Should we switch to EBICo

Crap_with_money.com

Hi All, I'm quite new MSE, and looking for a wee bit of advice!

We're currently with Scottish Power for both Gas and Electricity. My dad died at the beginning of the year (I still live at home with mum), and after several mistakes on their part, we went 5 months without being able to make any payments, which has resulted in us now paying £146 per month for both utilities.

We're considering clearing the £300 out-standing "debt" and changing supplier, because a) they've messed us around something chronic, at probably the worst time they could've chosen and b) even outwith the out-standing debt, they still seem to have become really expensive!

I tried one of the comparison sites I found on here last night, and EBICo was coming up as the cheapest option, but as I've never heard of them, I thought I'd ask if anyone had any stories on them? Good or bad?

Thanks

Laura

1carminestocky

Crap_with_money.com wrote: »

Hi All, I'm quite new MSE, and looking for a wee bit of advice!

We're currently with Scottish Power for both Gas and Electricity. My dad died at the beginning of the year (I still live at home with mum), and after several mistakes on their part, we went 5 months without being able to make any payments, which has resulted in us now paying £146 per month for both utilities.

We're considering clearing the £300 out-standing "debt" and changing supplier, because a) they've messed us around something chronic, at probably the worst time they could've chosen and b) even outwith the out-standing debt, they still seem to have become really expensive!

I tried one of the comparison sites I found on here last night, and EBICo was coming up as the cheapest option, but as I've never heard of them, I thought I'd ask if anyone had any stories on them? Good or bad?

Thanks

Laura

Hi Laura, they are a good company although by no means the cheapest for medium to high users. I would try the comparison again, reason being that Ebico's prices increase FROM TODAY (and it was a BIG rise!), so it's not clear if you were given the quote on the old prices or the new. Better safe than sorry, I say. HTH.

c0113tt3

You definatley need to switch as I noticed your location is Scotland, and you are with Scottish Power. Usually the home supplier are more expensive / not competative in their home areas, as they dont need to compete for business as much.

So you need to switch for definate.

As for ebico, as a fellow forum member has stated, they have increased their prices as of today, so they may not be on compare sites as yet. But generally the electricity has now become expensive for most with ebico, and the gas is just very marginally less than elsewhere. The website is below, where you can check prices.

http://www.ebico.co.uk/html/home.php

Woby_Tide

www.energyhelpline.com is a comparison site that has the updated prices for Ebico so gives a fair comparison as any

if they are cheapest for you then switch, it's a simple decision

jonnyboy12345

Laura

If you want a dual fuel tariff and are prepared to pay by DD id suggest the New ClickEnergy 6 from Britsh Gas its still the cheapest out there try check dual fuel tarriffs on the energyline website I very much doubt that Ebico are cheapest for both not with the recent increases no way gas is reasonable with them but electricity is expensive in most areas

A_fiend_for_life

Depends on how much gas and electricity you are using.

For last years bill (556 kWh Electricity; 2352 kWh gas)

Ebico works out cheaper for both based on my bill for last year September to December.

If you have SP standard and no prompt payment discount or DD then Ebico gas is cheaper for all customers.

If your electricity usage is low you will make a saving assuming your not taking advantage of any of the perks (DD and prompt payment.) But add another person in the house and the extra washing, cooking and power showers and you might well eat into the gas savings.

Best way to check imho is to get a copy of last Autumn's bill and recalculate on todays new prices. Note: the ebico prices increased this morning and some comparison sites weren't updated.

Woby_Tide

A_fiend_for_life wrote: »

Depends on how much gas and electricity you are using.

A fundamental concept that some people here seem unable to grasp for whatever reason

Crap_with_money.com

Woby_Tide wrote: »

A fundamental concept that some people here seem unable to grasp for whatever reason

I'm not unable to grasp that fact, but thanks very much for your useful input!!! Ever heard the saying that if you've nothing constructive say, maybe you shouldn't say anything at all?!?

I fully appreciate that we'll pay for what we use, but as we've had some pretty poor service from our current provider, I was simply looking for a bit of advice on this one company since I hadn't heard of them previously. I'm mostly trying to ensure that my mum doesn't jump out of the frying pan into the fire, since she has enough to deal with grieving for her husband, without the added stress of impersonal, incompetent companies!!

Thank-you to everyone else for the rest of your advice, I'll have a look again, and maybe give Ebico a miss!

A_fiend_for_life

@crap with money.com

Do you know how much you were using this time last year?

1carminestocky

Crap_with_money.com wrote: »

I'm not unable to grasp that fact, but thanks very much for your useful input!!! Ever heard the saying that if you've nothing constructive say, maybe you shouldn't say anything at all?!?

I fully appreciate that we'll pay for what we use, but as we've had some pretty poor service from our current provider, I was simply looking for a bit of advice on this one company since I hadn't heard of them previously. I'm mostly trying to ensure that my mum doesn't jump out of the frying pan into the fire, since she has enough to deal with grieving for her husband, without the added stress of impersonal, incompetent companies!!

Thank-you to everyone else for the rest of your advice, I'll have a look again, and maybe give Ebico a miss!

Hi Laura,

Whilst I am a cheapest price fiend, and a fairly high user so therefore don't go near Ebico, if you read what their customers say about them on here it's generally very positive (unusual when we are talking about an energy company, I know, lol). They are reportedly a 'not for profit' company run by church elders (it's beginning to sound like the film Witness now:p ). I got my father (VERY low user) onto them and he's been very happy with the service and prices. But, like everything to do with gas/electricity it's horses for course, i'm afraid.

Farway

Thanks for the link Woby_Tide, just rechecked my Ebico, not a big saving by switching from them, so staying put