Are British Gas really hiking prices?

Zodo

I phoned BG today to check what tariff I'm on and see if I can switch to a fixed tariff given the hikes mentioned in the press and in the money saving expert email.

However, I was assured by the BG staff member that BG are not hiking their prices and this is all scaremongering by the press. I was told similar happened in Oct/Nov last year and they didn't pass on the increase to me, and that I'm on the cheapest tariff (Web Saver 9) around at the moment.

Who am I to believe?

Heyman_2

Well technically they are correct. BG haven't announced anything, the press and even MSE are reading between the lines based on what has happened before and comments form one of the BG chiefs regarding wholesale prices.

Rises, if they happen, are expected for later on this year, but nothing has been announced.

grizzly1911

Agree - BG are technically correct as said.

In reality we have been conditioned to accept ever rising prices. They will go up at some point that is for sure.

Even if you fix now and save a bit for this 12/18 months the escalator keeps going up and if you are on the ground floor you will just have to jump further next time.

Power companies don't do sales and are only looking to make a ever growing profits to keep the shareholders happy.

macman

Doubtless BG have leaked the news about wholesale price rises in order to soften the market up to expect steep retail price rises in the autumn.

Zodo

macman wrote: »

Doubtless BG have leaked the news about wholesale price rises in order to soften the market up to expect steep retail price rises in the autumn.

Thanks all, and this seems like the most sensible truth!

madgagoo

I spoke to BG earlier, to cancel my switch to them as nPower allowed me to change to their GoFix 5 tariff.

When they asked me why I wanted to cancel I said I wanted to fix as I'd read about prices going up. The BG representative said ' Yes, it seems likely they will'.

Guess it depends on who you get to speak to at BG?

jebervic

BG are bringing in two price fixes until 2013, this will be available in June at 25% above the standard tariff price.

Gerrard_8_lfc

jebervic wrote: »

BG are bringing in two price fixes until 2013, this will be available in June at 25% above the standard tariff price.

:rotfl:Lies, Idiot

cambermam

So is it possible to fix your prices if you're on a websaver tariff? I'm on websaver 7 and am happy at the moment with it, uswitch etc tell me i'm already on the cheapest (til they rise of course)

macman

You can have a fixed tariff with any supplier, but you'll pay a considerable premium to do so. You may win, you may lose. No-one knows, what you are paying for is security.

evanjonesaber

Gerrard_8_lfc wrote: »

:rotfl:Lies, Idiot

It's partially true.

British Gas releasing two new price fix tariffs but only for those on Price Promise June 2011 which is just coming to an end.

Fixed Price June 2012 - set @ 19% above standard rates
Fixed Price March 2013 - set @ 25% above standard rates.