Stanging charges

siking1427

I did a couple of comparisons yesterday on my gas and electric bills and found that I could save over £200 by switching to Npower from British gas (dual fuel). I checked with BG and there would be no charges for leaving.

My issue is this, There was also a cheaper BG option available with which I could save £116, plus, when I rang, they said that they would apply a credit to my account after 9 months for £75. So a total of £191 so far compared to £227 for switching to Npower. The BG lady also told me that there are no standing charges on the BG deal.

I looked into the Npower deal and there are standing charges on both gas and electric which amount to well over £150.

Can anyone tell me if the standing charges are included in the price they give on the comparison or do they cut in to the saving you make?

I'm quite confused. I can send screenshots or links to the deal if that helps. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Simon.

HappyMJ

Standing charges are included on the comparison sites but IGT charges if they apply are not included.

The Npower deal includes an annual £105 cash back so you have to pay £8.75 a month more for the first year before you get your £105 back..Can be a bit tricky to work out if it's better or not....if you leave before any multiple of 12 months you don't get any back....and seasonal charging applies so you will be charged more in winter and less in summer. The savings are accurate only if your monthly usage is always above the seasonal charging limits.

The £75 BG cash back should have been included on the comparison site so make sure you are not counting it twice.

siking1427

Thanks MJ, the £75 was more an incentive to stay with BG that the customer services lady added to my account already (if I leave before 9 months is up, I lose that money).

So the standing charges are included in the total yearly price they give on the comparison site?

HappyMJ

siking1427 wrote: »

Thanks MJ, the £75 was more an incentive to stay with BG that the customer services lady added to my account already (if I leave before 9 months is up, I lose that money).

So the standing charges are included in the total yearly price they give on the comparison site?

Yes and with that £75 incentive payment I'd stick with BG at least for 9 months and you can then look again. That's a good offer and much less hassle than switching away. Your DD's will stay the same and you won't be asked to pay any outstanding amounts whilst also paying DD's with the new supplier.