Why have OVO raised an objection (blocked) my switch to another supplier?

@juliamc

I don't know any other supplier that does live billing, some of the other regular posters may be aware?

I keep very little spare credit in the current account I use for fixed direct debits and standing orders, I certainly wouldn't have thought about keeping enough for double the DD for up to two months payments which is entirely possible by the sound of things. 

I think you are correct. I know how difficult finances can be when moving rental property from my adopted brother who struggles at the best of times.

Be great if ovo could become know as a consumer champion for things like this? 

@Tim_OVO @Emmanuelle_OVO @Abby_OVO love you hear your thoughts on this!!! Is live billing OVO’s USP ? If a tenant (or anyone) moved between properties both supplied by OVO would they have to stump up twice ?

Just so you are aware I don't read all the threads or all your posts and I don't have any email alerts enabled so never saw your previous post. 

Please be aware this is not unusual.

I won't do it again

Hi @juliamc @Jeffus and thanks for tagging us with this question, and for the discussion more widely. 

From my own point of view I very clearly see the value of not having an active Direct Debit arrangement set up on an OVO account after the loss date, in order to avoid payments to the old and new supplier at the same time. I’m unaware of the technical or process reasoning for the current journey but I’ve asked the Product team who look after this in the hope of getting more detail to you. 

Despite my account closing on 5 July, with a credit balance, I’ve juts seen OVO have still  raised a DD for tomorrow; which will add another £300 to the credit I am owed,  now 2 weeks later and nearly 2 months since I first tried to transfer. 

Why go through this charade, wouldn’t it much easier to properly close the account when it transfers to a new suppler?  I’ll still have to be repaid in due course; though I guess the cumulative interest on all positive balances goes a long way to pay dividends, bonuses, etc. 

I’d cancel that dd right now !

Just a heads up. Cancelling the DD now will NOT stop that payment tomorrow because it’ll have already been submitted for processing.

I’d leave it open as it’ll speed up the final refund - after that’s done, it’s definitely safe to disable it.

Why would it speed up the final refund ?

Direct Debits can also be used as Direct Credits. If it’s still active, OVO will know for definite exactly where to send the money back to. Otherwise, there are cases where suppliers have to send cheques (and that really does take ages because banks are slow).

No further money would be taken in the meantime.

Except that’s not what happened with me. They took my dd 10 days after the switch, which I think should have been plenty of time for OVO to pass the message to their bank. That meant my account was in credit of over £700. I cancelled the dd arrangement after that with my bank and eventually received the £700 no prob. OVO have my bank details so I don’t understand why they’d need a dd setup to credit me, and I don’t think they do.