first:utility - new energy company launches

1carminestocky

Agreed, their website doesn't exactly inspire confidence IMO.

As we have already established earlier in the thread that I am, indeed, clearly thick, could some kind (clever) person decipher, in English, what this T&C actually means, please?

Any instances under our terms & conditions where we are required to impose default rates on residential tariffs will be reflected by a 20% increase being applied to the standing charge and unit rates. *Subject to regional variations

Edit: MORE T&C's (this is from energyhelpline)

There is a cancellation fee of £100 if your contract with first:utility is terminated within the initial contract period of 24 months. Paper billing customers are charged an extra £1 a month (included in your savings figures). The savings quoted include a dual fuel discount which will be credited to your account on an annual basis at the end of a 12-month period with first:utility. This period does not have to be a Jan-Dec calendar year.

So now it's also an npower-like 12 months wait for the discount. Wasn't aware of this (but I am thick, of course)..

mhendo

1carminestocky wrote: »

You are still in effect committing yourself for 24months to a seemingly small company with what must be very large installation costs, and, crucially, NOT on any sort of fixed or capped deal. Meaning they can do what they like with their prices in that 2 year period and, short of buying your way out, nothing you can do about it.

I forgot to reply to this point earlier. If First:Utility increase prices, then you are free to terminate the contract early, without any early exit fee, as far as I can see from First:Utility's T&C's. Specifically refer to clause 15.1(b) & 15.11:-

First:Utility_Terms_&_Conditions wrote:

15.1 You can end the arrangements to have any of the services supplied at your premises (subject to clause 15.11) by giving us notice in writing quoting your contract number (note you must give notice in relation to each individual service that you have requested):
(a) in accordance with our cancellation policy (available on request from customer services) which is in line with the Consumer Protection (Distant Selling) Regulations 2000, as amended;
(b) subject to clause 2.3, within 10 working days of being told of any proposed change to your terms (including price) which is to your significant disadvantage. For electricity & gas this must be followed by notification from the new supplier under the MRA within 15 working days that they will begin to supply the premises within a reasonable period of time
15.11 If the contract for energy services ends prior to the initial contract period (if any) we will charge you an early termination fee of £99 including VAT. This fee will not apply where the contract is terminated pursuant to clause 15.1(a) or 15.1(b).

It doesn't seem quite so bad on the face of it, but I certainly wouldn't sign up unless I can find updated T&C's which state the early termination fee is £50 - odd comparison sites have the information, but their own site doesn't.

zzzLazyDaisy

I e-mailed FU over a week ago, using their online contact form, to ask what guarantees I would have that they would not raise their prices during the two year 'lock in' period and/or whether I would be entitled to terminate the contract if they raised their prices and as a result became uncompetitive.

So far I have had no response whatsoever from their 'customer service' team.

It is a shame because the concept appeals and I'd be keen to leave BG and their manipulative click tariffs.... but this lack of response does not inspire confidence.

Cardew

mhendo wrote: »

(b) subject to clause 2.3, within 10 working days of being told of any proposed change to your terms (including price) which is to your significant disadvantage. For electricity & gas this must be followed by notification from the new supplier under the MRA within 15 working days that they will begin to supply the premises within a reasonable period of time
It doesn't seem quite so bad on the face of it, but I certainly wouldn't sign up unless I can find updated T&C's which state the early termination fee is £50 - odd comparison sites have the information, but their own site doesn't.

How would you define 'significant disadvantage'.

If other companies reduce their prices, and FU don't, they haven't changed their terms.

Possibly nothing to worry about - but I don't feel comfortable with their website.

pbfhpunk

zzzLazyDaisy wrote: »

I e-mailed FU over a week ago, using their online contact form, to ask what guarantees I would have that they would not raise their prices during the two year 'lock in' period and/or whether I would be entitled to terminate the contract if they raised their prices and as a result became uncompetitive.

So far I have had no response whatsoever from their 'customer service' team.

It is a shame because the concept appeals and I'd be keen to leave BG and their manipulative click tariffs.... but this lack of response does not inspire confidence.

Am going to contact them to ask about the points raised on here, and was looking at their contact form to send a message but there isn't a space to write a message, what form did you use to ask them what guarantees you'd have?

NowThenAgain

I think people here should lay off with the criticism.

Anything that starts to move our antiquated metering systems into the 21st Century is a good thing. If this device was cross-compatible with other suppliers I would certainly switch.

I've had experience of this type of metering in Italy and it is definitely the future. Bring on the future.

Cardew

NowThenAgain wrote: »

I think people here should lay off with the criticism.

Anything that starts to move our antiquated metering systems into the 21st Century is a good thing. If this device was cross-compatible with other suppliers I would certainly switch.

I've had experience of this type of metering in Italy and it is definitely the future. Bring on the future.

The criticism is not of the metering system but the lack of clarity in FU's terms and conditions and pricing structure.

richardc1983

Here here!

1carminestocky

Kuztardd wrote: »

I've just had a look at the rates advertised on their website for the london area and they appear to be different to the ones advertised on https://www.uswitch.com and https://www.energyhelpline.com, could this be correct?

on those switching websites it says (for electric and for the two time slot option)
£34.57 a year - 11.66p a unit and 6.88p a unit.

but the FU website says:
£25.84 a year - 12.69 a unit and 6.69 a unit

do comparrison/switching websites get better deals than going direct, or is it likely to be old amounts?

thanks in advance
11.66
6.88

I would be careful when checking FU on the switching sites as I seem to get different results day to day. In fact, one day last week they were at the top of uswitch for me, next day back down in the also rans. I have no idea what's going on with them, tbh...

Plushchris

As far as the confusion on the exit fee is concerned, I believe its £50 per meter, making it £100 for those on duel fuel but only £50 for those with electric only.