Marks and Spencer

Susan1942

I am still trying to figure out which is the best Energy Provider to switch to. Looks like M&S have the highest level of Customer Service
Comparing it on Energyhelp line it gives me EDH as the best price which is £47 higher than my current Go Direct 5. I note that M&S is on the SSE provider and this would cost me £81 more but if it worth paying a little more for this?
SSE could only offer me the best price at £145 and for fixed to 2014 £230 more. I have to change by 31st Dec. I note that I can't move to M&S through Energyhelp but only directly with M&S
Anyone have any experience with M&S and also would you use them based on the small amount extra to pay? Advice would be appreciated.

Sue

Susan1942

I have now discovered that M&S is in fact SSE so I could stay with the same company and the credit I have would simply be passed over to my account. At a cost of £88 more than Go Direct 5 and the nearest being £44 that then I think to remain where I am is probably the best option. When I called SSE they didn't tell me that M&S was part of them and just gave me their best price. Last year when I said to Atlantic that I needed to move they then told me about the Go Direct 5 tariffe. THoughts would be appreciated
Sue

jalexa

Susan1942 wrote: »

Comparing it .... gives me EDF as the best price which is £47 higher than my current Go Direct 5. I note that M&S is on the SSE provider and this would cost me £81 more but is it worth paying a little more for this?

Only you can decide that, though if you look at enough comparison sites you will find £80 cashback on Scottish Power so maybe "£81" is not totally accurate as the "cost" of the possibly imaginary service standards you are looking for.

Anyway you don't "have to switch" by 31 December. On that date you will transfer to the default SSE maturity option, either a no lock-in tariff or, if a lock-in tariff, you can reject the option. Then switch.

My main advice is to consider the "peace of mind" benefits of a "fixed-price" tariff.

Be aware that some "apparently competitive" tariffs, e.g. from NPower, are "deferred discount":eek: tariffs which include a £100 discount you could forfeit if you switch in future before earning the discount. Also be aware how "guaranteed discount" tariffs work, and especially the "named to confuse" SSE "Fixed Discount" tariff. The Edf tariff is as "clean" (and cheap) as they come, unfortunately Edf customer service has until recently been very poor. Your choice.

As an aside, I was "ambushed" in M&S a few months ago and the M&S energy salespeople told me "lies". So top service rating is no guarantee.

HappyMJ

It's not worth paying more to a company that is rated as having the best customer service.

When using the comparison websites use your annual kWh figures and use the tariff that you will be switched to after the 31st Dec rather than your current tariff. It will then tell you what you would SAVE by switching.

M&S is seperate to SSE. Your energy is supplied by SSE but you will be billed by and customer service provided by M&S.

victor2

HappyMJ wrote: »

It's not worth paying more to a company that is rated as having the best customer service.

It's a personal opinion. Most people really don't need much in the way of customer service from their energy supplier, so in that respect, why pay more for it?
On the other hand, if your billing gets messed up and/or you get hit with a sudden unexpected charge, good customers service can be a godsend.

I went from a company that had given me good service to a cheaper one which subsequently hasn't. A close relative went the other way as he had had enough of not being able to speak to the one he was with and I am now with. My utilities cost me less, but I would seriously consider paying a bit more to go back to the one I was with.

MillicentBystander

HappyMJ wrote: »

It's not worth paying more to a company that is rated as having the best customer service.

When using the comparison websites use your annual kWh figures and use the tariff that you will be switched to after the 31st Dec rather than your current tariff. It will then tell you what you would SAVE by switching.

M&S is seperate to SSE. Your energy is supplied by SSE but you will be billed by and customer service provided by M&S.

I'm assuming you haven't signed up to EDF in the last 12 months.

daveyjp

Our supply is SSE through M&S. Never had to contact them so no idea about customer service. They do send us £20 to £40 a year in vouchers ever year for being customers. No idea why, we just spend them!

HappyMJ

MillicentBystander wrote: »

I'm assuming you haven't signed up to EDF in the last 12 months.

I've been a customer before.

I've also been with Ebico which in reality is SSE but much cheaper.

Susan1942

Thanks for all your replies and yes it does give me food for thought. I will do some further comparisons before I make a final decision. Have just read my meter and put the readings in so have an up to date bill of just how I am faring. I am still £167 in credit even though this is now the start of the winter season. It has been mild mind you'

Thanks again

Sue

Mugget

M&S is supplied by SSE and all customer service calls go through theie main call centre. They are not allowed to prompt the M&S tariffs in house as part of the contract with M&S. It can only be signed up through a M&S store. Hence why they did not tell u about it. I my opion it is worth paying more for customer service especially after being subjected to the other end of the scale with eon and then edf being treated like an idiot and patronised!

Susan1942

I have made the decision to go with M&S for that very reason. A friend had a lot of issues with Eon and also with Scottish Power in the past. I have been with Atlantic before changing to Go Direct 5 last year both Southern products and I would rather save some money by going to M&S but still enjoying knowing that I am with a company which for me where I have had no problems whatsoever. Also I will get some M&S voucher. For me everything has a price and this little extra is worth paying for a company that I have confidence in. Thanks again for all of you who wrote to me.


Sue