bg duel fuel price protection 2010-what next?

number9

Our current british gas deal is nearing its end. We are not sure what to do next. I looked on a comparison site which gave us prices that ranged from £218 pa more (first utility) than at present based on our estimated usage. BG came in at £282 or so more on the new websave v5. (Gas c 25000kwh Elec 7300kwh)

Has anyone had any luck obtaining better deals directly with BG? They have been trying to get in touch with me recently but I thought I'd try and find out how others have got on before negotiating.

:question:

Joyful

Like you I am on PP 2010. We are currently paying about 60% less than the standard rate so it will be a shock for most come April next year. I am assuming that nearer the time BG will release a new PP plan but don't think it will be this good!

I have prepared for the shock by overpaying now so I get used to it. Whichever Company you choose their will be a big increase but BG will not be able to tell you now what will be available then.

number9

BG put our monthly charge up from £59 to £104 per month without the courtesy of an explanation. This will be "money in the bank" against future costs but is poor customer service.

Cardew

Those of us on PP 2010 have another four and a half months on our tariff and by then the winter will be over.

We really have to wait and see how the market is looking during May 2010.

Joyful

number9 wrote: »

BG put our monthly charge up from £59 to £104 per month without the courtesy of an explanation. This will be "money in the bank" against future costs but is poor customer service.

Sorry too early in the morning. I thanked you instead of quoting you.

You would always be advised of an increase in advance. This is usually because there would be a shortfall at the end of your 12 month payment plan. If you do not understand why please ask and it will be explained.

DirectDebacle

Cardew wrote: »

Those of us on PP 2010 have another four and a half months on our tariff and by then the winter will be over.

We really have to wait and see how the market is looking during May 2010.

As a temporary measure to give you a bit more 'thinking time', bear in mind that npower charge only 46kWh per month at the higher price for their two tier (no standing charge) gas. This applies from 1st May until the end of September then they charge the high unit rates aggressively for the winter.

I am not a fan of npower but their summer gas prices will probably be hard to beat.

1carminestocky

IMO this is not going to be anything as bad as it could have been/should be. IIRC the BG PP April 2010 tariff was introduced BEFORE the advent of online tariffs as it was based (loosely) on the BG standard rate at the time. If you check out the switching sites now it would appear that the cheapest online tariffs are 'only' 20% or so more than you have been paying for the last 4 years plus. But how much have gas and electric prices in general increased by during that time frame? Certainly more than 20%, that's for sure.

1carminestocky

Joyful wrote: »

Like you I am on PP 2010. We are currently paying about 60% less than the standard rate so it will be a shock for most come April next year. I am assuming that nearer the time BG will release a new PP plan but don't think it will be this good!

I have prepared for the shock by overpaying now so I get used to it. Whichever Company you choose their will be a big increase but BG will not be able to tell you now what will be available then.

A bit of BG employee spin, surely. Approx what %tage of the people on BG PP 2010 will be transferring to any comapny's standard rate, let alone BGs would you estimate? Check out my post above - the increase will be nowhere near as great as it could have been if people use their noggins.

Joyful

I cannot answer your question as I have no idea. My post was not a spin. It was taken about 3 months ago from info on the company web showing the savings or not all the different plans made from the beginning of sign up till then. I was looking to see how much I had to calculate for my bills from April 2010. It showed now I am paying 60% less than the standard charge. Based on this I thought I would start getting used to the amount and have built up a good credit.

1carminestocky

Joyful wrote: »

I cannot answer your question as I have no idea. My post was not a spin. It was taken about 3 months ago from info on the company web showing the savings or not all the different plans made from the beginning of sign up till then. I was looking to see how much I had to calculate for my bills from April 2010. It showed now I am paying 60% less than the standard charge. Based on this I thought I would start getting used to the amount and have built up a good credit.

Why would you need to get used to an amount 60% higher than what you are currently paying when it is entirely possible to sign up for a tariff that will probably only be 20% higher? Are you seriously thinking about going onto BGs standard tariff next April? :eek:

Joyful

Of course I will not go onto any companies standard Tariff but it is very probable that I will stay with BG. Like everyone though I will assess the situation and savings to be made from all companies next year nearer the time. As things change so much in the industry all I wanted to know was in the worst case scenario what I would be paying. I am not sure that I believe any companies will be 40% lower than BG though. Time will tell when I check in March.