A few questions for the Scottish Power rep

Little_Maya

I am currently on the Online Discounted July 2010 tariff. From what I can tell, my tariff will revert to the standard (monthly DD) rates on 1st July. As I am a low user, it turns out that the best for me is actually the NSC Online Standard tariff with quarterly DD due to the prompt payment discounts. So, list of questions

1) I assume I can just change my tariff online from within "My Account" on 1st July?

2) Will my direct debit be automatically amended from monthly to quarterly or will I need to cancel the current one and set up a new one?

3) My account will be in credit at the end of the month, won't be a huge amount but what happens to that - will it just be carried forward as credit on the new tariff?

4) Other than the annual prompt payment discounts of £100 for gas and £50 for electricity, could you please confirm what other discounts (if any) would apply. I assume there'd be something for dual fuel and something for managing my account online?

5) I know that the prompt payment discounts are applied restrospectively to the next bill rather than the current one. If at some point I switch to another provider, would the discount be applied to my final bill?

I think that's all for now

dogshome

Hi Little Maya - Your useage must be very low for a Quarterly payment tariff to offer a saving over one with monthly D/Debit payments. Have a look at the last years bills and see what your annual consumption actually was - It might just be that you would be better off with Ebico

Little_Maya

The absolute cheapest for me would be to take my electricity to NPower and leave the gas with SP on the quarterly DD (it's the £100 annual prompt payment discount which makes it worth it) which I'll probably do at some point. My usage for the last year was 7800 kwh gas and 1600 kwh electricity

Scottish_Power

Hi Little Maya

Thank you for your query. I will be more than happy to assist.

1. Yes. Just log onto your account and go to "Change My Service".
2. You will not need to cancel your original Direct Debit as we will change this for you.
3. Your credit will remain on the account and be put towards your future consumption. If you would like the credit refunded to you then this can also be arranged and will be sent to you by cheque.
4. You will receive an annual discount of £10.50 for have both gas and electricity with us and also £15.75 for managing your account online.
5. No. Your final bill will be issued to you and on reciept of the full balance we will apply the prompt pay discount. If the account is finalised then this credit will be returned to you.

I have provided the link to our standard pricing leaflet. Have a look at your area and compare the monthly Direct Debit rates against the quarterly Direct Debit rates.

http://cww.css.scottishpower.plc.uk/css/products/pricing/current_prices/standard.pdf

Please let me know if you have any further questions.

Kind Regards

Colin @ ScottishPower

Scottish_Power

Hi Little Maya

Just some additional information regarding point 4:

4. The annual discount for having gas and electricity with ScottishPower is increased to £16.80 (inc VAT) if you are paying monthly by Direct Debit.

Kind Regards

Colin @ ScottishPower

Little_Maya

Many thanks Colin

All pretty straightforward then. I'll leave the credit in the account, as I've said it's not going to be a huge amount anyway. Thanks for the link, I've already done comparisons using various sites and inputting prices in my own spreadsheet etc ... quarterly works out cheaper whichever way I look at it