Nothing to switch from - how to get a good energy deal?

Marinskaya

Hi - any ideas on how to get a cheap energy deal when you are not switching, just signing up? Also, why does MSE energy signup take so long? I ended my previous energy contract some time ago when I sold my house. I lived in lodgings (inclusive of energy bills) while house-hunting, then I bought a house. The previous owners had Npower. I took down the meter readings, looked at various energy deals and figured I could "switch" to Npower, since I had never been signed up to them before. My request (via MSE energy club) seemed to go through ok, but the "switch" is still "in process" after several months. I did receive an email from Npower a while back, apologising for the delay. Also, an Npower rep called round asking about bills the previous owner had left unpaid, but seemed to know nothing about me or my attempts to sign up. Nothing else has happened for nearly 2 months. I would like to know a) if I can withdraw from the Npower signup, and b) how to find a good energy deal without having something to switch from. Sorry this is so complex. I'd welcome any helpful ideas from moneysavers.

Aquamania

Marinskaya wrote: »

Hi - any ideas on how to get a cheap energy deal when you are not switching, just signing up? Also, why does MSE energy signup take so long? I ended my previous energy contract some time ago when I sold my house. I lived in lodgings (inclusive of energy bills) while house-hunting, then I bought a house. The previous owners had Npower. I took down the meter readings, looked at various energy deals and figured I could "switch" to Npower, since I had never been signed up to them before. My request (via MSE energy club) seemed to go through ok, but the "switch" is still "in process" after several months. I did receive an email from Npower a while back, apologising for the delay. Also, an Npower rep called round asking about bills the previous owner had left unpaid, but seemed to know nothing about me or my attempts to sign up. Nothing else has happened for nearly 2 months. I would like to know a) if I can withdraw from the Npower signup, and b) how to find a good energy deal without having something to switch from. Sorry this is so complex. I'd welcome any helpful ideas from moneysavers.

If you really don't want to change away from nPower, then either consult their website or give them a call. They will surely be able to offer you something better than their standard variable rate you are currently being charged at.

The sooner you act, the sooner you'll save Do it now!

ellajuk

I am assuming you mean a deal for electric. Some deals I guess are better than others, it really depends on your consumption. The old bills may give `some` indication about the amount of kwh used for the property, but there again we all have our different uses, appliances and times we need to use it.
If it is gas and you are unsure about your consumption, one suggestion is to temporary go with a supplier with no fixed term, ie Daligas, and monitor the usage until you decide what is the best deal for yourself.

wakeupalarm

OP you are in a deemed contract with the previous occupants supplier, which you state is Npower. You can switch to another company but you can't switch to Npower as you are already with them. Give them a call and register your moving in date with them.

Marinskaya

Thanks for all the replies. I have both gas and electricity. The Npower deal I signed up for (or thought I did), several months ago, was a deal via MSE energy club, for both utilities, fixed until 2016 and with £30 cashback. Since Npower have acknowledged this by emailing me to apologise for the delay, I would judge they have implicitly agreed to it - don't you think? Whatever they may have "deemed" when I moved in, surely that no longer stands. It would hardly be fair for them to delay indefinitely, or disallow the deal at this stage, just to keep me on a more expensive deal, and deny me the cashback into the bargain. Would it?
NB I really don't like phoning these companies, it's expensive and time-consuming. But I'd be happy to email them if anyone has a suitable email address. The email they sent me was one of those you can't reply to. Otherwise I may try sending a letter.

Kitchen_Sink

Marinskaya wrote: »

..The previous owners had Npower...

Marinskaya wrote: »

The Npower deal I signed up for (or thought I did), several months ago, was a deal via MSE energy club, for both utilities, fixed until 2016 and with £30 cashback. ...

I'm sure that is not possible if you had input the correct details into the CEC

But remember: GIGO!

Kitchen_Sink

Marinskaya wrote: »

...NB I really don't like phoning these companies, it's expensive and time-consuming. ...

:huh: :huh: :huh:

nPower offer a FREEfone number - details on their website

There's also an 03 number if you really want to pay for the call ... or you have an expensive contract that has an inclusive call allowance.

Marinskaya

Thanks, Kitchen Sink. But I do believe I put the correct details in. A garbage input may frequently lead to a garbage output, but it doesn't work the other way, ie garbage can result from correct data if the system is flawed. However, it is possible I have in fact been offered the deal in question, and that the system is just taking its time to complete the task. I guess I'd better find out. Unless there's a better deal out there by now. I didn't really want one of the big six, but all the recommendatons based on my estimated usage came up with Npower. Thanks for the phone number and advice.

macman

You don't have any option. You were in a deemed contract with the existing supplier from day one of your ownership of the property, and until you register for an account with them you cannot commence a switch to another supplier.
You can't 'switch' to a company you are already contracted to.

pooch

Sounds like garbage out can result from the odd MSE user too

... particularly one that returns after over 3 years later after a solitary post and starts a new thread and then keeps digging.

Marinskaya

Hi - I wrote to several Npower addresses and finally got a reply. They say they are sorting it out. I will try to let you all know what happens. Apologies in advance if I forget. Thanks for your replies, whether or not I understood them. (I definitely didn't understand the last one).