First Utility - Thoughts / Comments?

BHTC · 25 March 2011 at 10:42AM

Newbie (to forum) post:

Well FU have well and truly blown it as far as I'm concerned. As previous posters have said, they're about to massively hike their electric charges; on top of last year's doubling of the gas standing charge. I'm in the process of switching to Npower's Go Fix 5, which is guaranteed until May next year. It's not as cheap (initially) as BG's Websaver but it's far cheaper than FU - even taking FU's generous dual fuel and loyalty discounts into account.

I've found that most comparison sites aren't that accurate, although one was correct to the penny. I search for the cheapest tariffs on a price comparison site, then find the individual suppliers' prices and enter them into a spreadsheet I've created. Sounds fiddly but I don't mind as I only do it once or twice a year. Incidentally, I've found, using my spreadsheet, that Economy-7 tariffs generally work out pricier than single rate ones, despite the fact that my water is 100% electrically heated (but space heating is gas). To break even with my usage profile, I'd have to use about 15kWh every night 365 days a year.

Mickydick · 30 March 2011 at 9:06AM

If you are signing up for a smart meter outside one of there designated installation areas, dont expect anything to happen soon still waiting after almost a yea. And yes there customer service is crap.

gatita · 30 March 2011 at 10:34PM

After 10 days I finally had a reply to my 5 emails to customer service asking them about the standing charge hike.
Today they have informed me that I did not get an email as my tariff V5 remains the same.
Its too late now, I have had enough of the truly dreadfu customer service.

I have changed to British Gas. Hopefully things will be better.
I have opted for the Online Saver 3 as there is no tie in and I can submit my usage online and just be charged for the energy I have used. Hopefully I have made a wise choice!

kev_gray · 1 April 2011 at 12:09PM

Just got the email from FU that they will be pretty muc doubling the rates for standing charges etc! Looks like I will need to figure out how much we use each month to get the best rates!!

concept · 1 April 2011 at 2:41PM

I received my email this morning advising the new tariifs on my dual account. However my brain works better if i can see the increase as a percentage. So took this months bill to work it out. My present electricity cost is £50.96 which on the new tariff will be £73.84 and my gas cost is £92.68 which will be £133.01. Therefore the month existing total of £143.64 will become £206.85. Wow, that is nearly a 40% increase. Taken over my present annual estimate usage cost of £1380.65 I must find a further £552.26 if I stay with them.
First Utility said they were sorry for the increase which they delayed from implementing during the hard winter. They reminded me of the dual fuel discount I would receive in November.
Well, if they had made the increase earlier I would have been able to move then without having 5 months discount accrual which I would lose if I go now and a further £105 loyalty discount to be paid in November so I imagine First Utilty timed the increase to make it difficult for their customer's to turn away.
I will check out the comparison sites but I have not had any problems at all in any discussions with their customer service and do not really want to leave them

jonscbrown · 1 April 2011 at 2:54PM

I got the email regarding price increases as well. I used the new figures provided to see what my February bill would have been, and it went up by 44%. That is nuts!
No way will I be staying with them.

gatita · 1 April 2011 at 3:18PM

I also received the email this morning about the colossal increases, this is after informing me a few days ago that they would NOT be increasing my tariff. They must be living on another planet if they think people are so stupid to accept this!!

Smoobo2 · 4 April 2011 at 9:26AM

I received the same email as everyone else - haven't bothered working out the exact percentage increase but it is certainly massive. I'm also back off to BG.

paulwhyte · 4 April 2011 at 10:50AM

i am also on v5 with first utility and got the same email about the 40% price increase. I rang them and they said i can go onto v8 which is a bit better but not much!

ive compared the bg web saver 11 tariff and my total spends per year work out almost identical. i will stay with FU until i get my discounts in november.

paul

royo21 · 8 April 2011 at 12:28PM

I am in the process of changing from FU because of the large price hike beginning in May, and their new structured rates were not suitable for me.
However to be fair, my previous tariff on V5 was very competitive and their customer service was not bad.
BEWARE of the price comparison sites because Energy Helpline don't include FU's Discount & loyalty bonus, because these don't apply until the thirteeth month! This is obviously unfair to F.U. as you don't get a true annual comparison.
Finally, I think we are all being conned by the fuel industry and it is particularly inefficient being split into many companies, such that many of their costs are duplicated, and we are paying for many 'comparison' sites on top, in order to kid ourselves that we are getting the cheapest!
Royo

First Utility - Thoughts / Comments?

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