Gas & Electricity plus Cashback/MoneySavingExpert.com Discussion

indiechickuk

ok I could do with a little help... I've done lots of searching around, and all the comparison sites suggest that I would save most by switching to Powergen, but now I'm just a little unsure which site will give me the most cashback!
I'm guessing simplyswitch, as I'll be switching from British gas (gas) and EDF (elec) over to Powergen dual fuel, so they'll give me £30, right?
Am I correct or am I missing something?!

Thanks!

barak

maximus78 wrote:

Hi Money Saving Experts!!!:eek:

Watch out for British Gas conning distraction or bad mathematicians"!!
I attempted a switch on internet to British Gas Click Energy for the electricity supply 10 days ago.....

My experience is much the same - BG prices appear to have gone up substantially since I applied on 29th May and Powergen is now the 'cheapest' - at least for this week.

I'm not sure where I stand at the moment as I have had no communication (e-mail or post) from either EnergyHelpline or anyone else. When I phoned EnergyHelpline two days ago, they found my application and said they would send confirmation by e-mail, but nothing has arrived.

maximus78

barak wrote:

My experience is much the same - BG prices appear to have gone up substantially since I applied on 29th May and Powergen is now the 'cheapest' - at least for this week.

I'm not sure where I stand at the moment as I have had no communication (e-mail or post) from either EnergyHelpline or anyone else. When I phoned EnergyHelpline two days ago, they found my application and said they would send confirmation by e-mail, but nothing has arrived.

The thing is that wheter prices have gone up or not EnergyHelpline and the orther Comparison Websites are totally wrong or not updated!!!:mad:

So that any saving calculation turns to be wrong too.
Example
According to EnergyHelpline (today)

British Gas - Click Energy :

10.729p for the first 225 kWh per quarter, and 7.732p thereafter
On 4000 kWhs/ annum
900 kWh @10.729p= £ 96,56
3100 kWh @7.732p= £ 239,69 Total bill £ 336.25

Now according to British Gas (if you phone them up):

British Gas - Click Energy
15.037p for the first 225 kWh per quarter, and 8.817p thereafter
On 4000 kWhs/ annum
900 kWh @15.037= £ 135,33
3100 kWh @8.817p= £ 273,32 Total bill £ 408,66 !!!!!

£408,66 - £336,25= £72,41 !!!!!!!:eek:
If a Comparison Service misses £72 would you still rely on it??
I wouldn't.
I would rather:
-note the first 4/5 suggested suppliers of each (4 in all) racommended Comparison services
-phone them up to check if rates are updated
-do my own calculation as shown above
(900 kWh@ tier 1 Rate+ remainder kWhs@ tier 2 Rate)
-subtract any special yearly bonus
and then go for the cheapest!!!!!!

Cheers
Maximus
PS. barak do you mind writing on this post which rate price( tier 1 and 2) you've got from BG on 29th of May 2006, I would like to check if their claim "prices haven't changed since 20th May 2006" is true or a pure gimmick!!!
Thanks

barak

The prices 'quoted' for electricity from BG Green Click Energy according to EnergyHelpline when I applied on 29th May were 10.306p for the first 225 kWh per quarter, and 6.518p thereafter.

The prices on 6th June according to EnergyHelpline were 12.126p for the first 225 kWh per quarter, and 7.953p thereafter.

I haven't checked since, nor have I heard anything from EnergyHelpline or BG.

MCBIRNIE25

Hi all useful thread.
Currently trying to sort my mums gas and electric suppliers out for her. Struggling as she is on Pre-payment meters for both.
British Gas seems to be costing her a fortune in electric at around 20 quid a week, and Gas is with erm powergen I think.. around 15 quid a week. Do the comparison sites take prepay meters in to account? Because she doesn't get a bill how will i find the necessary readings?
MCBIRNIE25

Audits_Unlimited

Hi Martin,

Your advice is spot on. It's a great time to switch in the domestic market with the cash and champers incentives currently on offer! I'll be doing it myself when I get the time!

I work as a Utilities Consultant in the medium to large business market and the price hikes in the business market have been much bigger than in the domestic market (around 70-80% year on year!) :eek:

I don't really get involved in the domestic or small business market, but I just have one thing that might be useful for you lot - the market intelligence at the moment is indicating that gas prices should start to come down around mid to late 2007, so be wary of companies that try to fix you into a deal that lasts much longer than the end of 2007. These companies will know the prices are due to come down so will factor this into your prices.

I hope this helps.
Cheers
Donnie

Hazevin

I do have one question and a warning.
Why oh why can't all the switching sites just have a list of the unit prices? That is all I need, the whole point is to get the best price. Most of the service from the suppliers is poor at best.
I used the cashback site to switch a few weeks ago and the best price option was not available through them any way. I ended up with British Gas for elec have now cancelled as they kept calling me, then sent a letter saying I had agreed to the service over the phone which of course I had not.
So we all nedd to push for a complete listing of unit prices, in price order. As I find just entering what you have paid in the past is not accurate, you still can end up paying more than you are at present.
Someone may have mentioned this before but how is paying more for the 1st 100 or so units no standing charge?
If we turn everything of or live outside great but as many of us don't its another scam.
Rant mode of now!!!!!!
Vince

martint123

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/5107866.stm
Last Updated: Thursday, 22 June 2006, 20:21 GMT 21:21 UK

Bill price hike by Scottish Power

Consumers have been faced with rising gas and electricity costs
Scottish Power has said it will be putting up gas and electricity prices from next month.

The utility firm said gas bills were set to increase by an average of 17%, while the cost of electricity would rise by 10%.

The Glasgow-based firm has blamed rising wholesale costs for the hike.

wowsavings

Hazevin wrote:

I do have one question and a warning.
Why oh why can't all the switching sites just have a list of the unit prices? That is all I need, the whole point is to get the best price.
Vince

Hi Vince

Having just the unit prices isn't the best way of seeing who is cheaper - you also have to take into account any discounts, tiered unit prices,m splits between day and night for economy7, so just seeing the unit prices wouldn't always give you the cheapest supplier.

pjl_2

Not sure if this has been posted before but.....

Interestingly if you go to https://www.energyhelpline.com the offer of cashback is missing from the top right hand corner (under the phone number). Its only if you click on the link given in the article is the offer displayed.

I went to their site directly to find out details about the cashback offer but couldn't find it.....

I'm assuming if you go to their site directly and then switch you still get the cashback.