British Gas Price Protection?

lulabell

Hi I've just received an email from British Gas (I'm a dual fuel customer) offering me a chance to sign up for a "price protection" until April 2007. They state that if I do, then my energy prices will be protected from rising above the current rates, but this will cost me approx 41p per week.
Is this worth taking out or should I look around for a new supplier?
Thanks
Lulabell

Daniel_B

Hi Lulabell,
I suspect if you use this site http://www.energyhelpline.com/

It will likely persuade you otherwise.

I myself am in the process of switching from BG to Southern Electric.

Thanks

Dan

Fran

A good starting point is Martin's Article on the main site.

MarkyMarkD

The BG price guarantee is a con.

There's no point paying an extra £20, on top of what are already not competitive prices, for a guarantee.

BG are without a doubt the most expensive gas supplier by far. Their electricity is cheaper, but only if you buy the rip-off gas.

Nearly everybody will save money by going elsewhere for both fuels - and dual fuel deals are hardly ever better value than single fuel deals.

The Telegraph had a comparison for various parts of the country a week or so back, and recommended Swalec as best buy in most areas - for most fuels. They don't do a dual fuel deal per se. We have both fuels with Swalec now, but switched them separately at different times.

As Fran says, Martin's article will give you links to the best comparison engines which really are the only way to find the best supplier as the calculations are a bit fiddly!

Good luck.

BrixMorta

I run a small shop which traditionally had an electricity charge of about £37 a month. British Gas wrote to me towards the end of last year saying that if I signed a contract with them they would reduce my charges. Being sceptical, I held off signing up and to my horror my bill for the month of January is £264. Needless to say I phoned them and was informed that because I hadn’t signed up they have put me on emergency tariff. Needless to say I had no option but to sign up in order to get me off the emegancy tariff. I feel I’ve been bullied into signing up and am furious. At the end of my 12 months will certainly be switching supplier and warn others to be on there guard!

loon_2

despite the extra charges... there is also a cancellation fee and a 9% increase in april, before the capping starts.

cK1_4

we recently signed up to the BG price fix scheme, but i got collared in sainsburys last week and decided to go with them after the figures they showed me. sainsburys seems like a good way to go.

my only concern was that BG will charge a cancellation fee - sainsburys said that BG can't do that and they can't enforce it, unless you're a business customer spending more than 1500quid per month. sounds legit but who knows.

i did in fact phone BG to ask them and was told that they DO NOT charge to leave them.

so we'll see.....

sunflower_2

isnt sainsburys energy just scottish power????

loon_2

kinda... sainsbury sell scottish power gas and electricity... but only th standard tariffs. they cannot offer the internet tariff, and they tell customers that they are the cheapest, which is rubbish, especially as the company they sell for can actually offer a much cheaper tariff.

sunflower_2

yeah thats what i thought loon

they always trying to collar me in sainsburys - asking if i want 1000 nectar points

"yes well actually i do - but i dont want your stupid energy tariffs thanks v much"