Utility Warehouse (Telecom Plus) Discussion

Cardew

laurieshrimp wrote: »

" I can understand it can be very tempting to switch to another supplier based on anonline quote, however this can be very deceiving.

If you are or in future looking to change suppliers the only way you can evaluate the costs is by comparing the unit rates and standing charge.

Firstly, it is incorrect that 'unit rates and standing charge' are the 'only way' to evaluate costs. In fact it a poor way to achieve that aim.

When the annual consumption in kWh is entered into any of the comparison websites you will get an accurate 'evaluation' of the cost to provide that gas/electricity.

This includes the various methods companies use for their 'standing charge' - tier system or daily standing charge. Importantly it also includes the discounts for payment by DD, dual fuel etc etc.

For example, enter the average UK consumption of 16,500kWh gas and 3,300kWh electricity and all the tariffs are listed in price order.

Doing this for my area(Midlands) it lists 74 tariffs. The cheapest is £1,137 and the cheapest Utility Warehouse(UW) tariff is in 57th position at £1,292 so 13.6% more than the cheapest.

I am currently with The Utility Warehouse (not scammers) who Which magazine continually rate as good value.

That quote should be clarified. WHICH do not rate Utility companies. They conduct a reader's survey of gas and electricity companies, and it is not surprising that with some 20,000 UW salesmen(not to mention their families) that they come close to top in such a survey. In fact WHICH makes the point that UW are more expensive.

Indeed read the opening post on this thread by Martin who states:

Unlike most energy companies and resellers Utility Warehouse operates by network marketing which means its customers are encouraged to sell on the product to their friends and they get commission for it.

This tends to mean it does well on feedback charts, as customers have a vested interest, and many of them are evangelical about the firm – and sometimes over claim.

Some years ago the BBC radio used to run a 'Man of the Year' competition where listeners voted for their choice. This was dropped because of 'vote rigging' - enough said!

wongawonga

Its a network marketing business opportunity. Did you think it would free to join then ?

If you follow the link,s to http://www.telecomplus.co.uk/biz/videodir/home.taf their is a video you can watch. Fill in your details you get an info pack e mailed to you.Just tell the person calling your not interested if its not for you.

drbraindead

cheers guys

laurieshrimp

Hi
Some valid points raised. Just goes to show that its not straight forward to make comparisons. No doubt all the Energy companies have there soft and hard advantages. As long as people have the opportunity to get an honest answer and know what they get, job done.
Not a lot of difference between a network of friends if that's the case ,to the salesman on commission, but as long as you have a choice.
Ideally you want a company where the customer comes first, integrity is everything, and delivery is king.

"Fraud is the ready minister of injustice"

Wywth

laurieshrimp wrote: »

Tanks Martin and Crew

Yes, thank you so much Martin :money:

MSE_Martin wrote:

I've never heard Martin Lewis recommending Utility Warehouse, and I've known him for 33 years.

So let's clear this up

Utility warehouse - phones - poor.
Mobiles - ok, but beatible
Gas & Elec, can be best for some, but use comparison services to find out, all comparison sites should include UW in my opinion, but then they should also include British Gas, doesn't mean im recommending either. I recommend using comparison services, and the ones I recommend do include UW

Overall. I don't buy the all products in one place arguement, you're far better with standalones. UW is a network marketing company that sells based on resellers evangelising. That makes is a powerful sales issue, but overall, the only reason for using it would be i. Gas & Elec, if the comparison services says its cheaper and the fees are taken into account.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/797060#Comment_797060

Emanuele_Ciriachi

By the way, I have now found the Master Socket in my house and connected the router to it (old one). Latency has improved to ~31ms, Upstream to ~0.8 Mbits, but downstream is still stuck to around 4.5 Mbits. Will give it some time and install the new router, after which I will consider to change ISP.

MillicentBystander

Wywth wrote: »

Yes, thank you so much Martin :money:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/797060#Comment_797060

That quote is almost 8 years old I await Martin's remarks regarding Spark Energy and your subsequent 'interesting' response to them. Fact is, UW is great for some people and not for others. A bit like just about ALL energy companies, I guess. Don't actually see the problem with that, to be entirely honest. But at least it makes for an exciting thread.

Wywth

MillicentBystander wrote: »

That quote is almost 8 years old I await Martin's remarks regarding Spark Energy and your subsequent 'interesting' response to them. Fact is, UW is great for some people and not for others. A bit like just about ALL energy companies, I guess. Don't actually see the problem with that, to be entirely honest. But at least it makes for an exciting thread.

Maybe, but the essence of the post is still valid today as illustrated in the latest MSE article on switching supplier (last updated 22 Nov 2012)

Is Utility Warehouse any good?
This is a commonly-asked question. Unlike most energy companies and resellers, Utility Warehouse operates by network marketing, which means its customers are encouraged to sell on the product to their friends and they get commission for it.

This tends to mean it does well on feedback charts, as customers have a vested interest, and many of them are evangelical about the firm. That in itself doesn't make the product bad, but in our view it's no better or worse than any other energy provider.

Utility Warehouse's prices are included in all the main comparison services we list. So if the company turns out to be cheapest for you, it should be listed by them, and then it's worth going for.

The main pitch of Utility Warehouse is that you can also get cheap mobile, broadband and home phones with it and that reduces the fee. In general, we find using the cheapest individual providers undercuts this, so always compare with those before signing up to it. See the Cheap Home Phones, Cheap Broadband and Cheap Mobiles guides for more.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/you-switch-gas-electricity

As regards comments on any other supplier Martin may feel the need to make, I'm sure they will be equally thought out, and constructive in content

:money:

brookchris

The Cheap Energy Club looks like a great idea. My supplier, Utility Warehouse, is not on the drop down list.

Is it ever likely to be on? I'm keen to see if I am on the best tariff.

penrhyn

UW is usually fairly low down on the comparison sites. Have you scrolled down far enough?
Should be shown as Telecom Plus