Can I change suppliers now?

dingdongavon

We are on a fixed rate for our gas and electric with Eon which ends the 1st of June. seeing as it usually takes about 6 weeks to change suppliers, can I start the process now without incurring a penalty or should I wait a few more weeks?

Thank you in advance.

kjsmith7

It can take 6 weeks, but can also take as little as 4 weeks. Based on that, you can start the process to switch suppliers now, however Eon will very likely offer you another fixed price offer, which they will attempt to automatically move you over to. So, when you receive a 'roll off' letter or new fixed price offer, make sure you opt out of it because you're moving to avoid incurring any further penalties.

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Hi dingdongavon

You need to time a switch so as to make sure the change completes after 1 June 2010. This way, you will not pick up a cancellation fee as your agreement will have ended.

Also, you will have completed the full term of the contract and therefore be eligible for the total amount of contracted discount up to the tariff end date even if this falls within the final bill.

As kjsmith says, switches can go through in as little as 4 weeks. However, I have never known a switch complete in less than 4 weeks so you should be safe starting the process now.

Except for the circumstances described above, we don't give discount on final bills. Therefore, it will be best to make sure the amount of time you remain with us after 1 June 2010 is as little as possible. This will reduce the amount of lost discount on the final bill.

Hope this helps dingdongavon. Give me a shout if you need any more info as will be happy to help.

Malc

dingdongavon

Thank you Kjsmith7 and Malc. Will get started asap. I did have a letter recently to remind us our time was up soon and that we would be moved onto another plan but I don't remeber it saying it was a fixed one.

kjsmith7

General rule of thumb seems to be if you were previously on a fixed price tariff, you'll be moved onto another of the same (or if you were on an online/tracker/discounted tariff, you'll be moved onto the same) - not always guaranteed, but they'll write to you/e-mail you to let you know unit rates, t&cs, etc. You will probably be able to phone and opt out then, if not, telephone the day before your tariff ends to opt out.

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Hi dingdongavon

Once your current Fixonline product ends on 1 June 2010, we will automatically put you on our standard online product unless you tell us differently.

Letters will be sent out before the end date advising the T&C's, prices and discounts.

This is a general online product with a much reduced level of discount. Total discount for dual fuel is 10%.

However, this is not a fixed product and there are no cancellation fees. Therefore, you are free to change tariff/supplier whenever you wish.

Hope this explains what will happen when your current arrangement runs out. Give me a shout if you need any more info as will be happy to help.

Malc

dingdongavon

Thank you Malc, that is very helpful to know

Goodwood3

Hi Malc,

We are also currently on the E-on Fixonline plan which runs till 1st June. We were sent a letter to say we will be moved to the energyonline standard plan. We want to switch to the Fixonline 8 plan but reading our contract, we will be charged the £30 cancellation fee before 1st June. We called today & were told we had to switch to fixonline 8 on 1st June & we couldn't do anything until then.

So this seems to be a fixed product with a cancellation charge which conflicts with your info Malc.

KimYeovil

Goodwood3 wrote: »

So this seems to be a fixed product with a cancellation charge which conflicts with your info Malc.

You have misread his post. Malc was talking about the standard online tariff you would be switched to on 1 June, not your current tariff.

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Goodwood3 wrote: »

Hi Malc,

We are also currently on the E-on Fixonline plan which runs till 1st June. We were sent a letter to say we will be moved to the energyonline standard plan. We want to switch to the Fixonline 8 plan but reading our contract, we will be charged the £30 cancellation fee before 1st June. We called today & were told we had to switch to fixonline 8 on 1st June & we couldn't do anything until then.

So this seems to be a fixed product with a cancellation charge which conflicts with your info Malc.

Hi Goodwood

Sorry for the delay replying, I have been out of the office for the last few days.

Kim is spot on. I was talking about our standard online tariff when I said there are no cancellation fees. Thanks Kim.

This is the tariff we automatically put customers on, unless they tell us otherwise, when their online agreements end.

Your current product (Fixonline) does have a cancellation fee if you break the terms of the agreement before 1 June 2010.

Therefore, if you change tariff after this date, you will avoid the fee.

Hope this makes things clearer Goodwood. Give me a shout if you need any more details as will be happy to help.

Malc