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* Confessions of a complacent EDF customer *
All right. I admit it. We’re victims of our own complacency. And even if many MSErs are already aware of the dangers of such expensive inertia, hopefully this post might just forewarn the newbie or the naïve. . .
Quite by chance today, we came across the MSE news item about EDF’s latest tariff finesse. We’ve been with EDF for four years, having switched to them after a Godawful experience with British Gas. Perhaps because we were so traumatised by that, we’ve been quite happy with EDF: clear billing, great telephone service, no problems at all.
Over the years, our online dual fuel bill has progressively increased. But then, we figured, every other supplier’s charges are increasing anyway. So why bother changing? (Bearing in mind that when we switched from BG to EDF, the hassle was so severe, Energywatch got involved.)
So. . . we’ve watched the prices rise, and gritted our teeth, and when we received this letter from EDF back in January this year we still believed we were going to get a fair deal:
Important changes to your energy account
As an EDF energy customer on our Online V3 tariff, you’ve been benefiting from one of the best deals for some time. But as with all good things, these prices are now coming to an end. A table on the reverse of this letter outlines your new prices, effective from 15 January 2010.
You’re still on a great deal
We’re committed to giving our customers value for money and would like to reassure you that your new prices remain extremely competitive.
OK. Fair enough. We’re “still on a great deal”. Because EDF says so in writing. It’s committed to giving us, EDF customers, value for money.
Today – thanks to the MSE report and forum comments – we decided to do a quick comparison check via one of the switch providers. We currently pay EDF £85 a month for electricity and £65 a month for gas, both by Direct Debit.
Guess what? The comparison table reported that if we switched to a different scheme, we would save £432 a year.
Also guess what? This different scheme is provided by. . . EDF Energy.
For new customers.
Existing customers, to whom EDF has explicitly promised “a great deal” and “extremely competitive prices” do not qualify. So, if they're like us, they must pay over £400 a year MORE for exactly the same service EDF is providing to other customers eslewhere.
For all we know, all UK energy suppliers are as deceitful as EDF Energy. For all we know, every one of 'em is out to rip off £100s per customer account per year whilst sweet-talking ‘em via reassuring letters, the content of which is deceitful verging on downright deception.
This evening, we’ve initiated the switch to Scottish Power. And – thanks entirely to MSE, its staff and forum posters – have been reminded anew that companies ostensibly selling gas and electricity in the UK are companies that actually deal in snake oil.
With the ethics of snake oil salesmen, too.
Our fault, entirely, for not checking energy tariffs before – after all, we always switch car and home insurance providers every year – though as noted, last time we switched energy suppliers, the hassle was unbelievable.
This time, we’re hoping all will go through smoothly. And we’re also kicking ourselves for our complacency. Hopefully, others won’t be as stupid as we’ve been.
Moral: if your energy supplier writes to assure you that "you're still on a great deal" and that it wishes to "reassure you that your new prices remain extremely competitive". . .
Don't for a moment regard that as the truth. Just run, and switch, as fast as you can.
Quite by chance today, we came across the MSE news item about EDF’s latest tariff finesse. We’ve been with EDF for four years, having switched to them after a Godawful experience with British Gas. Perhaps because we were so traumatised by that, we’ve been quite happy with EDF: clear billing, great telephone service, no problems at all.
Over the years, our online dual fuel bill has progressively increased. But then, we figured, every other supplier’s charges are increasing anyway. So why bother changing? (Bearing in mind that when we switched from BG to EDF, the hassle was so severe, Energywatch got involved.)
So. . . we’ve watched the prices rise, and gritted our teeth, and when we received this letter from EDF back in January this year we still believed we were going to get a fair deal:
Important changes to your energy account
As an EDF energy customer on our Online V3 tariff, you’ve been benefiting from one of the best deals for some time. But as with all good things, these prices are now coming to an end. A table on the reverse of this letter outlines your new prices, effective from 15 January 2010.
You’re still on a great deal
We’re committed to giving our customers value for money and would like to reassure you that your new prices remain extremely competitive.
OK. Fair enough. We’re “still on a great deal”. Because EDF says so in writing. It’s committed to giving us, EDF customers, value for money.
Today – thanks to the MSE report and forum comments – we decided to do a quick comparison check via one of the switch providers. We currently pay EDF £85 a month for electricity and £65 a month for gas, both by Direct Debit.
Guess what? The comparison table reported that if we switched to a different scheme, we would save £432 a year.
Also guess what? This different scheme is provided by. . . EDF Energy.
For new customers.
Existing customers, to whom EDF has explicitly promised “a great deal” and “extremely competitive prices” do not qualify. So, if they're like us, they must pay over £400 a year MORE for exactly the same service EDF is providing to other customers eslewhere.
For all we know, all UK energy suppliers are as deceitful as EDF Energy. For all we know, every one of 'em is out to rip off £100s per customer account per year whilst sweet-talking ‘em via reassuring letters, the content of which is deceitful verging on downright deception.
This evening, we’ve initiated the switch to Scottish Power. And – thanks entirely to MSE, its staff and forum posters – have been reminded anew that companies ostensibly selling gas and electricity in the UK are companies that actually deal in snake oil.
With the ethics of snake oil salesmen, too.
Our fault, entirely, for not checking energy tariffs before – after all, we always switch car and home insurance providers every year – though as noted, last time we switched energy suppliers, the hassle was unbelievable.
This time, we’re hoping all will go through smoothly. And we’re also kicking ourselves for our complacency. Hopefully, others won’t be as stupid as we’ve been.
Moral: if your energy supplier writes to assure you that "you're still on a great deal" and that it wishes to "reassure you that your new prices remain extremely competitive". . .
Don't for a moment regard that as the truth. Just run, and switch, as fast as you can.
0
Comments
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Ok, I sound just like you. Have been with London Electric now EDF on online v3 for 5 years, looks like I better go look at Uswitch.0
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Just remember to contact EDF and refuse the price rise as you are changing supplier, that way you wont pay the increased prices
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Remember also to use a cashback site such as quidco if available.Self Employed, Running my Dream Jobs0
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Brilliantly written piece. Well done for having the guts to be so frank.
:T
Both as a warning to others and of the shameful deceit that all these companies operate under.
Competition pah! :mad:0
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