Eon's secret tariff's

Cricketwatcher

My first post to this Forum but a recent experience compels me to write.
My Eon Saveonline tariff came to an end at the beginning of Dec and I've been putting off switching. I looked on a comparison website recently and EDF seemed a good option with 180pounds saving.
Today I received a letter from Eon indicating a jump in direct debit payment which pushed me into doing something. I phoned Eon and they suggested I switch to Saveonline-5 but I knew already that it would only save 120pounds and so I indicated my intention to switch. The Eon rep then surprised me by saying he had some other older tariffs not available to comparison websites (and not visible on the Eon website). He first tried Saveronline-3 which gave a result the same as Saveonline-5 and then Saveonline-2 which indicated 237pounds saving (same tariffs but bigger online discount!).
I know about the inducements that Sky offer to stop you leaving but I didn't know that Eon did the same - perhaps other Energy companies do the same. If true then it makes the whole process of Energy switching more complicated because as in my experience your existing Energy supplier may be able to match or better the alternative supplier listed on the comparison site.
If you all know this already then I apologise.

Premier_2

Did they explain the discount guarantee on that product expires in 6 months (end August 2011)?

Keep those comparison sites bookmarked.

MillicentBystander

OP, did Eon mention anything about a second exit fee on that saveonline 2 tariff?

Airmike23

No exit fee on Save Online 2 and agents absolutely should not be offering what is not on the comparison sites or Eon's own (apart from Staywarm). It is not company policy - there are NO deals that are not freely advertised in the vvarious media channels - and would only be done in extreme circs i.e cust called in when better tariff available ummed and ahhed about going on it at time and called in a few days after withdrawal of tariff to accept, then they might put a cust on it. Save Online 2 was withdrawn Sept 2010. Believe me if you call Eon again you should find that you will not be offered tariffs that hae not been for sale for months. If you've been put on it get 5 months of a v cheap rate but as premier stated, ends Aug 2011 and as standard will then default to Energy Online (Eon Standard rate with 10% discount off unit rates), although you will of course be free to switch to whatever the cheapest rate is at the time using the Eon website.

MillicentBystander

Airmike23 wrote: »

No exit fee on Save Online 2 and agents absolutely should not be offering what is not on the comparison sites or Eon's own (apart from Staywarm). It is not company policy - there are NO deals that are not freely advertised in the vvarious media channels - and would only be done in extreme circs i.e cust called in when better tariff available ummed and ahhed about going on it at time and called in a few days after withdrawal of tariff to accept, then they might put a cust on it. Save Online 2 was withdrawn Sept 2010. Believe me if you call Eon again you should find that you will not be offered tariffs that hae not been for sale for months. If you've been put on it get 5 months of a v cheap rate but as premier stated, ends Aug 2011 and as standard will then default to Energy Online (Eon Standard rate with 10% discount off unit rates), although you will of course be free to switch to whatever the cheapest rate is at the time using the Eon website.

So, if the OP managed to sign up to saveonline 2 and switched to another suppler in the future, would he/she just get a final bill based on the saveonline tariff and discount?

Cricketwatcher

Eon told me:
1. I would get saveonline 2 for 12 months
2. Exit fee 30pounds
3. They were expecting competitive new tariffs in March and I could switch to them then (without exit fee)
4. When I queried why this was being offered the response was that Saveonline2 was a 'last resort' to keep a customer (I had said I was switching)
5. A pack was being sent out - it will make interesting reading in view of comments re end date

Even if the discount ends in August (although I think I remember him saying that it lasts 'til March 2012) it is worth having for that period. If I have to exit Eon, 30 pounds is not too bad compared with others but I take the point that any outstanding amount will not be discounted - however I will work to ensure that any outstanding bill is minimal.

But the real point of my post is that it throws into doubt the competitiveness of comparison sites if existing energy suppliers are prepared to offer inducement to retain a customer - as has happened to me in this case. It is potentially a BIG issue and could impact on the way people switch. ie Find most competitive rate on comparison site then armed with that contact existing Supplier BEFORE switching.

MillicentBystander

Cricketwatcher wrote: »

Eon told me:
1. I would get saveonline 2 for 12 months
2. Exit fee 30pounds
3. They were expecting competitive new tariffs in March and I could switch to them then (without exit fee)
4. When I queried why this was being offered the response was that Saveonline2 was a 'last resort' to keep a customer (I had said I was switching)
5. A pack was being sent out - it will make interesting reading in view of comments re end date

Even if the discount ends in August (although I think I remember him saying that it lasts 'til March 2012) it is worth having for that period. If I have to exit Eon, 30 pounds is not too bad compared with others but I take the point that any outstanding amount will not be discounted - however I will work to ensure that any outstanding bill is minimal.

But the real point of my post is that it throws into doubt the competitiveness of comparison sites if existing energy suppliers are prepared to offer inducement to retain a customer - as has happened to me in this case. It is potentially a BIG issue and could impact on the way people switch. ie Find most competitive rate on comparison site then armed with that contact existing Supplier BEFORE switching.

You will need to as the discount on that tariff is approx 26%!! Time it wrong and that could be more than the 'official' exit fee!

brewerdave

I await the EON rep's comments on this thread with great interest as one whose Fixonline deal expires in July!!!!

Premier_2

Cricketwatcher wrote: »

Eon told me:
1. I would get saveonline 2 for 12 months
2. Exit fee 30pounds
3. ...


5. A pack was being sent out - it will make interesting reading in view of comments re end date...

I'd certainly be interested in what they send you.

The original SaveOnline2 expires end of August 2011 and there were no early exit fees. (And I'm not surprised by what Airmike23 says in that is was already withdrawn to new subscribers)

maddipops

As soon as fixonline 9 was pulled and they bumped up prices I called them up and demanded to switch to fixonline 9. They wouldn't Do it so I called their Bolton call centre where the majority of their staff are new starters and crumble under pressure. It took me less than 5 mins to get on fixonline 9. My prices are now fixed at a great price till march 2012. Call age uk number and u get thru to bolton. Due to uncertainty and inexperience in dealing with confrontation the agents fold and give you what you want just to get you off the phone.

Airmike23

Cricketwatcher Save Online 2 has no exit fee and ends Aug 2011, you will NOT get it for a year, we know of new tariffs until maybe a couple of days at the most before they are released for sale through all channels, so someone telling you there will be better deals in March is guessing, at most might get Save Online 6 and track and save 9, which will have a different end date than the current versions track and save 8 and save online 5, rates etc will be almosty identical, and that is my supposition not what is happening! And as I stated in my earlier post, the only tariffs you should be transferred onto are those currently available, there are no "last resort" options to retain a customer, a customer is in a 28 day contract and free to change if the customer is not satisfied with the products currently available from Eon, then the only option they would have is to switch. I can assure you management at Eon will not encourage or sanction what has been offered. Maddipopps Fix Online 9 was formerly removed from comparison sites and ceased proactive sales of this tariff on 11th Jan when Eon announced price increases, but could still switch customers on to it for a few days after. This is not unususal but not 6 months after the tariff was withdrawn as what has happened with Cricketwatcher.