Bulb energy - anyone else currently with them???

[SpamandSparkle]

Any one else Checking the news every couple of hours just in case they've gone bust?

We're with Bulb and haven't been contacted to pay more so that's something to look forward to . They already seemed very expensive, our bills have doubled with them over the last 18 months anyway. Yes, I'm worried they might be next, but what will be will be.

@luckylavender

I thought that Bulb were tipped to be the next one to go.

Not necessarily next to go but they're tipped to be the largest supplier that's likely to be in trouble and may not be able to continue trading until the next price gap review in April.

@AnyFucker

Despite being £300 in credit, they recently “recommended” that we increase our direct debit by £20 a month too

They advised us the same, I haven't changed it.

Like a couple of others I’m with Avro, just posted about it last night as I can’t get access to my online account. I don’t have trust that obtaining refunds will be a smooth process. Between Avro and Green, who have also gone bust, there are 800,000 customers to deal with so admin errors are bound to happen. In my experience, any company is slow when it comes to giving money back.

Be sure to download statements, and take regular screenshots of balances over the coming weeks (with any provider).

We're with Bulb too and also about £300 in credit. As with others, they have suggested we increase our monthly payments.

I’m probably being dim here, but why do companies like this allow/encourage you to build up credit with them? I’m with Bulb and don’t want to build up any credit (even though I have done to the tune of about £300). I just want to pay for the electricity and gas that I’ve used each month or quarter. Is that possible or do you have to build up credit? Also, what happens to all this credit if you decide to switch to another provider? If anyone could explain I’d be most grateful!

@wondering7777

We're with Bulb too and also about £300 in credit. As with others, they have suggested we increase our monthly payments.

I’m probably being dim here, but why do companies like this allow/encourage you to build up credit with them? I’m with Bulb and don’t want to build up any credit (even though I have done to the tune of about £300). I just want to pay for the electricity and gas that I’ve used each month or quarter. Is that possible or do you have to build up credit? Also, what happens to all this credit if you decide to switch to another provider? If anyone could explain I’d be most grateful!

That's the principle of fixed Direct Debits. They work out that your bill will be £1200 a year (for example) so that means paying £100 per month will cover your annual usage.

This means over the summer months you should be creating credit in the account to offset the higher usage in the winter. It's pretty common to be in credit right now if you're a fixed Direct Debit customer.

Variable Direct Debit customers just pay what they use each month, but that relies on either estimates or regular meter readings (generally smart meters).

Companies like you to be in credit because it shows you're less of a debt risk and regular Direct Debits help keep the cash flow into the company steady.

We're also with Bulb and planning to sit tight. Don't want to be mid switch should they end up going bump and not really sure who I'd go to anyway! I think Octopus are a smaller company so equally vulnerable to going under too.

Also with bulb but almost £800 in credit. They contacted me to ask me to reduce my direct debit so it's not all one way.

I am with (correction, WAS with) Green, who ceased trading yesterday afternoon.

I've been told that Ofgem will switch me to another supplier and I just need to sit tight and do nothing. So that's what I'm doing. I have about £120 credit on my account, which will be carried over and, so I've been told, will be honoured by the new supplier.

It will be very interesting to see what happens in the next few weeks!

I've taken photos of both meters, as the readings will be needed by the next supplier.

@NapoleonOzmolysis

Also with bulb but almost £800 in credit. They contacted me to ask me to reduce my direct debit so it's not all one way.

That’s a huge credit I would be requesting that a good part of that Is returned to me irrespective of the current situation!

What is your monthly payment?

How many company's are going to dissolve

Tried to reduce my direct debit, but they will only let me increase. £400 credit

I was. Just switched to a fixed rate with eon - next energy as the direct debit kept going up.

@Mummapenguin20

How many company's are going to dissolve

I doubt any poster or indeed anyone knows that!

It’s really not surprising that they’re increasing monthly payments

Given the cause of this situation is a gargantuan hike in energy prices that bulb will be paying

Every one will be receiving similar messages from every and all supplier (unless absolutely huge credit).

Of course they will.

Did you think that bulb wouldn’t be charging extra??

I've just seen they're looking for help.

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/inews.co.uk/news/bulb-going-bust-energy-companies-at-risk-gas-prices-rise-what-happens-explained-1209831/amp

I've emailed bulb. I'm £125 in credit and have put a switch through. It's not scheduled to happen until after my next dd but I won't even use the £125 let alone another £80. It won't let me reduce direct debit online. Good to hear I can get it back if they go under though. Wonder what happens f I'm mid switch to someone else though.........would often still try and get me a new supplier.

@Newnormal99

I've emailed bulb. I'm £125 in credit and have put a switch through. It's not scheduled to happen until after my next dd but I won't even use the £125 let alone another £80. It won't let me reduce direct debit online. Good to hear I can get it back if they go under though. Wonder what happens f I'm mid switch to someone else though.........would often still try and get me a new supplier.

The advise is very clear Do not switch Wait for ofcam to switch you if need be

@Saladovercrispsanyday

Bit the switch has already started a few days ago....just wondering what happens if bulb went under before it was completed.

For anyone with Avro their website is up running again but still can't enter my account. There's is a message saying 'your balance is safe, we have a high volume of customers on portal, please try back later'

Thanks @love2cycle

I just checked back in and saw they added that message. It gives me atleast some hope that I can download a balance at some point.

They were increasing their prices as of the 30th I think, so I was going to submit my final meter reading just before so it was on the old price.

I am not sure what happens now, will I be charged my two years of electric at the new price or the old?

Who knows!

Me, have done for years, hope they get rescued

I just logged on to my Bulb account (downloading statements!) and had a look at the Community page.

There was a post on there from a Bulb worker yesterday saying the i news article was incorrect and they haven’t asked for assistance or merger (or words to that effect).

Obviously they’re not going to admit it if they are but interesting to see their responses to the press coverage.

Some thrive on drama

You know fuck all about anyone else’s situation