Ending fixed tariff before anniversary

b56c

I signed up to a fixed tariff last winter and the deal will come to an end in October. Do I have to stay with them until then or can I switch at any time?

AndysDad

Not much to go on here as you don't say which company or tariff.You will have to read the T&C's and see what you signed up to in the 1st place.Failing that, post more info and someone can give you more help I'm sure.

b56c

Sorry for not giving enough info. I'm on eon energy saver 4 and since posting my Q i've discovered that it states that there 'may be' a 35 pounds penalty to pay for closing early. What is meant by the word 'may'? How do I know if it will be applied?

It appears by trying a few of the switching sites that it will be better for me to switch, although the rate i'm due to go onto, R1, doesn't appear in the drop down menus. This being the case and if a penalty WILL be applied, when would the best time be to start a switch? Should it be post 1 October, the end of my contract, or can I start now since the actual switch takes several weeks to complete ie do they consider the date I ask to be switched or the date the actual switch takes place?

E.ON_Company_Representative

Hi b56c,

Just to confirm the £35 early cancellation fee will be applied if you change supplier prior to the 1 October 2009. If you change to another E.ON tariff prior to this date, the cancellation fee won’t be applied.

The R1 tariff you have been advised you’ll automatically switch to at the end of your current deal, won’t be available on any of the comparison sites, this is because the R1 tariff is only available to those ending their current fixed tariffs soon, the general public are not able to choose this tariff.

When using the comparison sites now, make sure you choose the correct current product as Energy Saver 4, if you stay with this till the 1 October 2009, and then compare the prices, the R1 tariff will be on the switching sites after the end date, so if comparing then you’ll need to use the R1 prices at this time.

In regards to the date, either way will work, as long as the account end date is after the 1 October 2009. So if you start a transfer away today and the change completes before the 1 Oct, then the charge will apply.

Remember a transfer can take anywhere between 4 and 8 weeks so you can’t be 100% sure what date the transfer will complete.

Brian