Annette

Nothing goes smothly with these people. Even setting up a current account and a regular saver resulted in compensation ... and closing the regular saver on maturity takes 5 days. Why? So I rang them and asked for the money. Time consuming, frustrating, poorly developed, confusing security. Have numerous apps and online accounts to compare ... and this is bank is very clearly, exceptionally: the worst I have encountered.

Been mailed the bill for £500 odd having had a smart meter (not smart) fitted on 18 October with meter read set at 000 after installation. Current read 233, cost £65 odd. Responded to EDF (by text with account no. as requested) to last review … hello, anybody there? I repeat NOT paying the bill for usage since 2018. Why did you refund the £300 odd overpayment earlier this year before new meter fitted? Why do utility companies think they can recalculate historic costs and come up with increased costs? The accounts have surely been audited and signed off for 2018? Will you need to declare the increased charges to HMRC and pay tax on them, or is that another fiddle? And how does the VAT return look?

This has been going on since 1 June 2023 when meter stopped moving. New smart meter fitted on 18 October. Not smart: EDF don't get reads. EDF won't let me enter online. That fine though ... they've issued a bill for £2,684,93 for usage from May 2018 to 8 November 2023. WHY? Okay they have offset with a £2,158.74 credit. But do you think I should pay the £526.19 balance. Haven't even checked the reads. NOT GOING TO PAY. Come and sort the smart meter out ... started at 00000.0. It says I owe about £65.

Bearing in mind I gave Octopus a 5* review a few years ago ... my recent experience was having my DDR increased to £170.88 when I submit reads monthly and pay off any balance as a manual payment. Querying charges for 25 Feb - 18 Mar 2018 charged on 19 Sep 2023: £2.25 - that's a nice earner from people who don't check their bills or can't be bothered to query/complain. Then there's the novelty of no meter movement (gas for heating over the summer) and being charged for 5.7 units for 0000.0 consumption, again at 38p not worth bothering about but a nice little earner if you have .... how many customers? All dealt with over an extended period (a month or so) by a poorly trained guy who mailed me at 5/6 am (not in the UK?) had eventually attempted to put things right with an estimated read .... although their software actually let me over-ride with my previous actual read. Kept asking for the case to be escalated and then a call. I was offered £50 to close the complaint, would have been happy to do that but no sign of the £50. And as I have the offer in writing from Kirin ... I am due that £50. Complaint closed - publically.

Great boots, fabulous style, quality leather. Just didn't suit me. Returns - NIGHTMARE. Nearest Fedex depot 46km away. Vagabond customer care send an automated response to say they will answer in 24 hours .. every time you sumbit a form (but they don't). Fedex calls have automated response and will not let you talk to someone unless you have an account. IF you manage to find a pick up form online, then your work address will be bounced if it was not the delivery address. (First one ignored, second one work address, third one submitted ... and waiting response ...) And best to have created a Fedex profile which I did for the second submission. Could have flown to Sweden and back quicker than I can arrange a return.

So wanted to love the product: ethical, attractive packaging and a range of fragrances. Bought the holder and three refills - I was committed! But the frst one just doesn't work. The frangrance does not transfer on application and I smell of sweat after using. Will try the other refills. I guess nothing works for everyone. Shame.

1. Prompted to submit monthly readings
2. Monthly bills
3. Monthly direct debit payments
4. Queries dealt with efficiently by e-mail (no phone menus and cheesy music on hold)
5. Payments adjusted on request
6. Easily negotiated website
7. Facility on site to top up payment through heavier usage winter months
8. Courtesy, and old fashioned customer service from an individual who responds to the thread
Why would you switch once you're an Octopus customer. There is more than 'the cheapest' supplier to consider.