Add your feedback on energy supplier Sainsbury’s Energy

russells

MSE_Dan_L wrote: »

Hi there - could you send through your details to collectiveswitch AT moneysavingexpert.com?

This doesn't sound right so is one we'd like to follow up on.

Dan, I have sent you an email with the details if you need any more info just reply to the email.

toosey

Odd, when I look at the OFGEM list of authorised suppliers, Sainsbury Energy is not listed
Nor is it under BG ?

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

toosey wrote: »

Odd, when I look at the OFGEM list of authorised suppliers, Sainsbury Energy is not listed
Nor is it under BG ?

You won't find it listed anywhere - it is BG, in the same way that Ebico is SSE (as I advised you in your other thread on this matter)

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications-and-updates/white-label-providers-consultation

[Deleted User]

weejas wrote: »

Just to add some balance. I've just switched over and the tariffs for both Elec & Gas are exactly as was shown on the Cheap Energy Club prior to the switch. I'm happy.

Same here, although the letter quoted to 2 decimal places, and the switch page to 3.

Technically though, that makes my energy 0.004p/kWh cheaper if we're going with the figures on paper. Not sure if it'll be worth arguing it though ;-)

[Deleted User]

chtechie wrote: »

the latest Sainsburys general public offer 'Fixed Price February 2016' for East Midlands area, the units for Electricity & Gas are cheaper than the MSE offer however the MSE offer standing charge is 5p a day cheaper. [...] Are there any winners with the MSE Collective Agreement?

For me at least, the MSE offer comes out £28 a year cheaper than Sainsbury's Fixed Price Feb 2016 tariff, and nothing else could beat the MSE tariff. So I'm definitely a winner, especially with the £30 cashback on top.

OptimusNemesis

My experience of Sainsbury's Energy has been a completely negative one. They have been terrible from day one and I've now switched away from them - but my saga with them continues!


First - they messed up the dual fuel aspect of my account. I specified gas and electricity. They initially only switched my electricity, when I asked where the gas was on the account I somehow ended up with two gas accounts! To this day, there's still an extra account on there. I can't see how you can make a basic mistake like that, but there you go.


Then - the direct debits. After about a month or so, they suddenly jacked my direct debit up to £79.00 a month. I live by myself and am out quite often so I immediately queried this - especially when I saw I already had over £100 in credit after only being with them for a couple of months!


I got a cut and pasted email which droned for pages about "blah blah terms and conditions blah blah blah" which basically said they were taking the money to cover costs during the winter. Nice but even in the winter there is no way I'm going to run up a bill like that. Never have done in the past and this year was no exception.


I submitted meter readings and the page on their site would indicate that my payments would be adjusted but... guess what... they never were. every month £79.00. Until a about 3 months ago when, without warning, it suddenly went up to £89.00. But wait - wasn't the credit supposed to cover my winter payments? Indeed it was. yet, my DD payments went higher. Go figure that one! I contacted Sainsbury's and was told my payment would be adjusted only to receive a letter a few days later saying it was being adjusted to... EXACTLY THE SAME! £89.00!


Even more 'mysterious' is my gas reading. I have several gas fires in my house and haven't used them at all over the summer or in the winter. In fact, I'm going to have them removed soon. When I submitted my gas meter reading, Sainsbury's Energy didn't like the fact I hadn't used any at all, so estimated the reading instead. I resubmitted the correct reading but they sent me an email basically saying they were going to go by their estimate instead. At no point has anybody been sent to check my meter!


Now I've switched to another supplier and, based on my usage, the new supplier has straight away adjusted my monthly payments to £55.00. This is more inline with what my supplier prior to Sainsbury's was charging me so where they were getting figures like 79.00 and 89.00 from is a total mystery to me. It seems Sainsbury's base their readings on how much they'd like, rather than how much you use.


But my 'fun' with Sainsbury's Energy is far from over. I had £280 in credit with Sainsbury's when my account switched. Now - guess what - not only have they taken all of that for my final bill but they also want an additional £8.00 on top. Trying to view my final bill online just gives a mysterious 'not available' message, even two days later, so I have no idea how they have calculated it but, considering nobody still has been to my property for a meter reading, I can only guess it's yet another one of their estimates.


I'm currently looking at contacting the ombudsman and, if necessary, I will be looking it to the small claims court further down the line. I have the time, money and will to do it.


I've never dealt with such a dire and truly awful company as Sainsbury's Energy and have been telling all my friends and family about just how terrible they are. Without a doubt, they are the worst energy company I have ever had to deal with.


Heed my advice and avoid at all costs.


- G

toosey

toosey wrote: »

Odd, when I look at the OFGEM list of authorised suppliers, Sainsbury Energy is not listed
Nor is it under BG ?

Looking on the Sainsbury web site they quote an OFGEM registration number
Its the same as British Gas.
As far as I can see one of the same

Biggles

Why, on main page for this forum, does this thread show <files> alongside the title? If you click on it, it gives the option to download a file called TCR.jpg. Is this a Trojan or virus? I can't recall ever seeing that before.

Nada666

chtechie wrote: »

So what is going on with Sainsburys & MSE, the latest Sainsburys general public offer 'Fixed Price February 2016' for East Midlands area, the units for Electricity & Gas are cheaper than the MSE offer however the MSE offer standing charge is 5p a day cheaper. If you're an above average user of Electricity, ours is about 6000 Kwh per annum, the reduced standing charge is negated. Are there any winners with the MSE Collective Agreement?

You answered your own question - users with an average consumption. You shouldn't complain - with double the typical consumption you will receive great prices from many tariffs.

Your high electricity usage also means you are not affected by leaving penalties - you are free to switch and grab a bargain almost whenever you like and can easily make up a £30 charge.

British_Gas

The tariff prices and lengths will vary for British Gas and Sainsburys Energy tariffs due to the different ways we have bought energy for the two brands.
For Sainsburys Energy (as well as British Gas) we have a online tool for adjusting direct debit payments and undertake regular assessments so you should not see dramatic changes to your payments unless your usage changes.