nPower price increase Jan 2011

hsf18uk

I am totally, totally incenced with the recent notification and publicity that nPower have put out. The press inform us that the price rise equates to 5% (ish), but in reality, if you've elected to join a lower-rated tariff like me (Sign on-line 18), the true increase of the rise is 26.4% amounting to around £250 in my own circumstance.

As you would, I phoned nPower to "discuss" this matter; after almost an hour on the phone without raised voices, the two people I'd spoken to said that basically there's nothing that can be done, nPower are well within their rights to increase any tariff by any amount, regardless of what they put out in the press and that it was "tough luck".

I have to say, I would not be happy if they had press-released a statement to the effect of 26.4% hikes likely, but I could accept that better than the total fabrication of truth that they have been willing to publicise.

Their offering to me was to switch me on to Sign on-line 20 for another 15 months, waivering the exit fee from the current contract (which, incidentally only obliges the customer and not the supplier). Cheekily they tried to fox me on this count as well by estimating monthly costs with a 'saving' of about £14 pm, again in reality my calculations saw a change of around £1.50 between SOL 18 new rates and SOL 20. Still holding at an overall increase in price of 24%.

I have today been in touch with edf energy to do a switch (although ultimately I did go through a cash-back site for arrangements).

edf have said that their prices will be held until at least March 2011, so this should give me an extra 2 cold months of lower rates.

On the back of the phone call today to edf (and nPower to inform that I would be changing), both companies admitted that my calculations (verified by nPower representative) had presented the most significant increases that they'd heard of yet. nPower have also added to my account notes that my SOL18 current rates will remain effective until my account moves over to edf.

On principle I had no choice to change - £23 extra a month is a lot of money to someone living on their own. I feel very let down by nPower on this occasion - a company I'd previous thought were very customer-friendly and focussed have lost my loyalty.

davidgmmafan

Did you request a Price hold from NPower? You are entitled to do so when there is a price rise and this will keep you on the former rates until the switchover.

"I feel very let down by nPower on this occasion - a company I'd previous thought were very customer-friendly and focussed have lost my loyalty"

I laughed out loud at this last bit, you are one of the few people in the world who believes NPower are customer focussed.

MillicentBystander

The real problem with npower is it effectively has TWO exit fees, although they (and the switching sites) only recognise one (in fact the OTHER exit fee, which they call an 'annual discount paid in arrears', is actually included in their 'savings' figures). For this reason alone (although there others also) npower should be avoided. Hard to suggest what to do in your case, OP, but as soon as you can, RUN!!!

Edit: just realised you HAVE run. npower probably won't care, they will effectively 'charge' you £145 (although £105 of that they would only have paid you if you'd stopped with them for 12 months).

I feel very let down by nPower on this occasion - a company I'd previous thought were very customer-friendly and focussed have lost my loyalty

.

Crikey. Have a search of these forums for threads on npower.

dobsoncrew

I have just got my letter from npower with regards to the price rises in January 2011. I'm on Sign online 19 Gas (inc VAT) 4.893p rising to 6.6p for the first 4572 kwh equals 27.6% rise and electricity 15.92p rise to 16.22p 2% rise. second rates Gas 2.701p to 2.738p 1.5 % & electricity 8.12p to 9.11p 12.2% rise. This equals an over all price rise of 10.825% double what they said. THIS IS OUTRAGIOUS.

Gas Rise = 29.1% average 14.55%
Electricity Rise = 14.2% average 7.1%

What CROOKS & LYAIRS

dobsoncrew

Just Checked the Sign online prices

Sign online 20

Gas first 4572 kwh per annual 6.026p
Then 2.738p

Electricity first 728 kwh per annual 12.613p
Then 9.112p

Sign online 19 my current tariff

Gas first 4572 kwh per annual Current 4.893p Rising to 6.6p
Then 2.701p rising to 2.738p

Electricity first 728 kwh per annual 15.92p rising to 16.22p
Then 8.12p rising to 9.112p

I am paying more for my first units then new customers NOW THERE'S A SURPRISE

bishopofwatford

well well well

i have recently been given the option ,after coming off the fixed price tariff dual fuel ending 21/12/10, of fixing both at a further 4% on top of the new tariff for another fixed period of 15 months.

i am no math:money:matican but logically it seems to be a reasonable deal or am i also being led by the nose ??

keep the faith
:beer:

mrke

Will you have to pay NPower a penalty to leave the 'Sign Online' tariff, or is this void due to their price increase???
Thanks,
Mark

KimYeovil

You do not have to pay the higher prices - you do have to pay the leaving penalty (both of them). Price increase does not void the leaving penalty.

davidgmmafan

No exit fees being charged, I gather they changed thier mind...

I'm can see why people are angry, however I would guess they were losing money some versions of SOL. As its not a fixed rate tariff surely its right for a commercial company to increase the rates if that was the case?

Being devils advocate here

mrke

davidgmmafan wrote: »

No exit fees being charged, I gather they changed thier mind...

I'll give them a call and see what they say, thanks...

gumpole

I confirmed today that the tarrif increase on Npower electricity SOL 15 is a huge 32%. Is it fair that a single tarrif can be increased by this much. Maybe Ofgem will take a look into it over the next couple of years!!!!!!!!(Ofgem a watchdog? More like a !!!!!cat)