Confusing discounts

Lifes_Grand_Plan

Hi folks,

Just looking to switch from E.On Save Online Dual Fuel and comparison sites are telling me N-Power Sign Online 23 is best.

The N-Power sites tells me "£100 discount" and then "Monthly Direct Debit £47.69"

Further down it states:

1. Your discount will be credited to your account on or before the last day of the 12th month after becoming eligible - does this mean I only get the discount if I stay with them 12 months? Seems a con if it means they could bump the prices up but effectively tie me in if I want to get the discount.

2. Also seem to remember seeing something saying "direct debit amounts are inclusive of discount" - if the discount isn't until the end of the year though, does it mean I will pay more than the £47.69 quoted because the discount doesn't get applied monthly, or will I just run up a debt about equivalent to the discount until the end of the year then the discount will pay that debt off?

All seems like they make it as confusing as possible....

Pincher

I am trying to create an imperial dictatorship, where I control the price of gas and electricity, and everything else in my empire.
I promise you will never be confused by the price of anthing ever again.

Vote for Emperor Pincher.

Lifes_Grand_Plan

I'm not sure if thats meant to be sarcasm, humour or something else....?

Pincher

Lifes_Grand_Plan wrote: »

I'm not sure if thats meant to be sarcasm, humour or something else....?

I'm just too happy because my broadband is working again.

It's been unavaiable "during the day" for a week now.

Started on Tuesday, when it was unavailable noon to 6pm,
then it was more like 10am to 8pm. The engineer came this afternoon, and bypassed a splitter in front of the house, and it's working again.

We think the splitter stops working when it gets hot when the sun is at the front of the house. Arrrrrggghhhhhh!

Back to the thread. Just wanted to present the pro-choice and no-choice dichotomy.

OlyL

yes, basically that price includes the discount of £100, which is applied to your account on the statement after your anniversary date with them.

that also means you have to stay with them for a year to get that discount

jalexa

Lifes_Grand_Plan wrote: »

Just looking to switch from E.On Save Online Dual Fuel and comparison sites are telling me N-Power Sign Online 23 is best.

The N-Power sites tells me "£100 discount" and then "Monthly Direct Debit £47.69"

Further down it states:

1. Your discount will be credited to your account on or before the last day of the 12th month after becoming eligible - does this mean I only get the discount if I stay with them 12 months? Seems a con if it means they could bump the prices up but effectively tie me in if I want to get the discount.

2. Also seem to remember seeing something saying "direct debit amounts are inclusive of discount" - if the discount isn't until the end of the year though, does it mean I will pay more than the £47.69 quoted because the discount doesn't get applied monthly, or will I just run up a debt about equivalent to the discount until the end of the year then the discount will pay that debt off?

(1) :beer:now that that the penny has dropped I assume you will be wary of "deferred discount" tariffs. And tell 2 friends to tell 2 friends about "deferred discount"...

(commonly NPower and Atlantic tariffs feature "deferred discount")


(2) is answered here at "Your monthly payment amount"...

http://www.npower.com/Home/Electricity-and-gas/Electricity-and-gas-prices/Direct-Debit-discounts/

Lifes_Grand_Plan

Thanks very much Jalexa and Olyl

For anyone else reading this that might want to know the answer to my part 2:

In your first year with npower any product or payment discounts you’re entitled to will also be built into your monthly payment amount. Please remember, if you decide to leave us or stop meeting the conditions of the discount, e.g. you stop paying by Direct Debit, before the end of the first 12 months, you won’t receive your discount and you may find your monthly payments haven’t covered the energy you’ve used.

I want call it a big con but I suppose the details are hidden deep down if you go looking which we all know people won't do.

Thanks Jalexa you also answered my other question on who else does this "deferred discount" so will know to steer clear of NPower and Atlantic from now on... as if exit fees weren't enough (which NPower also charge BTW) they do this as well as a further lock in.

Went with Co-Op in the end BTW, a fraction cheaper than NPower, was leaning towards npower for cashback but Co-Op themselves do a £25 credit on your first bill so way less risky than cashback plus no tie-ins and co-op points,