scottish power

violetta

BigTezza wrote: »

One niggle is that I can seemlessly drift on to the SP Capped scheme when the current deal ends but I can't arrange to move to the Discounted tariff in advance if I decide that's the one for me. Why won't they let me say "OK, when this deal ends on 31/8 just put me on the Discounted July 2010 tariff."??? As it's all with the same company I find this rather odd but then when it comes to this energy malarkey and trying to compare all the deals around they seem to go out of their way to make it all as nonsensical as possible!!

This is what makes me suspicious that there may be a better deal in existence at SP - they seem too keen to get us all onto the Capped Price Energy September 2010 through inertia. Why not tell us all the options and let us decide for ourselves, and incorporate a button in the email to click through to opt for our choice after consideration?

I am also suspicious that they may bring in a better deal after 1st September that we need to look out for on their website.

ezhiks

violetta wrote: »

... and incorporate a button in the email to click through to opt for our choice after consideration?

In the e-mail I just received from them there is a link to click through and reject the new offer. Having said that I wish I knew what to do. At the moment I've no idea, the words 'should I stay or should I go' keep running through my head.

It seems more difficult every year as they obfuscate the rates to deliberately make it hard to choose the cheapest supplier or tariff.

violetta

ezhiks wrote: »

In the e-mail I just received from them there is a link to click through and reject the new offer.

The button in the email is just to reject the new capped offer and instead opt for standard monthly Direct Debit. I was thinking that rather than just this option (which is probably the dearest option) they should give us several buttons, to include all the options, with a link to details of each, to provide full information on all the schemes so we can choose the right one for us, rather than having to default to the standard monthly Direct Debit whilst we consider the options.

Unless there are no other choices!

We could do with some guidance from the Scottish Power Representative who posts on these boards (please)

BigTezza

To make matters worse it seems that some of the tariffs quoted differ between the website and what they tell you when you actually call them. I got the tariff breakdown for the Discounted July 2010 a couple of weeks ago when I called them but as far as energyhelpline.com is concerned (and maybe others) the tariff rate seems to have changed. :mad:

I think I'll probably opt out of the Capped deal via the link in their email. given that there's a penalty if you switch (which I think is a really nasty thing to do to customers) there's no alternative but to let the current deal ride out and look again at what deals are around on 30/31 August. If SP have the best then I guess you just call them again and ask to be put on that tariff and if they're not the best then begin the switching process as 12.01 am on 31/8!

I'm confused as hell frankly but can't see any other course of action.

robt7893

The thing that bugs me is ther is nowhere that you can go to get clear cut answers to any questions you may have, i am twenty or so days away from the end of my fixed rate and i still have no idea of what i'm going to end up paying for my gas & elect, surely that can't be fair.

robt7893

as long as there is no tye in clause (ie yearly contract) on there monthly direct debit scheme i wouldn't put it past them!!

ezhiks

violetta wrote: »

... they should give us several buttons, to include all the options, with a link to details of each, to provide full information on all the schemes so we can choose the right one for us...(please)

Yes I totally agree, that would enable us all easily to get on the best SP tariff, but that would be in the customers best interest, not in SPs best interest.

It's a shame they try so hard to confuse and make it difficult, if they really do offer a good competitive tariff they would do well to be honest up front with clear rates that are easily comparable.

violetta

The Scottish Power Company Representative was actually reading this board this morning whilst we have been discussing this (has gone now, or at least little green light is off). I hope they have gone away to get more info for us - and hopefully just not commenting because it is not in Scottish Power's best interests to point us in the right direction!

Toxteth_OGrady

Interestingly, if you use Scottish Power's own internal tariff price comparison (as they tend to advise in emails to customers, to find their cheapest tariff) http://www.theenergypeople.com/getHomePage.do neither the Capped Price Energy September 2010 nor the Online Energy Saver 6 tariffs show.

Both these tariffs still exist, so I suspect SP is deliberately trying to mislead customers.

BigTezza

I just thought I'd try moneysupermarket.com to see what they had (is it just me or is Peter Jones simply not as funny as he thinks he is?!?) and the vast majority of tariffs in the results list are from Scottish Power. Online Discounted This, Discounted That, Online Best Tariff for People With Blonde Hair, If You Have a Slight Limp Tariff - it just goes on and on!! How on earth is a customer supposed to choose? I can appreciate them wanting to get market coverage but this is silly.

Well, I've taken my life in my hands and clicked the Opt Out button on the Capped Deal. It's in the lap of the Gods now I guess.

On a slightly different subject (while I'm on the Grumpy Box) when are fuel companies going to realise that there are seasons in the year? Every year, come Spring I get a statement from my supplier telling me that my direct debit will have to double because I've used more fuel than expected (it's called 'Winter' guys) and then later in the year they want to reduce it again because I've used less than they thought I would....over the summer. And they always phrase the letter so that it reads as if they're doing ME a favour! For God's sake get a grip.

Sorry - just wanted to get that off of my chest....climbing off the Grumpy Box now.