Utility Warehouse (Telecom Plus) Discussion

TwittersPVFC

I don't trust the UW figures on uSwitch as they aren't accurate. However, my figures did include 5% VAT as I calculated the amount then multiplied it by 1.05 to get the desired amount.

Cardew

OK let us have some real figures for this low user! The profile that is supposed to favour UW.

(Midlands district using 10,000kWh gas and 2,100kWh electricity.)

From Energyhelpline, the cheapest tariff costs £596 and UW is in 25th position(30th if you count fixed tariffs) and costs £714 so UW is 19.79% more expensive.

Ah but the UW salesmen(and sympathisers!) plead that we should exclude internet tariffs(slightly ironically as we are on an internet forum).

So taking this low consumption user who is not on the internet or doesn’t want to use it(the traditionalist!) the cheapest non-internet tariff is £632 and UW still £714 and now promoted to 14th place.

So this trump card customer for UW salesmen is only £82(12.97%) worse off with UW.

However all is not what it seems! For that £714:

1. It only includes paperless billing(how does that work if you are not on the internet?) You want paper bills – pay £12 extra.

2. Now the traditionalist gas and electricity customer might want to pay on receipt of bills – like they always did. That will be another £71 a year.

3. The multi-named troll has pointed at various times(using his various identities!) the iniquities of Npower’s discount only being given after 12 months; something about which most of us agree. So what about UW’s discount – this quote from Energyhelpline:

The dual fuel discount is only paid at the end of each year and is subject to a clawback if you leave within the next 3 months.
All standing charges are charged monthly upfront and then unit rates are charged monthly in arrears - most suppliers charge for all things monthly or quarterly in arrears.

4.

Oh yes you have to actually pay £10 for the application to join:

For the application process you will be charged £10 which will be netted off your first bill

So here we have the ideal profile of a UW customer. Low consumption – well below average, Not on the internet – but gets paperless bills as standard, paying an extra 10% if he wants to pay on receipt of bill. Above all still paying way more than he needs.

Of course if he were on the internet and had the normal UK consumption he would save £hundreds over UW prices.

Is that research OK for you Janninew?

P.S.
Still not convinced about our multi-named friend?

TwittersPVFC

In UW's defence, I don't think comparison sites provide a correct tariff cost for UW

Cardew

TwittersPVFC wrote: »

In UW's defence, I don't think comparison sites provide a correct tariff cost for UW

Why not?

All of them give the same prices I think.

MillicentBystander

Twitters, for God's sake don't 'go over to the dark side' man, you do know this whole 'UW is the devil incarnate' is Cardew's whole reason for being?

Edit: (Obviously!) back from my Quiz Night. Here's one of the (13 out of 20 ) we DID get right (can't think why, lol).

WITHOUT USING GOOGLE!

Q: The surname of the referee who officiated at the 1878 FA Cup Final has lent its name to a popular 'nickname' for referees in the modern game. It's become a bit of chant at matches, if that's not too much of a clue.

Meeper

Cardew wrote: »

Why not?

All of them give the same prices I think.

Try it yourself if you don't believe it. Use uswitch, energyhelpine, or whatever. I have not come across a website yet which gives the same costs as those which come as a result of taking the numbers firect from source and doing the calculations.

MillicentBystander

TwittersPVFC wrote: »

In UW's defence, I don't think comparison sites provide a correct tariff cost for UW

I think we do need to look at this in the cold light of day, I'm no use at the moment because I've had a few pints of Dublin's finest but rudimentary investigations just now would suggest there are grounds for having another look at this. Hic.

MillicentBystander

TwittersPVFC wrote: »

I don't trust the UW figures on uSwitch as they aren't accurate. However, my figures did include 5% VAT as I calculated the amount then multiplied it by 1.05 to get the desired amount.

The figures on uswitch are waaaaayyyy out! But if Cardew believes all comparison sites state the same amount I would be interested to see his figures....

janninew

Cardew wrote: »

Well spotted about the VAT Swanjon. Also what about the monthly UW membership fee - was that taken into account?

Also as I said above, to get any favourable comparison - but not the cheapest, UW users have to:

1. Have low consumption.

2. Not be on the internet.

3. Are not allowed to pay on receipt of bill - I believe there is a 10% additional charge if you don't pay by DD. ??

4. Janninew, any comment? or will the multi-named troll answer for you?

I have no idea sorry, I always paid by direct debit.

janninew

I'm sure a poster on here works for a rival company, do you have any idea Quentin? You usually notice and point out when poster's don't follow the rules!!