Add your feedback on energy supplier SSE

Former_MSE_Samantha · 28 January 2013 at 5:23PM

This is a feedback thread on energy supplier

SSE (which includes Atlantic, Scottish Hydro, Southern Electric and Swalec)

Please share your experience with other MoneySavers. Click reply to take part

Did your switch go smoothly?
Have you had problems since?
Is it easy to contact?

The feedback comes as part of the

Cheap Energy Club

Click reply below to discuss. If you haven’t already, join the forum to reply.

topgirl2011 · 5 February 2013 at 11:37AM

Was about to switch when I read the Southern Electric T&C's. It seems to say that you have to pay £50 exit fee regardless of when you leave, whereas on the Cheap Energy Club it says you only pay if you leave before April 2014. Can anyone clarify? Thanks. :undecided

cllj06 · 5 February 2013 at 4:31PM

topgirl2011 wrote: »

Was about to switch when I read the Southern Electric T&C's. It seems to say that you have to pay £50 exit fee regardless of when you leave, whereas on the Cheap Energy Club it says you only pay if you leave before April 2014. Can anyone clarify? Thanks. :undecided

Same question - it's not really clear!

Wywth · 5 February 2013 at 6:05PM

Which tariff are you two looking at? :huh:

e.g. on the SSE website for Discounted Energy April 2015 tariff it says:

Energy prices are constantly changing but our cheapest tariff, Discounted Energy April 2015, guarantees you a 2% discount off our standard energy rates until 2015 – regardless of whether prices go up or down during that period. What's more, you could save up to £92 a year when you pay by monthly Direct Debit and choose paperless billing*. Should you decide to leave us before 1 April 2014, a £50 termination fee would apply.

http://www.southern-electric.co.uk/GasAndElectricity/DiscountedEnergyApril2015/

Btw, none of this is really appropriate to the purpose of this thread is it?
I would suggest you start a new thread if you are having issues understanding a particular tariff's terms.

topgirl2011 · 7 February 2013 at 7:49PM

Brilliant:j! Pleased to say I have decided to switch! Thanks a lot.

50Twuncle · 27 March 2013 at 4:07PM

How do these compare to Scottish Power for customer service ?
ie Do they have real people or automated replies for emails ?

moondancermel · 16 May 2013 at 10:46AM

topgirl2011 wrote: »

Was about to switch when I read the Southern Electric T&C's. It seems to say that you have to pay £50 exit fee regardless of when you leave, whereas on the Cheap Energy Club it says you only pay if you leave before April 2014. Can anyone clarify? Thanks. :undecided

This is a special price that finishes Oct 2014 so you can change after that with no exit fee. Southern Electric are a good company and have a customer service that puts the others to shame. If you have questions call them.

moondancermel · 16 May 2013 at 10:48AM

Can anyone tell me why they don't quote Southern Electric with paperless billing AND without. There is a £12 a year saving for paperless, which makes them cheaper than all the others, for my usage at least.

luvchocolate · 16 May 2013 at 6:27PM

Their customer service is the best I have ever known.....so very helpful

ro888 · 25 May 2013 at 2:20PM

Strange, did they not offer online account management?

It says no on MSE comparison?

SidP · 3 October 2013 at 4:48PM

A few things regarding Scottish Hydro Electric (SHE)'s 1yr Fixed Price Plan:

1) The Cheap Energy Club offers £15 cash back for each fuel switched through the Club to this tariff. However, the tariff itself offers a £50 account credit for each fuel switched which the CEC webpage doesn't mention at all. There's also no clear indication that the former invalidates the latter. An email has been sent to Scottish Hydro for clarification.
EDIT: The Ts & Cs for the cashback for the Cheap Energy Club state clearly that:

This offer is provided by Moneysupermarket.com Limited (“Moneysupermarket.com”) registered in England No. 3945937.

The adviser from Scottish Hydro Electric has responded that:

I can confirm that we will offer the £100 to any new customer who signs up for the " 1 Year Fixed Price" regardless of any outside offers made from comparison companies.

2) Which?'s switching tool indicates in its terms and conditions summary for this tariff that those initiating a switch in the last 49 days of the Plan will not be charged a cancellation fee. This has been confirmed by SHE to be wrong. Customers will be charged for leaving at any time before the end of the Plan.
Additionally, "leaving" applies to beginning the process of making the switch to a new tariff or company, and not the date on which the new tariff or company assumes control of billing.

EDIT: 3) MSE's Cheap Energy Club indicates this tariff doesn't offer online account management. I'm 99% sure that, during my recent call to SHE, the adviser confirmed that online account management is available. As a result, a discount for paperless billing is also available that reduces the Standing Charge slightly for both fuels.
EDIT: Scottish Hydro definitely offer online account management:
http://www.hydro.co.uk/BenefitsOfAnOnlineAccount/

I may take (2) up with OfGem, as this seems an unreasonable interpretation of the term, "leaving", considering the length of time it takes to switch to a new company (4-6 weeks).

I have to say I'm disappointed with the initial presentation of the Cheap Energy Club. Unless things improve, the inaccuracies could cause it to be a major liability, and not a benefit at all.

Add your feedback on energy supplier SSE

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