Should I fix at these prices........

jalexa

Jenny.W wrote: »

see, this is such a minefield. I'm scared to switch in case it's not as black and white as it seems :-( then I'll be worse off. I'm really not so clued up on all this.

I just assume that the lower quoted kwh figures are what you should look for? (as the blue figures above).

I meant to put you on your guard against unscrupulous suppliers, not scare you against a switch to a "cheap" fixed price.

Well done for getting the EDF 2012 "fix" prices off uSwitch. If you have decided on a "fix" have a look at Edf FP 2014. Not much more expensive than Edf 2012 but fixed for a further 2 winters and (on face of it though I haven't done an exact calculation and it is not yet on comparison websites) quite a bit cheaper than Southern Electric Fix 7.

That will be because Edf FP 2014 is based on "pre-increase" pricing while Southern Electric Fix 7 is based on "post-increase pricing".

Edf 2014 was still available when I checked this morning, but probably not for long.

backfoot

jalexa wrote: »

That will be because Edf FP 2014 is based on "pre-increase" pricing while Southern Electric Fix 7 is based on "post-increase pricing".

Edf 2014 was still available when I checked this morning, but probably not for long.

It's probably that they can't switch it off on their computer. Haven't designed the off button yet.....:rotfl:phase 2.

JennyW_2

Southern electric are stating on their website that prices will now be frozen until at least August 2012. They also offer a discount 2% rate instead of a fixed.

The EDF concerns are that usually when setting up a new account, there can be phone calls trying to sort out payments/direct debits in errors occur.

jalexa

JennyW wrote: »

Southern electric are stating on their website that prices will now be frozen until at least August 2012. They also offer a discount 2% rate instead of a fixed.

I am completely in favour of customer choice and perceived customer service standard is one component.

However the cynic in me might say that given that a true open market comparison isn't that favourable to Southern Electric prices it is easy to make the price freeze promise.

I am much more worried however about your "the 2% discount" tariff comment. I presume you are referring to Southern Electric "Fixed Discount January 2014". If you are seriously considering that I trust you will satisfy yourself that you fully understand the implications of this thread...

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3369410

JennyW_2

Thanks for the link

No it's not a fixed rate, it's a 2% tracker

http://www.southern-electric.co.uk/gasandelectricity/fixeddiscountjanuary2014/

I'm seriously considering moving to the EDF fixed for 3 years. On the USwitch webiste, this is how they compare:

EDF
Gas £82.34 standing charge
3.556p per kwh (3.387p excl VAT)
Elec £81.50 standing charge
12.61p per kwh (12.01p excl VAT)

SOUTHERN ELEC
Gas £114.862 standing charge
4.001p per kwh (3.810p excl VAT)
£67.95 standing charge
12.66p per kwh (12.06p excl VAT)

do you think these are good enough to fix?

Ultrasonic

I've been considering the EDF fixed price deals but there are two issues that concern me, that might be of interest to others here:

1) The details given on their website for the fixed price 2014 tariff states that:

Fixed Price 2014 guarantees fixed prices until 31 March 2014. This means the price you pay for your Daily Standing Charge and each unit of energy you use won't change until this date.

I may be being paranoid, but I can't see anywhere that guarantees that they won't remove/reduce the DD saving (currently 6%), and I'm slightly wondering if this gives them the right to essentially increase prices by 6% during the fix?

2) This won't be of concern to all, but I could easily end up moving home before March 2014 and I've yet to be able to find out from EDF what would happen if I did.

JennyW_2

Ultrasonic wrote: »

I've been considering the EDF fixed price deals but there are two issues that concern me, that might be of interest to others here:

1) The details given on their website for the fixed price 2014 tariff states that:


I may be being paranoid, but I can't see anywhere that guarantees that they won't remove/reduce the DD saving (currently 6%), and I'm slightly wondering if this gives them the right to essentially increase prices by 6% during the fix?

2) This won't be of concern to all, but I could easily end up moving home before March 2014 and I've yet to be able to find out from EDF what would happen if I did.

I'm going to call them this afternoon to ask about their discounts so I will check this and report back

jalexa

JennyW wrote: »

No it's not a fixed rate, it's a 2% tracker

I'm seriously considering moving to the EDF fixed for 3 years. On the USwitch webiste, this is how they compare:

Indeed it is tracker. Very "naughty" of Southern Electric to include the word "fixed" in non-fixed tariff. Why does an allegedly highly rated supplier need to do that? 2% for a 3 year lock-in? Pah!


When I try uSwitch I cannot see the Southern Electric tariff you refer to?

Regarding the SE rates you quote are you 100% certain you are quoting VAT inclusive? They look like ex-VAT (or did you already factor in the 6% DD discount)?

Regarding "which tariff", personally I have gone for EDF 2014 (which I *believe* is significantly cheaper than the newly announced Southern Electric "fix" ( which is a few months longer).

I have experienced all the Edf MyAccount problems mentioned in the Forum. At the same time the actual transfer has worked within the 4 to 6 week expected timeframe without having had any contact with Edf. Because contact is "impossible".

My conclusion is that that while the Edf MyAccount online system is *very* "buggy" the back-office procedures are fine.

It's your choice, but if you are *thinking* of Edf 2014, don't leave it too long.

Ultrasonic

JennyW wrote: »

I'm going to call them this afternoon to ask about their discounts so I will check this and report back

Good luck getting through. I've tried a few times without success, straight away getting through to a recorded message that allows you to leave your details for them to call you back. I tried this, but have yet to have a call from them... Hopefully you will have more luck!

jalexa

Ultrasonic wrote: »

(1) I may be being paranoid, but I can't see anywhere that guarantees that they won't remove/reduce the DD saving (currently 6%), and I'm slightly wondering if this gives them the right to essentially increase prices by 6% during the fix?

2) This won't be of concern to all, but I could easily end up moving home before March 2014 and I've yet to be able to find out from EDF what would happen if I did.

I woudn't call being alert to or concerned about apparent Ofgem "obtuseness" about consumer impact of *their* regulations is being "paranoid". However I think you would have the right to cancel in accordance with Regulation 23.3(b) "in any other way I]than a price rise[/I that is to the significant disadvantage of the customer". Of course in such a situation you would no longer have the balance of the fix at some personal disadvantage. That *would* be an interesting regulatory situation.

Regarding (2) I will check my Terms and Conditions but I expect they will say that the fixed term is waived on the occasion of a house move. I will edit that if that is not true.