Would now be a good time to leave Equipower

Holeypockets

Hi all,

I have been checking the prices (energyhelpline) and British Gas have come out on top for me the last few times. I always thought Equipower were cheapest but I can save £140 p/a by swapping.

Is now a good time?

Does anyone know if Equipower will price drop?

Is it a good idea to go to British Gas (they used to be the worst with prices)

dc

I would stay with Ebico for gas but change to BG Clickenergy 2 for leccy.

Ebico are likely to reduce prices in September, so any predicted savings may be wiped out then, especialy for gas, as BG are not allowed to be the cheapest due to competition regs.

However if you go to BG do it via Quidco, they give £20 per service, and do pay, as I have just been sent £20 for changing leccy to Click2, but the change is slow due they say to demand., and BG's poor customer service.

You can always change back if Equipower beat BG, and still pocket the £20 or £40 from Quidco.

wills34

tough question to answer, your saving £11.66 per month until ebico drop. Im in a similar boat but i'm only losing £5 per month. You have got to remember playing field level for everyone but equipower customers and it is very unlikely you will save £140 per annum for switching. Personally I'm checking ebico.co.uk every week for the next edition of equate (news update archive) if no drop by september I'm off. Over the summer i don't think i'm saving by switching. Bulk of your projected saving may be winter gas also. Tough decision. Is it worth switching to possibly switch back? Remember equipower rarely change prices 2-3 times in last 5 years approx. BG and other major suppliers change their prices regularly.

Holeypockets

I have always wondered where they get the savings figures from because I never appear to save anything - I don't know if that is just because of the price rises across the board or what. I am wondering if it is worth changing, bagging the £40 cashback and reviewing again in september - or is this a stupid idea? Why is it that everyone else has recently announced price drops to level the field and yet Equipower haven't? To be the cheapest they need to price review more often.

Farway

Holeypockets wrote: »

I have always wondered where they get the savings figures from because I never appear to save anything - I don't know if that is just because of the price rises across the board or what. I am wondering if it is worth changing, bagging the £40 cashback and reviewing again in september - or is this a stupid idea? Why is it that everyone else has recently announced price drops to level the field and yet Equipower haven't? To be the cheapest they need to price review more often.

Ebico never set out or claim to be the cheapest, they are a Christian not for profit ethical company aiming to give a fair deal for everyone, not some at the expense of others

If they did price review more often we would all have had soaring fuel bills last year, we did not. So for my money I am prepared to stay with them for known savings & standards and not chase birds in the bushes

Holeypockets

fair enough I suppose.

wills34

savings are projected based on today's prices based on prices staying the same for the next 12 months and incluuding standard discounts (not cashback). Both options are fine. If you can be bothered with the hassle switch and re-review defintely use a cashback broker. Or give them until September. At least you know where you stand if your company has an annual price review as you can have the option to do the same and you can budget for your annual spend without worrying whether your prices will change again in a couple of months. Most suppliers upped prices 3 time last year. Ebico once in the last 2

alan99_2

The real energy savings will be in winter. If you change now it will take 4 to 6 weeks so changeover will be in July. Ebico usually change prices in September . You may then want to change back to them.
You may want to wait till September , or change now and grab the £20 or £40 changeover bonus ,if you can be bothered.

Ps Ebico are meant to be good with customer service, BG , according to people on this forum bad. Although I dont know if that refers to their online tariff service.

Alan

Cardew

I think the people to learn the most from this thread(and other threads about Ebico) would be the Management at British Gas.

It demonstrates just how much people value good customer service and are prepared to remain with Ebico despite their currently high prices.

I think a lot of people would have remained with BG, despite their then high prices, if their customer service had been good.

Ken68

Ebico are still a small company and I for one will support them, just for their groundbreaking tariff busting.
Simple invoices, low bills for low users, equal prices however you pay. What was needed and what EnergyWatch should be insisting is the norm.

wills34

Wouldn't class Ebico as having high prices for receipt of bill or pre pay customers Cardew depends on usage of course. Although they seem comparatively expensive compared to direct debit options, although you have to wait a while for these discounts wih most companies, so be cautious with savings quoted if ebico drop by september. Seems that only equipower customers are in this predicament over whether to wait as the 'playing field' is otherwise level on the standard and online markets