Deciding on making my first switch.

newman11

Hi, I've never made a switch before and have started looking into it in the last 2 weeks.

I currently use 12000kwh a year on gas and 2400kwh on elec a year.

I'm on BG standard tariff for both in West Midlands and I pay quarterly on receipt of bill.

When I went through the comparison sites, it showed the co-op pioneer tariff to be the cheapest and save me about £160.

I was thinking about changing to them but noticed that in the past 2 weeks, there hasn't been much mention of co-op, are they not a popular choice for some reason?

Also they mention on their site that their prices are frozen for another couple of months, I'm wondering then if I decide to switch to them, are they likely to raise their prices up again in 2 months so that my saving becomes a lot less? How do you know when the right time to move is to another provider?

I'd like to move if it's a lot cheaper but BG have never given any problems and their customer service has been good, if co-ops prices go up in 2 months and the saving becomes only £30, then I'd rather not move.

Based on my data if anyone can recommend any other company that would be great as well thanks.

Wywth

newman11 wrote: »

Hi, I've never made a switch before and have started looking into it in the last 2 weeks.

I currently use 12000kwh a year on gas and 2400kwh on elec a year.

I'm on BG standard tariff for both in West Midlands and I pay quarterly on receipt of bill.

When I went through the comparison sites, it showed the co-op pioneer tariff to be the cheapest and save me about £160.

I was thinking about changing to them but noticed that in the past 2 weeks, there hasn't been much mention of co-op, are they not a popular choice for some reason?

Also they mention on their site that their prices are frozen for another couple of months, I'm wondering then if I decide to switch to them, are they likely to raise their prices up again in 2 months so that my saving becomes a lot less? How do you know when the right time to move is to another provider?

I'd like to move if it's a lot cheaper but BG have never given any problems and their customer service has been good, if co-ops prices go up in 2 months and the saving becomes only £30, then I'd rather not move.

Based on my data if anyone can recommend any other company that would be great as well thanks.

Have you considered a fixed tariff if you want the surety of knowing proces are not about to change?

Scottish Power will fix your prices until end Aug 2014 for £20 a year extra.

(Check out the cashback opportunities - you may even be able to get more than that back in cashback. e.g. EHL will pay £30 if you switch today)

Have you considered First Utility? A variable tariff, like the co-op and the same annual cost for you ... but £40 cashback (using EHL) if you apply before 8 February.

newman11

Hi, I don't think I'd like to go with first utility, I think the saving wasn't that much with them in the comparisons I did, also I'm not sure about their feedback.

Co-op seems like a great saving of £160 roughly but I've never really tracked these price changes, so I'm wondering in other peoples experiences how it's gone. It would be a shame to change to co-op for the saving but then they put their prices up in a month as they haven't done so yet.

I'm looking for peoples experience on timing these moves properly, do they think I'll lose out? or even if co-ops prices go up, they'll still beat BG and many others in the Midlands.

Atidi

newman11 wrote: »

Hi, I don't think I'd like to go with first utility, I think the saving wasn't that much with them in the comparisons I did,....

I think you must be using the comparison sites incorrectly then.

I can confirm based on the information you have provided, they are the same annual cost as the Co-op (give or take a few pennies) ... but with £40 cashback via EHL

newman11

Atidi wrote: »

I think you must be using the comparison sites incorrectly then.

I can confirm based on the information you have provided, they are the same annual cost as the Co-op (give or take a few pennies) ... but with £40 cashback via EHL

Thanks Atidi, I'll double check that again but still their feedback is what puts me off and I haven't heard much about co-ops feedback but the few recent posts I've found seem like they're ok.

I'm keen to switch but I'm hoping someone can comment on whether price changes usually happen across all the companies within a few months of each other and in the end, the saving you see now on the comparison site is usually a lot less in 2 months time.

macman

All the Big Six have increased their prices over the winter, so now is the time to change (though you've long missed the decent fixed tariffs). Co Op are a small player, so their prices will track those of their wholesale suppliers.
As above, pick a fix if you want certainty, as variable tariffs can rise the day after you go on supply.
Since you are currently on about the most expensive option (Standard tariff with no monthly DD or online billing discount), almost anything will be cheaper. Opting for quarterly billing will screen out many of the cheapest tariffs from the comp site results..

Wywth

newman11 wrote: »

Thanks Atidi, I'll double check that again but still their feedback is what puts me off and I haven't heard much about co-ops feedback but the few recent posts I've found seem like they're ok.

I'm keen to switch but I'm hoping someone can comment on whether price changes usually happen across all the companies within a few months of each other and in the end, the saving you see now on the comparison site is usually a lot less in 2 months time.

Why not take the Scottish Power option I suggested?

Only £20 a year more and £30 cashback at the moment (perhaps more if you look around)

No worry about prices changes either as its a fixed tariff.

newman11

macman wrote: »

All the Big Six have increased their prices over the winter, so now is the time to change (though you've long missed the decent fixed tariffs). Co Op are a small player, so their prices will track those of their wholesale suppliers.
As above, pick a fix if you want certainty, as variable tariffs can rise the day after you go on supply.
Since you are currently on about the most expensive option (Standard tariff with no monthly DD or online billing discount), almost anything will be cheaper. Opting for quarterly billing will screen out many of the cheapest tariffs from the comp site results..

Thanks macman. I know the quarterly billing option I use is more expensive but I was surprised that there weren't a huge number of significantly cheaper options when I did a search for monthly dd billing as well.

Co-op was the biggest saving at £165ish but having come back to the forum today I've read their prices have gone up so will re-check the savings now.

newman11

Wywth wrote: »

Why not take the Scottish Power option I suggested?

Only £20 a year more and £30 cashback at the moment (perhaps more if you look around)

No worry about prices changes either as its a fixed tariff.

Thanks, I'll double check the Scottish Power option again in the comparison tables. It may be worth it but we're a low energy usage household according to our bills, so I figured fixed prices suit those who use a lot more energy generally but I'll check it again later today.

Wywth

newman11 wrote: »

Thanks, I'll double check the Scottish Power option again in the comparison tables. It may be worth it but we're a low energy usage household according to our bills, so I figured fixed prices suit those who use a lot more energy generally but I'll check it again later today.

You are not a particularly low user.
Last week I told you it would save you £140 a year (excluding any cashback)

Your delay has already cost you over £2. (excluding the cashback offer that has also now expired)

newman11

Looking at it now, the saving is currently £154 roughly with scottish power, though SSE offer a quarterly dd option with a £167 saving and they mention how they have the lowest complaints and best service on the market.