MSE News: Find out British Gas's new 'simplified' tariff range 24 November 2011 at 5:43PM edited 30 November -1 at 1:00AM in Energy 14 replies 2.3K views

MSE_Guy

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 ..."

Read the full story:
Find out British Gas's new 'simplified' tariff range

tagq2

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

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

...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:

jd87

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

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.

Irratus_Rusticus

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

meggsy

... and todays news is ... there are two tariffs

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/consumertips/household-bills/8912061/British-Gas-tariff-changes-how-am-I-affected.html

donaldtramp

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

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

MillicentBystander

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.