E.ON won't allow me to fix prices before price hike?

Jf6190

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone else has had this problem. I was hoping to fix my energy prices just before they rise by 8% on 18th January 2013 however, having called E.ON they told me that I can fix my current prices until 18th Jan and then my price plan will go up! I thought the idea of a 1 year fixed price plan was that the prices don't go up for the following 12 months?! According to the girl I spoke to (who tried to be helpful but didn't know much at all), it is illegal for E.ON to fix my current prices before the price hike and that "their hands are tied"- I find this hard to believe!

Does anyone have any tips on how I can go about getting my prices fixed with E.ON before they rise? Perhaps someone out there has experienced this recently too? Of course the alternative option is to shop around and see if I can find a better deal elsewhere, I will probably do this anyway!

Thanks!

chanz4

op you already on a fixed rate tariff?

Jf6190

Nope, just on their standard rate plan at the moment

macman

Then you should be able to make an immediate switch to any of their currently available fixed price tariffs.
However, you have left it far too late to get a competitive fix now, all the good ones were canned back in October. The current fixes will now reflect the upcoming price hike.
The point is not whether you fix, but at what rate you fix.

Jf6190

But surely I should be able to fix at my current rate before it goes up by 8% on 18th Jan? I've only recently moved into the place I'm in so I didn't have the chance to fix any earlier

jalexa

Jf6190 wrote: »

According to the girl I spoke to (who tried to be helpful but didn't know much at all), it is illegal for E.ON to fix my current prices before the price hike and that "their hands are tied"-

That is a very strong statement which I find hard to believe, which is not the same as saying it is wrong.

I would do two things. First of all you need to identify the E.ON fixed-rate tariff you want to transfer to. Then I would make another call to E.ON asking to "transfer" from your current (standard) tariff to your E.ON fixed-rate tariff of choice.

Do not complicate the discussion with talk of the increase. I *think* the "Adviser" is "half talking" about the right to reject an increase until you make an external switch. Something else entirely. Maybe the E.ON rep will be along on Monday to clarify.

Jf6190

Thanks for that, I will try it and let you know how I get on!

macman

Jf6190 wrote: »

But surely I should be able to fix at my current rate before it goes up by 8% on 18th Jan? I've only recently moved into the place I'm in so I didn't have the chance to fix any earlier

If you are on Standard rate tariff at present, then no, you can't 'fix' that, because it's not a fixed rate tariff-it's variable, and subject to increases at any time.
If you want to switch to a fix, then you have to choose from one of their currently available fixed tariffs. Which will of course factor in the upcoming increase, and so be higher than the current standard tariff prices.
There's no need to have an discussion with Eon staff, you should just be able to log into your online account and switch from there.

chanz4

Yes thats what I think now with the extra info, he wanted his standard rate to stay the same. Op needs to have a fixed tariff on a dd.

macman

OP: the only current Eon fixed tariff options are Fixed Energy 1 yr v3, 2 yr v3. or Age UK (1 yr).

keystone

If you are on Standard rate tariff at present, then no, you can't 'fix' that, because it's not a fixed rate tariff-it's variable, and subject to increases at any time.
If you want to switch to a fix, then you have to choose from one of their currently available fixed tariffs. Which will of course factor in the upcoming increase, and so be higher than the current standard tariff prices.
There's no need to have an discussion with Eon staff, you should just be able to log into your online account and switch from there.

This is spot on. Its absolute nonsense for OP to expect them to fix the current standard variable rate tariff he's on - its not a current product offering (and why would it be with an 8.7% price rise coming) so thats probably why OP has been told it's illegal (if thats the correct term) because it would be a one off "special" just for him and nobody else. Otherwise we'd all be doing it and the price rise would have no effect. No business sense in that.

As Mac says OP can switch to either the one year or two year fixed offerings now without talking to anybody. But Fixed 1 year will only leave him better off by 1.5% after the price hike.

I came off an E.On Energy Online Dual Fuel Tariff in October and went onto Standard Variable automatically. After a good deal of thought I have switched out to Sainsbury's Energy Price Check January 2014 (yes I know its brand engineered BG). Transfers take place just before the E.On 18th Jan price hike. At my current usage rates I will be better off in 2013 by £ 150 compared with E.ON Standard Variable now. After Jan 18th that benefit to me shoots up to well over £ 300.

SE weren't the cheapest but First Utility held little attraction for me TBH.

Yes its a risk because its a tracker but I am gambling that the six majors now having implemented/announced their prices rises they are unlikely to do so again in 2013 without catching all sorts of flak and even if they do it will be a while before they manage to eat up £ 300+. So on balance it was a risk worth taking. If it doesn't come off then I'll be looking at switching again.

Cheers