MASSIVE EDF PRICE HIKES (from August 2010)

KimYeovil

I don't know - those three are all listed on uSwitch. I guess we can't always blame a newbie when he doesn't select the correct tariff from the comparison site and complains about varying results.

Cardew

KimYeovil wrote: »

Do keep up. What's so confusing about that?

(At least with nPower SOLs 1 to 19 you can easily keep track of what tariff you are on. )

.

When you enter BG as your present company on energyhelpline it gives you a choice of 41 tariffs to select that are still in force!!!

myothercarisaferrari

if in doubt over any of the tariffs call EDF on 0800 096 9000 - its free ;-)

*depressed*

The online saver version tariffs are the newest tariffs, you can switch your tariff anytime without a fee, the fees are payable if you are changing supplier

All fixed tariffs have an end date your contract details for the tariff will have been explained online or over the phone however you changed to this tariff, if you have kept any of the information from when you chose that tariff it will tell you the dates etc, but also surely everyone knows a fixed tariff has an end date, its in the news all of the time when relating anything to energy :S

Oh and you have to be put on a standard tariff automatically, you cant just be put on to the cheapest tariff available as these will have penalty charges so a contract has to be agreed for each one of these, a standard tariff is just that, standard prices no particular discounts apart from direct debit and dual fuel but at the same time no tie in fees

x

Monkfish_2

It seems to me that setting expiry dates on variable tariffs is a way for energy suppliers to move people across to higher tariffs without them realising... especially the elderly. It's a bit like the cynical ploy that banks adopted to introduce higher interest accounts to attract new customers, but then slowly reduced the rate hoping those savers wouldn't notice: eventually introducing a new account with a higher rate to attract new customers again. I was annoyed by this letter from EDF because it was sent to my 80-year-old parents. When I asked them what the letter was about, they said that EDF were reducing their prices. This set alarm bells ringing so I read the letter for myself. Pensioners are ripped off right-left-and-centre in this country... probably because some of them had the sense to save their money.

st999

especially the elderly

That phrase annoys me, not all elderly people are in their dotage.

My sister is 68 and has just bought a computer and is going to college to learn all about it.

Stan

matthew57

Monkfish is obviously not claiming all elderly people are in their dotage. He is just asking for more clarity and transparancy, which would lead to less confusion for everyone. What's the problem with that?

KimYeovil

matthew57 wrote: »

Monkfish is obviously not claiming all elderly people are in their dotage. He is just asking for more clarity and transparancy, which would lead to less confusion for everyone. What's the problem with that?

But he is implying such an insult - he implies that elderly people are more likely to be as thick as the idiots who don't understand what a cheap energy tariff is. Normal compos people know a bargain deal expires on a certain date. Normal compos people know to check what tariff they will be defaulted to. Normal compos people know standard tariffs are more expensive.

I have checked the EDF standard tariff - it is not particularly expensive compared to other standard tariffs.

Dave_save

*depressed* wrote: »

The online saver version tariffs are the newest tariffs, you can switch your tariff anytime without a fee, the fees are payable if you are changing supplier

All fixed tariffs have an end date your contract details for the tariff will have been explained online or over the phone however you changed to this tariff, if you have kept any of the information from when you chose that tariff it will tell you the dates etc, but also surely everyone knows a fixed tariff has an end date, its in the news all of the time when relating anything to energy :S

Oh and you have to be put on a standard tariff automatically, you cant just be put on to the cheapest tariff available as these will have penalty charges so a contract has to be agreed for each one of these, a standard tariff is just that, standard prices no particular discounts apart from direct debit and dual fuel but at the same time no tie in fees

x

I was on EDF online DF v5 and received the same letter telling me I'd benefitted from a 'great deal' and saved myself a small fortune. (Made me feel like I'd cheated EDF out of some of their profits). Now I was to be placed on their standard tariff. Must admit I didn't realise this particular tariff had an end date. (Incidentally, EDF Online DF v5 was a variable tariff not a fixed one.)

Fortunately for me I'd already made the move to another supplier without any penalty. And the fixed deal with the new supplier beats all of the EDF tariffs for my particular usage.

moggsy

KimYeovil wrote: »

But he is implying such an insult - he implies that elderly people are more likely to be as thick as the idiots who don't understand what a cheap energy tariff is. Normal compos people know a bargain deal expires on a certain date. Normal compos people know to check what tariff they will be defaulted to. Normal compos people know standard tariffs are more expensive.

I have checked the EDF standard tariff - it is not particularly expensive compared to other standard tariffs.

Nice!

The expiry date on this particular 'bargain' tariff wasn't made clear and even if it had why does the letter not simply state that your 'bargain' tariff has come to an end so we will be transferring you to the standard one.

It's a tricksy letter which annoyed me when I read it because I know it will confuse people - elderly or otherwise.

There's just no need for this kind of slippery behaviour. I suspect marketing departments get some sort of perverse kick out of composing such letters but it's really not on.