Understanding the benefits of switching

Nikiya

We are reaching the end of a very good tariff with SSE which does not exist any more... comparing the one they have offered with what is available I would save around 260 per year if switching to First Utility (I've checked several comparison sites and they al agree). However, FU has appaling reviews and they only have 3 months' fixed price... so how can a comparison site give you yearly savings when nobody knows what's going to happen with those tariffs after 3 months?? Any thoughts or advice on that matter?

jalexa

Nikiya wrote: »

...FU has appaling reviews and they only have 3 months' fixed price... so how can a comparison site give you yearly savings when nobody knows what's going to happen with those tariffs after 3 months?

Assuming you are using a Consumer Focus accredited comparison website, the comparison has to comply with a number of "rules".

An "unwritten rule" is that most tariffs at the top of the comparison are there by virtue of one or more "gotchas". The most common "gotchas" are "guaranteed discount" and "deferred discount":eek:. Occasionally both.

Regading the prospect of a First Utility tariff increase after 3 months, at that stage you would be entitled to switch. However, given that the tariff is a "deferred discount":eek: tariff you would lose your unearned discount.

If you particularly want a "deferred discount":eek: tariff, NPower are the masters:D. If you want a fix chose a longer fix than 3 months. Basically your choice guided by the comparison, including matters of service rating.