EDF - anyone got any positive comments to make?

katies_mum

I have sat and read lots of postings about EDF and many of you are complaining about customer service and direct debit problems. I am considering changing to their Blue + Price Promise tarriff April 2014 in the hope we might save a few pounds and also its fixed until April 2014 which seems to be a good idea.

Currently we have our gas with British Gas on Online saver 4 with Energy Smart and pay £70 per month (I like the way I have reasonable control over this DD) our account is £75 in credit. Adding up our annual usage its about 19437 kwh our postal code is PR8.

Our electricity is with Scottish Power and has been for 20+ years ashamed to say still on their standard tarrif and we pay quarterly by cheque. Annual usage is about 5417 kwh.

According to the EDF site and comparison site we could save about £230 if we take out dual fuel. After reading the problems many seem to have with DD`s am a bit worried as to what amount they might set up for us and how often this would be changed and if we would have any control over it. (have found with British Gas a quick phone call could keep it at £70 and now I think you can sort it out on their website)

I appreciate every company has its good and bad points (many might be unhappy with British Gas! etc) so just wondering who has taken out the Blue Price Promise tariff and is happy with the transfer over and the service they are getting. Its quite scary considering a changeover as this would be our first time so want to get it right.

Many thanks for any advice, information or help.

big_kev

i have just switched to edf from sse.The main reason i left was i phoned them in july about their fixed deal and was advised to stay on the standard rate and anyway there would be time to fix if the prices started to rise-apparantly not (not at the old rate anyway)so i left.I have heard about edfs customer service,i just hope its improved

deedee71

Hi Katie's Mum

I've switched over to EDF about 4 years ago, shopped around 2 years ago and stuck with them and have now just switched on to the Blue Plan.

I think if you give them meter readings every month (online) it prevents a lot of the DD problems. Customer service - it does take a long time to get through on the phone sometimes but it's a freephone number so I don't mind holding. Always found them very helpful.

Make sure you go through Topcashback or Quidco or the like to see who is offering the best deal. From memory I got £70 from Topcashback when I first switched.

joerugby

A very helpful lady (Amy) helped me switch today to this EDF tariff from SSE.

I decided to go for quarterly billing to avoid any problems with lack of control over DDs and it's still going to be a pretty big saving versus the new SSE prices.

Fingers crossed!

katies_mum

Thanks all for taking the time to reply its much appreciated.

joerugby, don`t you get a discount for paying by monthly DD?

deedee71, I did look at quidco earlier and there was nothing showing for EDF so will check Topcashback but have not used them before.

katies_mum

Nothing on Quidco or Topcashback...sob sob

notbritishgas

katies_mum wrote: »

Thanks all for taking the time to reply its much appreciated.

joerugby, don`t you get a discount for paying by monthly DD?

deedee71, I did look at quidco earlier and there was nothing showing for EDF so will check Topcashback but have not used them before.

Yes there is a 6% DD discount so Joe will not get that.

I switched to EDF last August (fixed 2014) and have been relatively trouble free, round about that time they changed to a new computer system and loads of people reported problems on here, due to the problems the waiting times on their customer service line were horrendous.

I do think they have made efforts to improve things and the problems seem to have reduced (wait for the influx now).

My dealings with CS have been polite and efficient and it is a freephone number.

katies_mum

Brilliant thanks. Can you tell me how they work out the initial DD figure is it based on the figures you input from your previous suppliers?
This is all new to me, but have to do something for some peace of mind.
Glad to hear CS is improving (I`ll be honest have always found B Gas helpful and polite if I have had to ring them)

welshee

notbritishgas wrote: »

Yes there is a 6% DD discount so Joe will not get that.

I switched to EDF last August (fixed 2014) and have been relatively trouble free, round about that time they changed to a new computer system and loads of people reported problems on here, due to the problems the waiting times on their customer service line were horrendous.

I do think they have made efforts to improve things and the problems seem to have reduced (wait for the influx now).

My dealings with CS have been polite and efficient and it is a freephone number.

Likewise, never had a problem worth talking about with EDF. Seems they have there bad faults and good, but don't they all.
:T

joerugby

notbritishgas wrote: »

Yes there is a 6% DD discount so Joe will not get that.

You are right the 6% discount is available for monthly DDs but I prefer not to pay in advance, and I was keen to avoid possible overpayment problems so I've gone for the quarterly billing option whcih is still very attractive compared with SSE

katies_mum

Just looked at quote again, I`ll only save £15 by paying by DD (thought it would be more - when they say 6% discount it does sound like a lot but infact only £1.50 a month), like joerugby I do like to have control over payments so this is definitely another option. They reckon I can still save £245 by changing over.

Please does anyone know if you can make one off payments into your account before the bill becomes due.