Utility companies, obviously the right hand doesn’t know what the left hand is doing

Shandy I agree that octopus are excellent. The only reason I left them is because look after my bills persuaded me to go to Peoples energy but thank goodness after they made a big mistake by (letting customers details out) I left peoples energy and went back to octopus I also told look after my bills to take me off the list as I wasn’t interested anymore, As it turns out I made a very wise decision as peoples energy are now one of the ones that have crashed!

I've been with Octopus for a few years now, and having had a nightmare customer service experience with ISupply Energy, am pleased to report Octopus offer excellent customer service. I receive a monthly email and have had two refund offers this year, the money was in my bank again in days.

Luckygirl- I agree that this crisis will hit the disadvantaged hard, it will affect everyone with the way energy prices are rocketing. I am in the same boat as you. I was with Avro and Octopus have taken over Avro customers. I have received updates from Octopus and a request for a meter reading, but no details of what my tariff price will be. They have confirmed my supply will be with them and that they are setting up customer accounts. I just hope that my credit doesn't vanish into thin air. Good luck with your new supplier.

Whitewave- I agree with you. The market does need re nationalising as do the train companies.

Shinamae, i'm so pleased that you are sorted, but it's annoying that you have had the hassle in the first place! It makes you wonder why PE still had you on their records. The company sounds like it didn't have a clue!

I think this clarifies that I am with octopus… and that was in June…?…. From the now defunct peoples energy

I ditched LAMB (Look After My Bills) - it was very difficult to communicate with them; and they were trying to swap me even after I had withdrawn.

Their swap to Utility Point was not a joy as UP went bankrupt and I am now in No Man's Land as Of Gem have put me with EDF, from whom I have had one communication telling me I am with them and no more - I do not know how much I am paying.

How simple it was when you just paid your local electricity board - all that needed to happen to stop them abusing their monopoly was for the government to set a cap on charges. Instead we now have this ridiculous mish-mash which acts to the detriment of those who are disadvantaged. Makes me so cross - no actually furious!

I can’t understand how, if the companies cannot survive without a massive cash input from the tax payer, how this can be even remotely be considered anything other than a rigged market?

The domestic energy market needs re-nationalising.

Uk power says I am with octopus ?

You are welcome Shin, I have since checked and MPAS do have an online tool to check your supplier. MPAS is for your gas supply. To check your electric supply there is an Energy Network Association search tool. You check by postcode who your network is and then that network will have all the details of your current supplier. They should know your meter serial numbers etc. Please don't worry about it because if Octopus did take your supply back in July then you will ignore the letter from BG. If it turns out you were still with PE and now transferred to BG, you can still switch back to your preferred Octupus Energy. Although, the advise is not to switch straight away, because for a certain period of time whilst this crisis is going on, any credit balance is protected. If you do an immediate switch, you are putting any credit balance at risk. You will find all details about ways of finding your supplier on the Ofgem website. I hope the lines aren't too busy, maybe best to check online. All the best.

JonesKpj000

It sounds possible that Octupus didn't take the supply back properly from People's Energy in July. Even though you have a copy of the tariff they were placing you on, did you receive an email or letter confirming this or just details to set up a direct debit and details of your tariff plan from Octopus. All People's Energy customers have been transfered to British Gas and that would explain the communication you have received. If Octupus did indeed take back your supply then you have nothing to worry about as they have not collapsed, and the explanation would be that somewhere in the data, People's Energy have somehow held information about you. My advise would be to call MPAS on 0870 608 1524 or I think you can do it online too. They should be able to advise you who your current supplier is. I know it's a pain but at least you would have certainty of who is your supplier. If they say that it is now British Gas then you can only assume that your supply did not return back to Octupus from People's Energy in July. Existing customers of Octupus are not affected by this current crisis. I'm sorry you are having all this trouble. I was with Avro Energy and we are being transferred to Octopus. So, I will be seeing a big hike in my bills like millions of others. Good luck.

Thank you so much Jones..???

It sounds possible that Octupus didn't take the supply back properly from People's Energy in July. Even though you have a copy of the tariff they were placing you on, did you receive an email or letter confirming this or just details to set up a direct debit and details of your tariff plan from Octopus. All People's Energy customers have been transfered to British Gas and that would explain the communication you have received. If Octupus did indeed take back your supply then you have nothing to worry about as they have not collapsed, and the explanation would be that somewhere in the data, People's Energy have somehow held information about you. My advise would be to call MPAS on 0870 608 1524 or I think you can do it online too. They should be able to advise you who your current supplier is. I know it's a pain but at least you would have certainty of who is your supplier. If they say that it is now British Gas then you can only assume that your supply did not return back to Octupus from People's Energy in July. Existing customers of Octupus are not affected by this current crisis. I'm sorry you are having all this trouble. I was with Avro Energy and we are being transferred to Octopus. So, I will be seeing a big hike in my bills like millions of others. Good luck.

Hetty58

Shinamae, it's just data, pulled out from records, by a computer program. It checks whether there were any complaints (probably doesn't check whether they were resolved) then issues the relevant paragraph in your letter - automatically, in a mail merge.

I doubt that a human eye has even seen it. Obviously, there are many limitations to mass processing.

Thank you Hettie that’s very reassuring. ???

Shinamae, it's just data, pulled out from records, by a computer program. It checks whether there were any complaints (probably doesn't check whether they were resolved) then issues the relevant paragraph in your letter - automatically, in a mail merge.

I doubt that a human eye has even seen it. Obviously, there are many limitations to mass processing.

Give Octopus a call. I’ve always found them very helpful, just to check you’re definitely with them. I’d also contact British Gas. It took DH 2 years to get his problem with them sorted after he’d threatened them with the Ombudsman.

We are now with Octopus. It did not come without stress! They say it is so simple! NOT. I never think switching anything is as easy as they make out.

Shinamae I have had the same letter. I also had the same experience as you, better deals etc. but found out I was paying two companies! but that is another story. Have been with Octopus since February. Think I will just wait for British Gas to contact me.

MamaCaz

Good luck with it.

I had my share of energy company problems a couple of years ago, so I know how frustrating it can be.

Thank you..???

Good luck with it.

I had my share of energy company problems a couple of years ago, so I know how frustrating it can be.

In that case, it could very well be that the letter was sent in error.

Make absolutely sure that you cancelled your DD with the previous company, and then if/when British Gas contact you for bank details, you should hopefully be able to sort this out fairly easily.

Still inconvenient and annoying, but hopefully nothing more.

MamaCaz

It did cross my mind that if your transfer was only completed very recently, the letter you recieved might have been sent in error.
That's why I asked if you have had any correspondence from Octopus. If you haven't, that possibility seems unlikely, unfortunately.

The transfer was completed back in July

It did cross my mind that if your transfer was only completed very recently, the letter you recieved might have been sent in error.
That's why I asked if you have had any correspondence from Octopus. If you haven't, that possibility seems unlikely, unfortunately.

No MC it was all done properly and I paid the final bill and switched to octopus on July 3rd.. and I did it myself and actually came away from we switch your bills before I even moved..

I should add that given the price increases, I would be fuming too.

It sounds rather like your move wasn't completed in time.

Were you still using 'we watch your bills (or whatever it is called), and relying on them to do the switch, or did you initiate a move yourself?

Did you have any communication from Octopus to suggest that they had recieved/were accepting your request to switch to them? I generally find energy companies to be very quick off the mark at this stage, with some wanting to set up a direct debit from you almost immediately?