Has Martin Mis-Advised Us Into Capping Our Fuel Rates?

space_rider

Never mind teaching 5 year olds about s*x, would be far better to be teaching them how to read a meter and know how much you are paying or not paying. I watched a programme on tv a few days ago and couldn`t believe how naive people claim to be.

Andy_Hamilton

I watched that program.
One woman said she did not trust direct debit as it could rack up a big bill. It was explained to her about if she read her own meter and rung it in she would be in control. When she was told this her face dropped and you would have thought they said she had to kill a kitten.
She wanted cheaper bills but was not prepared to do 1 minute of work per month.

EagerLearner

I saw the same programme - they had never once read their meter and always relied on the bills, which were estimated but they did not know what that meant. Hopefully that will help others who were perhaps also not aware.

Personall I am still undecided as to whether I should remain on the fixed EON tariff, or move, will leave it 4 weeks then research again.

space_rider

EagerLearner wrote: »

I saw the same programme - they had never once read their meter and always relied on the bills, which were estimated but they did not know what that meant. Hopefully that will help others who were perhaps also not aware.

Personall I am still undecided as to whether I should remain on the fixed EON tariff, or move, will leave it 4 weeks then research again.

If you can get a cheaper deal elsewhere then why not?

Dustykitten

I didn't cap because it just felt wrong to me to be paying more now than I had to (and because I am still trying to work out what really is the best rate for us).

I did see Martin shouting Cap, Cap Cap but that did not sway me.

Trouble is I don't know if I trust the comparison sites to be correct and I'm not good enough on excel to do my own spreadsheet so the whole process is rather time consuming.

Magentasue

Dustykitten wrote: »

Trouble is I don't know if I trust the comparison sites to be correct and I'm not good enough on excel to do my own spreadsheet so the whole process is rather time consuming.

I think this one will do it for you if you have the unit prices, standing charges or tiers to input:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1184735

amcluesent

Martin has much the same strengths and weaknesses of Which? magazine. They do great on comparing toasters but their horizon is 'now' so they're both pretty hopeless when thinking strategic scenarios.

jackieb

I thought the oil companies were planning on slashing production to keep the prices from falling any further?

facingthefuture

Listen, you take info from Martin and elsewhere (eg. ft and other forums). It's up to you what you decide. Martin nor anyone else is infallible. I reckon people should take responsibility for their own choices. The problem we have here is litlle or no regulation of banks and certain politicians getting massive directorships when they retire from politics. Martin nor anyone else uninvolved couldn't hope to counter that bunch of crooks.

iamesbo

jackieb wrote: »

I thought the oil companies were planning on slashing production to keep the prices from falling any further?

They are considering making cuts to support the oil price.
Whether that will work or not is a different matter, not everyone is in OPEC, also if they manage to raise prices in a recession that would be bad news for the world econemy which is already up the creek.
The greedy gas companys do not seem to give a hoot about ruining the UK ecomemy
by rigging prices at a crippling level during a recession.
If I were in charge I would throw them in jail along with OFGEM.
Lets hope they are jailed right after the next election if not before.