Scottish Power, weren't prices supposed to go down?

Little_Maya

I submitted an online reading yesterday and have just noticed on my bill that the price of the primary gas units has actually gone up (price change on 31/3) from 3.884p (per kwh, exc. vat) to 4.699p. Is this some kind of mistake? Aren't companies supposed to inform customers of an increase? Nice touch to reduce the price of of secondary units from 3.110 to 2.965p now that we're at a time of year where these will not be used. Could one of the Scottish Power please confirm the new primary units price? I am unfortunately tied in until the end of July, but if the new price is correct I will be switching on 1st August...

Premier_2

Presumably you are on the discounted energy July 2010 tariff and are in the London region?

The tariff provides you with a 3% discount on the standard monthly DD prices.

The latest standard tariffs are available here:
http://www.scottishpower.co.uk/mediaassets/doc/SCP1492%20MARCH%202010%20for%20Web%20(2).pdf

For London region with a 3% discount I calculate the charges as 4.698p and 2.965p.

Little_Maya

Yeah good guess Great, so unless my maths are way out, my primary units price has actually gone up by roughly 20% since the 31st, how kind of them. No point in me switching now as I am a low user and the exit fee would wipe out the savings I'd make. Interestingly I've just worked out that with the prompt payment discount, I'd actually be better off on their standard tariff and paying quarterly... Hard-pressed to see how I could reduce my use further to make up for the increase now that the heating is off, as the HW is only on for 20 minutes a day, and whatever I use for cooking.

Little_Maya

Ok so did some more calculations: using the last 12 months usage, my annual gas bill at the new price would be £288, at the old price it was £267... Electricity bill would go down slightly though.

So I have 2 realistic options:
1) wait until the end of the tie-in and go onto the standard pay quarterly tariff which would save about £50/year with the prompt payment discount. A big plus is that I wouldn't be tied in and could switch whenever
2) switch now to NPower "Sign Online 17" through Quidco, seems to be a single-rate with standing charge tariff so no seasonal loading to take into account, the £80 cashback would cover my exit fee (£50) and a little bit more. Savings would be around £60 over a year, but would need to wait 12 months to see the discount.

Not sure what to do now, somehow doesn't quite seem to be worth switching ...if anyone has any opinions/suggestions, please let me know