Ebico.

Lewie

Hi all.
I have used the Energyhelpline comparison site a few times.
I have never seen Ebico come up as an option.
I am with Ebico using Equigas and Equipower.
They use several distribition companies to supply customers.
The comparison site showed British Gas 'Energy 5' would be my biggest saving.
Their rates are,
Electricity; 22.136p for the first 125 kWh per quarter, and 8.038p thereafter, 500kwh costing £57.81
Gas; 5.968p for the first 670 kWh per quarter, and 2.504p thereafter, 1000kwh costing £48.25

Ebico is
Electricity; 11.13p flat rate, 500kwh costing £55.65
Gas; 2.86p flat rate, 1000kwh costing £28.60
They charge exactly the same amount wether you are paying by meter or direct debit or whatever.
They are a 'not for profit' company.
How come they don't appear as the cheapest?
Is it because they don't play ball with the big boys or am I missing something?

One other thing, they were the last to put up their prices last time by at least a month so that was a saving as well.

espresso

Lewie wrote: »

Hi all.
I have used the Energyhelpline comparison site a few times.
I have never seen Ebico come up as an option.

Try using a better comparison site then e.g. here

:cool:

space_rider

I`ve just gone on to Ebico to check the rates and they will be much cheaper for me too. How comes they haven`t got as many customers??

robert_harper_2000

I don't think they pay cashback and so not many companies wish to advertise them. But they still are on as mentioned on some of the better sites. They work out better for me too but offer no capped rates - excellent reviews and they only seem to put up prices when they have too

Ken68

The way Ebico conduct business is the way the all energy providers should be. Plain, simple and honest.
Maybe Martin raised the matter at his meeting with Ofgem the other day.

penrhyn

I'm with Ebico, can't understand why you say they are not an option on Energy helpline though, just checked and there they are!
Ebico use Scottish and Southern (who also handle the billing) as a distribution partner.
They now benchmark Scottish and Southern, so you will find that when their prices go up Ebico's will follow.

The only caveat with Ebico is that they are only competitive if you are a lower than average consumer, say 2000Kwh electric and 8500Kwh gas pa.

You could go with them for ethical reasons of course.

1carminestocky

penrhyn wrote: »

I'm with Ebico, can't understand why you say they are not an option on Energy helpline though, just checked and there they are!
Ebico use Scottish and Southern (who also handle the billing) as a distribution partner.
They now benchmark Scottish and Southern, so you will find that when their prices go up Ebico's will follow.

The only caveat with Ebico is that they are only competitive if you are a lower than average consumer, say 2000Kwh electric and 8500Kwh gas pa.

You could go with them for ethical reasons of course.

Agreed. I really like the company and the way they do business BUT some people on here sometimes get carried away with how 'cheap' they are compared to the greedy fatcat-strewn energy companies and the fact is they are really only a cheap option for low users and even more so low users who don't wish to pay by monthly direct debit.

Lewie

espresso wrote,

Try using a better comparison site then

Thought that one would be best as it is the first one this site mentions and recommended by Martin Lewis.
If it isn't the best then someone should tell him.

space rider wrote,

I`ve just gone on to Ebico to check the rates and they will be much cheaper for me too. How comes they haven`t got as many customers??

Like i said, they don't play ball with the big boys.


robert_harper_2000 wrote

They work out better for me too but offer no capped rates

Beware capped rates, it is another gamble, I know you can pull out of most of them when you like but in the meantime you pay through the nose.


Ken68 wrote,

The way Ebico conduct business is the way the all energy providers should be. Plain, simple and honest

Absolutely, and 'cheap' to boot, (no shareholders to keep happy) pre paid
meter customers, take note.


penryhn wrote,

I'm with Ebico, can't understand why you say they are not an option on Energy helpline though, just checked and there they are!

Tried again, no mention! I take it you are meaning 'Ebico' and not the suppliers?



No they are not the cheapest for all but those that have the money would do well to use a company like this, then the big boys would start to panic a tad.
Two years ago I asked on this site for a recommendation to a util company that would give me good customer service, not just a good price.
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?p=694599#post694599
Noone replied, perhaps it was a bit like swearing, asking for anything less than the cheapest on a site dedicated to saving. Now I believe I have found the right balance.
It is nice to save, yes, but in the long run it would be better for all to support companies like Ebico.
Rant over!

1carminestocky

I'm not totally sure on this. I DO like the way they are run BUT I find it strange that for our usage several company's tarifffs work out quite a lot cheaper, including a company (Utility Warehouse) that is much-derided on here for its 'greedy', grabbing agents plus most of the much-maligned fatcat-encrusted conglomerates. Now, UW appear to make a handsome profit and have a dedicated UK call centre, and just about no 'infrastructure' to pay for. A bit like Ebico, I suppose, but AFAIK they don't even have the cost of a call centre to find and don't do their own billing. Maybe their prices should be even lower?

penrhyn

From a search on Energy helpline:


Click Energy 5
• UK's largest supplier
• Extended hours 0845 customer contact centres
• Paperless billing
• Manage your account onlineMonthly Direct Debit
£549 £31 (5%)
More info


EquiDual
• Small UK social enterprise
• Prices same irrespective of payment method
Monthly Direct Debit
£581 £-1 (0%) *
More info


Online Discounted Energy
• Good service rating
• Extended hours 0845 customer service centre
• Manage your account onlineMonthly Direct Debit
£585 £-5 (-1%) *
More info


Domestic Standard Online
• Lowest levels of complaints in industry
• Highest service ratings
• Savings include 8.5% annual discount for direct debit customersMonthly Direct Debit
£586 £-6 (-1%) *
More info


Fixed Discount 2010
• Lowest levels of complaints in industry
• Highest service ratings
• 2% discount against SSE standard prices until July 2010
• Cancellation fees applyMonthly Direct Debit
£592 £-12 (-2%) *

espresso

Lewie wrote: »

espresso wrote,

Thought that one would be best as it is the first one this site mentions and recommended by Martin Lewis.
If it isn't the best then someone should tell him.

Six different price comparison sites are listed in the resource bar, all recommended by Martin:

Best Buy Articles: Gas and Electricity |Boiler and Heating Cover Price Comparisons with cashback/wine: Energyhelpline* |Energylinx* | EnergyShop* | Moneysupermarket* | UK Power* | uSwitch* Get Updates On Important Changes: Free Weekly Money Tip

so why assume that the first one is the best?