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David Cameron & energy prices
Comments
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The suppliers have to sell somehow. Otherwise, the customers they lose won't be replaced and their market share will go into decline.The one issue I have with online comparison sites is the commission taken from the utilities.
At one stage they used a lot of door-knockers, and that wasn't cheap either.
If we want to have six suppliers, not just one, then 5 of the 6 won't be the cheapest and will have to sell some other way.
Trouble with this market is that nobody seems to know how it's supposed to work."It will take, five, 10, 15 years to get back to where we need to be. But it's no longer the individual banks that are in the wrong, it's the banking industry as a whole." - Steven Cooper, head of personal and business banking at Barclays, talking to Martin Lewis0 -
The suppliers have to sell somehow. Otherwise, the customers they lose won't be replaced and their market share will go into decline.
At one stage they used a lot of door-knockers, and that wasn't cheap either.
If we want to have six suppliers, not just one, then 5 of the 6 won't be the cheapest and will have to sell some other way.
Trouble with this market is that nobody seems to know how it's supposed to work.
Over £30m in commission!!!!:eek:
I take your point but even those who won't change or are to lazy to change could be on a cheaper tariff if only they picked up the phone and spoke to their current provider. Not even Martin makes this point which always disappoints me as no matter how long he says it some won't ever change their gas/lecci.
As for future energy and generation. I really do think we started looking at fracking which could provide low cost gas and in turn electric. We have large amounts under the ground and the means to get it out.
The era of cheap fuel is over, but as a nation (despite being cheaper than most of Europe inc France & Germany), we like to believe it will be cheaper if the big boys didn't take profits but the reality is higher bills all over the world.0 -
Yes they have messed this one up a tad but some weird arguments have popped up in doing so, First of all the moaning that there are only 6 big firms? I never hear arguments that there are 5 main supermarkets where 99% shop? Or 6 Main broadcasters for tv? or 4 major mobile phone providers.
Everyone can't be on the lowest tariff or there would not be a low tariff.
The one issue I have with online comparison sites is the commission taken from the utilities. Just turn a tv on and not see an ad is amazing think of the money spent yet all people like Martin Leiws need to say is call your own provider and go on their online tariff.
One major difference between power/gas and supermarkets or cloths shops or electrical goods etc is that there is no real differentiation for the gas industry.
You can't really claim your gas is 'better' than the other guys or more reliable or less likely to explode etc so price is really the only way of marketing.0 -
One major difference between power/gas and supermarkets or cloths shops or electrical goods etc is that there is no real differentiation for the gas industry.
You can't really claim your gas is 'better' than the other guys or more reliable or less likely to explode etc so price is really the only way of marketing.
I am not sure that argument stacks up. Say you want to buy an Ipad, or tin of Heinz Beans. Same product different offers but probably only 6 MAJOR retailers who offer the same goods at very similar prices.
We seem to be in hysterical mode (not here btw), more country in general and in particular the BBC with energy costs. Can we not see that nationalisation would probably put the price up or the more gov's press utilities to offer insulation and build new infrastructure and help for the fuel poor it puts the bill up not to mention green tax's and FIT's.
It's not going to happen but imagine if they went the way of the US and started fracking, interesting to see what would win out protesters over the fracking methods+greenies or the majority who want cheap reliable fuel?0 -
Every time I get my bill, it says there are other tariffs that could save me money. They say this to keep the consumer watchdogs happy. But the operative word is "could". If I took them at their word, I'd end up paying more.Over £30m in commission!!!!:eek:
I take your point but even those who won't change or are to lazy to change could be on a cheaper tariff if only they picked up the phone and spoke to their current provider.
Personally I don't think they should say that, when they know the deals they're offering aren't better. But it's the watchdogs who've given them the excuse to mis-sell."It will take, five, 10, 15 years to get back to where we need to be. But it's no longer the individual banks that are in the wrong, it's the banking industry as a whole." - Steven Cooper, head of personal and business banking at Barclays, talking to Martin Lewis0 -
Well it wouldn't surprise me if Ariel and Persil were chemically identical, and if they aren't, I've got no idea which is better. Point is though, Tesco and Sainsburys sell both.One major difference between power/gas and supermarkets or cloths shops or electrical goods etc is that there is no real differentiation for the gas industry.
You can't really claim your gas is 'better' than the other guys or more reliable or less likely to explode etc so price is really the only way of marketing.
The trouble with energy companies is the same as with banks and petrol - single-brand retailers. The customer will get a fair deal from the retailers when the retailers are selling rival brands side by side."It will take, five, 10, 15 years to get back to where we need to be. But it's no longer the individual banks that are in the wrong, it's the banking industry as a whole." - Steven Cooper, head of personal and business banking at Barclays, talking to Martin Lewis0 -
I am not sure that argument stacks up. Say you want to buy an Ipad, or tin of Heinz Beans. Same product different offers but probably only 6 MAJOR retailers who offer the same goods at very similar prices.
We seem to be in hysterical mode (not here btw), more country in general and in particular the BBC with energy costs. Can we not see that nationalisation would probably put the price up or the more gov's press utilities to offer insulation and build new infrastructure and help for the fuel poor it puts the bill up not to mention green tax's and FIT's.
It's not going to happen but imagine if they went the way of the US and started fracking, interesting to see what would win out protesters over the fracking methods+greenies or the majority who want cheap reliable fuel?
well, maybe maybe not
basically a gas companies' ONLY product is gas and each company has an identical product.
whilst Heinz have more than one variety and other people have similar and competing products.
also baked beans are not as essential as electricity or gas0 -
0
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I can see this problem being solved in the near future with the new research going into storing energy by liquefying air. When this happens all the wind power naysayers will not have a leg to stand on.
Why? thats not wind power.
Wind power just isnt efficient. appart fromthe fact the wind doesnt blow all the time as has been explained, the cost of the equipment and its maintenanec is rediculouse. For instance if our country was powered exclusivly by wind, electric prices would be around 4 times what they are now JUST to cover the extra costs in production. the only reason why we use ANY at present is government policy and subsidy.
his comes from someone about to start working on the damn things.0 -
I believe our 'legally binding obligation' is to product 80% of our power by renewable sources by 2040 (need to check the date).
At the moment we are spending huge sums on wind power that requires 100% backup from other power sources.
Isn't the carbon floor tax starting in April next year - affects industry and energy companies and therefore us as end users of energy (I'm t sure the tax will be passed on in it's entirety to us). I'm not sure what the effect of the tax on consumers will be but I'm sure I read that it would put around 5% on the average bill. And that's for starters.
I think our government is acting in isolation which could make British industry less competitive, and us poorer.0
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