MSE News: Co-operative Energy to supply the Which? 'Big Switch'

Terrylw1

It will also heavily rely on the suppliers, distributors and their agents systems being stable enough to handle it. At present, I doubt that the case with some still on 30 year old systems and some new to SAP.

On the SAP point, one of the key systems being sold to suppliers would never cope with this type of volume as the software company have sold it with file limitations. So, the industry would need to force this to change since its outside of the suppliers control and they shouldn't be forced to cough up on that.

I think its an issue that should be tackled like all SLC, MRA, BSC changes are. Get all players involved and thrash it out. I just think these sales companies are not telling customers about the realities and scoring cheap points for doing very little.

Usually, when the marketing bods are left to run unchecked by the people who manage the operational ends...they end up causing a load of problems for consumers.

davidgmmafan

So basically it served no purpose other than to get a bit of publicity for Which and Co-op. Excellent.

jwarren66

I think that Big switch has served a purpose - for example the announcement back in April by Clegg that big six had agreed to tell us their cheapest tariff once a year.

The result of this will be that the differences between cheapest and worst tariffs will reduce - thats good overall - but crap for those who switch regularly - as they won't be subsidised by people who refuse to switch.

Which got some things badly wrong imho some highlighted by telegraph
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/consumertips/household-bills/9259665/Which-Big-Switch-energy-deal-disappointing.html
- they did not come clean on the fees they were charging - £40 is excessive and could be seen as profiteering
- could not meet the expectation of 300,000 by allowing bid from Co-op for 30,000
- the money saved was not enough

collective purchase is a good concept - just Which one not done right.

MillicentBystander

It's destined to fail for a very simple reason - to get an amazing deal you would need to get a huge number to switch. And not even the Big 6 would be able to cope with switching such a huge number, let alone one of the smaller suppliers.

Buzby

I could save £24pa. Considerably less when I switch to EDF Blue, which I plan to do. Yes, it was hype but at least I feel vindicated I'm with the right supplier already. Nice idea, but nothing more.

UserRandom864

complete waste of time and very disappointing.

Most people can get cheaper through price comparison sites, the only difference is Which will now be able to claim the referral fee, YES YOU HEARD ME. Which will be making a packet off the back of this campaign.

Realistic £40 a customer - 30,000 switchers that equates to a nice £1.2 million, thank you very much.

Many switchers might save a £1 a year, (WHOOPEE) but who is the real winner here.

With sites like MoneySavingExpert funding their costs by the same referalls, im surprised they are allowing this big con on the site, as not only is it not the best deal around it is taking income away from them.

Consumerist

www.aarjart.com wrote: »

Most people can get cheaper through price comparison sites . . .

But, sadly, the vast majority just don't engage with energy comparison sites and remain on standard rates. It is these customers who can benefit most from co-operative switching.

The sooner these "sticky" customers are persuaded away from their incumbent suppliers or on to cheaper tariffs, the sooner there will be more competition in the retail energy market.

neil9313

Has anybody recieved the Tied in Co op rates?

patman99

At least the Co-Op has a policy of dropping it's rates within 1 month of any drop in the wholesale prices. Add to this, the Co-Op Dividend card and you will always get cash back as long as you have at least one product with them.

If the energy providers are being forced to use SAP, then get used to being told 'our systems are down' whenever you call them with a query. SAP is basically AS400 (a 20-year-old database system) with a shiny Windows GUI.

patman99

Just a thought. How many customers would a company need in order to be able buy energy directly from the generators?.