Uswitch - what value do they add?

roger56

After moving into my house I decided to switch gas/electric suppliers.
I filled in the Uswitch forms to move to PowerGen on 31st Jan 2005.
By 31st March 2005 I had heard nothing (well outside the 45days maximum switching time quoted).

I called Uswitch, explained I had heard nothing but was told they could not help at that time as their system was down.
I called Uswitch again a few days later and Uswitch told me my file had been sent and I should contact PowerGen directly.
(Hmmm, I thought the point of Uswitch was for them to deal with all this switching?).

So I contacted PowerGen who had no knowledge of my file details via Uswitch. PowerGen suggested I filled in the forms on their website.

I called Uswitch yet again who said the file had been transmitted to PowerGen and that the error was on PowerGens side . They offered to re-send it and suggested I contacted them again if I heard nothing in 14days.

Frustrating? very. I told Uswitch not to bother anymore.

Fortunately, I'd read Martins website and found EquiGas / EquiPower. Not only are they cheaper, I like their fair trade approach for basic services. I decided to apply direct and initially contacted them by phone for details. A very helpful lady sorted application forms and soon I'll be switched.

So just what added value does Uswitch give? They seem to just pass your details to your chosen supplier and presumably collect a few pounds.
My advice, do your research and then go direct to the supplier you prefer.

EquiGas/EquiPower is at http://www.ebico.co.uk/

BexTech

roger56 wrote:

They seem to just pass your details to your chosen supplier and presumably collect a few pounds.
My advice, do your research and then go direct to the supplier you prefer.

That is indeed all they do, and they don't do a very good job either, in all the years I've used them initially as buy.co.uk, they rarely have the correct prices for all the suppliers at anyone time.

Stephen66

roger56 wrote:

After moving into my house I decided to switch gas/electric suppliers.
Fortunately, I'd read Martins website and found EquiGas / EquiPower.
EquiGas/EquiPower is at http://www.ebico.co.uk/

Hi. Are Equipower good? I found them via uswitch but they only had 2 stars out of five, so I thought I should leave them alone!

[Deleted User]

I think the problem is with powergen, not uswitch. A few years ago I posted off a contract to powergen, after confirming the price first. A month later I phoned them because nothing had happened, and they said that the contract must have got lost in the post, "would you like me to sign you up over the phone intead?". So I agreed. When the paperwork came through it was for a dearer price than they had originally quoted, so I phoned them up and asked to cancel within the 14 day cooling off period. They then told me I'd left it too late to cancel, citing the date of the original contract that had supposedly got lost in the post!
I've just signed up for powergen age concern over the phone, so we'll see what happens. Judging by the difficulty I had in getting the quote for the age concern tariff, I'm half expecting the same to happen again.

loon_2

even though uswitch is an EW approved website, we have no way of cheking application details. When applying via these websites, pls ensure that you have all the correct information including mpan/mpr and meter serial numbers. if these are not given to the website, or even asked for by the website, then call the gaining supplier as this will cause a delay.

uswitch have no direct affiliation with powergen, so if powergen say they have no record, then they have no record and uswitch are at fault. uswitch should be following the entire process through, not just filling in names and passing the buck.

this applies to all companies/websites and will generally take longer as there are no security protocols in place. ie anyone with a pc can sign you up, all they need is your address.

[Deleted User]

jack_pott wrote:

I'm half expecting the same to happen again.

I was right, it did.

roger56

Stephen66 wrote:

Hi. Are Equipower good? I found them via uswitch but they only had 2 stars out of five, so I thought I should leave them alone!

I'm now transferring directly, not via Uswitch. Equipower replied by email promptly. They are helpful on the phone and I've since had confirmations and updates by post. So I am happy so far plus my bills will get smaller.
So that's a big from me.

parkview_2

Originally Posted by Stephen66
Hi. Are Equipower good? I found them via uswitch but they only had 2 stars out of five, so I thought I should leave them alone!

I posted something about this the other day. Is it just me being suspicious or is it pure coincidence that only suppliers with less that 3 stars are the ones hat uSwitch does not have a deal with. In other words, if you transfer to Equipower via uSwitch, they get no money!

captain_insano

Is it just me being suspicious or is it pure coincidence that only suppliers with less that 3 stars are the ones hat uSwitch does not have a deal with. In other words, if you transfer to Equipower via uSwitch, they get no money!

I dont think its coincidence. uSwitch are supposed to be impartial but the fact they get £50 for every customer they switch indicates to me that impartialty can be questioned

captain_insano

Is it just me being suspicious or is it pure coincidence that only suppliers with less that 3 stars are the ones hat uSwitch does not have a deal with. In other words, if you transfer to Equipower via uSwitch, they get no money!

I dont think its coincidence. uSwitch are supposed to be impartial but the fact they get £50 for every customer they switch indicates to me that impartialty can be questioned

roger56

Uswitch left me a voice message this week to call them about my transfer I started in February and failed. That's nearly 3 months after I started the online transfer!
Personally, I would avoid them, there was little evidence of any customer service even after I called to enquire why the transfer was not happening.

I transferred to Equipower and Equigas directly with no hastle. Took just over 4 weeks and they kept me updated via post and email.