MSE's Cheap Energy Club: Discuss & feedback

pooch

obidashi wrote: »

Hi - can I have some help please. Today as a result of Scott Power email re the Online Jan Fixed Tariff coming to an end I joined the Cheap Energy Club. When I put in all my figures it came back Congratulation you are on the cheapest tariff. Although I know that I am on the cheapest tariff at the moment, I won't be once the tariff ends and it reverts to standard prices. Does the Cheap Energy Club not factor in the additional costs I will pay once my current deal ends?

As I was unsure whether or not I was looking at this illogically I tried the same figures on Uswitch and it came back that my current charges will rise by about £250 once my current tariff ends and that it would be better to switch.

Do you think that the reason the Cheap Energy Club is not giving the same result is because my current tariff does not run out until end Dec. I would welcome your feedback please as I am a little bit lost as to what to do now. Thanks

I am not used to the forum so this query is posted elsewhere as well - apologies if it is annoying

If the current deal you are on doesn't end until the end of Jan, why are you looking to switch now? :huh:
(Edit: Or even if it ends end of December 2013 as you suggest on another thread)

It's too early! It sounds like you are on a really good tariff, so don't rush to leave it. (You might even suffer early exit fees if you leave early ... Edit: or you might not as stated on another thread. See how complicated it gets when you post the same question multiple times on numerous threads. :cool: That's why its considered poor etiquette on any forum )

mchllbo

Hi all, I can't seem to log into Cheap Energy Club website at all today. Just keep getting an "Oops, something went wrong" message. Have tried resetting password, still get the message. Tried clicking on register, still get the message. Anyone else having problems or is it just me?

Cavemanu

hi there, I switched supplier (from EON to M&S Fixed Energy deal). This was instigated in the first week of august when my dual fuel deal had expired. I used the MSE Cheap Energy website to compare suppliers/savings and to make a switch. This went very smoothly and the final meter reads were made on the 15th October (6 weeks later - as planned). I received my £30 dual fuel cashback early on the 29th November credited to my current account. I must say that EON were a bit slow getting my energy credit back to me, despite giving the final meter read in mid-october as requested. I had to actively follow this up in early December and it finally arrived on 10th December, some 7 weeks after the switch.

Mr_K

I'd like to know how much money TCB have made out of the Cheap Energy Club and why they don't seem to advocate going via cash back sites any longer which could give the consumer a better deal ?

Seems this sites priorities are changing.

Go on, surprise me and declare how much of a 'cut' you get.

bell

I switched via Cheap Energy Club from Eon to Scottish Power. It all went through very painlessly (though for some reason it took 5 weeks to complete).

However, when I log into CEC it still shows my switch as in progress. Is this normal as the switch actually occured 5 weeks ago.

Consumerist

bell wrote: »

I switched via Cheap Energy Club from Eon to Scottish Power. It all went through very painlessly (though for some reason it took 5 weeks to complete).

4 - 6 weeks is normal for a switch but recent changes to the government's green levies have led to a number of new cheaper tariffs in a short time and suppliers are claiming they are inundated with switching requests. So 5 weeks seems reasonable.

However, when I log into CEC it still shows my switch as in progress. Is this normal as the switch actually occured 5 weeks ago.

If there was any cashback associated with the switch. it is possible the switch will not be regarded, by CEC, as complete until the cashback has been paid.

Perhaps MSE Archna could jump in with answer.

bell

Thanks. The switch duration seemed quite long compared to previous ones I have done, but demand seems a sensible answer to that.

The "switch in progress" is slightly misleading. I guess it's similar to a "tracked" cashback at a cashback site.

lgb2100

I used the Cheap energy club to change tariffs, and this has taken place.


British gas has confirmed that the switch took place on 1st March, yet according to my Cheap Energy Club profile - it is still in progress.




It has now been almost 12 weeks, and due for my £30 cashback, but when I contacted the Cheap Energy Club regarding this I am 'fobbed off' with responses such as:-


"We currently have a high volume of emails at the moment so we really do apologise for the delay in getting back to you.

Cashback is normally issued by MoneySupermarket 2 – 3 months, once your switch is confirmed as “live” to us by the energy supplier. We haven't received confirmation from British Gas yet."


I've also contacted British Gas, who confirmed the switchover with this response...


"I can confirm that your tariff has been changed to Fixed Price May 2015. However, as you have arranged this through Cheap Energy Club and they have advised you they will offer you a cash reward you will need to resolve this enquiry with them.
If, as they say they have not received notification from us then they will need to contact us through the correct channel and not ask you as a customer to do this."
I can I get my Cheap Energy profile updated to show that the change HAS TAKEN place in order to receive my £30 cashback ?

MSE_Dan_L

Thanks for your feedback and comments on the Cheap Energy Club.

If you have any issues with your account, the best way tolet us know is by sending an email to [EMAIL="energyclub@moneysavingexpert.com"]energyclub@moneysavingexpert.com[/EMAIL]as we don’t always see forum comments. If you’re still having issues please drop us a line including your full name, the email address you joined with and your postcode, and we’ll take a look for you.

davie

I've just received an email telling me I'm paying too much for my energy and that I should switch now. Apparently, I could save £185 p.a. if I switched to the cheapest 1 year fixed rate.

I'm afraid this saving is incorrect for my curcumstances (as I'll explain below) and I fear the Club appears to be trying to get customers to switch ssuppliers rather than genuinely helping them to save money.
The same may be true for others who have under 12 months to run on their current energy products.

I am currently on a fixed priced deal with Scottish Power which expires 31/12/2014. On looking at the small print on the Cheap Energy Club, I see that the way annual gas and electricity usage and consequently savings are calculated is based upon taking the seven months I have left on my current cheap fixed rate product (Scottish Power Fixed Price Energy NSC January 2015) and then adding on to this 5 months of Scottish Power's standard tariff to arrive at my (notional) yearly cost.

My current tariff is currently significantly lower than the Scottish Power standard tariff, so this skews the comparison and gives a misleading result. In fact, for the next 7 months, I believe I am on the cheapest tarriff. (Also, if I exit my current tariff now I have to pay a £51 exit fee)

I should look to swap 48 days before the tariff expires to avoid this charge and to ensure I can stay on my current tariff as long as possible to maximise my savings (Obviously, this also depends upon if price rises start to be announced by the 'big 6' which would affect products I could switch to)

I notice this same ploy in calculating annual usage for energy customers whose deal is ending within 12 months is being used by uSwitch and other comparison sites.

I just wanted to warn others whose current deal has under 12 months to run to check the figures carefully.

While I believe the Energy Club is a great idea, and hopefully is accurate for those on longer lasting products, perhaps Martin can look into correcting this misleading comparison where products are ending within 12 months ?