Differences in Quotes

Charlesf_2

I have tried uSwitch, Energyhelpline and SimplySwitch and noticed a big differnce in quotes, although exactly the same info was given to all three.

For instance Energyhelpline quote a saving of £48pa from British Gas Green Click Energy and SimplySwitch quote a savings of £129pa.

Who should I believe?

System

I've had the same problem as you with different results coming from each of the sites and I didn't use any of them in the end as wasn't sure who to trust.

Some people on MSE are saying that Ebico is really good, and very competetive and I am looking into changing to them after reading threads on here. Haven't done as yet as have only just been looking into it the last couple of days but unless I can find a better deal which I don't think is possible I will be changing over to them. I read some of the threads on here after doing a search and found it really helpful, hope it helps you aswell. Good luck!

BexTech

Some of the lower cost tariffs are only available via the comparison sites, if you go directly to the supplier you get a higher rate.

As for the difference in cost I wonder if one has/hasn't updated the rates recently.

mleonard79

I wouldn't hold much stock in the amount it tells you can be saved per annum as this seems to vary quite a lot. The best thing to do is get your annual consumption figures in Kwh's (either from your bills or phone up your utility companies)and input them into the comparison sites. This tends to give you a more accurate picture.

Then when the list comes up take a note of the different tariffs and see which is cheapest. Then, finally, using the tariffs and your consumption figures work out for yourself how much it will cost you per month or year. From there you will get a much better idea of what kind of saving can be made (barring more price rises of course!!) Hope that helps.

Regards

Michelle

TimBuckTeeth

I would not rely on the savings quoted. Check the tariff on the supplier's website and then calculate the actual cost using consumption figures from previous bills. It is useful to do this in a spreadsheet (eg. excel).

BexTech

TimBuckTeeth wrote:

Check the tariff on the supplier's website

What about the tariffs that you can only get via a comparison site and not directly via the suppliers website, like the current tariff I am on?

TimBuckTeeth

BexTech wrote:

What about the tariffs that you can only get via a comparison site and not directly via the suppliers website, like the current tariff I am on?

Which supplier is that?
When you sign up does the rate quoted on the switching site form part of the contract?
It seems a bit odd that the rate is not available otherwise. On most supplier's websites their rates are available to view.

BexTech

The British Gas Click Energy tariffs where (not sure if they still are) lower rates when via the comparison sites.

I'm on an EDF tariff that was only available via the comparison sites at the lower rate (though this I believe has changed now), if I had gone direct the rate would have been quite a lot dearer.

TimBuckTeeth

I can see why they do that, so that they come out as cheaper in comparison but avoids giving the lower price to other customers, but seems a bit devious.

I would be wary that they would bump up the price a few months later, now that they have you as a customer.

mleonard79

I'm on an EDF tariff that was only available via the comparison sites at the lower rate (though this I believe has changed now), if I had gone direct the rate would have been quite a lot dearer.

I have been on one such tariff for over 6 months and there's only been a small increase in price. It was an "online" price and I don't believe it was ever advertised on the the EDF website (or London Energy/Seeboard.) I only found it via a comparison site. Unfortunately it seems to have been discontinued now.

I think it's a bit like the primus saver 2 option for phones - if you don't know about it then they're not going to advertise it as they want you to take up their higher standard rates! By the same token for the savvy customer they'll let them have the lower price as there's not that many of them to start with and they'd rather have them with them on some tariff than not at all. It'd definitely a good idea to go via the comparison sites as they do seem to have some exclusive rates at times (a bit like a broker may get a special rate for a mortgage that is not advertised by the company itself.) I would think the rates you'll see advertised on a lot of utility company websites won't be the very lowest rates they can offer as they'll hope people who are just going to join via their website can be put on a standard rate. Yes it is devious but I can't say I'm surprised!!

I would be wary that they would bump up the price a few months later, now that they have you as a customer.

As far as bumping them up massively within a few months goes - this doesn't seem to have been happening but with the type of customer that goes to the trouble of seeking out these better rates if they did that most would be more than likely to jump ship again (I know I would!)

Regards

Michelle

BexTech

I joined up March 2005, it wasn't until the end of last year I had a small rise, and there has been a rise just recently, but the rate I am on is still the cheapest for us, the others don't even come close, we are on a 'existing customers only' tariff, new customers don't get close to our rate either, whereas customers on other tariffs had a couple more increases we were on a tariffs that wasn't affected.

Suppliers know there are people using comparison sites to check and switch, so a couple of suppliers offered low tariffs so they could be at the top and for everyone to switch to them.

Granted we were lucky and switched at the right time, and when there were price increases we escaped a couple, meant we were £150+ better off than the next cheapest at one point, did go down to around £60 better off but now we are £90 better off than the current cheapest if we were to switch away, which would be rather stupid as if we were to go back to our current supplier they are around 8th or 9th cheapest for 'new transfers in'.