Which Scottish Power plan am I on? Confusion reigns...

trdriver

Hi,

According to my bills and online account, I'm on Scottish Power Fixed Price Energy Online. I believe I read elsewhere that this expires at the end of August. Martin's latest newsletter indicates that it ends on September 30 and there's no penalty for early switching. A phone call to SP five minutes ago informed me that my plan is indeed Fixed Price Energy Online (and not one of about 10 subtle variations on the theme), it expires in October 2009 (when quizzed the operator said end of October, but did not sound absolutely certain) and if I leave early there is a £30 electricty penalty and £20 gas - again inconsistent with the newsletter.

So, I do not know when it expires and I do not trust the information given by SP. I have two ways to find out who's right - switch now and pay a penalty, or wait until October and possibly find I've been on some astronomical tariff for heaven knows how long.

Why doesn't SP make this easier and pro-actively come to me to offer their next great deal?????

I notice SP personnel monitor the forum and post on here. I'd really appreciate some guidance "from the horse's mouth".

Steve

exessexmum

I'm on Scottish Powers fixed price energy online, and on my most recent bill (last week) it says my tarif finishes on 31 August. There is definately a £20 and £30 cancellation fee thingummy to get out of these early.

trdriver

Thanks, essexmum,

I just submitted readings so hadn't seen my latest bill. Just checked it and you're right it does say end of August!! It also says Fixed Price Energy Online 2009, so I'll have to check that with all of the comparisons I've been doing. That also means the SP employee I spoke to this morning was wrong on both counts, despite checking my account number, postcode, address, mobile number and date of birth to be sure she was checking the right account. :rotfl:

Now I'm wondering how to time the swap so that I neither pay penalties or stay too long - off to re-read Martin's advice!

Much appreciated,

Steve

exessexmum

trdriver wrote: »

Thanks, essexmum,

I just submitted readings so hadn't seen my latest bill. Just checked it and you're right it does say end of August!! It also says Fixed Price Energy Online 2009, so I'll have to check that with all of the comparisons I've been doing. That also means the SP employee I spoke to this morning was wrong on both counts, despite checking my account number, postcode, address, mobile number and date of birth to be sure she was checking the right account. :rotfl:

Now I'm wondering how to time the swap so that I neither pay penalties or stay too long - off to re-read Martin's advice!

Much appreciated,

Steve

Well if like me it comes out as EDF online 5 as your best switch, don't do it yet as they will contact SP in two weeks, meaning you get hit for the £50 cancellation.

trdriver

Just gone through the process on the "Energyhelpline" switching site recommended by Martin in this week's newsletter and they take the application and hold it until Monday 31 August before submitting it to avoid the charges. £30 cashback too!

My recommendation was E-on EnergyOnline Extra Saver Standing Charge 14 from all the sites I tried.

Don't know about you but I'm old enough to remember when gas came from the Gas Board and similarly for electricity. No competition I know, but boy was it easier!!

Cheers, Steve

markdavey

Quidco are currently offering £80 cashback for a dual-fuel switch to E.ON, hope that stays until the end August when I can then switch from SP as I, too, am on the Fixed Price Energy Online 2009 tariff

deanos

Im also on "Scottish Power Fixed Price Energy Online NSC" but when i signed there was definately no cancelation fee, i think they changed in a few days before it ended and added in a cancelation fee ?

EDIT: Found the paperwork, mine is fixed until March 2011 and a £85 saving over a year if i switch,is it worth the gamble

donny-gal

I am the same as you deanos on FPE Online NSC 2011, I am struggling to find a comparison site which actually seems to know my tarrif, when I select one without 2011 it says I save but when I look at the prices Electricity may be a little cheaper but Gas certainly isn't.

DG

deanos

I used energy helpline, on the drop down list its the one near the bottom

"online fixed price energy no standing charge" is the one im pretty sure

Scottish_Power

Hi Trdriver,

Sorry to hear you have received confusing information regarding the expiry of your fixed rate offer. We do have a number of tariffs that mature at different times and I can only assume the agent you spoke to perhaps confused one with another.

If you still need clarification feel free to PM me your details and I will have a look and give you a definite answer.

Craig @ ScottishPower

dgibby

I too have contacted Scottish Power by e-mail and have received the following reply

"I can confirm you are on the Fixed Price Energy Online tariff and that the end date of the contract is 31st August 2009.

If you break the contract before the end date you will have to pay £30.00 for Electricity and £20.00 for Gas as a cancellation fee."

This goes against the MSE overview which probably needs updating. I did a price comparison yesterday and I'll be better off on the EDF tariff but think I'll wait until last week of August to start the ball rolling of switching.