'When will EDF hike prices?' blog discussion

shortchanged_2

To be honest I think EDF have been very canny with their tactics.

They have no doubt increased their market share over the winter months with their price freeze and the introductory bonus.

Now they will reap the benefits and as long as they are not too greedy they should maintain theircustomers by increasing their prices to a similar level to that of their competitors, thereby negating any benefit of switching to another company.

But as Millicentbystander states they need to improve their customer service in order to capitalise on this initiative they have gained.

SnowMan

Announcement date: Friday 29th April (to hide the news on the day of the Royal Wedding, even EDF customers who hear the news will be saying 'at least it's something different to this ridiculous blanket coverage of the wedding' )
Price change: Gas up 7.9%, elec up 4%
Increase date: 1 June

cuddly_carpy

My Dad got two letters this week (from EDF) telling him both his electric and gas direct debits are going up to £45 per month, one from £32 and one from £35, I said is this still going to cover the inevitable price rise? He isn't in debit with EDF so unsure as to why monthly price has gone up, steep though

cuddly_carpy

shortchanged wrote: »

But as Millicentbystander states they need to improve their customer service in order to capitalise on this initiative they have gained.

I always found their customer service excellent, when I wanted to switch to them and Npower were being a pain and I switched elec three months later they said I couldn't be on the internet plan I requested because it wasn't available any more, when I pointed out that I had requested it when it was available but Npower had delayed everything, they said oh ok that's fine (all through about 3 emails)

And closing my account only required one email and I had no trouble at all, nothing compared to other companies I had weeks of hassle from when I moved back home.

molemag

It's pure fluke, rather than careful judgement, but I became concerned about some other price rises and switched from EDF to OVO's 12 month fixed rate before Christmas and it starts on Monday. And I got £18 from Quidco (via Uswitch) and a bargain crate of wine from Virgin. With hindsight, a no brainer.

sarah*a

According the saleswoman who stopped me in Birmingham last week they have 'no current plans for a price rise' :rotfl:

She also told me that 'that Money Saving guy on Daybreak' is recommending that everyone change to EDF immediately :think:

Paulgonnabedebtfree

I reckon EDF won't be too long after 1/3 to raise prices. I'm tied in for a year elsewhere anyway - tied in on a variable tariff too which may well be a first. Well, not tied but with a small exit fee to be more accurate.
I got £50 for switching to Scottish Power and their prices went up about a week after I switched. Sod's law methinks . I think the price is about what I paid to the previous lot but I switched for the £50 anyway.

dutch_andy

I Think the Announcement will be

4th february - as suppliers are supposed to give 28 days notice to customers

3% Increase Electric

7% Increase Gas

shortchanged_2

cuddly_carpy wrote: »

I always found their customer service excellent, when I wanted to switch to them and Npower were being a pain and I switched elec three months later they said I couldn't be on the internet plan I requested because it wasn't available any more, when I pointed out that I had requested it when it was available but Npower had delayed everything, they said oh ok that's fine (all through about 3 emails)

And closing my account only required one email and I had no trouble at all, nothing compared to other companies I had weeks of hassle from when I moved back home.

I can't complain about the service I've had from them but there does seem to be many people who are not happy with their service.

danothy

I got a piece of marketing through the post from them saying that they were freezing their prices until March 1st, that I had to do nothing to enjoy this benefit and that if I wanted the best deal (EDF Energy’s Energy Discount Plan Version 4 Tariff) all I had to do was fill in my details and post the leaflet back.

This seemed fine until I found the small print saying I would be locked in 'til 2012 on that tariff. It might be their cheapest tariff but if they're going to jack rates in 3 months then you don't want to be tied in for a year and a half. This makes me think they are basically trying to gather a captive customer base and will impose pretty steep hikes.

My prediction

Announcement date: Friday 4th March
Price change: Gas up 13%, elec up 9%
Increase date: Friday 1st April.