When did you last switch energy provider?

[MSE Debs]

Poll started 2 Jan 2013

Gas and electricity bills are on the rise. All the big six providers have hiked prices (or are about to) by about 10%. The market is meant to be competitive, but have you taken advantage? If not, read the Cheap Gas & Electricity guide.


When did you last switch energy provider?

Vote in this week's poll

Did you vote? Why did you pick that option? Are you surprised at the results so far? Have your say below. To see the results from last time, click this

[slimmillipede]

While a poll like this is interesting I don't think MSE readers are a representative sample (except of MSE readers of course).

I would think that the sort of people who read MSE are the sort of people who pay attention to their finances and are more likely to switch than non-MSE readers.

And thank you to Martin and the MSE team for helping us be like this

[MSE Martin]

Originally Posted by slimmillipede

While a poll like this is interesting I don't think MSE readers are a representative sample (except of MSE readers of course).

I would think that the sort of people who read MSE are the sort of people who pay attention to their finances and are more likely to switch than non-MSE readers.

And thank you to Martin and the MSE team for helping us be like this

I agree - we were actually deliberately polling to see if OUR users have switched. it will be interesting to see if the poll results change when the voters start to come from the weekly email - which is a wider diaspera than those who answer immediatley.

[MothballsWallet]

Within the last 2 years - the switch process takes too long, up to 8 weeks. I could do lots of things in that time that would be more useful.

[Sagz]

Originally Posted by MothballsWallet

Within the last 2 years - the switch process takes too long, up to 8 weeks. I could do lots of things in that time that would be more useful.

I'm sorry, I don't understand that comment.
Switching only involves filling out an on-line form and reading the meters (and maybe ignoring a few letters and phone calls from the provider you are leaving )

The little effort it takes, the possible savings and the cashback you can earn makes it well worth switching in my opinion.

Re the poll, I'm surprised 14% (at the moment) have never switched.

[phoenix__]

The Poll is asking about last switching supplier (I last switches 3 years ago) - without considering when I last switches tariff / checked I was on the cheapest package.

For this 3 year period, nPower have always been the cheapest - although I have changed tariff with them a couple of times during this period.

I wonder how many responses like this will be mixed up with people who haven't actually checked they are on the cheapest tariff?

[istan66]

because my package just seems to be unbeatable. I have looked online and been cold called so many times by all the major players and they all admit defeat.

[ScarletBea]

This is a misleading question.
I've never switched providers because mine has always been the cheapest, but I constantly switch tariffs with that provider (online saver, fixed 1 year, then back to the normal saver, then fixed again...)

[Alantheaged]

I swapped using U-Switch and Martins site with a promise of 6 bottles of wine. This was in April and they are still not here. I've rung them to remind them and was promised it would be done soonest - that was on 6th December! Anyone else had problems?
Is it a con?

[Katie-Kat-Kins]

I've just voted, it has been about 5 years since I switched. I would switch much more frequently but I have an E10 meter which means that there is far less choice available and that the switching tools don't work for me.

Since I last switched I have done a price comparison and found that I was on the better tariff so I stayed. I'm about due to do it again but it involves phoning round and then speaking to a series of numpties who try to persuade me to change my meter at my cost before I can get prices. I'll admit that the hassle puts me off.

[happyinflorida]

Originally Posted by Sagz

I'm sorry, I don't understand that comment.
Switching only involves filling out an on-line form and reading the meters (and maybe ignoring a few letters and phone calls from the provider you are leaving )

The little effort it takes, the possible savings and the cashback you can earn makes it well worth switching in my opinion.

Re the poll, I'm surprised 14% (at the moment) have never switched.

Not if you go with EDF it doesn't!! I've left them and only just got my first bills after 16 months - it's been a nightmare from start to finish. They have mucked it all up so much!

They have to be the worst company I have ever gone with and all because I read one of Martin's comments on his newsletter and went for a quote to see if I could get my bills down and the problems started.

I'm now with the Co-op - who I note Martin doesn't recommend at all and they've been brilliant and are cheap. I got onto them through Which? who I've found to be a much better forum for getting things legally and correctly done.

[happyinflorida]

Originally Posted by Alantheaged

I swapped using U-Switch and Martins site with a promise of 6 bottles of wine. This was in April and they are still not here. I've rung them to remind them and was promised it would be done soonest - that was on 6th December! Anyone else had problems?
Is it a con?

I'd recommend not using anything Martin recommends on his site, re energy companies, as I've had non stop problems for over 16 months and still on going in trying to sort out problems with EDF - I can and would recommend the Co-op who I found through Which? when they were trying to get a good deal for people who were fed up with all the rising prices and they negotiated a good deal through the Co-op!

[slimmillipede]

Originally Posted by Alantheaged

I swapped using U-Switch and Martins site with a promise of 6 bottles of wine. This was in April and they are still not here. I've rung them to remind them and was promised it would be done soonest - that was on 6th December! Anyone else had problems?
Is it a con?

We used U-Switch to switch to OVO, the wine was a bonus and did take a long time to arrive, but it did arrive eventually and it wasn't bad wine either.