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R
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Royp
Rank 1
October 24, 2024
Solved

Why do I need to have a direct debit to sign up to Power Move?

  • October 24, 2024
  • 34 replies
  • 638 views

I don’t like Direct Debit because I’ve had bad experiences with trying to get refunds for over-charges. I’m a 73 year old pensioner who has managed his monthly payments for the last 55 years, so don’t need anyone to manage if for me. The (electricity only) Simpler plan I’m on attracts higher tariffs and while I disagree with the reasoning, I have to accept that this is the way things are done. I was very impressed with the Power Move Summer Challenge, and while my household doesn’t use a lot of electricity, we strived to move what we could to off-peak. I just received a confirmation email that my efforts resulted in me being within the top 10% of customers who took part, and was eagerly looking forward to the winter challenge to see how much saving I could accumulate. However, I just discovered that Power Move is now restricted to only Direct Debit Customers, so I am out. Because I have always managed my affairs properly and managed to save a little extra for my old age, the fabulous Labour Government has just cancelled my winter fuel payment, so now I’m hit with a double whammy. Congratulations OVO on your TV advert for the new app and Power Move, pity you don’t regard your existing customers as highly as potential new ones       

    Best answer by Peter E

    Updated on 10/06/25 by Abby_OVO


    Who can join?

     

    To be eligible to join Power Move, you need to:

    • be an OVO customer and have your energy supplied by us
    • have downloaded the OVO app and unlocked Beyond
    • have a working electricity smart meter
    • have a credit meter
    • have a single rate tariff only (e.g. not Economy 7 or Economy 10)
    • have an active Direct Debit
    • have opted into half-hourly meter reads for billing (you can do this when you join)
    • have opted into half-hourly meter reads for settlement (you can do this when you join)
    • have an active email address

    Charge Anytime, Battery Boost or Heat Pump Plus customers are eligible to join.

    Please note: not all meter types and tariffs work with Power Move. This means customers with multi-rate meters/tariffs, like Economy 7 and Economy 10 can’t join Power Move right now.
     

    Check out our website for the latest challenge information.
    ​​​​​

    Log in to Beyond to get started. Don’t have the app? Download it on iOS or Android to unlock exclusive rewards for free.

     

    To join, you need to pay for your energy by Direct Debit and have a smart meter set up.

     

     

    Check our FAQs to find out more. Power Move terms also apply.

     

    Hi @Royp 

     

    Unfortunately it is one of the conditions required for Power Move. Direct Debit has lower processing costs associated with customers compared with pay as you go because sometimes they forget and then someone has to then chase up the customer for payment and possibly begin debt recovery procedures. I don’t doubt that you have made every single payment on time over the past 55 years and have never needed chasing up but it does happen too often when customers don’t have a DD Mandate. Consequently more staff are required which increases costs. By getting a customer on DD costs are lower and the PM scheme is more affordable. It’s not about new customers. We have new customers joining who won’t agree to a DD so they are not eligible for the scheme either.

     

    Peter

    34 replies

    Show previous replies
    Jeffus
    Rank 20
    Jeffus
    Rank 20
    October 28, 2024

    As I said earlier:
    Originally Power Move was simply a carrot to move power consumption away from peak times - very laudable.
    Now it takes on a secondary (or primary) role to “persuade” customer to move to Direct Debit. This leaves a bitter taste - give us Pay On Demand customers a sweetener, then take it away again...   

    Most suppliers have some sort of scheme for encouraging usage towards low usage periods so you may well find a supplier better suited to your personal situation and usage pattern. Many of the schemes are linked to the Nation Grid DFS.

    Here is an example 

    https://www.britishgas.co.uk/energy/peak-save.html

    Here is a recent summary of many of the schemes

    https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/cut-energy-demand-flexibility-service

    Does one of these look better for you, including the specific terms and conditions?

    It would be interesting to hear if any other supplier has a more suitable scheme for you, without the limitations you have found with ovo.

    The faster switching service means switching suppliers is pretty quick and reliable these days.

    If you feel strongly about what is being offered by suppliers your best bet is to contribute to one of the frequent ofgem consultations published on the ofgem website.

      S
      Rank 2
      Sally123
      Rank 2
      December 17, 2024

      Lets be absolutely honest, they like the interest they get from the vredit in customers accounts for their share holders 🤑

      Blastoise186
      Super User
      Blastoise186Super User
      Super User
      December 17, 2024

      You know ​@Sally123 , if you’re gonna post One-Liners like that… You should be ready to be challenged. So, where’s your proof of your claims?

      I’ll be nice and give you 24 hours. If you can’t provide it, I’ll be able to tear your claims apart.

      Here’s a clue though: how do you know that the funds are even being held in an interest bearing account anyway? There are accounts that have permanent 0% credit interest after all!

      Securing energy by zapping security bugs... For that is The Blastoise Way! Remember, I'm just like you - AI Powered Evil Geniuses aren't Staff!
        Blastoise186
        Super User
        Blastoise186Super User
        Super User
        December 18, 2024

        Well, more than 24 hours have passed and no response from the user. Typical...

        Long story short, whatever interest OVO might be earning on customer credit balances - assuming said balances are even in an interest bearing account in the first place - are likely offsetting bank charges for operating a business bank account (trust me, they’re NOT FREE!!!) and/or some of the processing fees that GoCardless charges OVO for providing the services of processing those Direct Debits on OVO’s behalf.

        It’s also worth mentioning that at any given time, GoCardless also swallows some of that cash for itself and holds it in a reserve to comply with financial regulations. OVO CANNOT access any funds held in such reserves until they get released - after which point they get handed over on the next payout run.

        Shareholders also only get payouts from profits that the company makes - by law they cannot help themselves to customer credit balances under ANY circumstances whatsoever, not least because OVO MUST promptly return customer credit balances to the customer on-demand if/when the need to hold onto it no longer exists.

        Want to prove me wrong? Show me evidence to back up your claims.

        Securing energy by zapping security bugs... For that is The Blastoise Way! Remember, I'm just like you - AI Powered Evil Geniuses aren't Staff!
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        OVO Energy Ltd, Floor 5, Crescent, Temple Back, Redcliffe, BS1 6EZ, (Company no. 06890795) registered in England and Wales.

        OVO (S) Gas Limited is registered in England and Wales (Company No. 02716495) at Floor 5, Crescent, Temple Back, Redcliffe, BS1 6EZ.

        OVO (S) Gas Limited is part of OVO Group Ltd