Confused and probably made a mistake

Rhino666

Hi

These gas and electricity price increases prompted me to do some comparisons on the four websites listed here. All four showed different figures which doesn't inspire complete confidence.

I am currently Dual fuel with NPower on their sign online V17 tariff. Been with NPower for a few years now and this tariff for over a year. The comparison showed that Scottish Power were about 6% cheaper but also that NPower sign online V20 was about 4% cheaper too.

I called NPower today and got transferred to their V20. Have I done the right thing ? Price increases for NPower don't come in until 4th Jan 2011 - not sure if these are currently factored into the price comparison figures. Also does anyone know if I be charged an exit fee for transferring from V17 to V20 - nothing said on the phone.

Cheers

Rob

davidgmmafan

Exit fees are being waived, SOL20 isn't increasing - it would've been quite a bit more than SOL 17-19 prior to the price rise. May be worth me thinking about changing onto it not.

Rhino666

This is a minefield - price increases, indeterminate rates, etc.

I have cancelled the V20 transfer and will be moving to Scottish Power.

TWOQUIDKEV

I am just in the middle of moving from Npower to Scottish Power for both gas and electric.

Price compare sites all said the same that I could save 250 quid per annum.

what made me mad was I got my latest bill from Npower saying I was 150 quid in credit, but both my gas and electric monthly DD was going up by a few pounds each

so if everything works out I'll get a cheque from npower for about £100, save £250 per year and I signed up to scottish power through Topcashback.co.uk and got £67 cashback too.

not bad for 30mins on the internet LOL.

Rhino666

Yes, I know what you mean - I used another well know cashback site and did almost but not quite as well as you - the transfer is already tracked.

These energy companies need to be sorted out. How can the regulator allow the regional and other tariff rates to be so confusing ? Even the energy comparison sites are apparently baffled with conflicting pricing being the result. Do they include the NP £100 cashback or not, do they factor in the imminent price increases. These sorts of unanswered questions make the whole process of getting the best deal very difficult. Add in the potential exit charges and this is contrived to be a very English way of baffling and confusing customers into non action where transparent pricing would, in all probability dictate immediate action.

Stay warm :-)

davidgmmafan

Price comparisons can be part of the problem though, some will happily quote based on low, medium or high consumptions, customer can and do switch on this basis which is a nightmare.

Rhino666

The ones I used, all four in fact, asked for the amount of elec / gas I use annually so there shouldn't be a problem with regard to usage anomalies unless the relevant fields are left blank.

davidgmmafan

Jolly good