First Utility. Any Good?

Lokolo

I would do it if there wasn't the whole exit fee. Fair enough they have to install it and everything.

Thing is British Gas online is terrible. I update readings every now and again and get quarterly bill, however online the figures are always haywire until I get the bill.

At the moment by Electricity is £70 in credit, my gas is £330 in credit.... even when I've updated the meter readings! I have only had 1 bill so far, first year in student house, but it is really annoying!

There seems to be no point updating them with British Gas online

pbfhpunk

Cardew wrote: »

Did you join First Utility?

Neither the gas or electricity prices are competitive with internet tariffs.

The same criticism as above and in the other threads still applies.

Why on earth would anyone pay a connection fee(and exit fee) to be tied into a 2 year contract to pay higher prices - all for the sake of a posh meter!!

Their electricity tariffs have taken 'confusion marketing' to a new level.

No didn't join, as still owe on Gas, got my electricity sorted and paid that off.

I get your point about being more expensive, but if it helps you to save money in the long run then surely that works out well? Besides it will be useful in my situation to see how much energy we're using and not having estimated bills - I know I can give meter readings to the companies myself but when I have done that it still takes ages to update. Example - I took a gas meter reading in November submitted it online that night to BG got an email from them thanking me for the online reading Monday this week!!! Only just been updated.

I don't have a problem staying with them for 2 years, so the exit fee isn't an issue.

I don't think the connection and exit fees are just for 'posh meters' I think an ned to estimated bills and the hassle they cause and having the chance to see and adjust gas and elec usage is worth it - I appreciate it isn't for everyone but for me it seems ideal. Plus it would save me money anyway as I'm paying high prices anyway so will reduce the costs for me, whoever I changed to!

Helen

Premier_2

pbfhpunk wrote: »

...I get your point about being more expensive, but if it helps you to save money in the long run then surely that works out well?

How does that work then? Surely a cheaper provider will save you money.

If you reduce consumption, then the cheaper supplier will probably also be cheaper, but check the pricing profile. I'm sure there's probably a cheaper supplier no matter what the user's consumption.

Fancy meters to display ongoing consumption are available for free from some suppliers, or cost about £30, equivient to about £1.25 per month for the 2 year tie in term. Of course most suppliers don't charge a connection fee either, so that alone might cover the cost of the meter.

pbfhpunk wrote: »

...I don't think the connection and exit fees are just for 'posh meters' I think an ned to estimated bills and the hassle they cause and having the chance to see and adjust gas and elec usage is worth it ...

I would still recommend that anyone with this supplier still checks their bills with the actual meter readings. Errors can always occur either by just recording the wrong usage figures or perhaps mixing up meters to properties.
How much hassle is it really to phone a freephone number (or input figures online) when an estimated bill is received from another supplier.?

pbfhpunk wrote: »

- I appreciate it isn't for everyone but for me it seems ideal. ...

I think the fact you've not switched to them yet speaks volumes about how ideal they actually are for you.
No excuse for the elecectic, and even if you still owe on the gas, if you are convinced you'll save money with them, then get a loan and pay off your existing gas debt - hopefully the savings you anticipate will more than cover the small amount of interest on the loan (or perhaps you know the real truth about how much it would really cost you in the long run)

Cardew

pbfhpunk wrote: »

I get your point about being more expensive, but if it helps you to save money in the long run then surely that works out well? Besides it will be useful in my situation to see how much energy we're using and not having estimated bills -
Helen

It doesn't save any money though!

All their accurate billing does is let you know exactly how much more you are paying for being on their tariff;)

As you obviously understand tariffs, and how to read a meter, you can find out to a penny how much you owe on your present tariff - you can check hourly if you wish - it doesn't make it any cheaper.

My earlier analogy to the computer on my car holds true. It is useful to have a 'instant' and average mpg readout - but it doesn't make it any more economical. The faster I drive and the harder I accelerate the heavier my fuel consumption - but I knew that!

pbfhpunk

Premier wrote: »

How does that work then? Surely a cheaper provider will save you money.

If you reduce consumption, then the cheaper supplier will probably also be cheaper, but check the pricing profile. I'm sure there's probably a cheaper supplier no matter what the user's consumption.

Fancy meters to display ongoing consumption are available for free from some suppliers, or cost about £30, equivient to about £1.25 per month for the 2 year tie in term. Of course most suppliers don't charge a connection fee either, so that alone might cover the cost of the meter.



I would still recommend that anyone with this supplier still checks their bills with the actual meter readings. Errors can always occur either by just recording the wrong usage figures or perhaps mixing up meters to properties.
How much hassle is it really to phone a freephone number (or input figures online) when an estimated bill is received from another supplier.?



I think the fact you've not switched to them yet speaks volumes about how ideal they actually are for you.
No excuse for the elecectic, and even if you still owe on the gas, if you are convinced you'll save money with them, then get a loan and pay off your existing gas debt - hopefully the savings you anticipate will more than cover the small amount of interest on the loan (or perhaps you know the real truth about how much it would really cost you in the long run)

I haven't switched as I was waiting for them to do dual fuel and pay off my debt's with other suppliers, as I've said I've paid of the electricity one and the gas I can pay in the next month or two. I prefer the dual fuel discount which is why I'd switch together.

I didn't say that supplying meter readings was a hassle, I said that the hassle they cause, as from what I've experienced if my actual reading is lower than their estimatd it takes ages and lots of phonecalls to correct it.

My main reason for wanting to switch is getting rid of estimated reads. I know that home display units that display your usage (not a meter) can be bought for around £30 but that's not going to solve estimated bills, I understand this is a moneysaving site so 100% of people aren't going to be happy about First Utility but looking at the threads on here they seem to be about estimated bills and problems with direct debits being too high, so surely while not money saving for everyone it will sort their issues out.

As I said not for everyone but for me when I pay of the gas debt - not by getting a loan!

H

Cardew

pbfhpunk wrote: »

I prefer the dual fuel discount which is why I'd switch together.

IH

I couldn't see anything about a 'dual fuel discount' - where is it shown?

I did see they charge extra for paying by cheque!

How does smart metering help with gas??;)

pbfhpunk

Cardew wrote: »

I couldn't see anything about a 'dual fuel discount' - where is it shown?

I did see they charge extra for paying by cheque!

How does smart metering help with gas??;)

But then lots of companies charge extra for not having a DD set up, Orange phones charge 2.99!!

I phoned up and was told about the dual fuel discount.

Watching Working Lunch the gas meter reading is sent once a day so while not as good as the every 30 mins update for Electricity, it's better than I'm getting now!

Cardew

pbfhpunk wrote: »

I phoned up and was told about the dual fuel discount.

the gas meter reading is sent once a day so while not as good as the every 30 mins update for Electricity, it's better than I'm getting now!

How much is the dual fuel discount? I can't see it on the website.

I can read my gas meter every 10 minutes if I want - same with electricity!

Premier_2

pbfhpunk wrote: »

I haven't switched as I was waiting for them to do dual fuel and pay off my debt's with other suppliers, as I've said I've paid of the electricity one and the gas I can pay in the next month or two. I prefer the dual fuel discount which is why I'd switch together.

Why not switch today and satrt making those anticipated savings now? Surely every day you wait is money down the drain ... or maybe the savings are not really that great.

pbfhpunk wrote: »

I didn't say that supplying meter readings was a hassle, I said that the hassle they cause, as from what I've experienced if my actual reading is lower than their estimatd it takes ages and lots of phonecalls to correct it.

I have no problem with my supplier - one freephone call to supply the actual figures and a revised bill is sent out within a couple of days

pbfhpunk wrote: »

My main reason for wanting to switch is getting rid of estimated reads. I know that home display units that display your usage (not a meter) can be bought for around £30 but that's not going to solve estimated bills, I understand this is a moneysaving site so 100% of people aren't going to be happy about First Utility but looking at the threads on here they seem to be about estimated bills and problems with direct debits being too high, so surely while not money saving for everyone it will sort their issues out.

I've addressed the issue of estimated bills (supply your own readings). The meter is to address the supposed way of saving money by reducing consumption (who'd have thought using less would cost less?!)
If you want to reduce consumption, such a meter might help (it's equivilent to the First Utility device) and we're back to the basics of surely its best to choose the supplier with the cheapest tariff if you want to save money, not one that promises to save you money only if you use less.

As this is a moneysaving site, the suggestions should be how to sacve money. But if you're happy paying the premium for not wanting to make a freephone telephone call or checking your bill to the actual readings (which every customer should do no matter which supplier they have), then it may be best for you ... but I'm not sure MSE is the best site for you.

pbfhpunk wrote: »

As I said not for everyone but for me when I pay of the gas debt - not by getting a loan!

H

Again, this site is primarily about moneysaving.
Surely it's better to switch supplier to make savings today if those savings are more than the interest on the loan would be.

But perhaps you know there isn't any real moneysaving to be had with FU, and that's why you haven't switched.

Premier_2

pbfhpunk wrote: »

But then lots of companies charge extra for not having a DD set up, Orange phones charge 2.99!! ...

How much do they charge for gas & electric???