Switching GAS supplier?

Rochdale_Guy

Hi,

I'd like genuine advice/support please as I have never switched suppliers before...


I am currently with British Gas for my err.... gas (I live in a rented 2 bed council flat)

Prices for my STANDARD tariff (according to my last bill) are:

8.291p for first 551 units, then 3.797p for the rest

Monthly direct debit is currently £18 pm, but this was upto £24 until I complained. I am currently £60 in credit.

A few price comparison/switchers say I can save 47% by going with: EquiGas

from their website:

EquiGas costs 4.788p per kWh including VAT. (at all times)
As of the 26th March 2012 EquiGas will cost 4.573p per kWh including VAT (4.36p per kWh excluding VAT).

So, it certainly seems worthwhile but they get hit and miss reviews. I'm tempted as I am on Debt Management Plan with CCCS and need to cut back, but EquiGas seems to good to be true.

Any opinions please?
:beer:

Oh, I have been with British Gas since 1995 when I moved into the flat.

I don't know why I am so loyal to them
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t0rt0ise

Equigas is run by Ebico and is a good, ethical, non-profit making company. I haven't seen any complaints about them here.

Consumerist

Your flatulent post stinks - do you really want advice or are you just attention seeking? .

victor2

Standard tariffs are invariably the more expensive ones. You don't mention your electricity supplier. Look at the dual fuel options on the comparison sites, as it often works out better than paying for the utilities individually - the sites are a good guide so long as you know your annual kWh usage of each service.

Consumerist

On the face of it, switching makes sense according to your numbers but, because you must have a less-than-perfect credit history, the new supplier might want a security deposit or to put you on pre-payment meters. The Equigas tariff you are looking at may not be available on pre-payment meters so check to be sure.

t0rt0ise

Why would they put a prepayment meter in before someone defaults? In any case the whole point with Ebico and Equigas is that everyone pays the same however they pay for their fuel... credit meter or prepayment is all the same. That's where the Equi bit comes from.. meaning equal.

Consumerist

t0rt0ise wrote: »

Why would they put a prepayment meter in before someone defaults?. . .

It is my understanding that energy companies do a credit check on new customers before accepting them. Are you saying ebico does not credit-check new customers? If a prospective new customer has a bad credit record, will they accept them anyway?

Have I died and gone to Heaven?

HappyMJ

Consumerist wrote: »

It is my understanding that energy companies do a credit check on new customers before accepting them. Are you saying ebico does not credit-check new customers? If a prospective new customer has a bad credit record, will they accept them anyway?

Have I died and gone to Heaven?

Ebico does not do a credit check. As long as the leaving company lets you go then Ebico accepts anyone.

Cardew

Rochdale_Guy wrote: »

.


Prices for my STANDARD tariff (according to my last bill) are:

8.291p for first 551 units, then 3.797p for the rest

Monthly direct debit is currently £18 pm, but this was upto £24 until I complained. I am currently £60 in credit.

A few price comparison/switchers say I can save 47% by going with: EquiGas

from their website:

EquiGas costs 4.788p per kWh including VAT. (at all times)
As of the 26th March 2012 EquiGas will cost 4.573p per kWh including VAT (4.36p per kWh excluding VAT).


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What consumption did you enter to get a 47% reduction with Equigas?

Certainly with very low consumption - and £18 monthly is very low - then Equigas is usually a good bet.

Consumerist

HappyMJ wrote: »

Ebico does not do a credit check. As long as the leaving company lets you go then Ebico accepts anyone.

From the Ebico Ts&Cs :-

5. Security Deposit/pre-payment meter.
5.1 We can request a security deposit from you or replace your meter(s) with a pre-payment meter(s) if:
(a) You don’t meet our credit criteria;
(b) You fail to pay or are late in paying the Charges; or
(c) As a result of your conduct.
If you don’t provide a security deposit and it is not safe and/or practical to install a pre-payment meter(s) we may disconnect your supply and recover any costs reasonably incurred.

Accordingly, I beg to differ with you.

Rochdale_Guy

t0rt0ise wrote: »

Equigas is run by Ebico and is a good, ethical, non-profit making company. I haven't seen any complaints about them here.

Thanks :beer: