Price comparison sites

Cautious_One

Hi
I have used the price comparison sites before but this time there are real pitfalls out there - I think!
If I use more than one comparison site it gives a different picture. Although most say I should switch from npower to EDF (East Midlands rates) the saving is very different.
Also the EDF rates being used are about to change from 15th June and none of the sites seem to factor this in.
http://www.edfenergy.com/edf-energy/showPage.do?name=homeenergy.switchBrand.prices.gas.til
http://www.edfenergy.com/edf-energy/showPage.do?name=homeenergy.switchBrand.prices.gpelec.til


My own price comparison using the various company's current web prices shows a different result again! In fact it is probably not worth changing at all.
How do I get to the truth?:eek:

Simon_Wallace

There was complaints by OFGEM that EDF hadn't dropped their prices recently, but I've been on the same tariff with them for over a year and they're still the cheapest around, and I've tried several of the comparison sites.

Don't believe the British Gas lies about saving a fortune.

Cheers
Simon

wills34

they don't need to factor in their drop in june this is because it will not apply to online tariffs. Use your kWh for gas and elec for comparison in the websites they should show the same results if they are energywatch (code of confirdence sites). Then calculate manually from unit rates just to be sure. Don't think you will save much though npower standard gas tariff is now reasonable. Remeber to factor in direct debit discount

Cardew

Simon_Wallace wrote: »

There was complaints by OFGEM that EDF hadn't dropped their prices recently, but I've been on the same tariff with them for over a year and they're still the cheapest around, and I've tried several of the comparison sites.

Don't believe the British Gas lies about saving a fortune.

Cheers
Simon

A rather strange post if I may say.

You will find many threads commenting that some early versions of EDF on-line accounts are considerably cheaper than their currently available tariffs; and thus anyone on them would be silly to change.

However those older versions of the tariff are obviously not available to new customers.

Why are British Gas telling lies? Their Click 2 on-line account is certainly one of the cheapest available and many will save money by changing to that tariff. - if they can put up with BG's customer service.

I suggest to make a sweeping generalised statement, based on you own particular circumstances, is not helpful and misleading.

wills34

anyone on an edf v.2 tariff etc must realise that this is historical does not apply to everyone and they should do unit rate comparisons only, although personally i wish i had this tariff and i wouldn't contemplate switching until edf change your tariff. Prices should not be coming down much further. On the subject of BG Click this tariff is competitve especially on elec. Gas on click 2 can defintely be beaten i can think of at least 6 cheaper gas tariffs currently available. BG get more complaints per customer than any other company that is a fact. 'BG lies' applies to not their click 2 but their misleading advertising (which they have been reprimanded and fined for for the ASA) and their standard tariff has been extortionate for the past several years (especially gas) and they are still one of the markets more expensive options on a standard tariff. They have won a lot of customers back to this tariff with a promise of savings i presume and i wonder how many are actually saving. Bet it's less than 10%. British Gas (standard tariffs) are only cheaper than your regional electric supplier for elec as of June. The other suppliers are cheaper as a general rule even though BG claim to be cheaper

Cautious_One

Thanks for your replies.
I went on the EDF site and let them check and they said unequivocably <<No savings available>> fairplay to them then. That rather gives the lie to the comparison sites versions. (These were as featured in Martin's article).

As for npower I had been happy but there are three e-mails outstanding as they consider me an on-line customer so I can't get telephone help. Shame as one of the e-mails is to find out my online identity and password! :rotfl:

The debate about British Gas is interesting but I think they would only save me £20 pa - once again the comparison sites have a much larger figure!
That is still what my issue is folks.

wills34

call 08457 145 146 (national rate) they will have your account

Simon_Wallace

Cardew wrote: »

A rather strange post if I may say.

You will find many threads commenting that some early versions of EDF on-line accounts are considerably cheaper than their currently available tariffs; and thus anyone on them would be silly to change.

However those older versions of the tariff are obviously not available to new customers.

Natch, but the OP is still getting the best figures coming up for EDF even before their price decrease.

Cardew wrote: »

Why are British Gas telling lies?

<snip>

......not helpful and misleading"

Quite simply their claims of how much their recent reductions would save customers was a blatant lie. They've now revised their claim (I think it was £320 and now is £207).

I don't think my post could be construed as misleading in any way, shape or form. Strange? well I'll let others decide.

Cheers
Simon

Simon_Wallace

Cautious_One wrote: »

The debate about British Gas is interesting but I think they would only save me £20 pa - once again the comparison sites have a much larger figure!
That is still what my issue is folks.

I found every comparison site gave me a different potential saving with British Gas (and most others). The only way I find these sites useful is as a pointer to the 4 or 5 cheapest tariffs they claim will be best for me then take the actual costs and pump them into an excel spreadsheet for a true comparison to what I'm paying.

Apologies if this post is strange, unhelpful or misleading

Cheers
Simon

Cautious_One

Firstly part of the difficulties with e-mail correspondence is resulting from the e-mail arrangements I use :mad: some e-mails are taking a week to arrive! So I can now log on to my online utilities account

Then today I find that some new rates have now been factored in but as Simon says there is a need to do your own spreadsheet calculations because the rate assumptions for your existing tariff are often hidden when they show the 'savings' figure.

(There is some variation in the amount of sophistication that sites use in this respect. Tesco has an advance version which allows (insists?) you fill in your current known tariffs and this seems better. BUT when I asked for notifications of change I hadn't even cleared the screen and an e-mail arrived offering me a massive change for the same supplier that they had just said would produce a very small saving. )

The spreadsheet is also necessary so that you can check what the effect is of changes in demand for the fuels - a very small change can tip the balance between of advantage as between the suppliers. Oh but I love my what-ifs

Thanks folks