Warning npower Go fix 8 finished changed to expensive tariff

Ilovebargins

Hi
Received a letter from npower today stating that the Go fix 8 tariff ends on the 3 Feb 2013 and that I will automatically change to Go save s. I thought that when I agreed to the Go fix 8 in Dec 2011 that it was fixed for 3 years but I must have been mistaken, anyway I telephoned and enquired about the new tariff and asked how much it would cost for the year on my usage on this Go save s compared to the fix 8 I then asked how much it would be on the standard tariff only to find out that the standard tariff would work out approx £6.00 cheaper?
How can they decide to change the tariff to a more expensive one than others on offer.

plane_boy2000

Yep, noticed the same. Appears to be about a 50% jump in electricity prices. Decided I'm going to switch on 4th Feb as I don't want to stay with a company that tries to exploit people like that.

Wolf3

in my experience most fixed price tariffs are at a premium to the current rates, not cheaper. Your fixing your prices to protect you from any future price rises, so they would only be cheaper than the variable prices if those prices had increased by more than the premium your paying to fix the prices. unfortunately your fixed tariff is coming to an end so they are offering you other tariffs to replace it. i would check comparison websites with your annual energy usage to find a suitable alternative

chanz4

as they say fixed rates are an insurance policy in a way. Although I never bother with them as your paying a higher rate for longer

Ilovebargins

Wolf3 wrote: »

in my experience most fixed price tariffs are at a premium to the current rates, not cheaper. Your fixing your prices to protect you from any future price rises, so they would only be cheaper than the variable prices if those prices had increased by more than the premium your paying to fix the prices. unfortunately your fixed tariff is coming to an end so they are offering you other tariffs to replace it. i would check comparison websites with your annual energy usage to find a suitable alternative

The Go fix 8 was the cheapest tariff at the time, Martin mentioned it on TV and in his weekly email that this was a good deal, which it was but my concern is that the are changing the tariff to one that is more expensive than others they have without an option to choice a tariff surely I should have been put on the standard tariff if this was the next best option

pooch

Ilovebargins wrote: »

The Go fix 8 was the cheapest tariff at the time and Martin metioned on Tv and in email that this was a good deal to take

I can't see how Martin (or anyone) can recommend a particular tariff to anyone without knowing that user's own particular anticipated annual consumption and supply region.

MSE Martin's usual advice is for users to consult a comparison site and find the best deal for themselves.
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/you-switch-gas-electricity

pooch

chanz4 wrote: »

as they say fixed rates are an insurance policy in a way. Although I never bother with them as your paying a higher rate for longer

They are always worth checking.

When MSE Martin has most recently been banging on about securing a long, cheap rate fixed deal as long ago a last August, there were certainly a number of good deals. e.g. I got one secured for two winters that already, with the recent price increases Martin predicted having now occurred, already is cheaper than any variable tariff now available.
(And as Eon have yet to announce their price increases, so they won't be increasing 1st or 2nd Jan as Martin wagered, the fixed deal I got was cheaper for me than any Eon variable tariff anyway)

ecoelle

They said they are going to change us to the Go Save tariff as of 4th Feb but when i checked uswitch npower had another tariff called Energy Online April 2014 might be worth a look for some people

markharding557

I had the same problem last march, where Npower wanted to put me on their standard tariff.
I found they had another online one which was about 20% less.

Ilovebargins

pooch wrote: »

I can't see how Martin (or anyone) can recommend a particular tariff to anyone without knowing that user's own particular anticipated annual consumption and supply region.

MSE Martin's usual advice is for users to consult a comparison site and find the best deal for themselves.
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/you-switch-gas-electricity

Martin Lewis email sent 9th Nov 2011
Says to use comparison site but also mentions that the go safe 8 was a good offer, which it was

jalexa

Ilovebargins wrote: »

... my concern is that the are changing the tariff to one that is more expensive than others they have without an option to choice a tariff surely I should have been put on the standard tariff if this was the next best option

I think you misunderstand what is happening. At tariff maturity the supplier is required (1) to give you notice of a transfer at maturity to a tariff (2) without early termination charges, normally "standard" or an online or direct debit equivalent. That is why the "pre-selected" tariff is more expensive than other NPower tariffs featuring early termination charges.

At maturity you are entirely "free" to transfer to another NPower tariff of your choice or to initiate a switch to another supplier.

If you leave NPower before you have "earned" any direct debit 'deferred discount':eek: you will forfeit the entire 'discount year' discount (possibly £100). Up to you to manage that prospect.