Next Drive Tariff Sign-up Issues

  • steverob's Avatar
    Level 1
    Has anyone managed to switch to the NextDrive tariff from NextFlex tariff?

    I signed up ages ago and my account dashboard shows "Switch to Next Drive in progress". I have confirmed that my smart meter is sending readings every 30 minutes, so there really shouldn't be an issue.

    But progress is slow, if non-existent.

    After a few weeks I called customer support and they told me they couldn't deal with it directly - it's another team but that it would move over in the next day or so. Two weeks later I called back and was told the same thing. I asked to speak to the Next Drive team and was told that it was impossible because the agent was working from home. But she promised faithfully that someone would contact me in the next 24 hours. I pressed her on it and yes, I would definitely get a call.

    Guess what? No-one called and I am thoroughly sick and tired of this appalling company. If it wasn't for the hassle I'd be with Octopus by now, but it seems you get hassle whatever you do, so maybe I should bite the bullet.

    If anyone knows of a way to sort this out, I'm all ears.
  • 6 Replies

  • JoeSoap's Avatar
    Level 91
    @steverob

    I think @geoffers moved from Next Flex to Next Drive quite easily. He may respond when he sees I've tagged him.
    I'm an Eon Next dual fuel customer with no particular expertise but have some time on my hands that I am using to try and help out a bit.
  • SimonD's Avatar
    Level 1
    I'm on the Next Drive tariff...
    Admittedly I switched in for that tariff, but was staged onto the flex tariff in the interim...
    So I effectively joined on 2nd March... and was seeing the "Switch to Next Drive in progress" on the dashboard
    Received an email on the 8th telling me that my multi rate meter (it's a smart meter, but is an economy 7 one) wasn't compatible with Next Drive. The email went on to say they were doing what they can to fix it... etc etc
    Then yesterday (14th) I received an email telling me I was on my new tariff... Next Drive Fixed V2 2R

    ...so could be somewhere in the interim stage for yourself? if the meter isn't compatible yet or something? (just a wild guess though!)
  • steverob's Avatar
    Level 1
    Strangely enough, after I sent another email to unhappy@eonnext I received a reply to say I had to call another number to "guide you through this process and give you the necessary information you need to get this resolved for you."

    Well frankly, I don't think I need any more information or help to be guided through EonNext's process. Perhaps they've forgotten that I don't work for them - I am their customer - their customer support has already told me the tariff change should happen automatically (except that it hasn't): I just need EonNext to do what they said they would do.
    But I am going to give it go and see what happens - I'm betting not much.
  • geoffers's Avatar
    Level 28
    @steverob

    I think @geoffers moved from Next Flex to Next Drive quite easily. He may respond when he sees I've tagged him.
    I just applied for next drive by email (why waste time on the phone) - got my quote directly, replied to it and was on the Drive tariff a couple of days later 👍
  • steverob's Avatar
    Level 1
    I tried calling the number and was told that only deal with installations, not tariff changes and to go back to eon.next.

    For the avoidance of doubt: I already have a charger - I just want the NextDrive tariff - and this seems impossible to sort out.

    EDIT: I tried again with the helpline - the agent told me that they have had other people with the same issue, so it's not just me.
    I've been promised another call-back (as before) from a manager within 72 hours but that's not filling me with confidence.
    I have written to the group chief exec Chris Norbury chris.norbury@eon-uk.com - hoping that might get me somewhere.
    Last edited by steverob; 22-03-24 at 15:04.
  • geoffers's Avatar
    Level 28
    I tried calling the number and was told that only deal with installations, not tariff changes and to go back to eon.next.

    For the avoidance of doubt: I already have a charger - I just want the NextDrive tariff - and this seems impossible to sort out.

    EDIT: I tried again with the helpline - the agent told me that they have had other people with the same issue, so it's not just me.
    I've been promised another call-back (as before) from a manager within 72 hours but that's not filling me with confidence.
    I have written to the group chief exec Chris Norbury chris.norbury@eon-uk.com - hoping that might get me somewhere.
    As I said in my post above: I just applied by email and got connected in a couple of days.

    Why waste time on the phone as Eon's customer service "Energy Specialists" don't seem to have much of a reputation judging by posts on this forum.