Comparing the comparison services/MoneySavingExpert.com Discussion

familyman_3

I was given the task of sorting out our companies gas and electricity and was reccomended a site called BusinessSwitch.co.uk as none of the other sites would deal with business power. We had a very complicated contract they sorted pretty quickly and I switched my own home gas and elecy as a bonus. Anyone else got any experience of them? They seem to only be known in the business market but have good domestic deals too.

ffym

I cannot find any detailed description on how Service Ratings on the comparison sites are calculated but the Energy Watchdog Site does give details of complaints to itself:
http://www.energywatch.org.uk/help_and_advice/complaints_received/index.asp

Fran

***Boardguide comment***

njm, I have merged your thread with this one as it is discussing the comparison sites. I hope this is ok, if not please contact abuse@moneysavingexpert.com

Shubunkin

You do have 14 days to cancel the contract

speedtwin

I Missed It By 2 Days. But Im Going To Stick With Npower Long Enough To Get My £15 From Comparason Site Then Change Again And Get Another £15.
Nows Theres A Thought Why Not Change Over, 4 Or 5 Times A Year Getting 15 Quid Time.mmmmmm

didsyboy

Hi Has anyone used https://www.which.co.uk/switch ??
I've tried it and it shows me a saving of £191.90 with NPower. Other comparison sites are much less than that. Must be good reliable site musn't it since it's Which? the consumer champion. Don't know if it includes the latest price increases though. Any thoughts anyone ?

mrBlue

Having switched from BG/Powergen to Scottish Power last November, on the basis of a Uswitch comparison, I thought I'd reassess where I am today. I opted for a fixed price deal with SP which increased my standing charge by £48 a year. Having previously been paying £46 a month, I have paid £40 a month until now. Now I have so underpaid that I should be paying £52 a month, but I need to pay £62 a month to catch up. Surely something wrong here? When I used Uswitch tonight, the SP tarrifs mentioned bore no relationship whatsoever to what I'm paying (like 30% out?). I just don't see how these comparison engines are functioning at all. I think the only solution is to go to the companies' websites themselves and get their tarrifs - IF THEY WILL SHOW THEM - MANY OF THEM WONT!

bbruce

I also tried Which which puts npower way ahead.
Others such as uswitch and energy helpline show it as dearer.
To be really sure, it seems you have to spend quite a time on suppliers' website.
At least Which show tarrifs if you click the compare boxes.

beeniemac

mrBlue wrote:

Having switched from BG/Powergen to Scottish Power last November, on the basis of a Uswitch comparison, I thought I'd reassess where I am today. I opted for a fixed price deal with SP which increased my standing charge by £48 a year. Having previously been paying £46 a month, I have paid £40 a month until now. Now I have so underpaid that I should be paying £52 a month, but I need to pay £62 a month to catch up. Surely something wrong here? When I used Uswitch tonight, the SP tarrifs mentioned bore no relationship whatsoever to what I'm paying (like 30% out?). I just don't see how these comparison engines are functioning at all. I think the only solution is to go to the companies' websites themselves and get their tarrifs - IF THEY WILL SHOW THEM - MANY OF THEM WONT!

Don't forget there has been a huge increase in cost over the last 18 months, that is probably where most of your savings have been eaten up.

ltlmiles5

I applied to switch my electricity on 14 Sept 05, and everything went smoothly. The switch went live in about 6 weeks.

I had to contact EnergyHelpline by e-mail 3 times before the money was finally deposited into my current account, as they said they had to receive confirmation from my new supplier that the switch had gone through, although this happened a month ago.

I am happy to say I received the £10 as promised, a few days ago, roughly 3 months after I first applied to switch. It shows up as coming from 'Fundraising Innovations'.

So don't forget to chase it up, if it's slow in coming!