Swapping tariff but not provider - money back?

fluffpot

Hi all

My current tariff (winter fix) with npower is due to end at the end of March. I have been doing some comparisons, and it looks like their energy online tariff will be the cheapest. However as i won't be a new customer I'll be 'missing out' on the cashback that they offer to get new customers in - this is about £60. Is there any way to try and get a bit of money back or off the bill? Could I set the account up in my husbands name - it's currently just mine- to take advantage of the 'new customer' deal? My combined elec and gas bills are almost £2K a year so every little helps...

Thanks

Fluff

dude89

fluffpot wrote: »

Hi all

My current tariff (winter fix) with npower is due to end at the end of March. I have been doing some comparisons, and it looks like their energy online tariff will be the cheapest. However as i won't be a new customer I'll be 'missing out' on the cashback that they offer to get new customers in - this is about £60. Is there any way to try and get a bit of money back or off the bill? Could I set the account up in my husbands name - it's currently just mine- to take advantage of the 'new customer' deal? My combined elec and gas bills are almost £2K a year so every little helps...

Thanks

Fluff

In short no - as you are aware cash back is available for new customers only.

On the point of setting the account in your husbands name, the account would still be with npower, it is not considered a new contract as it falls under the terms of a deemed contract.

Some people have managed to gain retention credits to their accounts by threatening to leave so maybe worth a shot

techno12

In short, yes. You can get some cashback if you apply for the new tariff via a comparison site via Quidco etc.

I've done this for the past 4 years with NPower, each time going through MoneySupermarket or USwitch to move to the latest NPower online tariff.

USwitch have paid me £28 for my latest switch to the Energy Online Jan 2014 tariff back in Oct and the cashback was finally confirmed yesterday by Quidco.

Doesn't matter if you're an existing customer - they always pay as you're committing to another year or so.

fluffpot

Ah thanks for replies. That's interesting.

I think the most CB I could get is DIRECT with npower (thought a CB site) so this wouldn't work... but going through a switching website - it looks that that will. But not as much

Maybe I'll try the - what can you offer me to make me stay approach - it worked with my phone!

BTW I've noticed that the 'savings' that the switching comparison websites report back are all a bit different, despite putting in the same figures. And they differ again if you use the providers websites... No wonder it's a mine field out there!

Wywth

You won't usually get cashback from a cashback site as an existing customer
(see the cashback site's terms for exact details)

If a comparison site allows you to switch via them (and you have input the correct current supplier details) then you should get cashback if that site pays it (e.g. by using the special MSE links)
Not often will you be able to switch as an existing customer, but sometimes you can see it being made available.

Wywth

fluffpot wrote: »

...BTW I've noticed that the 'savings' that the switching comparison websites report back are all a bit different, despite putting in the same figures. And they differ again if you use the providers websites... No wonder it's a mine field out there!

Perhaps you could give us the details you input and the sites used?

If you input the same details (and use your annual consumption in kWh) you should get the same output.
The cost is the same no matter which comparison site you go via (or even if you go direct)

One are that does somethimes cause confusion is where your existing tariff is coming to an end.
Some sites (notably Energyhelpline) work out the savings based on the fact your current deal is coming to and end so if you do nothing, you will end up on a different tariff.
Other sites often ignore this and just assume you will be always charged at the current tariff rates (you can get this output from EHL too if you want)