might require a DD uplift later on.

I am happy to pay Ovo for the energy I use however I do not see why Ovo should increase my direct debit to cover FUTURE usage ….  my main complaint is that you cannot speak to a human being in order to discuss this …. waiting on the phone for hours is unacceptable …. Ovo clearly has a staff shortage in their call centres to deal with the level of calls … we never ever got this problem with SSE!

I'm £300 in credit but ovo want to raise d/d to 82 from 62 ?