Octopus energy company. Anyone use 'em?

[rlw]

Octopus just came top in the Which survey again so they must be doing something right.

[nonsequitur]

I was arbitrarily transferred, without much warning, from the Co-Op to Octopus late last year. Not bad so far, with the customer service via the telephone sorting out any queries quickly and politely. They try very hard to get you to go online with any problems, but I do like to speak to a real person when contacting them.

[Gerradi]

"... but I do like to speak to a real person"

[hotchy]

Well I had 2 weeks of energy when moving into my house, then switched to octopus. Got an estimate for 2 weeks, sent back readings as it was way over. Theyll get back to me.. anyway noticed nobody got back to me in 3 months+ so I emailed them. Somehow octopus replied, turns out the original company went bust... gave me a solicitors contact.. emailed and they said talk to octopus.. then they said the opposite again. So litterly nobody wants my £15..

Anyway, free 2 weeks energy? Woooo

[monkfish1]

As someone still on a "legacy" tarrif, and knowing i should do something about that, even with Octopus who are supposed to be the best at looking after customers, theres enough people having issues to stop me switching.

In my, admittedly not very scientific survey of 8 people i know, only one has switched without some kind of cock up. The others spent weeks, months, or in one case years, sorting out the resulting billing cock ups.

How do you guys having issues put up with this? Why do you put up with it?

I know i should switch, but everytime i look into it, i just see problems, which, frankly i have niether the time nor patience to sort out.

[gazapc]

monkfish1 said:

As someone still on a "legacy" tarrif, and knowing i should do something about that, even with Octopus who are supposed to be the best at looking after customers, theres enough people having issues to stop me switching.

In my, admittedly not very scientific survey of 8 people i know, only one has switched without some kind of cock up. The others spent weeks, months, or in one case years, sorting out the resulting billing cock ups.

How do you guys having issues put up with this? Why do you put up with it?

I know i should switch, but everytime i look into it, i just see problems, which, frankly i have niether the time nor patience to sort out.

I've switched half a dozen times in the last decade. This is at three different properties and from some of the big 6 to new players like Octopus. I've never had a single switching issue of any kind.

Perhaps people are doing something wrong?

[monkfish1]

gazapc said:

I've switched half a dozen times in the last decade. This is at three different properties and from some of the big 6 to new players like Octopus. I've never had a single switching issue of any kind.

Perhaps people are doing something wrong?

Hmmm. Not sure how i can do anything wrong? Its the suppliers that do things wrong, but when they do it becomes my problem to sort it out. Thats what i really dont want. But seems pretty common.

Good to know you have been ok. The one person i know who has no problems is my tennant. He changes his supplier more often than his underpants!

[geeks]

Generally most people who get into trouble when switching do so because they miss something, usually a meter reading or an incorrect reading and dont spot it early on as alot of people are still on quarterly billing, so by the time they do spot the issue they are months past being able to efficiently solve it and have to start fighting with the suppliers etc to get things done.

In reality if you provide them with the correct info in the first place it goes swimmingly and you'll wonder what all the fuss is about!

[SpeckledJim]

All very smooth for me.

And they're rated as the best, so if you're going to swap, I don't think you'll find better odds elsewhere.

(If you don't swap, you get mugged. There are zero points for loyalty in this game)

[mikeiow]

No ideas for a name said:

Something not right here...

From Octopus' web site "The smart tariff with super cheap electricity for 5p/kWh between 00:30 - 04:30 every night"
Your Kona is now full of 'premium' electricity at 15p per kWh (I guess it will run better though - just like putting Shell V-Power in your ICE)
(not actually being serious, in case you were wondering - but do check your timings)

Their standard Go Faster is indeed 00:30 to 04:30 - they are experimenting with alternative start times for 'beta' customers - I leapt in and asked for the earliest they would do (20:30hrs) and got on it.

[recalluk]

mikeiow said:

Their standard Go Faster is indeed 00:30 to 04:30 - they are experimenting with alternative start times for 'beta' customers - I leapt in and asked for the earliest they would do (20:30hrs) and got on it.

Almost .. the "Go" Tariff is what I am on 00:30-04:30 @5p

Go Faster" Lets you pic the hours that suit you (from a subset) and adjust the rates.

Any times between 20:30 and 06:30.

They are offering three different tariffs which can be taken between these hours.

4.5p/kWh for 3 hours
5.0p/kWh for 4 hours
5.5p/kWh for 5 hours

[pingu393]

recalluk said:

mikeiow said:

Their standard Go Faster is indeed 00:30 to 04:30 - they are experimenting with alternative start times for 'beta' customers - I leapt in and asked for the earliest they would do (20:30hrs) and got on it.

Almost .. the "Go" Tariff is what I am on 00:30-04:30 @5p

Go Faster" Lets you pic the hours that suit you (from a subset) and adjust the rates.

Any times between 20:30 and 06:30.

They are offering three different tariffs which can be taken between these hours.

4.5p/kWh for 3 hours
5.0p/kWh for 4 hours
5.5p/kWh for 5 hours

This is good to know. I'll do some investigation and have a word with Mrs Pingu and find out when she wants to do the washing, drying, ironing and filling the Thermos with water. It could be a busy three hours. I just hope she keeps the noise down while I'm watching Endeavour on Sunday night .

[mikeiow]

pingu393 said:

recalluk said:

mikeiow said:

Their standard Go Faster is indeed 00:30 to 04:30 - they are experimenting with alternative start times for 'beta' customers - I leapt in and asked for the earliest they would do (20:30hrs) and got on it.

Almost .. the "Go" Tariff is what I am on 00:30-04:30 @5p

Go Faster" Lets you pic the hours that suit you (from a subset) and adjust the rates.

Any times between 20:30 and 06:30.

They are offering three different tariffs which can be taken between these hours.

4.5p/kWh for 3 hours
5.0p/kWh for 4 hours
5.5p/kWh for 5 hours

This is good to know. I'll do some investigation and have a word with Mrs Pingu and find out when she wants to do the washing, drying, ironing and filling the Thermos with water. It could be a busy three hours. I just hope she keeps the noise down while I'm watching Endeavour on Sunday night .

LOL!
Yes, recalluk put their options more accurately than I did - we chose to stick with 4 hours (mostly fills our EV up most use cases).
It is surprisingly easy to flip dishwashing and washing (& perhaps some drying) to happen after 8:30 in our house......but I appreciate it won't suit everyone!

[Durzel]

Would it be fair to assume that the battery would cool down to pretty much normal temperature even if charging up to 06:30?

Right now I've got my charger set to only allow a charge between 00:30 and 04:30, so the morning climatisation (set to be ready by 8am) uses the battery, and therefore does not pre-condition the battery, only the cabin.

If I could use my 4 hours up to 07:30 or something that would ideal, as it means I could pre-con the battery as well as the interior climate.

[monkfish1]

SpeckledJim said:

(If you don't swap, you get mugged. There are zero points for loyalty in this game)

Only to well aware of that. I dont cope well with incompetence, and energy providers seem to excel at incompetence. In the back of my mind is "what if".

[SpeckledJim]

monkfish1 said:

SpeckledJim said:

(If you don't swap, you get mugged. There are zero points for loyalty in this game)

Only to well aware of that. I dont cope well with incompetence, and energy providers seem to excel at incompetence. In the back of my mind is "what if".

10 years ago I would have been similarly nervous. After 4 or 5 seamless switches recently I wouldn’t worry now.

[scgwhite]

@Stig - thanks, should be signing up using your link shortly...

[pingu393]

My first year was at £94 per month (it was £115 with my previous supplier). Just renewed for another year at £84 per month.

In eight year's time, they'll be paying me

[Durzel]

Thanks Sylvia, if you're on here I don't think I've put my referral link anywhere else.

Brightened up what was an otherwise dismal day at work.

[Grahamhhh]

Hi,
I have just signed up to Octopus Energy. My son gave me a referral code and we both have received £50.00 credit. So it works!
I signed up because of his experience with Octopus, which has been very positive.

1. Great customer relations
2. One of the lowest tariffs for my postcode
3. Renewable energy
4. £50.00 referral code system
5. No exit fees
6. Smooth transition from my previous supplier
If you have decided to sign up to Octopus, it would be great if you could use my referral code below and we will both receive £50.00 credit. Simply copy and paste it into your browser and away you go.



ETA

Sorry not allowed.

Edited by Big Al. on Tuesday 3rd March 11:35