When can I change energy supplier?

khampson

Hi my current deal with scottish power expires on the 31st of December, so when can I sign up for another company to take over? Can it be done now becausevas I understand it can take up to 6 weeks to change?


Keith

dorsetlady

I was just wondering the same thing! My fixed contract ends on 31st December too.

dampsquib

I would be very grateful for advice on this subject too.
My Npower GoFix 8 contract ends on Feb 3rd, and I want to escape (at the earliest opportunity) from their infamous :eek:deferred discount:eek: system. I've been with them for 12 months now, so qualify for my discount, but I can't leave before 3rd Feb without incurring £40 in charges. I assume I won't get any discount for December and January.
How can you control the transfer process, in order to avoid cancellation fees?
Or should I just jump ship now, and recover the fees with a switching discount?

carpetbloke

I telephoned First Utility last night as my fixed 2012 expires with EDF on 31/12.
I was told they can`t control the date brt i takes 4 to 6 weeks.
Theu advise to wait ontil after next Friday.
I did notice a note on the switch quote from Energy helpline saying they noted I was on a fixed tariff abh it would be phased to time with the deal expiry.
I would prefer a larger cashback though.
Paul

jamesmorgan

I am in the same boat and recently initiated a switch to E.ON. They said it could take as little as 3 weeks - with no way of preventing it happening whenever it happens. As a result I have canceled the switch and will look again in a week or two. The drawback is that it could take 6 weeks (or longer) so I could be stuck on SP's standard tariff for possibly a month. This all feels a bit of a mess that could do with being sorted.

macman

You should be OK from 1/12. 3 weeks is the absolute minimum, with Christmas hols looming it will be 4 weeks plus.

Scottish_Power

Hi folks there is nothing to stop you arranging the switch but I would check if you have cancellation fees associated with the fixed tariff, If so I would wait until a couple of weeks before the end date before requesting a switch. Its also good to let us know you are switching so we can arrange not to apply the fees if we get the request from the new supplier before the end of your contract. If you need any specific help with this, or want me to check if there are cancellation fees for you, send me an e-mail at [EMAIL="onlinecomplaints@scottishpower.com"]onlinecomplaints@scottishpower.com[/EMAIL] Thanks David

frattonstation

So you cannot specify a fixed date for your new supplier to take over???

scootw1

It is usually a rolling contract once your initial contract is up so why not wait until a week after the end of it just to he sure?

jamesmorgan

scootw1 wrote: »

It is usually a rolling contract once your initial contract is up so why not wait until a week after the end of it just to he sure?

That is certainly the safest approach, however, for me the standard tariff is 10% higher than my current tariff (and the one I want to move to). If I delay the switch for a month that costs me an extra £25. Not quite as much as the cancellation charges, but still not ideal. The transfer process needs updating so that you specify the earliest date that you want to switch (from an outsider this doesn't feel too difficult a change).

Ms_Chocaholic

Do be careful, I was with Scottish Power on a Fixed Price Energy Whatever December 2012 but it ends 01.12 and not 31.12 as I first thought.