Question on comparison sites

Sherbet66

I'm looking to switch suppliers as my Npower Go fix 10 deal is due up in a week or so time (i guess I'm not alone), when I input my current usage details into the comparison sites they all show the utility companies in order of price and the order is generally the same with the sites I've tried (with Spark energy at the top, eek!) however I've noticed that they all generally predict my annual usage quite differently. For example Moneysupermarket says First Utility iSave v14 will cost me £980.45 whereas Uswitch says this will cost £1167. Quite a bit difference.

Does anyone know why these sites produce different amounts and which site is the most accurate?

Also I'm going to end up owing Npower approx £200 due to winter usage, so to switch means having to find that amount before I go. Does anyone know of any success negotiating a better deal with Npower at the end of a fixed deal? right now their packages are pretty far down the comparison tables, however I'd struggling to find the £200 right now to jump ship so any negotiating tactics would be helpful!

Thanks,

Dave

Nada666

Unlike insurance or digital tv companies energy suppliers tend to have all their currently available tariffs on the comparison sites. You should, however, also check cashback sites like quidco or topcashback to see if a bonus is available applying through them.

As to varying cost - this should not happen if you input your annual usage in kWh. If you have done this then you may not have chosen the same input tariff. On the differing results pages check what it says they believe your usage will be - if the kWhs differ then that explains the prices.

bengal-stripe

Sherbet66 wrote: »

Also I'm going to end up owing Npower approx £200 due to winter usage, so to switch means having to find that amount before I go. Does anyone know of any success negotiating a better deal with Npower at the end of a fixed deal?

You had a fixed deal with n-power. They agreed to supply you energy at a certain price per kwh, you agreed to pay that amount for the energy you have used. That deal applies to both parties.

If you do not pay, you might not be able to switch.

MillicentBystander

Yes, you need to get your actual last 12 months usage figures (not the DD amounts) from npower (they are legally obliged to give you this, just phone them) then hit the switching sites again for a wholly more accurate result.

PS If you are struggling to pay a large final bill generally moving just after the Winter period isn't a great idea. Maybe try and get on npower's cheapest tariff that doesn't include an exit fee (I'm not sure they have one, btw but at least check) then switch away in a few months?

Wywth

bengal-stripe wrote: »

You had a fixed deal with n-power. They agreed to supply you energy at a certain price per kwh, you agreed to pay that amount for the energy you have used. That deal applies to both parties.

If you do not pay, you might not be able to switch.

The supplier can only block any switch request if they have already billed the £200 and it remains unpaid.

As the OP appears to pay monthly by DD, it is unlikely any such bill has been produced.

Sherbet66

bengal-stripe wrote: »

You had a fixed deal with n-power. They agreed to supply you energy at a certain price per kwh, you agreed to pay that amount for the energy you have used. That deal applies to both parties.

If you do not pay, you might not be able to switch.

Just to clarify, I'm not suggesting that I will not pay this outstanding amount, just wondering if i can negotiate a deal to run Npower into the summer to iron out the amount owed.