Martin's on Talkback re Airtricity

cultchie

I've been with Airtricity since last Nov and they've saved me about £11 per month on average. That was the no-tie-in variable 14% offer which would be ending in November so I called today and wanted to know if I could sign up for the new deal (14% year1 8% year2), expecting 8 % from Novemeber. Pleasantly surprised that I can enter the full 2 year new deal now.

BTW PowerNI Direct Debit and Paperless discount = 4% so Aitricity actually = 14-4 = 10% year1! Still very good.

First they confirmed this is not a variable rate, rather the unit price is fixed at 12.31p (exVAT) for year1 and then 13.71p (exVAT) for year2 so with PowerNI price hikes looming I signed up for the 2 years. It's fixed so it's gonna save me more than 10%, that's why I'm not waiting to November.

There is a £50 exit fee in year1 and £25 in year2.
There is again also a 1 year deal, like last years but I believe that is variable and so when prices go up you get hit, so I went with 2 year.

Also asked if I decide to move house but keep Airtricity, they confirmed no additional fees.

It's great to give PowerNI a kick up the **** for ripping us off for so many years.

Found another piece of info the web that claims that PowerNI are not allowed to adjust their pricing for while until Airtricity can establish a good customer base, making it a more customer service focused decision for people later. I suspect this limitation on PowerNI will end in a little while and that is why airtricity are contracting customers in now!

Keep er lit

mumoffour77

There is a new provider breaking into the market here in NI

Budget energy.... its on the other thread!!
(just before you tie yourself into anything have a look)

Golden_Anemone

cultchie wrote: »

First they confirmed this is not a variable rate, rather the unit price is fixed at 12.31p (exVAT) for year1 and then 13.71p (exVAT) for year2 so with PowerNI price hikes looming I signed up for the 2 years. It's fixed so it's gonna save me more than 10%, that's why I'm not waiting to November.

Thanks for this. Did they definitely confirm the price would be fixed? I understood their promise was that the discount was fixed - ie a guaranteed percentage below NIE's price.

If it's the former the 2 year deal does look very attractive indeed given the anticipated 20% increase being predicted for NIE.

martin57

Just signed up to the new provider budget engery myself, and have a new thread about it here.


https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3430053


martin57

cultchie

I did confirm this on the phone that the tariff itself is fixed. The lady did put me on hold while she checked, so I hope she is right. I might phone again tomorrow just to have that confirmed as there is a cooling period of 10 days that I could use if she was incorrect. Infact I think I will email them to get it in writiing.

Golden_Anemone

Please share the answer here.

RTNI

I called to ask about the unit rate and was told that the unit rate was variable but there will still be the advertised saving compared to NIE - so conflicting information there compared to cultchie's conversation with sales advisor.

rolo1_2

We signed up early August (Keypad) and have heard nothing since, we were told we would get an email & phone call to inform us when the switch will happen, but not a sausage.............. lack of communication from Airtricity seems to be their main flaw.
I know they may have a backlog but they should not say they will email within a few days if they have no intention of doing so.
Unbelievably we have had two calls since signing up, from Airtricity sales reps asking if we are interested in switching to them!!! - does not fill me with confidence.......................................

cultchie

Got fed up waiting on email so call today.
Airticity confirmed it is actually the Discount that is fixed and not the actual unit price therefore when prices rise so will mine! Darn, I knew it sound too good to be true.
Now considering moving to Budget Energy, as I believe I have a 10 day cooling off period? Can anyone confirm this as I cannot find it in the TnCs?

Golden_Anemone

Thanks for letting us know cultchie.