Octopus energy company. Anyone use 'em?
Discussion
Bobtherallyfan said:
Blimey, switch supplier and expect a SMART meter to immediately be fitted for your convenience. I’ve been with Octopus for 2 years and I’m patiently waiting in the queue to get one fitted. Slots are in very short supply because of COVID.
Sounds like you are being taken for a mug.I put the request in to change to Octopus on 1st Feb this year when I put the order in for an EV, changed to Octopus on the 18th Feb, and had the smart meter installed by Octopus on the 26th March.
Initially I went with Octopus Go after the smart meter install, but changed to Go Faster last week (from 20:30 for 5 hours at 5.5p), and a good job I did as they have just increased the 'non-cheap' standard hour prices.
Edited by PF62 on Thursday 13th May 17:11
Silverage said:
I’m getting the run around from Octopus at the moment. I switched to them seven weeks ago, primarily to use their Go tariff for my EV. I didn’t have a smart meter so in the queue for one of those I go and they put me on a quite expensive holding tariff for electricity. Six weeks later (last week) the engineer finally rolls up to install the smart meters. This goes well to the point where he can’t get the meter to connect to a company called TMA who apparently take the readings and pass them to whichever energy company is concerned.
And that’s where I’ve been since. They’re now trying to arrange for the engineer to come back and have another stab at it, but I’m getting more hacked off each day. Really poor service and when I suggest that some priority may be in order because the job was muffed up first time around they tell me that’s not the way it works.
I see I’m not tied to a contract with them, so if they don’t sort it out soon I’ll be off to another supplier.
And just over 24 hours later both my meters are now commissioned and the IHD is working. Just need to get Octopus to pick up on the data now and I’ll finally be able to switch to Go. And that’s where I’ve been since. They’re now trying to arrange for the engineer to come back and have another stab at it, but I’m getting more hacked off each day. Really poor service and when I suggest that some priority may be in order because the job was muffed up first time around they tell me that’s not the way it works.
I see I’m not tied to a contract with them, so if they don’t sort it out soon I’ll be off to another supplier.
Silverage said:
And just over 24 hours later both my meters are now commissioned and the IHD is working. Just need to get Octopus to pick up on the data now and I’ll finally be able to switch to Go.
At which point the IHD will no longer function correctly as it can't cope with 'time of day' tariffs such as Go.That’s OK. I’m currently having a play about with the IHD, but I don’t want a constant reminder of what things are costing. Once I know the Go tariff is working correctly, I’ll turn off the IHD and put it in a drawer.
It told me earlier that with just background stuff like the fridge and freezer running I was getting through 2p per hour in electric. I’ve put on the oven and a ring on the electric hob to start dinner and it’s going berserk now.
It told me earlier that with just background stuff like the fridge and freezer running I was getting through 2p per hour in electric. I’ve put on the oven and a ring on the electric hob to start dinner and it’s going berserk now.
Rick101 said:
Considering a change from bulb. Sick of constant raises.
Octopus doesn't look that much cheaper but a couple of referral bonuses would help.
I've low energy use and do not need a smart meter.
Any advice on tarriff / package?
Thanks.
Octopus aren't always cheapest for gas, so consider shopping around and going separate if you're happy to manage that.Octopus doesn't look that much cheaper but a couple of referral bonuses would help.
I've low energy use and do not need a smart meter.
Any advice on tarriff / package?
Thanks.
There's usually a few smaller suppliers cheaper than Octopus, depending on your area, but often there's a customer service issue or they go bust. There's no harm to you if they go bust, your deal will be honoured by another supplier automatically.
Rick101 said:
Considering a change from bulb. Sick of constant raises.
Got referral codes now thanks folks.
Octopus doesn't look that much cheaper.
I've low energy use and do not need a smart meter.
Any advice on tarriff / package?
Thanks.
Some of their smart tariffs like Go could still be cheaper if you can shift usage to overnight - the day rate is favourable enough in most parts of the country. Does require a smart meter though. Got referral codes now thanks folks.
Octopus doesn't look that much cheaper.
I've low energy use and do not need a smart meter.
Any advice on tarriff / package?
Thanks.
Edited by Rick101 on Friday 21st May 08:16
Evanivitch said:
Octopus aren't always cheapest for gas, so consider shopping around and going separate if you're happy to manage that.
There's usually a few smaller suppliers cheaper than Octopus, depending on your area, but often there's a customer service issue or they go bust. There's no harm to you if they go bust, your deal will be honoured by another supplier automatically.
Having been through multiple cheap companies with poor customer service (wrt billing) who then have gone bust, I don't bother anymore. I've stuck with Octopus since they took on the business of yet another failed supplier.There's usually a few smaller suppliers cheaper than Octopus, depending on your area, but often there's a customer service issue or they go bust. There's no harm to you if they go bust, your deal will be honoured by another supplier automatically.
I avoid the large players now due to experiences that have taken me to the regulator.
I actually posted to point out that your deal will not necessarily be honoured when a supplier takes on the business of a bust operator. The first time it happened to me the deal was replicated, the other times it wasn't. I very much doubt this was a regulator oversight.
Cheers all. Will prob go with them.
I like the bulb app and keep a very sharp eye on meter readings and usage. I know exactly what I need to pay.
Bulb have taken additional previously and are a pita to speak to.
No I don't want to talk to a chatbot!
As long as the prices are reasonable and there are no mess ups I'm happy.
I like the bulb app and keep a very sharp eye on meter readings and usage. I know exactly what I need to pay.
Bulb have taken additional previously and are a pita to speak to.
No I don't want to talk to a chatbot!
As long as the prices are reasonable and there are no mess ups I'm happy.
number2 said:
I actually posted to point out that your deal will not necessarily be honoured when a supplier takes on the business of a bust operator. The first time it happened to me the deal was replicated, the other times it wasn't. I very much doubt this was a regulator oversight.
Good point, I just checked and you're correct. New suppliers bid for the customers, but deal may not be the same as already on.lost in espace said:
Agile rates are dreadful now, brief plunge last night and everyone is excited. I am on Go Faster 2030pm - 0030am 5p 14p other times, but this rate has now gone up to 16p for new customers. Can charge the car and use appliances at sensible times.
I bailed out of Agile in December. I think it’s amazing how people seem to forget about the high rates with just a couple of hours of cheap. 
Zoon said:
Toaster Pilot said:
I bailed out of Agile in December. I think it’s amazing how people seem to forget about the high rates with just a couple of hours of cheap.
Got to agree, when I saw the Agile rates it made me wince.Evanivitch said:
Good point, I just checked and you're correct. New suppliers bid for the customers, but deal may not be the same as already on.
Given as the existing company has gone bust (ergo, tariffs were too cheap to cover costs!) why would any new supplier want to honour existing (loss making) tariffs?! Sometimes they do, to be nice, but they certainly don't have to. The way power and gas prices have gone up recently there may well be a whole raft of new companies going bust over the next few months.
Condi said:
Given as the existing company has gone bust (ergo, tariffs were too cheap to cover costs!) why would any new supplier want to honour existing (loss making) tariffs?!
Sometimes they do, to be nice, but they certainly don't have to. The way power and gas prices have gone up recently there may well be a whole raft of new companies going bust over the next few months.
I didn't think it was the choice of the new supplier, I thought it was a function of consumer protection by Ofgem.Sometimes they do, to be nice, but they certainly don't have to. The way power and gas prices have gone up recently there may well be a whole raft of new companies going bust over the next few months.
Agile was good for me last year, but if the current pattern continues then I think moving to Go Faster 5hr 20:30 would be overall better for me.
Using this tool, I broke even with standard rates in recent months, but would have saved quite a bit on any of the Go tariffs:
https://octocomparison.co.uk/
Using this tool, I broke even with standard rates in recent months, but would have saved quite a bit on any of the Go tariffs:
https://octocomparison.co.uk/
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