Energy Company Transparency

ConsumerCare

The call for transparent energy Tariffs and Bills has been and gone; In the UK there are a lot of vulnerable people when it comes to electricity and gas charges and energy companies, especially the ‘Big 6’, are aware of this. Out of curiosity I would like to ask some simple questions that I think the suppliers tend to overlook when marketing their goods as they are only concerned with keeping existing and getting new customers raising questions regarding their marketing ethics.

Do You Understand?

· The terms and conditions of your energy tariff

· The terms of your contract (fixed term of flexible)

· The unit prices for your electricity

· The discounts available

· The penalties that could be imposed for breaking your contract

· Your cancellation rights

· Your standing charges

When answering these questions take into consideration that the UK energy supply market has gone through significant changes since deregulation movements led to the companies responsible for the generation, distribution and supply of electricity and gas in England and Wales being privatised in the early 90’s with the aim of increasing the reliability and affordability of the service by opening up the market to competition. By 1998 the market was fully deregulated and to date there are over 20 different electricity and gas suppliers in the UK offering a range of different tariffs to customers led by British Gas, EDF Energy, E.ON, Scottish and Southern Energy, Npower and Scottish Power known in the UK energymarket as the ‘Big 6’ who dominate the market and discourage competition.

matelodave

Yes

Yes, I've got my terms and conditions, I know what my tariff & standing charges are and I know what penalties I have if I terminate my contract early. I also know that I'm on the best tariff for me at the moment.

I think there are too many people out there who don't take the trouble to read their T&Cs, haven't a clue what their tariff is and it comes as a surprise when a bill pops through the letterbox for an enormous amount. They won't read their own meters and won't put the effort in to check bills against meter readings. There are also those who think that a low estimate means that they won't have to pay for what they've used

It strikes me, that there are lots who won't take charge of their bills or consumption and then expect everyone else to run around after them or to bail them out when it goes wrong.
I'm not suggesting that the supply companies are whiter than white but consumers have to take some responsibility as well

JJ_Egan

Yes

As above .
Post smells as a campaign or hidden agenda with two identical posts .

ConsumerCare

No

Hello JJ
It is not a campaign, I am concerned regarding energy bills with them changing all the time as government policies change and the energy companies having to change their tariffs and billing policies on a regular basis being sure the energy companies will not pay for these changes and they will be reflected in our bills. I am with the same opinion as matelodave that we should take interest in our bills and know what we pay for, in my family I know but my wife and daughters do not have a clue, they may learn from this forum!

matelodave

Yes

Wives & daughters think that electricity, gas and water are free commodities paid for by Dad. It only becomes something to be noticed when they move out and have to pay their own. However when they marry they forget how much it was costing them when they were paying it themselves and then rely on their respective husbands.
My wife hasn't changed her opinion however much effort I put into trying to educate her. Heating is on full blast, lights left on all over the house and water flushed down the sink like it's going out of fashion.

ConsumerCare

No

Matelodave, you have it spot on, even though my girls have their own homes Dad still has to be their educator and benefactor!

ellajuk

Metadave you are funny, but I guess true. However looking on the other side of the coin, how many of us when we switch providers we put in our Kwh usage based on our past year usage and know that the payments would balance themselves out throughout the year,,, > then, providers seem to want to start making their own estimates for colder months, despite us sending in meter readings... then by the time spring arrives we are a few hundred pound short of pocket as someone else has our money and then we cant budget for the year. So my answer do I understand my tariff and contract, yes,, but they decide to change the agreed amounts that suit them, so in theory, they dont.