MSE News: Escape energy lock-ins as prices soar

Consumerist

bendaw wrote: »

Any thoughts on best current deal for low/medium duel fuel?

It's not clear whether you are looking for a fixed- or variable-rate tariff and much depends on your region and consumption. For these reasons I would suggest using a comparison site. My own preference is UK Power because their tariff details does the whole costing calculation for you.

The only advice I would otherwise offer is to avoid the NPower Sign Online 23 (a variable tariff) unless you are absolutely sure you understand the circumstances in which you could lose up to £100 of discounts (which tend to put the tariff at the top of the list).

backfoot

bendaw wrote: »

I moved to EDF in December 2010 on their Online S@ver V7 tariff and they then increased prices by about 20% six months later. I complained and requested confirmation that I had a window to cancel my contract without penalty. They said that early termination of my 12 month contract would definitely incur a penalty.

I notified them by email of my right to cancel without penalty charges as confirmed by Ofgem and then received two emails from EDF advising that early termination of my Online S@ver V7 dual fuel contract would be a breach of contract and will incur a £60 penalty.

Can anyone please advise me of the true legal position on this?

It looks like Bendaw did give the required notice,so the hardball is not only hard it's a foul ball.(depends on timing )

If it was me,I would contact Kerry Butler on the email I gave you asking why the other rep hasn't applied EDF's own policy on this matter but more importantly Ofgem's Guidance Note.

sorayascot

Right then, no changes for me. I missed the July increase - don't know how. I thought that the rates were changing for the saver7 too but if they aren't then not worth paying £30 to move and only saving £20 or so. But if I was changing, I think I'd avoid the npower save online 23 tariff - seems to have a lot of pitfalls.

jalexa

backfoot wrote: »

It looks like Bendaw did give the required notice

Maybe I missed that, there are quite a number of threads within the thread but I based my post on "Thank you for your e-mail dated 21st September 2011" from a previous Bendaw post.

There was no OS7 increase pending at that date, nor had the Ofgem "guidance" been issued at the time of the earlier OS7 increase. In fact you (mainly) and myself (less so) were about the only people argueing what eventually became the "Ofgem guidance":beer:. Indeed I recall a spat with Consumerist on the interpretation;).

*If* wrong information was given out at the time of the earlier OS7 increase that is clearly a matter for Complaint and either agreed compensation or Energy Ombudsman referral. It is an interesting speculation what the cost to a consumer would be who chose not to move to a better tariff as a result of "misinformation".

But my main point for the benefit of others, and yes I do stand to be corrected, is that to escape Early Termination Charges on a "guaranteed discount" tariff, it is necessary to "reject" the notified increase and promptly arrange a switch.

Consumerist

NJC1 wrote: »

Posted the issue on there web site awaiting a call back.

Well done.

It occurs to me that if every (genuine) energy complaint posted on this forum was duplicated to Consumer Focus then the case for change would be established far more effectively and forcefully than is currently the case.

Pleased to see you have done your bit. :beer:

meggsy

Is Consumer Focus aware of this thread, they certainly were during the 'gas sculpting' debacle

My complaint email sent to CF today

backfoot

What the formal complaints do is reinforce the issues which I have already put in detail to both Consumer Focus and Ofgem.

The more examples of Supplier malpractice the stronger the case for firm action. It's great to be part of cutomer fightback and I am delighted others are taking the time to fight their/our corner.:T

The message is definately getting through.:D

Consumerist

backfoot wrote: »

What the formal complaints do is reinforce the issues which I have already put in detail to both Consumer Focus and Ofgem.

And a good job you appear to be doing too - for all of us. :beer:

As a point of information, how do you get the ear of Ofgem?

bendaw

backfoot wrote: »

It looks like Bendaw did give the required notice,so the hardball is not only hard it's a foul ball.(depends on timing )

If it was me,I would contact Kerry Butler on the email I gave you asking why the other rep hasn't applied EDF's own policy on this matter but more importantly Ofgem's Guidance Note.

I did email KB but she didn't reply - the break-through came from Dan Miller in Customer Liaison.

His message ends "If it is possible could you please send me a copy of Ofgem’s Guidance letter of 16th August that you mentioned in your email".

So perhaps the "confusion" is just because EDF didn't receive Ofgem's guidance letter and all will be well now???

Consumerist

bendaw wrote: »

His message ends "If it is possible could you please send me a copy of Ofgem’s Guidance letter of 16th August that you mentioned in your email".

That is outrageous. Are we really expected to believe that the guidance letter was not received? I can, however, believe it was binned before it could be circulated.