MSE News: British Gas ignores hundreds of thousands in new PR stunt

riciticitavi

tonysbt wrote: »

Could someone tell me in simple terms how much better off I would be if I changed from Standard Dual Fuel (direct debit) to one of the online options.

Thanks.
Tony

There isn't a simple way of saying how much better off you will be, just that you will. There are regional variations in price, the amount you use, whether you are in the suppliers 'area', it's best to do a comparison on an unbiased site to make the decision. However for the purpose of your question, the difference between online and standard can be as much as 15% depending on the supplier so definately worth switching.

Joyful

I have just signed up for it and I believe I am on the cheapest tariff of all ( or now) 2010. Although I always correct any estimated bills this will make me more concious of my gas consumption being able to generate info monthly ( too lazy to manually calculate)lol.

I already have an electricity monitor and in the last year have reduced my consumption by a third.

I don't know why people are getting upset ( unless they cannot go on this). For putting a reading in monthly you get something free and cash back. Perfect if you want to stay with the company. Considering how many complaints the industry has about estimated billing it's helping people to be responsible( especially if they have not been up to now).

Bark01

Joyful wrote: »

I have just signed up for it and I believe I am on the cheapest tariff of all ( or now) 2010. Although I always correct any estimated bills this will make me more concious of my gas consumption being able to generate info monthly ( too lazy to manually calculate)lol.

I already have an electricity monitor and in the last year have reduced my consumption by a third.

I don't know why people are getting upset ( unless they cannot go on this). For putting a reading in monthly you get something free and cash back. Perfect if you want to stay with the company. Considering how many complaints the industry has about estimated billing it's helping people to be responsible( especially if they have not been up to now).

If your on price cap 2010 then you can probably save ~10% by going with a competitors online or even more if you are are on price promise 2010. This amount would be more than enough to cover the cost of buying the meter yourself.

Just based the savings on typical df and obviously don't know what kind of staff discount you'd get.

I'm on click energy 6 for elec and websaver 2 for gas, becaused BG messed up my switch over and put me on core gas. This stops me going a free energysmart meter.

greenbee

Bark01 wrote: »

If your on price cap 2010 then you can probably save ~10% by going with a competitors online or even more if you are are on price promise 2010. This amount would be more than enough to cover the cost of buying the meter yourself.

Just based the savings on typical df and obviously don't know what kind of staff discount you'd get.

I'm on click energy 6 for elec and websaver 2 for gas, becaused BG messed up my switch over and put me on core gas. This stops me going a free energysmart meter.

I'm on click 6 and am eligible for the offer (it arrived yesterday and I'm trying to ignore the screen as I work my way through a laundry mountain while working from home!) - I can't see how your gas tariff makes a difference as the meter is for electricity. It might be worth checking.

Bark01

greenbee wrote: »

I can't see how your gas tariff makes a difference as the meter is for electricity. It might be worth checking.

Just checked and they won't do it unless I change my Gas tariff. At my consumption this would cost me an extra £50 a year, so going back to Joyfuls post - this is why its annoying and the point of theis MSE article. It excludes me from the offer as it would be cheaper to just but the device from amazon.

Chrysalis

Cardew wrote: »

The only point you are missing is the fixation people have about Direct Debits and the irrational fear that a company 'is making money from them' by setting the DD too high.

It is perfectly obvious that many people simply do not understand the Direct Debit system.

One thing is certain. When some people get an(actual) gas bill for £100+ for a single month in winter(just after Xmas) there will be uproar on this forum "BG are robbing B******s - I only paid £40 a month with npower/edf/eon etc";)

is indeed a big problem, lots of people look at how much their DD is and thats it. They seem to not check bills and only care about what is leaving their bank account every month, even tho they maybe under paying for their usage. It seems to be a very common tactic for suppliers to wue customers with deliberatly too low DD's and then later raise them to play catch up.

Joyful

Bark01 wrote: »

If your on price cap 2010 then you can probably save ~10% by going with a competitors online or even more if you are are on price promise 2010. This amount would be more than enough to cover the cost of buying the meter yourself.

Just based the savings on typical df and obviously don't know what kind of staff discount you'd get.

I'm on click energy 6 for elec and websaver 2 for gas, becaused BG messed up my switch over and put me on core gas. This stops me going a free energysmart meter.

I am on fixed price 2010 since 2005. No one can beat this! I'm currently paying 60% less than BG's standard price:D \Of course that will change in April.

Cardew

Joyful wrote: »

I am on fixed price 2010 since 2005. No one can beat this! I'm currently paying 60% less than BG's standard price:D \Of course that will change in April.

Joyful,
Not like you to get something wrong!(and a BG employee to boot;))

There are four '2010' BG tariffs.

Price Promise 2010
Price Guarantee 2010
Fixed Price 2010
Price Protection April 2010.

You, I believe, like myself are on Price Protection April 2010 which started in late 2005 and as you say is the cheapest tariff of any company.

Like you I will be loking for a new tariff on 01 May 2010!!!