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MSE News: Find out British Gas's new 'simplified' tariff range

This is the discussion thread for the following MSE News Story:

"British Gas has moved from seven tariffs to five, while it has axed exit fees on its cheapest deal ..."
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Comments

  • tagq2
    tagq2 Posts: 382 Forumite
    So "simplified tariffs" means (i) removal of the cheapest tariffs; (ii) no simplification of the remaining tariffs.

    Fortunately any entrepreneur can start up an energy production and delivery network to compete on the basis of merit. All hail the free market!
  • smogit2
    smogit2 Posts: 14 Forumite
    If they wanted clearer tariffs they would have
    a) Brought the standing charge back, and then just had single rates that are easily compared across suppliers
    b) Described their products in terms of features not, where you buy them. E.g. paperless bills, online service only, etc. Then you could pay for what you want.
    c) Lowered the cost of the standard tariff, as it is no longer 'subsidising' the cheap tariffs.

    Nope, this is just an excuse to drop the cheapest deals.
  • Premier_2
    Premier_2 Posts: 15,141 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    ...In a poll on MoneySavingExpert.com in September, 83% said they would rather there were fewer tariffs even if it means prices rise...

    So presumably this move by BG which has resulted in those increased prices is welcomed by the vast majority then?

    :j:T:j:T:j

    Well done everybody!


    In the meantime, does anyone know of a good moneysaving website? I used to know one but it somehow has lost it's way recently :cool:
    "Now to trolling as a concept. .... Personally, I've always found it a little sad that people choose to spend such a large proportion of their lives in this way but they do, and we have to deal with it." - MSE Forum Manager 6th July 2010
  • jd87
    jd87 Posts: 2,345 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    That's a very confusing article. So they have simplified it to just three tariffs, and then you show a table with 5 tariffs. Wot?
  • grizzly1911
    grizzly1911 Posts: 9,965 Forumite
    It will end up like the budget airlines .

    Perhaps 3 tariffs, normal, fixed, economy 7 then umpteen adds on to make it of any use and/or various discounts depending on how you pay e.g. pay in advance (golden handshake).

    All smoke and mirrors for the benefit of the regulator.

    As an aside why doesn't the government bin the smart meter idea? I know why it would be beneficial to the industry but anyone who is remotely interested already knows how much they use and have done what they can or CBA ...yet.
    "If you act like an illiterate man, your learning will never stop... Being uneducated, you have no fear of the future.".....

    "big business is parasitic, like a mosquito, whereas I prefer the lighter touch, like that of a butterfly. "A butterfly can suck honey from the flower without damaging it," "Arunachalam Muruganantham
  • Just run the figures to be sure, and BG must be laughing all the way to the bank.
    :mad:

    Thanks to lazy beggars who don't bother to understand tariffs or switch, this 'simplification' hasn't simplified how tariffs are calculated but has added 10% to the only available online deal from BG when my present Websaver runs out. Ten percent EXTRA profit after a 20% increase in August. What an absolute farce. Chris Hulne needs a new calculator.

    And none of the lazy 'thickos' will switch anyway.

    Given all the companies will now opt for higher 'simpler' tariffs, we can all be grateful to the government and 'expert' lobbyists for such champion consumer work on our behalf. :T:T
  • Simpler tariffs for "simple" people.

    All that will happen is smart people(who can work the internet) will leave BG in droves to get cheaper tariffs from companies who still offer choice.
    Why should anyone who can work the internet pay a higher price because of other peoples lack of understanding?
    Is that fair?
  • brewerdave
    brewerdave Posts: 8,621 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Suspect that ALL the big 6 will follow BG's lead sooner or later in the next 6-9 months........then a couple of years down the road they will all start competing again - just in time for me coming off my fix til March 2014 - hopefully LOL
  • brewerdave wrote: »
    Suspect that ALL the big 6 will follow BG's lead sooner or later in the next 6-9 months........then a couple of years down the road they will all start competing again - just in time for me coming off my fix til March 2014 - hopefully LOL



    So do I. The cat is out of the bag now.
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