Small Business Gas & Electricity Discussion Area

Currently entering the minefield of business elec and gas provision, maybe a very basic question but would welcome any input.


Domestically, I am happy to use an independent based on customer feedback and reviews.


However, when talking to a broker they have played on the Big6 because there is a potential for supply to be cut from a smaller company and they wouldn't allow access to the meters for supply upto 30 days?! As a business, there is a requirement for constant supply so the thought of being without means I am very much edging from an independent...BUT


I thought the point was the supply lines to anywhere is not owned by the company, so I would be able to get another supplier in? I am conscious the broker would probably get a slightly heftier referral bonus from a Big6 than a smaller independent...but I don't want to be too cynical.


Thoughts?

Having organised the energy supply for several small businesses over the last 6 years and used many small and large suppliers with and without a broker I can offer this.
There will be lots of mistakes to resolve whoever you use and the more people involved the harder it is to solve.

Im guessing that quality brokers make money by arranging trouble free contracts for clients. The more problems they have to spend time on the less money they make. Therefore they will want to deal with energy companies who make less mistakes and are quick to correct them. Its also possible that the big 6 pay larger commissions to their brokers than small independents. Also brokers who have been in business for some time will have experience of a number of energy companies and how much extra work is involved in dealing with each. I certainly would not deal with Extra Energy again and would be very wary of any broker who recommended them.

Some of the independent companies don't deal with brokers, I assume because the commission they pay them would make their prices less competitive. I think Octopus is one of these. I wont hesitate to recommend Octopus their customer service reply and ability to resolve your problem is fantastic. They also happily hand out £50 on recommendations to both you and the person you recommended. They were even happy to let us recommend our business from our domestic account so we got £100 cash back.
Another independent company that has great customer service is Zog who at the moment only do Gas however i believe they are looking into supplying electric towards the end of this year.
I trialed both of these independent suppliers as domestic suppliers first and then used them for business when I was happy with their performance.

Should you wish to give Octopus a go I would be happy for you to use my recommendation code [Referral Removed]

BeaBea said:

Hi
can anyone recommend an online comparison site for electricity suppliers for a small business?