Energy deal ending soon, not sure what to do.

Acrux

Hi guys! Been a lurker here for a few years on and off so this is my first post please be nice!

I consider myself to be fairly well educated but I find energy products and deals totally confusing. :huh:

The first time I ever switched supplier was last year when nPower wanted to up my DD by a ridiculous amount. I switched to Scottish Power Online Energy Saver 12 with a 2% discount (No idea if the discount is seperate or if it's part of the deal?)

Anyway I've been happy with the product and it's saved us loads of money however I've just been notified that it's due to end on 29th February and I can either go onto their standard prices, or they're offering me to switch to "Online Fixed Price Energy April 2013" the unit prices look cheaper than what I'm paying now but I'm slightly wary of fixing with the recent drop in energy prices.

My questions are:

Can I switch to another Scottish Power deal that isn't fixed? (If so where do I find them I've looked all over their website it's like a bloomin' maze!)

I know I am entitled to switch to another provider but when do I initiate the switch? Do I have to do it on or after 29th Feb and with switching taking around 8 weeks does this mean I'll be paying the standard prices in the transfer period?

Thanks for your help guys.

Neil_Jones

Get a year's worth of bills and feed them into a comparision website such as USwitch or MoneySuperMarket. See if you can get a better deal somewhere else.

To switch takes on average 4-6 weeks so if your tariff ends on Feb 29th you really should have started looking around the market by now.

Upwind

Acrux wrote: »

Hi guys! Been a lurker here for a few years on and off so this is my first post please be nice!

I consider myself to be fairly well educated but I find energy products and deals totally confusing. :huh:

The first time I ever switched supplier was last year when nPower wanted to up my DD by a ridiculous amount. I switched to Scottish Power Online Energy Saver 12 with a 2% discount (No idea if the discount is seperate or if it's part of the deal?)

Anyway I've been happy with the product and it's saved us loads of money however I've just been notified that it's due to end on 29th February and I can either go onto their standard prices, or they're offering me to switch to "Online Fixed Price Energy April 2013" the unit prices look cheaper than what I'm paying now but I'm slightly wary of fixing with the recent drop in energy prices.

My questions are:

Can I switch to another Scottish Power deal that isn't fixed? (If so where do I find them I've looked all over their website it's like a bloomin' maze!)

I know I am entitled to switch to another provider but when do I initiate the switch? Do I have to do it on or after 29th Feb and with switching taking around 8 weeks does this mean I'll be paying the standard prices in the transfer period?

Thanks for your help guys.

I'm in a similar position. I don't want to fix as I'm a light user, but may go with the Scottish Power Online Saver 17, which is the latest online saver. However, I'm also unsure if I can transfer onto this from Online Saver 12 - did you get anywhere when enquiring if you can switch to another Scottish Power deal?

macman

You need to use your annual kWH figures to get accurate comp site results. Using your monthly DD figures does not do this.
Don't be fooled by anyone offering a cheaper DD-you'll just pay for it down the line with a big catch up bill.
A typical switch take 4 to 5 weeks. But if yo want to stay with SP on another tariff, you'll have to wait until the end of Feb to change.

Pincher

What to do?

Check the comparison sites at least once a month throughout the year, preferrably weekly. Last minute cramming like when you were in school gets you nowhere.

The good deals for this winter were available in August/September 2011.

Be aware of your unit rates, so if a good two year or three year fix comes along, grab it.

Acrux

Thanks for replying guys,

I tried to work out my usage for the full year, however as I haven't been with SP for a full year I dont have an accurate reading. I tried to look at my last statements from nPower to work out the difference but my brain nearly melted in sheer confusion :mad:

I am also struggling to find the on-line non fixed offers on the SP website but can't find any of the on-line saver deals. I assume it's an easier/smoother switch if I'm staying with the same provider?

I understand I've left it a bit late I've definitely learned my lesson for next time! It astounds me how confusing they make it but I guess it's designed that way to discourage switching?

Sorry for all the questions, I'll be an expert this time next year I promise! :cool:

macman

What confusion? Look at your bill from a year ago-note the meter reading. Look at the current reading, note that too. Subtract former from latter, that's your annual consumption in meter units. Convert to kWh and put that figure into any comp site. Job done.
Don't waste time trawling round each suppliers' site-let the comp sites do all the work for you.