Spark Energy - what's the catch?

ElwoodBlues

I went through uswitch comparison yesterday, and it came back with Spark Energy "Spark Advance 2" tariff as being the best deal. Hastily, I decided to apply to switch to it. Now I'm not so sure.

The headline rates (that were stated on the uswitch site), seem better. We are currently with Eon and when the price increases kick in, our tariff will be:

Electricity: 20.5p /day SC, and 15.225p/kWh
Gas: 26p/day SC, and 4.358p/kWh

The Spark Advance 2 tariff was given as:

Electricity: 14.7p/day SC, and 12.85p/kWh
Gas: 21p/day SC, and 3.63p/kWh

Eon give some discounts for dd, online billing and dual fuel (to the value of £100. But the Spark deal still looks at least £100 cheaper on paper. The only obvious downside is that we have to pay one month up front, which doesn't seem too bad.

However, I've seen some of the horror stories about this supplier, and I'm wondering if it's some sort of scam and that I'm missing something? Slightly worryingly the Advance 2 tariff isn't mentioned on their website anywhere. On another website I found a reference to Spark Advance 3 tariff and that it had superseded Advance 2. So is this a bait and switch? Do either of the tariff's actually exist?

It is supposed to be a variable rate tariff, does that mean they just advertise it with low rates to get people to switch in and then increase it after a couple of months?

No minimum term was mentioned anywhere, so presumably that means we can't be locked into anything with them? My only other concern is that they could estimate some silly high monthly payment to start with (bearing in mind they are taking two months worth at the start of the contract), leaving us massively in credit with them for a long time?

Anyone know if it's all good, or there is a catch?

macman

Widely considered to be the Hotel California of energy suppliers...

lstar337

The catch is that they offer awful service and virtually no customer service.

Check out the Spark feedback thread on this site.

A tariff they offered me seemed to be entirely fictional.

Nada666

kingrulzuk wrote: »

i would say EBICO is way cheaper in a long run

What a ridiculous thing to write. Insufficient information is provided to make such a silly statement.

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

kingrulzuk wrote: »

i would say EBICO is way cheaper in a long run.

and good CS

What a cretin.

thommy

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays wrote: »

What a cretin.

Why the personal abuse?

If you disagree with what was written, say why. Hm?

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

thommy wrote: »

Why the personal abuse?

If you disagree with what was written, say why. Hm?

Because the majority of the posts by that user are extolling the virtues of one particular company.

Here's why I disagree: there are clear guidelines as stickys on this forum instructing people how to find the cheapest deal, and any "go for this company" advice should be cracked down upon.

Not only that, but ebico are only cheap for very low users. Indeed, I put average consumption (16.5 Gas and 3.3 Ele MWh) into a price comparison for my area, and out of the 100s of tariffs ebico came 2nd most expensive.

thommy

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays wrote: »

Because the majority of the posts by that user are extolling the virtues of one particular company.

Here's why I disagree: there are clear guidelines as stickys on this forum instructing people how to find the cheapest deal, and any "go for this company" advice should be cracked down upon.

Not only that, but ebico are only cheap for very low users. Indeed, I put average consumption (16.5 Gas and 3.3 Ele MWh) into a price comparison for my area, and out of the 100s of tariffs ebico came 2nd most expensive.

You make some good points. There is, however, no excuse for personal abuse in this scenario. It's just plain bullying and disrespectful. Think who might actually be on the receiving end. Not everyone is as well-informed. People make mistakes. We all do, eh? Your short post just puts people off from contributing.

Yes, there are guidelines. Give people a chance though. This isn't a totalitarian forum, is it?

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

thommy wrote: »

You make some good points. There is, however, no excuse for personal abuse in this scenario. It's just plain bullying and disrespectful. Think who might actually be on the receiving end. Not everyone is as well-informed. People make mistakes. We all do, eh? Your short post just puts people off from contributing.

Yes, there are guidelines. Give people a chance though. This isn't a totalitarian forum, is it?

I don't see the need to sugar coat anything. For all we know there could be a vulnerable debt laden individual off to spend more with ebico on the basis of that cretinous post.

Everyone makes mistakes, God knows I have. However, that wasn't the first time that user had been admonished for giving duff info.

I'll continue to call a spade a spade for now, thanks.

[Deleted User]

Spark also take out direct debits in advance when you switch. In my neck of the woods ( S.Yorks ) First Utility are doing a July 2015 fix at 3.7/kwhr gas plus 16 p a day standing charge and electric at 11.5 p/kwhr , 20 p a day s.c., but as with Spark, virtually non existent customer services.

kingrulzuk

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays wrote: »

I don't see the need to sugar coat anything. For all we know there could be a vulnerable debt laden individual off to spend more with ebico on the basis of that cretinous post.

As I was multitasking and yes I do have a good paid job unlike some.
Just wanted to advice something and said something else.
That’s why I deleted the post.
As you called me Cretin. I should say look who is talking the man who have a blue bird stuck up his A**


Everyone makes mistakes, God knows I have. However, that wasn't the first time that user had been admonished for giving duff info.


Can you prove it???


I'll continue to call a spade a spade for now, thanks.

feel sorry for you man. i really do

NB: I Just wanted to let every know about the good suppliers. No harm in that