should I go fixed price?

mech_2

Cardew wrote: »

They never challenge any facts - because they can't - merely if a poster has any connection with a Utility company, their input is worthless. Stifle any factual debate.

It doesn't seem to matter if you don't have any connection with an energy company. As long as you disagree with the troll, then you are labeled as doing so. Even if ones post is devoid of political content and only contains verifiable factual information.

No doubt this will produce another post from 'The Troll' which thankfully I and others do not see; I am surprised that Mech(who posts informed comment all the time) doesn't join the group who also click the 'ignore' button.

I have ignored both of them, but the forum is designed so that I can see the empty ignored posts with a handy "view post" button, and I can't resist my curiosity.

And time and again it turns out to be more misinformation and I end up wanting to balance the discussion. I like to know the truth is out there, even if people make the choice not to believe in it.

mech_2

1carminestocky wrote: »

Do you work in British Gas' PR Dept? :rotfl:

No.

Can you find anything that disputes the facts?

mech_2

1carminestocky wrote: »

Mech has a vested interest so it's half understandable he attempts to defend the people who pay his wages.

I do not. Please stop spreading your childish lies.

You people really should get out more and see what the majority of the public who don't derive their income from this industry think about these companies.

I am only interested in the truth. The truth is not subjective. It doesn't matter what people believe, the truth doesn't care. If most people believed in fairies would that make them materialise? No. Therefore it is irrelevant.

Allan Asher has also made it entirely clear that if there was REAL competition in the energy industry the average bill would reduce by as much as £400 (40%??). Is he what you would call misinformed, eh?

Maybe not. Maybe he knows it's unrealistic, but he's paid to come out with that kind of stuff. I seem to remember a spokesperson for the utilities questioning how he cam to that conclusion. I still haven't seen an explanation.

Or how aout Philip Wright of Sheffield University, often described as one of the world's leading experts on the gas industry and his damning indictments of the industry?

The economist who writes for the "Oxford Institute for Energy studies" which is essentially a political think tank? I wouldn't rely on such a source for unbiassed information. They're basically sponsored by Venezualan oil to oppose liberalisation of the energy markets. Nothing to do with contesting domestic gas bills except where it helps their cause.

iamesbo

As we all know, OFGEM have admitted they are unable to determine how rigged the gas market is because the gas companies 'won't tell them'. So...any one who says the prices are not rigged is officially a liar according to OFGEM!! (who incidently admit they are a waste of space).

All the evidence however points to price rigging as the gas prices in the UK are going up when energy prices everywhere else are moving down, indeed have collapsed. Futhermore gas prices followed oil prices up almost imediately however
they failed to fall when oil prices collapased.

OFGEM chooses to ignore these facts apparently.

1carminestocky

Serious allegations, Mech, I will be forwarding your post to the relevant people. Just for clarification here and so I don't misrespresent you, ar you categorically stating that Philip Wright's research is funded by the Venezualan oil industry? Thank you.

One more thing, are you now categorically stating you don't work for an energy company or for a company related to the energy industry? You are the one who wants things factual so let's start by establishing that fact, shall we?

1carminestocky

mech wrote: »

I do not. Please stop spreading your childish lies.

Yesterday, 11:03 PM #24 mech vbmenu_register("postmenu_15384491", true);
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1carminestocky
Mech has a vested interest so it's half understandable he attempts to defend the people who pay his wages.

I do not. Please stop spreading your childish lies.

Quote:
You people really should get out more and see what the majority of the public who don't derive their income from this industry think about these companies.

I am only interested in the truth. The truth is not subjective. It doesn't matter what people believe, the truth doesn't care. If most people believed in fairies would that make them materialise? No. Therefore it is irrelevant.

Quote:
Allan Asher has also made it entirely clear that if there was REAL competition in the energy industry the average bill would reduce by as much as £400 (40%??). Is he what you would call misinformed, eh?

Maybe not. Maybe he knows it's unrealistic, but he's paid to come out with that kind of stuff. I seem to remember a spokesperson for the utilities questioning how he cam to that conclusion. I still haven't seen an explanation.

Quote:
Or how aout Philip Wright of Sheffield University, often described as one of the world's leading experts on the gas industry and his damning indictments of the industry?

The economist who writes for the "Oxford Institute for Energy studies" which is essentially a political think tank? I wouldn't rely on such a source for unbiassed information. They're basically sponsored by Venezualan oil to oppose liberalisation of the energy markets. Nothing to do with contesting domestic gas bills except where it helps their cause.

I've just decided to quote this so there's a full record of the post.

mech_2

iamesbo wrote: »

As we all know, OFGEM have admitted they are unable to determine how rigged the gas market is because the gas companies 'won't tell them'. So...any one who says the prices are not rigged is officially a liar according to OFGEM!! (who incidently admit they are a waste of space).

Can you provide quotes? References? I don't believe Ofgem said any such things. Please provide evidence.

mech_2

1carminestocky wrote: »

Serious allegations, Mech, I will be forwarding your post to the relevant people.

You can't intimidate me with foolishness like that.

Just for clarification here and so I don't misrespresent you, ar you categorically stating that Philip Wright's research is funded by the Venezualan oil industry? Thank you.

I am saying he appears to be affiliated with a partisan organisation linked to OPEC cartel members, which essentially pushes the idea of a state-run monopoly of energy production. Much of what they publish is purely motivated to discredit the idea of liberalised markets. If you want me to comment on something Philip Wright has said on its own merits you will have to actually quote him.

One more thing, are you now categorically stating you don't work for an energy company or for a company related to the energy industry? You are the one who wants things factual so let's start by establishing that fact, shall we?

Exactly so. Though of course you will forget again by tomorrow.

Can you find anything to dispute the facts?

1carminestocky

mech wrote: »

You can't intimidate me with foolishness like that.

I am saying he appears to be affiliated with a partisan organisation linked to OPEC cartel members, which essentially pushes the idea of a state-run monopoly of energy production. Much of what they publish is purely motivated to discredit the idea of liberalised markets. If you want me to comment on something Philip Wright has said on its own merits you will have to actually quote him.

Exactly so. Though of course you will forget again by tomorrow.

Can you find anything to dispute the facts?

Can I just get this absolutely correct as I know you are a stickler for facts. :rolleyes: Are you STATING CATEGORICALLY that Philip Wright, Professor of Energy Policy & Economics at Sheffield University, is 'sponsored' by the Venezualan oil industry, implying he receives money from them? This is what you stated this morning. Just so we can get this absolutely correct. Thank you.

PS Why would I wish to intimidate you? I just think it's good manners to tell someone what I am going to do if it may potentially impact on them at a later date, i.e. it won't be a surprise.

iamesbo

mech wrote: »

Can you provide quotes? References? I don't believe Ofgem said any such things. Please provide evidence.

"1.19. Any assessment of suppliers’ aggregate profitability is fraught with difficulties,
given the complexities that result from vertical integration, hedging and the recent
volatility in wholesale energy prices."

There you have it, an admission that through incompetence (at best) they are unable to
regulate the gas companies

"8.4. Assessment of suppliers’ aggregate profitability is fraught with difficulties,"

Read that as "we don't know if they are profiteering because we have failed in our duty as a watchdog."

In short the 'watchdog' OFGEM is a complete failure, however I would prefer the expression 'criminally negligent' (at best).

That 210 page report could have could be summed up in one line:-
"We are not fit to be a regulator of the energy industry".

That would have saved a lot of paper.