Essentials Tarrif - Essentially a rip off!

1carminestocky

I know I'm going to accused of having a bee in my bonnet regarding BG again but shouldn't a tariff like Essentials which is aimed at the most vulnerable people in the marketplace actually be UNQUESTIONABLY the cheapest BG offer INCLUDING online tariffs? Just seems to make a mockery of what the Govt wants the energy companies to do with the truly vulnerable...doesn't it?

firsttimeholmes

my point exactly - anyway il be replying to them over the weekend - so if anyone wants me to ask any questions then please let me know.

i will be pointing him in the direction of this forum so he can see how poor the advice is being giving to customers!!!!!!

exmodel

I am on Essentials for my electric and was wondering if Click5 is still cheaper than Essentials??? At the same time I found this on another thread. If these are the new guidelines then BG is breaking some rules aren't they?

Energy regulator Ofgem has moved to clear away confusion surrounding social tariffs – energy deals for vulnerable customers and fuel poor customers (those spending more than a tenth of their income on energy).

Ofgem’s new guidelines provide more clarity and certainty on what will be counted towards this increased social expenditure and they set a tighter definition for social tariffs. The regulator has specified that in future, for a supplier’s social tariff to count as such against their spend commitments it must be as good as the lowest tariff they offer to customers in that area, including online deals. This means that vulnerable and fuel poor customers who struggle most to pay their energy bills will be assured of being on the best deal their supplier offers in their area.

Some consumers may still be able to get a better deal by switching to another supplier, particularly if they are also able to change payment method. That is why it still pays to shop around. But for customers who are unlikely or unable to switch and are eligible for a social tariff this ruling means they can be assured they will be on their supplier’s best deal.

From here:

http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Media/PressR...se final.pdf

1carminestocky

It's just a shame that the Govt had to get so desparate about their own plight before they actually bared their dentures, isn't it?

zzzLazyDaisy

I have just come off the phone to British Gas

They tell me that since the recent price rises Essentials is now cheaper than Click Energy 5. Also there will be no price rises on Essentials till April, so if there are any further price rises in the pipeline over the winter, there is protection there too.

The gas prices I was given are

Click energy 5 - 6.581 followed by 3.295
Essentials - 5.684 followed by 2.385

As I was on click energy 4, which is dearer than click 5, that is a big saving for me.

The numbers to phone is 0800 0727100 (Essentials)
and 0800 0480101 or 0800 0480202 (customer service)

Be warned, the Essentials person refused to change me from Click to Essentials, as you have to be on the standard tariff to move to Essentials (so she said) So I had to phone customer service, who was very on the ball, apologised, mobed me to the standard tariff and contacted a colleague on the Essentials team for me and had me moved to Essentials there and then.

Needless to say, I have a detailed diary note of the conversations, in case it all turns out to be incorrect information.........

Daisy

1carminestocky

Click 5 new rates? Congratulations, that's an exclusive you have there, no mention of any new rate on their site!

Smartmart

Interesting!

I was moved from Click Energy 5 to Essentials, verbally, on the 6th August, 08. An email from BG on the 19th August, 08 stated that I was still on Click and had no mention of my registration for Essentials. My letter to BG requesting clarification on the 19th August, 08 is still unanswered. I am awaiting the expiration of the 6 to 8 week period they referred to before I pursue this further.

Does anyone have a similar experience?

zzzLazyDaisy

I have a similar experience with BG when they still had the £90 winter dual fuel rebate for vulnerable customers.

When they stopped it, my last payment was not made (along with loads of other customers). Many phone calls later I was promised it would be credited with my next bill (name taken). Fast forward two more bills, same promises.

So I reported it to Ofgem (it might have been energy watch then). Almost immediately I got a letter of apology from BG, and the next bill was credited with a 'goodwill' payment of the missing money. Only a year and goodness knows how many phone calls later.

When things go wrong with BG, it seems that no-one has sufficient interest or authority to put things right.

Hence my being careful today to take the names of the three people who assured me that Essentials is cheaper than click 5.... we shall see. I have nothing to lose, coz if they have misled me into going onto a more expensive tariff, Ofgem will be hearing from me!!

Cardew

zzzLazyDaisy wrote: »

Hence my being careful today to take the names of the three people who assured me that Essentials is cheaper than click 5.... we shall see. I have nothing to lose, coz if they have misled me into going onto a more expensive tariff, Ofgem will be hearing from me!!

There is still nothing on the internet about Click 5 prices being increased and the prices you quoted above in post #46 are 'wrong' and Click 5 is cheaper than Essentials.

That said I suspect that you have been given accurate information about the new BG prices by mistake as they are not yet to be released to the public.

1carminestocky

Cardew wrote: »

There is still nothing on the internet about Click 5 prices being increased and the prices you quoted above in post #46 are 'wrong' and Click 5 is cheaper than Essentials.

That said I suspect that you have been given accurate information about the new BG prices by mistake as they are not yet to be released to the public.

I agree, like I said earlier, I think zzzLazyDaisy has been given an 'exclusive', a scoop . The 'new' figures for Click 5 look about 'right' to me, approx 32% increase on Gas. Gotta watch for those first 4680 kW, though :mad: , on my projected usage Click 5 is no longer any cheaper than the much-maligned (on here) UW. :eek: But like you know maths isn't exactly my strongest subject :rotfl: