Switched via MSE Energy Club - Not Too Happy

Former_MSE_Archna

Hi Mr K

We're transparent about which tariffs make us money and which don't - something that comparison sites don't do at all. We also make sure we show all tariffs available as the norm - not just the ones that pay us. We pay a big chunk back in the way of cashback - again not something others do as the norm. We also talk about cashback sites in lots of guides though of course if you switch directly with the supplier (via a cashback site or not) we can't monitor your tariff for you.

We've just added features to Cheap Energy Club including telling users if the Warm Home Discount is available for each supplier - this is something that a solely commercial site just wouldn't bother spending the time and money on.

MSE Archna

Game_Over

MSE_Archna wrote: »

Hi Mr K

We're transparent about which tariffs make us money and which don't - something that comparison sites don't do at all.

Yes they do. If you can switch via them, then they are making money. Why would a commercial site bother to go to the trouble of switching someone, if they were not getting paid?
Instead, where they are not being aid, they simply tell you to contact the supplier directly and do it yourself.

MSE_Archna wrote: »

We also make sure we show all tariffs available as the norm - not just the ones that pay us.

You mean like energyhelpline? and possibly others too?

MSE_Archna wrote: »

We also talk about cashback sites in lots of guides though of course if you switch directly with the supplier (via a cashback site or not) we can't monitor your tariff for you.

Why not? I thought all a customer had to do was to register with the CEC, tell you what supplier & tariff they are on, and you will monitor that (and provide an alert if a cheaper product is available, subject to the customers alert settings)? Or have I got it all wrong? :huh:

Of course, the clear commercial advantage you gain by letting a customer know there is a cheaper supplier available elsewhere and so encouraging them to switch again using your own site is obvious with so many suppliers agreeing to pay comparison sites for such switches.

gord115

I keep getting Emails saying I could save x amount by switching.
But when I look at the provider recommended the tariffs are always more expensive.
Have they confused me with some one who wants to pay more for their energy?
What's going on?

Nada666

gord115 wrote: »

I keep getting Emails saying I could save x amount by switching.
But when I look at the provider recommended the tariffs are always more expensive.
Have they confused me with some one who wants to pay more for their energy?
What's going on?

When does your current fix end? Are the quotes using a sensible usage?

shazzablue

I switched in feb this year from british gas to coop and would like to thank mse,I received the £30 cash back with no problems,mse have further emailed me to advise I could now get a cheaper tarrif.Between my fuel and broadband savings I have only praise for this website.Are you able to switch again without exit penalties?.

gord115

Nada666 wrote: »

When does your current fix end? Are the quotes using a sensible usage?

My current fix finishes in November, I wonder if the quotes are based on Standard tariff that applies after?

MSE_Dan_L

Hi Gord115 - just to let you know that following changes introduced by Ofgem, the energy regulator, our calculations have to factor in the tariff costs for the remainder of the fixed tariff, as well as the standard tariff the energy suppliers moves its customers onto when the fixed tariff ends. This means if you have two months of your fixed rate tariff remaining, your calculation is based on two months at the fixed tariff rate, and then ten months at the standard tariff rate.


We don’t think this is particularly easy to understand so we're working on showing your fixed cost and go to costs separately, as we think its clearer this way.

MoneyMollyC

Exactly the same story here I'm afraid. Joined Cheap Energy Club and switched to M&S on DD. Electricity seems OK but the gas bill is mad - 1st quarter was in credit, 2nd quarter we owe £250 with an estimated over£3000 per year usage! I gave the actual Kw usage from the previous year when comparing costs (we were with EON). Our usage/lifestye hasn't changed.

gord115

MSE_Dan_L wrote: »

Hi Gord115 - just to let you know that following changes introduced by Ofgem, the energy regulator, our calculations have to factor in the tariff costs for the remainder of the fixed tariff, as well as the standard tariff the energy suppliers moves its customers onto when the fixed tariff ends. This means if you have two months of your fixed rate tariff remaining, your calculation is based on two months at the fixed tariff rate, and then ten months at the standard tariff rate.


We don’t think this is particularly easy to understand so we're working on showing your fixed cost and go to costs separately, as we think its clearer this way.

Thanks Dan,I understand it now.