Eon Exit Fee ?

backfoot

echoecho wrote: »

In terms of the eon reps, i think one of them mentioned before that really they are here for sorting out customer service issues; they can give the official company line and feedback any comments. I don't think they'll get into indepth conversations...

I would welcome the input of the Eon Reps, but I agree they will probably want to keep a low profile.

The Reps I really wanted to hear from are those of the Comparison websites.

MillicentBystander

echoecho wrote: »

This is quite an interesting one actually. I can understand why some people are quite het up by it. Personally, I think the comparison sites SHOULD include the eon discounts in the overall comparison - however, I think it should be made extremely clear that final bills do not include discounts. Perhaps a bold message with the key facts of the tariff. Interestingly, eon have started restructuring their tariffs. Previously, the online discount was taken off the unit price but is now included in the unit rates. So this leaves "only" the 8% dual fuel dd discount. Not as much as previous, but that's not the point.

I think the onus should be on eon to ensure that all customers are made fully aware that leaving would mean they lose their final discount. I think this should form a part of the actual tariff information for new customers and should also be repeated on the new annual key fact statements rather than just being placed in the terms and conditions.

In terms of the eon reps, i think one of them mentioned before that really they are here for sorting out customer service issues; they can give the official company line and feedback any comments. I don't think they'll get into indepth conversations...

I agree 100% but we seem to have one poster on here who thinks it would be impossible due to space constraints?? As i demonstrated earlier, it could be wrapped up in precisely 8 words. The fact that the switching sites don't mention it is deeply suspicious.

Dave_save

Just to summarise here, what you are saying is that the final bill, which would be for a maximum of 3 months usage, would still have the Dual Fuel 2% discount and the DD 6% discount applied? In my case on Eon Fix Online v8, that would mean I would lose the additional Fix Online 16.8% discount against a maximum of 3 months usage, ifand when I switch. Could someone clarify?

And I do agree if that is the case, this is a variable amount which you are always going to lose... therefore it SHOULD be included as a statement on comparison sites.

MillicentBystander

Dave_save wrote: »

Just to summarise here, what you are saying is that the final bill, which would be for a maximum of 3 months usage, would still have the Dual Fuel 2% discount and the DD 6% discount applied? In my case on Eon Fix Online v8, that would mean I would lose the additional Fix Online 16.8% discount against a maximum of 3 months usage, ifand when I switch. Could someone clarify?

And I do agree if that is the case, this is a variable amount which you are always going to lose... therefore it SHOULD be included as a statement on comparison sites.

I genuinely have no idea with regard to Fix online 8 tariff whether the discount cancellation on the final bill is 'just' 8% or indeed the full 24.8%. I seem to recall the regular poster Cardew is on Eon Fix Online 8 so maybe he could give a definitive answer? I do know his consumption is very much on the high side so I would hope it's 'only' the 8%...:eek: but I'm sure he would have thoroughly investigated all the T&Cs before committing. I'm surprised he hasn't contributed to this thread yet, he normally is very helpful/knowledgeable when it comes to these things.


PS And i do agree, it IS a variable amount that you are GUARANTEED to lose (there is NO expiry date attached to this) so really should be included on the switching sites (or maybe Eon should be forced to stop their sneaky 'bad losers' policy altogether)

echoecho_2

With regards to tariffs that have an end date, as long as you stay with eon until the end date the full discount will be applied until that date.

For example, if your plan has an end date of 1 March 2011 and you finish with eon on 10 march 2011, you will have the full discount applied until the 1st of March and no discount between the 1st and 10th.

backfoot

echoecho wrote: »

With regards to tariffs that have an end date, as long as you stay with eon until the end date the full discount will be applied until that date.

For example, if your plan has an end date of 1 March 2011 and you finish with eon on 10 march 2011, you will have the full discount applied until the 1st of March and no discount between the 1st and 10th.

In principle that sounds right, but how do you ensure the switch goes through on the 10th? If you give notice,before the plan end date,won't they disallow discounts on the current quarter's bill?

If you wait till the plan end date,there is no way it will be actioned within 10 days.

echoecho_2

Yes backfoot, you're right. If the switch goes through BEFORE the plan end date, then there is no discount and possibly a cancellation fee. It's a case of timing it as closely as possible. The other way round it (if it works)...when you know what the transfer date is, enter a meter reading into your online account the day before and you can request a brand new bill. This should include discounts. Not sure though if the billing functionality would stop when the transfer process begins...

backfoot

I think as soon as they become aware of your switch all discounts are frozen whether you submit meter readings or not.

I am not sure why they treat customers this way. It's hardly going to endear people to return at a future date.

As a switching process takes around six weeks,there is likely to be a considerable change in the price when these discounts are disallowed.

MillicentBystander

I would love to know the annual figure Eon are pulling in (and have been for years and years) just from this cancelling of discount on final bill. I would imagine it would run into millions per annum but I'm certain that we will never get to know exactly how much it is. I would love to get a one to one with Ofgem's highly paid head honcho Buchanan and surprise him by asking a question on this, something like 'What's different about Eon's approach to a departing customer?' I wonder if he would know the answer? It's clear from the OP that Eon's CS staff don't always inform departing punters of this sneaky, never ending additional exit fee...sort of sums up this industry at present.

MillicentBystander

echoecho wrote: »

Yes backfoot, you're right. If the switch goes through BEFORE the plan end date, then there is no discount and possibly a cancellation fee. It's a case of timing it as closely as possible. The other way round it (if it works)...when you know what the transfer date is, enter a meter reading into your online account the day before and you can request a brand new bill. This should include discounts. Not sure though if the billing functionality would stop when the transfer process begins...

This is far more of a worry than it should be, though, isn't it? And some of us know from painful recent experience that 'timing' a switch to any accuracy is impossible. The recent 'MSE exodus' to EDF has proved that switches can take much longer than it should sometimes. And can you actually start the switch away from the Fix online product before the official end date in order to minimise the impact of the final bill penalty?