*UPDATED* British Gas decrease- effect on the various tariffs, new tariffs & offers

briskly_2

Thanks Tripled for a very useful and well written analysis. BG's convoluted and ridiculous tariff system reminds me more and more of the Python sketch in "The Meaning of Life" where John Cleese tells the schoolboys about hanging their coats on the upper pegs if they have an older brother etc. No wonder their call centre staff don't have a clue what is going on.

I still think BG could and should be fined for printing misleading ads telling everyone to "do nothing" to qualify for the reductions.

zzzLazyDaisy

I have just switched to Click 2, from the standard tariff. Does this mean that I will now pay more than if I'd stayed with the standard tariff? If that is the case I will switch back. Help, please????

tripled

zzzLazyDaisy, your ok with click 2. It was only launched last week and will be cheaper than their standard tariff. It is click 1 that hasn't had prices cut.

Waldir, discounted electricity is no longer available to new customers and they haven't indicated they will be cutting prices on that tariff.

suewise

BG are not advertising this, but you can have £300 off the cost of having radiator thermostats fitted for one month only if you have BG Homecare. we are getting 8 thermostats fitted for £132 pounds - less than the cost of the valves alone - and also includes draining the system and putting in cleaning chemicals.

tonysbt

My old brain is having great difficulty trying to decide what to do regarding British Gas price plans. I am currently with British Gas for both gas and electricity, paying by Direct Debit each month. The gas is on the Fix and Fall scheme. Could some kind hearted person help me out and let me know whether I should cancel the Fix and Fall and take out one of the other schemes - perhaps Price Guardian 2008? If I did cancel Fix and Fall is there a period of time before it is effected or is it done straight away?

Thanks for your help.
Tony

tripled

With fix and fall, your prices are protected at the old rates until Dec 2007 and then fall by 4.5%, which lasts until Dec 2008. Gas guardian will protect your prices at the new rates until Spring 2008.

There is no cancellation period for fix and fall, however it will take them a few days to update your records.

It is obviously down to you what you decide, whether you want security for nearly two years (staying on fix and fall, for a substantial premium over the new rates), cheaper security for just over a year (price guardian) an online tariff or even switch to a variable rate with a cheaper supplier when one emerges.

tonysbt

Thanks for that. Would you suggest I cancel?

Tony

tripled

Personally, I would, but in the unlikely event prices shoot up 50% next year don't blame me!

tonysbt

Thanks - I'll wait until March to change. I hope the prices don't go up again for a while, but I won't blame you if they do!

Tony

tripled

***Update for prepayment customers***
The gas prepayment tariff is only being cut by 10%. This means that the tariff will no longer be the same as cash/cheque customers, pp customers will be paying a premium again.