Different services - much of a muchness? (new customer)

blizeH

Hi guys,

I've just ran through some comparison sites (putting high use for both - the house is a 4 bed and unfortunately I like my electrical gadgets and warmth!) and ovo and first:utility come out quite a bit cheaper, but have fairly poor ratings.

EDF, Eon and Sainsburys are all a similar price, whilst my original preferred provider British Gas work out to be the most expensive. Sainsburys is probably my preferred provider since they have Nectar points.

But I'm wondering; gas is gas, and electricity is electricity right? These guys are responsible for the bills etc but I'm hoping I won't even really need to deal with customer services that much, providing every thing's okay? Would it be a bad move just to go with the cheapest?

KimYeovil

blizeH wrote: »

But I'm wondering; gas is gas, and electricity is electricity right? These guys are responsible for the bills etc but I'm hoping I won't even really need to deal with customer services that much, providing every thing's okay? Would it be a bad move just to go with the cheapest?

Yes. That's right. No it wouldn't.

Problems are few and any are trivial (if timely) to resolve. As long as you keep an eye on your meters and on how much you use, how much you pay, and how much you are being asked to pay the customer services are really an unnecessary luxury. But there does not seem to be much correlation between price and customer service in this sector anyway.

Plushchris

In my experience most of the bad things people have to say about any of the energy companies are pretty much self inflicted, accepting lots of estimated bills, not checking if direct debits are covering usage etc.

As Kim says, keep an eye on things and everything should go smoothly with whatever supplier you choose, chhose an online tariff and most of the stuff you can do over the internet without even having to deal with their poor customer service telephone lines.

As far as Ovo is concerned, feedback is lacking really as they have only been going about 8 months so there isnt much known. First Utility launched by saying they would fit smart meters to everyone that signed up to them, they couldnt meet the demand for smart meters so suffered the backlash of people getting upset about them not delivering on their promises.

The way to look at energy companies is the fact that they are all as bad as each other, so you may as well go with whoever is cheapest and just keep an eye on what they are doing.

blizeH

Thanks again guys, just deleted my old post here to ask a quick question...

Is there much benefit from those smart metres? Is it bad that I'm considering trying first:utility over Ovo in the hope they've caught up with the backlog now and could fit one?

It's pretty much between Ovo (green) and first:utility for me now (moving in on Friday, so need it sorted by then)

Plushchris

blizeH wrote: »

Thanks again guys, just deleted my old post here to ask a quick question...

Is there much benefit from those smart metres? Is it bad that I'm considering trying first:utility over Ovo in the hope they've caught up with the backlog now and could fit one?

It's pretty much between Ovo (green) and first:utility for me now (moving in on Friday, so need it sorted by then)

Smart meters are something everyone is going to get sooner or later, the benefit is accurate billing (assuming they fit them and they work) because they are self reading meters.

I've actually just switched to Ovo myself, I was astounded how quickly I got all the info through from them (about 14 hours after applying I got the welcome pack by email which included the DD amounts)

First impressions seem good, I like the way everything is laid out and its quite clear whats going on.

Welcome pack (and bills I believe) is emailed to you in PDF document and looks exactly like it would if you got a paper copy.

I went for the variable rate tariff with Ovo rather than the fixed as for me there wasnt a big difference.

blizeH

Awesome thanks Plush - the Ovo variable is the one I would like to go with too to be honest - won't worry too much about the SmartMeters just yet and wait and see when I get one, hopefully it is sooner rather than later! (despite the house being detached and only 10 years old, the meter is next door, which could be a real pain - would love a smart meter!!)

macman

blizeH wrote: »

Thanks again guys, just deleted my old post here to ask a quick question...

Is there much benefit from those smart metres? Is it bad that I'm considering trying first:utility over Ovo in the hope they've caught up with the backlog now and could fit one?

It's pretty much between Ovo (green) and first:utility for me now (moving in on Friday, so need it sorted by then)

You can't start switching until you have first set up an account with the existing supplier, no no need to panic just yet.

blizeH

Eh? They're with British Gas at the moment, so you mean I have to create an account with them first?! o_O

macman

blizeH wrote: »

Eh? They're with British Gas at the moment, so you mean I have to create an account with them first?! o_O

Yes, you do, you have a deemed account with the existing supplier from the day you move in and switch the gas on.
It takes 4-6 weeks to switch, so you need to create an account to pay for the usage during that period. Once you have an account set up with BG, you can start the switch.

blizeH

Thanks macman, that sounds a bit backwards to me, but oh well - can't comaplin too much, cheers

macman

Why is it backwards? Someone has to pay for the gas and electricity used between your start date and your switch date. You can't switch from BG to any other utility co. until you are already a customer of BG and they know you will be paying them for that period, however brief it may be.