Cancelling / Ending Agreement

dannymccann

Related to this, I completed the Opt Out of ES9 from the email I received (see post #17 in this thread https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3098312) but I logged on today to see I am still on "Online Energy Saver 9 (April 2012) (No Standing Charge)", and now the call centre is closed so I have frantically done an online swap to Online Energy Saver, some basic tariff but it says it will take 3 days to process, should I now expect some sort of stupid bill because SP havent done their job properly??

grahamc2003

Cardew wrote: »

I think what Joyful means is that most of the fixed term(not fixed price) guarantee that the price on a particular tariff will always be at least x% below their standard price.

The original Scottish Power OLE9 stated they would stay a minimum of 3% below Standard rate until March 31 2011.

That tariff was introduced at way more than 3% below their standard rate, and they did increase prices considerably during the term of the tariff. However as they remained within the terms of the tariff, you could not 'reject' the tariff because of the price rise.

I don't see how this new ruling will affect that situation. If they keep within the terms of the tariff, you cannot reject the tariff.

With the notice that is now being given, you switch on receipt of that notice on an unrestricted tariff.

Yes, I understand about the difference beween a fixed term and a fixed price and a fixed discount from standard. I thought this thread was all about fixed term at a fixed disount, and not fixed price.

You seem to be saying that with a fixed term, fixed discount, until recently, you couldn't reject the increase and switch without penalty when, and a couple of weeks after, you were notified of that increase (although still at the same fixed discount from standard).

My understanding is that you could reject that increase (and since the notification was usually after the increase, only pay the closing account on the previous rates), even if you hadn't reached the end of the fixed term. I'm now beginning to question whether my understanding is correct!.

Anyhow, the question still remains ...

If you're nine months into a 1 year fixed term fixed discount contract and the standard price increases, therefore your price increases, can you switch on notice of the increase without penalty to another supplier?

Could you do that 3 months ago? (I used to think you could, but now I'm not so sure).

Cardew

grahamc2003 wrote: »

Yes, I understand about the difference beween a fixed term and a fixed price and a fixed discount from standard. I thought this thread was all about fixed term at a fixed disount, and not fixed price.

You seem to be saying that with a fixed term, fixed discount, until recently, you couldn't reject the increase and switch without penalty when, and a couple of weeks after, you were notified of that increase (although still at the same fixed discount from standard).

My understanding is that you could reject that increase (and since the notification was usually after the increase, only pay the closing account on the previous rates), even if you hadn't reached the end of the fixed term. I'm now beginning to question whether my understanding is correct!.

Anyhow, the question still remains ...

If you're nine months into a 1 year fixed term fixed discount contract and the standard price increases, therefore your price increases, can you switch on notice of the increase without penalty to another supplier?

Could you do that 3 months ago? (I used to think you could, but now I'm not so sure).

With regards this thread, the statement of yours(in bold) is where IMO there is the misunderstanding.

OLE9 was certainly is fixed term, but most certainly was not a fixed discount.

The discount is variable and the only stipulation is that the discount will always be at least 3% below their Standard tariff rate.

e.g.
1. If OLE9 when introduced was 12% below the Standard tariff(it was about that figure) they could increase the price by 9% even without any increase in the Standard tariff and still remain within the conditions of the contract; hence you couldn't leave without penalty.

2. If they increased the Standard tariff by, say, 8% they could increase OLE9 by 17% and still remain within the conditions of the contract; hence you couldn't leave without penalty.

Under the 'old rules' you could switch tariffs - and remain on the pre-increase rate - if you were on a tariff that didn't have any restrictions on leaving.

However OLE9 did have conditions and the rises in that tariff last year did not did not breach those conditions.

t0rt0ise

grahamc2003 wrote: »

If you're nine months into a 1 year fixed term fixed discount contract and the standard price increases, therefore your price increases, can you switch on notice of the increase without penalty to another supplier?

Could you do that 3 months ago? (I used to think you could, but now I'm not so sure).

My understanding is that you can leave and pay at the old rate until you go but you will have to pay the leaving penalty for leaving within the time of the contract. That hasn't changed.

5lugger

Thanks to everybody that posted re my original question, first chance since to log in and update, sorry!!!

All in all a sorry state of affairs, tried numerous times to access my "online" account online, only to find its "offline", due to an intermittent server issue at Scottish Power's end. Seems strange to have an online account that you cannot access, more importantly you then cannot use bill information for comparision.

Ended up calling Scottish Power, spending just under an hour speaking to 5 different people. (they did call back, so at least I didnt have to pay!!)

1st operative put me through to the "online team" but the chap I ended up speaking to was part of SP's IT support and was a tech chap!!! He in turn connected me to someone in sales (who I would hope was on her first day.)

The best part of this was that having gone through various options with her, she then declared that she could alter my account as she only handled new customers, as an exisiting customer I would need to call back!! When I asked to be transferred she said she couldn't as they were busy!! Fortunately common sense prevailed and I was connected to the existing customer service team. They (after accidently cutting me off) confirmed that you would be tied to the OLE9(April2012) tariff even if prices do go up. As correctly mentioned by Cardew and Joyful, its due to the promise to keep a certain % below standard prices. They told me that Online Energy Saver 13 has now been withdrawn and was not available, was offered Online Energy Saver 14, but for my area that appeared dearer than OLE9(April2012.)

I suspect that I might have got more joy if I'd pushed, but an hour on the phone is not my idead of fun, so I ended up changing from OLE9(April 2012) to standard online tariff. This, will in turn, allow me to move to another supplier, which I will certainly do.

Seems so silly that SP and other providers spend so much on attracting customers (I got cash back when signing up) that almost nothing is spent on retaining.

I'll be contacting SP to ask that due to not be able to access my account as a goodwill gesture they honour OLE9(April 2012) prices until I switch, will post if get any response.

Scottish_Power

Hi 5lugger,

I would like to start by apologising for the problems you had when contacting us yesterday.

In short the info you got was correct OLE13 has been withdrawn, so is not somthing we can offer any longer.

As you intend to contact us directly to complain about the service you received, can I suggest that you e-mail me at [EMAIL="onlinecomplaints@scottishpower.com"]onlinecomplaints@scottishpower.com[/EMAIL] with your account details and allow me to look at things for you.

Kind regards

Graeme @ ScottishPower