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Octopus tracker

(41 Posts)
Katyj Wed 31-Jul-24 17:21:16

Hi. Anyone else with Octopus energy. Have you switched to the tracker tariff on offer ? I’m unsure what to do for the best. Thanks

BlueBelle Wed 31-Jul-24 18:02:05

Haha I thought you were talking about those tracker bracelets that you can buy to track a turtle or shark or ( octopus)

ElaineI Wed 31-Jul-24 18:03:18

Me too! Forgot about the energy company!

Maggiemaybe Wed 31-Jul-24 18:06:17

Oh dear, I guess I’d better steel myself and have a look at it. We were moved to Octopus from Shell, and the Octopus website is so muddled compared to Shell’s, which was clear and informative. I just nip on now every month to see what they’ve charged us and what our balance is.

HattieTopper Wed 31-Jul-24 18:15:58

I have just got two nice surprises, I have been given a refund of £100 by British Gas and a refund of £90 by E-on next all because my direct debits weree a little too high.

Charleygirl5 Wed 31-Jul-24 18:18:52

I am with Octopus and have thought about it but I need more information. Does it mean if I switch on my washing machine at 10 pm it will be cheaper to do that at 6 pm? Confused.com

Shinamae Wed 31-Jul-24 18:26:43

I am with Octopus and recently signed up for a 12 month fixed

Katyj Wed 31-Jul-24 19:06:29

Thank you. I’m glad I’m not alone in being confused. Also I’m not sure if we’ll need a smart meter before we’re allowed to change tariff.
I’ve just said to DH who is also clueless that it was so much easier years ago when you just took your quarterly bill along and paid in the gas board office.
It seems to take me ages now looking for better deals and trying to get my bills cheaper.

V3ra Wed 31-Jul-24 19:11:08

We were moved to Octopus from Shell, and the Octopus website is so muddled compared to Shell’s, which was clear and informative.

Same here Maggiemaybe, glad it's not just me that finds it all very irritating!

SynchroSwimmer Wed 31-Jul-24 19:11:49

I noticed the daily standing charge on the Octopus Tracker seems to be increased….but I need to put more time in looking at it…

Maggiemaybe Wed 31-Jul-24 19:12:29

I’ve just checked our account. We aren’t being offered a fixed price tariff. There was a smart tariff that I was quickly told I wasn’t eligible for when I answered the survey question (I’m obviously not smart enough grin), and the only other possibility for us was the tracker. I don’t like the sound of this so I’ll pass:

Tracker features Price Cap Protect, which caps the maximum daily price at 100p / kWh for electricity and 30p / kWh for gas. That's a lot higher than Ofgem's energy price cap, so if you can't afford prices to go that high during peaks, you're probably better off sticking with a protected tariff such as Flexible Octopus.

Maggiemaybe Wed 31-Jul-24 19:23:18

According to our last bill we’re paying 5.73p and 5.19p/kWh for gas, and 22.74p and 20.21p/kWh for electricity. I’ve no idea why there are two prices for each - this is just what they put us on when Shell dumped us.

But the tracker price cap prices look scarily high in comparison.

Katyj Wed 31-Jul-24 19:31:31

I’ve just looked on the Martin Lewis website and he reckons it could be substantially cheaper to switch , although things could change 🤪 No wiser .

Maggiemaybe Wed 31-Jul-24 20:25:02

I’m a bit of a wuss. I like a fixed rate really.

YorkLady Wed 31-Jul-24 21:32:33

This was a job I am to do this week. Following with interest but I was going to change to a fixed tariff, forgot about the tracker.

Tizliz Wed 31-Jul-24 22:06:01

V3ra

^We were moved to Octopus from Shell, and the Octopus website is so muddled compared to Shell’s, which was clear and informative.^

Same here Maggiemaybe, glad it's not just me that finds it all very irritating!

We have all crashed it today and you can’t change tariffs at the moment.

I also find it a difficult site

Shinamae Thu 01-Aug-24 12:11:31

I find Octopus website really easy to navigate..

Katyj Thu 01-Aug-24 17:48:31

Me too shinamea. I’ve just won £1 on spin the wheel today 😄

Georgesgran Fri 02-Aug-24 10:34:38

I find the Octopus website is very easy to navigate - I only access the bits relevant to me. I’ve had a couple of issues with Octopus over the years, but all sorted to my satisfaction and I’ll be renewing my contract with them next month.
The tracker prices change on a daily basis (like gold). I’ve always thought that too complex to consider.

Jan135 Fri 02-Aug-24 11:12:08

I have just opted for the 12 month fixed deal too

Cambia Fri 02-Aug-24 11:12:13

I changed to the Octopus tracker a couple of months ago and it has worked out way cheaper. Obviously electric prices may rise later in the year and I will check it again but at the moment it makes sense to stay on it. Their app is excellent and very easy to use to see what you are paying at any time of the day. I was paying about 29p per Khw now mostly paying around 19p but it has been as low as 13p.

Susieq62 Fri 02-Aug-24 11:24:41

We have been with octopus for a few years! We read our meters at the end of the month, pay by direct debit and keep an eye on our balance which is sent as soon as readings are received !
Never had an issue with them ! Very good service for me!!

Grantanow Fri 02-Aug-24 11:38:50

I would change supplier but I don't want a smart meter - too many reported problems.

ClaraB Fri 02-Aug-24 12:19:50

I’ve been contemplating changing to the tracker for a while now, thanks Cambia for explaining your rates.

fritherdog Fri 02-Aug-24 12:20:48

I’m a disappointed woman- I saw “octopus tracker” and was excited to follow octopuses in the sea just like aeroplane trackers, I suppose that’s too difficult and not very kind to octopuses!