Early termination fees -are they charged on a switch application or completion?

Faz

Hi everyone,

I'm on the EDF Fixed Saver v2 deal, which ends on 30th Sept 2012.

I'm worry that by this date, other cheaper deals I could switch to may not be available.

EDF state they will charge a £25.00 early termination fee for each gas and electric if I change my tariff before 30th Sept.

My question is - does this fee apply if: 1) I start an application for supply with another provider before this date, or 2) If my actual supply is switched before this date. As a switch can take 6 weeks, I'd rather start this now if I won't be charged unless the actual switch concludes.

Thanks

dogshome

The date that counts is the date that the actual switch takes place, not the date you start the process.
The way it works is that at some time after you have started the process, the new supplier will ask you for meter readings and at that time advise you of the Switch date-( the dates may be different for the Gas & & Elec)

EDF Blue 2014, which was one of the more competitive tariffs has been withdrawn from the market, but it is still available without penalties for existing customers on about to expire EDF tariffs who phone in.
This does mean swapping your existing tariff to Blue immediately, which for a few weeks will cost you more - against that you have a price fiix for 2 winters on a tariff you can leave without penalties.

Terrylw1

The switch takes 21 days after the cooling off period ends. However, the proposed switch date is the first part of the process and its this date that must be after your contract end date.

The supplier has to send it future dated with a reasonable objection window for the old supplier, which is normally 5 working days.

So, plan your sign up based on this. The customer reads come after the proposal of the switch as they only need those close to it and until the objection window expires, you new supplier hasn't taken you.

Neil49

Terrylw1 wrote: »

The switch takes 21 days after the cooling off period ends. However, the proposed switch date is the first part of the process and its this date that must be after your contract end date.

The supplier has to send it future dated with a reasonable objection window for the old supplier, which is normally 5 working days.

So, plan your sign up based on this. The customer reads come after the proposal of the switch as they only need those close to it and until the objection window expires, you new supplier hasn't taken you.

Terry, could you just clarify what you have said above for me as a friend of mine is in the same situation with her contract with EDF ending on 30th Sept. The 'EDF Blue' option ended for everyone last Friday so that is no longer an option.

You say that the 'proposed switch date' is the important one which, in this instance, must be after 30th Sept. If an application went in on 10th September would the proposed start date be in around 5 working days from then or 21 working days from then?

If it's 21 days ahead then she could initiate the order right away.

Sorry to be a bit thick on this but she doesn't want to get hit with early cancellation charges for the sake of a few days.

Many thanks.

macman

If you apply today then your switch is not going to happen before 30/9.
Your old contract ends on the date you go on supply with the new supplier, that's when the clock stops on your existing contract.
Anyway, why don't you reserve a switch now to EDF Blue+ while it's still available, you can then apply to switch away from it the same day it starts on 1/10 (if you wish) without penalty?

Buzby

EDF will not impose an early termination fee if you switch to another EDF in-house tariff (but will, if the supply is with another firm).

macman

Or switch immediately to Blue+, then away again without charge.

Neil49

Many thanks for the replies.

With regard to EDF Blue, my friend phoned them yesterday morning and was told that the offer had finished for everyone, even existing customers, as of Friday night.

Terrylw1

Neil49 wrote: »

Terry, could you just clarify what you have said above for me as a friend of mine is in the same situation with her contract with EDF ending on 30th Sept. The 'EDF Blue' option ended for everyone last Friday so that is no longer an option.

You say that the 'proposed switch date' is the important one which, in this instance, must be after 30th Sept. If an application went in on 10th September would the proposed start date be in around 5 working days from then or 21 working days from then?

If it's 21 days ahead then she could initiate the order right away.

Sorry to be a bit thick on this but she doesn't want to get hit with early cancellation charges for the sake of a few days.

Many thanks.

The proposed switch date has to be within the 21 days. It will be at least 5 working days into the 21 day period, possibly longer.

Prior to the 21 days, you also have your cooling off period which can't be longer than 14 days. So, if you add 5 working days onto the end of your cooling off period, you will, be safe. You could add more for weekends that are around or inbetween the 5 day objection window, also there is likely to be a day or 2 of data transfer time but adding these becomes more risky.

A couple of points that can help are:

- other posters have said they EDF keep the contract rates for X period instead of reverting to standard if you switch within X time so check your t&c's.

- you can per the licence, request a later switch date to avoid contract penalties and in this case, the supplier is no longer bound by the 21 day target.

Neil49

Many thanks to everyone for their replies.

I shall now get some new quotes and also see what promtions are available via Quidco and Topcashback.

Neil

lisyloo

you can per the licence, request a later switch date to avoid contract penalties

You can but when I checked what it said on Uswitch the implication was that you might lose the deal e.g. the Scottish power one, which may be withdrawn very soon. That's how I read it anyway.