More Comparison Network 'tricks'

Cardew · 17 August 2009 at 1:29PM

As discussed many times on this forum, the comparison networks sole objective is to get people to switch supplier and hence get their commission.

In order to achieve this objective they will resort to any 'legal' means.

I am on a BG fixed tariff that ends on April 30 2010. I recently went on Energyhelpline to compare my present tariff with other tariffs.

The annual figure they gave for my tariff didn't seem correct so I checked further and found the following 'small print'

We’ve noticed that you’re currently on a capped or fixed price energy tariff that’s due to expire within the next 12 months. To give you a more accurate comparison, we’ve used the prices you’ll most likely be transferred onto by your existing supplier when your current tariff expires, as well as your current prices.

So if you’ve got 4 months left to go until your capped prices expire, we’ve calculated 4 months’ worth of energy at these prices, and 8 months at your new prices, added them together and used this to compare against the rest of the market.

It would appear in my case that they have assumed that I would take no action when my fixed tariff expires and pay BG Standard tariff prices!!

This little trick made my 'tariff' appear £207 more expensive. Of course as we get closer to April 2010 it will massage my figures to make switching even more attractive.

I also tried Enerylinx and although it lists all BG tariffs(including mine) it defaults to BG Standard Tariff when showing my current payment. - thus making switching seem very attractive.

rushal · 17 August 2009 at 5:23PM

Hi Cardew,

This isn't actually a trick as you put it.

If you go to Martin's Utility link at the top of the screen, then select 'Is your tariff about to end', look half way down the page, you will see that this is actually correct. (sorry I can't post with links at the moment)

Martin does explain the reason why, however, you can also compare by your existing tariff by clicking on a link on the energyhelpline page.

Cardew · 17 August 2009 at 7:11PM

Sorry perhaps I am not making myself clear.

I like to think I am pretty sharp on Utility prices and I can work out my costs without a problem.

However the average customer wouldn't have a clue who Martin or MSE is, let alone use his guide.

The 'small print' in the Energyhelpline explains how they achieve my projected annual spend on their assumption that I would be stupid enough to remain on BG's standard tariff.

They do give the correct tariff detail(price per kWh) on Energyhelpline but the headline figure of my spend is incorrect(by £207) because they have projected that I will be on BG's standard tariff for some months in the year ahead.

If anyone goes to a website they want facts, not projections based on assumptions; and not have to read and understand the small print to realise how they reach a figure.

Plushchris · 17 August 2009 at 9:15PM

So why didnt you click the link that says "To see a comparison based on your current prices click HERE" if you wanted a comparison for a year based on a tariff you are only going to be on for 8 months?

Cardew · 21 August 2009 at 6:04PM

Plushchris wrote: »

So why didnt you click the link that says "To see a comparison based on your current prices click HERE" if you wanted a comparison for a year based on a tariff you are only going to be on for 8 months?

PC
Can't see that link???

I wanted to know how much my annual bill would increase.

Plushchris · 21 August 2009 at 6:30PM

My mistake, its worded slightly differently, its....

Take me to a results table that compares against my current price

How can the comparison sites know what you are going to be going onto when your tariff comes to end when you dont even know yourself? The only thing they can do is base it on the standard tariff surely because that is likely what you would be put onto if you did nothing?

Cardew · 21 August 2009 at 8:17PM

PC
I can see that you have got results showing your current annual spend - as shown in the link you gave.

However when I put in my figures it doesn't give me that option. See this example: e.g I get the predicted spend on a new BG tariff from May

http://www.energyhelpline.com/energy/rg_tariffsearchresults.aspx?Region=10&Postcode=ME10+4JJ&Economy7=False&DualFuel=True&GasSupplierTariffID=275&GasSupplierID=39&GasUsageInputType=KwhPA&GasKwhPA=36000&GasPaymentMethodID=1&ElecSupplierTariffID=275&ElecSupplierID=39&ElecPaymentMethodID=1&ElecUsageInputType=KwhPA&ElecKwhPA=7000&NightUsagePerc=0&DontKnowElecUsage=False&DontCompareElec=False&DontKnowGasUsage=False&DontCompareGas=False&PreferredTariffType=1&PreferredPaymentMethod=1&SortBy=1&GreenTariff=False

Plushchris · 21 August 2009 at 8:36PM

Cardew wrote: »

PC
I can see that you have got results showing your current annual spend - as shown in the link you gave.

However when I put in my figures it doesn't give me that option. See this example: e.g I get the predicted spend on a new BG tariff from May

http://www.energyhelpline.com/energy/rg_tariffsearchresults.aspx?Region=10&Postcode=ME10+4JJ&Economy7=False&DualFuel=True&GasSupplierTariffID=275&GasSupplierID=39&GasUsageInputType=KwhPA&GasKwhPA=36000&GasPaymentMethodID=1&ElecSupplierTariffID=275&ElecSupplierID=39&ElecPaymentMethodID=1&ElecUsageInputType=KwhPA&ElecKwhPA=7000&NightUsagePerc=0&DontKnowElecUsage=False&DontCompareElec=False&DontKnowGasUsage=False&DontCompareGas=False&PreferredTariffType=1&PreferredPaymentMethod=1&SortBy=1&GreenTariff=False

If you click on the red writing at the top of the page..

We've noticed you're on a capped tariff that's due to expire in the next 12 months. We've taken account of this on your result table. Find out more, as well as how cancellation fees might apply by clicking here.

And you'll see the link I posted above, which gives you your spend based on the tariff you are on for the whole year.

Cardew · 22 August 2009 at 2:28AM

Plushchris wrote: »

If you click on the red writing at the top of the page..

We've noticed you're on a capped tariff that's due to expire in the next 12 months. We've taken account of this on your result table. Find out more, as well as how cancellation fees might apply by clicking here.

And you'll see the link I posted above, which gives you your spend based on the tariff you are on for the whole year.

Thanks - got it!

Seems I will be paying £359 pa extra come May!

Or £812 if I go to that(Shh) company!!!;)

Ken68 · 22 August 2009 at 6:18AM

You want to go Ethical Ebico, Cardew, sod the cost.

1carminestocky · 22 August 2009 at 8:54AM

Cardew wrote: »

Thanks - got it!

Seems I will be paying £359 pa extra come May!

Or £812 if I go to that(Shh) company!!!;)

In your particular case it's very important you get the very best deal for gas and elecric to try and offset the silly amount you pay for your phone and broadband, though, so good luck.

As if anyone with a brain would think for a moment you will be with any other supplier than BG come April 2010, no matter which supplier is at the top of the switching sites.

At least you will be happy in the knowledge you will be on BGs lowest priced tariff....for anything up to, oooh, 4 months. :rolleyes:

More Comparison Network 'tricks'

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