Have I been ripped-off by First Utility ?

backfoot

You have been ripped off by First Utility. :mad: Unfortunately, from their point of view, I don't believe there is anything you can do about it for the reasons stated by other posters.

Of course, there should be a simple rule to avoid this scam which no doubts catches out many unsuspecting customers.The rule would be that if they have an essentially identical product ,then the rates on your exisiting product cannot go above that new product.

Only some sort of representation,to say OFGEM or via your MP regarding this, seems to be your only route but quite frankly they are hopeless and have allowed this market to descend to varying false marketing practices throughout. It shouldn't have been allowed to happen with Energy.They encourage switching but let us all fall into the clever traps of the marketing conmen.

From your own viewpoint,time has kicked on, so you have to weigh up the financial benefit of switching now or biting the bullet and seeing it through with FU. If you had had given notice ,then they would have had hold their old price till the supply change went through. I don't know how you stand with that now.

Lessons to be learnt:

1. Probably avoid First Utility.(FU seems appropriate)
2. Beware products effectively containing back end discounts.
3. Be aware, that variable does definately mean variable.
4. Don't believe that the various Regulatory Bodies are any good whatsoever.

Sorry not much practical help but at least I have shown sympathy.

HaveIBeenRippedOff

backfoot wrote: »

...
Sorry not much practical help but at least I have shown sympathy.

Thanks so much backfoot.

I came to these forums hoping to learn I had some remedy in law.

OK, so I don't. However, you took the time to clarify and confirm the situation to me, putting me in a situation where at least I know where I stand, and also offer me some sympathy, which makes coming to these forums worthwhile.

I thank you, as you have made me believe in humanity (some of it) again.

Thanks

backfoot

You may, if so inclined, want to write a boldly headed ' First Utility Review' in various places. Here and Moneysupermarket for example.

You can quickly alert other customers to your displeasure with a few bullet points about the problem.

These things show up well in Google Searches.;)

KimYeovil

backfoot wrote: »

Lessons to be learnt:

1. Probably avoid First Utility.(FU seems appropriate)

Incomplete advice. You should also avoid:
nPower
Scottish Power
Atlantic
E-on
etcetera. So that's five down just from the top of my head. Others could be added if you study more deeply. Very sensible advice - restricting your options like that.

KimYeovil

HaveIBeenRippedOff wrote: »

Thanks so much backfoot.

I came to these forums hoping to learn I had some remedy in law.

OK, so I don't. However, you took the time to clarify and confirm the situation to me, putting me in a situation where at least I know where I stand, and also offer me some sympathy, which makes coming to these forums worthwhile.

I thank you, as you have made me believe in humanity (some of it) again.

Thanks

Well, excuse me for not realising your thread title and user name were rhetorical declamations and not questions. You really need to throw a few more :mad::mad::mad:s and SHOUTING CAPITALS to your posts so as not to confuse.*

Backfoot is wrong. You have not been ripped off. You are both correct, though - the system is tiresome and does require reform. But you have to roll with what is there.

* Yes, yes, I know. "Ooh, the bare-faced irony!"

DUTR

HaveIBeenRippedOff wrote: »

Thanks so much backfoot.

I came to these forums hoping to learn I had some remedy in law.

OK, so I don't. However, you took the time to clarify and confirm the situation to me, putting me in a situation where at least I know where I stand, and also offer me some sympathy, which makes coming to these forums worthwhile.

I thank you, as you have made me believe in humanity (some of it) again.

Thanks

Thanks for the heads up, I have been recently considering switching to FU, but it seems the warnings visitors had offered were true, I shall just convert my soon to end BG WS4 to WS10 , better a devil you know and all that.