be careful when trying to save on energy

Cardew

Relak wrote: »

of course the response wasn't worded this way, hence no quotation marks I don't think I'm confusing anything. All I'm saying is that the online quote was based on consumption figures so I don't see why Spark should assume that all of a sudden I'll double it. Of course should the consumption be higher then expected, I would be more then happy to pay for it and increase payments accordingly. following your example, would you be happy your mobile provider to double your DD just in case you use your phone more then covered by your plan? surely not, right?

As stated in post #8 the Spark T&Cs:

Customers joining Spark Energy during the colder months won't have built up enough credit to cover the more expensive months so their Direct Debits are initially set at a higher rate and reviewed again in the summer to calculate the best amount to cover usage throughout the year. These Direct Debit uplifts are as follows:

13% for sign ups between 8th and 31st October

26% for sign ups between 1st and 30th November

32% for sign ups between 1st and 31st December

30% for sign ups between 1st and 31st January

20% for sign ups between 1st February and 30th April





Your collection value will initially be set based on 1/12th of estimated annual consumption before being reviewed quarterly to reflect actual consumption.

For customers joining in the winter months, an uplift will be applied to cover the cost of increased consumption during that first winter. The first payment will be taken approx 16 days after the cool off period has expired. The next payment will reflect your preferred payment date and Spark Energy will use this date to take future Direct Debit payments each month thereafter.

Are you saying that they haven't complied with their T&C's?

Relak

yangptangkipperbang wrote: »

To me this is clear case of someone not reading what they are signing up to.
TBH it seems to be a totally reasonable condition from the supplier, both for their, and the customer's, benefit.

Thank you for your post.
you are probably right, I think I even said in my post that I should have red the first email properly. Unfortunately, I assumed that the price I've been quoted, the price that I used to make the decision to switch, was the price I'll pay. You could argue that this is also a reasonable expectation. I fail to see how blowing up the DDs was for my benefit but maybe you'll find some time to elaborate on this some more
all the best

Relak

Cardew wrote: »

Just to spell it out!

Firstly you should appreciate that the initial amount of the Direct Debit(DD) is no indication of your annual cost.

Indeed many call centre staff at Utility companies and comparison websites deliberately set the DD low to lure unsuspecting customers to sign up. They get their commission and a few months down the line the DD is hiked up massively.

It seems to me that Spark Energy have been honest in explaining(in writing) why they initially increase the DD for those signing up in winter.

Also they take the first DD 16 days after the cooling off period.

I don't think I need anything to be spelled out, I also could do without the exclamation marks
I'm not here to crucify spark, I've posted here to share my experience with people who like me, like to be in charge of their money and accounts and don't need the providers to mother them. I'm perfectly capable of thinking for myself and take simple factors into consideration when I'm making my purchases.
For all the people out there who feel differently about the matter, I can really recommend the Spark, they will make sure you don't underpay or over use. I'm not sure they will be happy to return the interest they've acquired while holding on to your money but hey maybe that's the price you have to pay for the mothering service. i just wish they were consistent and transparent in their approach when they are dealing with customers.
that's it really

Relak

victor2 wrote: »

Guess it was just a rant.
OP hasn't been back since the initial post.

It was not a rant, merely a warning for like minded customers. Isn't that what this space is for?

victor2

Relak wrote: »

It was not a rant, merely a warning for like minded customers. Isn't that what this space is for?

My comment was based on the fact that you appeared, had a moan, then disappeared for a number of days.
But you've subsequently returned and much has been clarified, making it a much more informative thread.

Relak

Cardew wrote: »

As stated in post #8 the Spark T&Cs:


Are you saying that they haven't complied with their T&C's?

I'm sure they've complied with their T&C
All I'm saying is that they were not consistent with their approach nor were they transparent with where their figures came from. Lots of guys here, have been quoting all sorts of explanations of what has happened. I'm sure if I really looked for the answers I would have found them but I did not expect to having to go to such a level of research for simple switch of energy provider. I expect all relevant info to be available at the decision making point. that's all

Relak

victor2 wrote: »

My comment was based on the fact that you appeared, had a moan, then disappeared for a number of days.
But you've subsequently returned and much has been clarified, making it a much more informative thread.

sorry, I'm not a regular in here

Relak

Thank you very much to everyone who took their time to reply to my post.
I think we have covered all the relevant angles on the matter and exhausted the subject.
i wish you all all the best in your money saving en devours, I know I will be reading small print much more carefully

All the best
AJ

Nada666

Relak wrote: »

the quote was based on usage in Dec/Jan, I'm not sure how much colder do they expect to get?

January through April are often much colder than October to December.

Relak

Nada666 wrote: »

January through April are often much colder than October to December.

I'm starting to get quite frustrated with this forum. I get the impression that people here are not that interested in what the post is actually saying but merely whether there is anything in the post that they can debate to the nth degree.
I have clearly stated that it was Dec/Jan. I did not say October to December, I also did not say Jan to April, I said DECEMBER to JANUARY - the two out of three coldest months in the year with shortest days.

I hope this helps
regards
AJ