Which utilities company do you recommend?

Greenst

My current 'plan' is about to end, I know I am paying over the odds as I have the EON SaveOnline 5 tarriff. I have done some shopping around on the money supermarket sites etc and have got some slightly better quotes, but when I look at the reviews for the other utilities companies there are some dire ones!

I have not personally had any problems with EON but I think I need to look around as they are not offering me a decent deal to move onto, and it seems like all these things, e.g. insurance, companies want to lure in new customers with fantastic offers then lumber them with higher rates the following year/s when it's renewal time.

So can anyone recommend a utilities company that will process my transfer without the often reported problems and nauseating and infuriating issues? I am looking to save money here, is is best to go for the cheapest option or is that in most cases opening up a can of worms?

Any advice is most appreciated before I go into the process of trawling the offers on all these sites!

t0rt0ise

I always just go with the cheapest except for First Utility. I ignore that one but that's the only one I'd not use. The others are all much of a muchness.

jalexa

Greenst wrote: »

Any advice is most appreciated...

1. Beware "deferred discount":eek: tariffs if you do not understand the circumstances you could forfeit the discount. Commonly tariffs from NPower and First Utility feature "deferred discount":eek:.

2. Be aware that tariffs towards the top of the comparison may be there as a result of one or more "gotchas" (such as "deferred discount") designed to achieve a favourable listing.

3. Strongly consider the "peace of mind" benefits of a Fixed Rate over at least one winter season.

Plushchris

t0rt0ise wrote: »

I always just go with the cheapest except for First Utility. I ignore that one but that's the only one I'd not use. The others are all much of a muchness.

I'd pretty much second this, I'd always go with the cheapest unless taking a bit of a gamble with a fix, but even then, if the fix isnt in the top five cheapest tariffs overall I wouldnt bother, all depends on the difference though obviously..

The main thing with all companies is to make sure you keep on top of things, taking meter readings etc, chasing them up if you dont hear from them - that sort of thing, to be honest, most of the "problems" I've heard about come from people expecting everything to be done for them..

jsjoker100

I'd recommend Utility Warehouse. Joined them recently and savings loads. Just Google "Utility Warehouse - Save Your Bills".

jalexa

mikemaple wrote: »

Oh hope you don't mean mean as well

Oh yes we do do:D

Plushchris

Which? magazine makes me laugh, I signed up to get the John Lewis vouchers that were on offer a while back, in one of their magazines they were reviewing toasters, three toasters from each of three different price brackets, so they reviewed nine toasters and gave every single one of them a best buy award. Whats the point of that??

There is a lot of debate about the results of that Which? poll on energy providers, mostly because all those with a vested interest will vote saying UW is best whereas all the other suppliers (where people DONT have a vested interest) only get people writing in moaning about them.

Anyhow, all things Utility warehouse have to be discussed on a separate Utility warehouse thread due to people spamming the boards (see above)

nottomcruise

I think a lot of the time it's luck of the draw with regards to hassles a lot of the time. Me and a friend made the same tariff switch in the same area at the same time, and she ended up with a sackload more problems and expenses. Just pick one that sounds suitable and keep your fingers crossed.

teggyboymoll

Have you tried getting a quote from a smaller company I use OVO and have done so for several years since I read an article in a Daily Paper

SiWilts

I recently switched from Eon (after 6+ years with them) to First Utlity - uswitch showed them to be £150/year cheaper.
It's a variable account - pay monthly (not fixed DD amount).

However, i'm beginning to wonder whether i've made the right decision - recently tried contacting their cust service since Sunday cannot get thru' to an agent. Sent an email Sunday - still no reply.
Have i boobed by signing up with them?
Anyone had a similar experience with FU?

I'm a real stickler for speedy, quality customer service. To be fair i found Eon pretty good (even though i had a DD issue with them last November - they still came around to my view). I bank with the best bank in the UK and their cust serv is tops.