MSE News: Scottish Power to hike energy prices

alex21

shortchanged wrote: »

That is a horrendous price hike. It will be interesting to see how the others raise their prices. I'm pretty sure it will be somewhere along the same lines.
It also does nothing to ease the inflation problem in the UK.

In Northern Ireland our gas went up at the start of May. Phoenix Gas up by 39%. We only have a choice of 2 gas companies and I can't use the cheaper one as they don't facilitate pre payment meters. To illustrate how horrible and cynical Phoenix Gas is I received the letter advising of this price hike at 12.30PM on the day of the price rise which took effect at midnight. Way to s**** your customers. So 20% is bad, but half of what we got hit with last month. Why only local media coverage. Methinks you would have been forewarned on the mainland if it had been nationally announced.:mad:

Froglet

saintscouple wrote: »

trying to look at this from as many angles as i can - Am i correct in thinking the SP Direct October 2012 tariff will be unaffected by the price rise in August?
And if so, can i switch to this tariff from OES12 without a penalty?
I've looked at my account online and there is a link to switch tariff, but can't see the October 2012 there - perhaps can only be done on the phone, or am i not looking in the right place?

They often do this,probably to attract new customers who are looking via the comparison sites.I have been considering this,as the rates are reasonable.The trouble is that they are only guaranteed at 1% less than the standard tariff.So what is to stop them putting them up any time within the next few weeks/months and because they only guarantee the 1% less they will probably charge an exit fee to leave as the prices will not be going up,just the discounted rate coming down!

They get us all ways.However i am thinking of taking the risk,but don't know how long the prices will stay at the current rate,and would prefer to keep on with the good rate at the moment until nearer 1st August.

Has anyone enquired as to this tariff yet,and got any answers?

James123_2

Macman I take your points.
Gas is certainly the no.1 choice for households. However, as I'm a low user of gas, it can still work out as expensive. This was the point I was making. I'm only a low user because of recent financial restraints - no other reason. My gas bill last year was £300.
Even if you don't do the maintenance contract thing there are always heavy ongoing costs with a gas system. I paid £500 for a heat exchanger not so long ago. As to a new boiler every 8-10 years, the press is full of stories about how modern condenser boilers are not nearly as robust as their less-efficient forebears which might last 20+ years. As such, a 10 year lifespan might be optimistic. Even BG regard a boiler 7 years of age as 'old' and won't insure it as a consequence. If you go the electric route you also don't have to pay a second standing charge which, for gas, can be £150 on top of the tariff you mention. It's either charged this way or via a two tier tariff, as I'm sure you know.
Oh well, we'll have to agree to disagree. Thanks for the post.

2010

I`ve just got back after a few days away and have read all 15 pages on this thread with interest.
Currently on OES 12 and obviously not happy with their 44% increase, in my case.

Ofgem is currently investigating the big 6 about why they aren`t competing and at the same time they laugh in their face with a massive price increase, the same way the banks laugh at the government`s threats and carry on regardless, sticking up two fingers to everyone.
Oh, and don`t think the government gives a monkeys about what`s happening because they`re clawing in 5% vat on massive energy bills.

SP are in effect driving most people to their capped 2013 tariff with their price increase tactics.
No doubt ALL suppliers will follow suit, some under but most over SP prices.

I`ve searched through Energyhelpline and the best for a fixed/capped came out as EDF saver 2 Sept. 2012 (£80 saved).
Next is SP with their capped June 2013 (£44 saved)

Much as I`d like to kick SP up the a*se for screwing everyone, I don`t want to cut off my nose

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, because I`m equally sure the rest will follow suit with big increases.
I think the fixing/capping of prices for long periods is the latest ploy from these suppliers to hold their customers and gain money with inflated prices by using the scare tactic of fix now because prices can only go up and it seems to be working.

Conclusion: capping/fixing seems to be the trend so it`s between EDF for 15 months and SP for 2 years.
If I do go for EDF, topcashback is paying £20 for a duel fuel switch and I`ll reject SP new prices and hope EDF contacts them within the given time.

Oh, and don`t forget the government are cutting the winter fuel payment from £250 to £200 per qualifying household.

Roll on global warming.

iphone5_2

Radionotme wrote: »

I switched to Scottish power last October. I'm on their Online energy saver 10 tariff.

How do I find out if I can switch or not, and if there's a penalty - and of course how much that penalty would be?

SP are absolute shysters. This is the second time OES 10 has had its prices put up.

thoward100

I am a Scottish Power customer on their electricity only online energy saver 12 tariff since January 2011. Yesterday (11June) I received an e mail from Scottish Power which confirmed new prices which applied to my tariff from 1st August -
first 225kwhr per qtr increases from 17.926p to 22.666p - that's a 26.4% increase and all/day remaining units increase from 7.605p to 11.005p (that's a 44.7% increase) these are vat exlusive prices and both exclude the tariff 2% discount for online customers ........so where does their announcement of a 10% increase in electricity come from?!
The only good news is their acknowledgement (in very small print) that "If you notify us that you wish to cancel your agreement before 1st August 2011 and we receive a request for your supply from another supplier within 15 working days, we will not apply the price increase or the cancellation fee for your product"

....my electricity price increase is shocking!!!

...I'll be on the phone to them tomorrow - any bets on what sort of explanation I will get?

2010

thoward100 wrote: »

....my electricity price increase is shocking!!! :rotfl:

...I'll be on the phone to them tomorrow - any bets on what sort of explanation I will get? :mad:

Pointless phoning these people, even if you can get through.

What you should be thinking about is what you are going to do and who you are going to move to.

2010

jingleberry wrote: »

For those who mare 'locked in' to a contract with Scottish Power, but wish to move elsewhere, here is some welcome good news. I've just received an email from SP notifying me of then price rise.

As well as the new prices in the email, did they offer you any options to change to such as capped June 2013 ?

stewie_griffin

SnakeDoctor wrote: »

I'm on Online Energy Saver 13 and live in the East Midlands. I've just checked the before and after tariffs and: -

Gas
Primary - 22.65% increase
Secondary -18.26% increase

Electricity
Economy 7 Low - 1.40% increase
Economy 7 Normal Primary - 21.79% increase
Economy 7 Normal Secondary - 0.72% increase

So much for Electricity 10% and Gas 19%

Do you have gas central heating? If so why are you on an Economy 7 tariff. You normally only benefit from having E7 if you have night storge heaters.

Can you post your annual consumption (in kWh's) and someone will be able to tell you if it's worth having E7.

2010

The Energy secretary`s answer to massive price increases

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move supplier.
Doesn`t this chump know that they ALL will put up their prices.
Instead of dodging getting points on his driving license, who should be referring these energy money grubbers to the competition commission.


http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2011/jun/11/chris-huhne-energy-companies-price

As concern grows that the other five major energy companies are preparing to follow Scottish Power and announce big rises within weeks, the energy secretary, Chris Huhne, told the Observer that consumers should not accept the increases "lying down" but "hurt" their supplier by finding cheaper alternatives.

"Consumers don't have to take price increases lying down," he said. "If an energy company hits you with a price increase, you can hit them back where it hurts – by shopping around and voting with your feet."