M&S Energy (SSE) Mis-selling Again?

Stratus

My M&S Energy fix and save tariff is due to end on the 30th September and I’ve already initiated transferring to new deal with new suppliers.
The other day I received a letter from M&S Energy (SSE) showing how much I could save if I signed up to their new Fix and Save 2 tariff. The personal projection they supplied suggested the cost for my electricity usage would be significantly less than the deal I was moving to. I checked the unit rates and standing charges they were offering but they were both greater than my new supplier. I did some calculating, remembering to deduct their £46 direct debit discount but the figures still didn’t add up. It appears that M&S Energy have assumed that my next years electricity usage will be about 3660kwh which is way below my last 12 month usage of 4500kwh. I appreciate 3660kwh may be closer to an average figure for many households but they were offering a personal projection here.

The gas calculation was a little bit closer to my actual usage but still below my last 12 month use which was much lower than usual anyway as we had such a mild winter in 2013/14.

So, if you receive a personal projection from M&S Energy for the Fix and Save 2 tariff you might like to check it against your own figures. It would be easy to be lured in by their unrealistic assumptions.

Has anybody else got unrealistic figures for their personal projected consumption? Is this a widespread energy industry ploy, or is it just me?

Searching this site it appears SSE have been up to similar activities before.
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/utilities/2013/04/sse-fined-105-million-for-mis-selling

Mr_K

Funny you should say that - I thought the figures they gave me were very low. Suspect they've only used consumption to date rather than the full year. However its irrelevant and what to be expected from this industry. I've initiated my switch, Zog energy for Gas and Extraenergy for electricity, we'll see if the small guys are better. I didn't use M&S/SSE's calculations as estimates for my consumption (!)

Marmaduke123

I didn't even read mine! I've already initiated a transfer as I knew the follow on tariff wasn't competitive.

Susan1942

My contract with M&S is also coming to an end this month I did a comparison with Uswitch and Scottish Power came out as cheapest £171 in fact However what the prices were based on was the standard rate When I looked at their new fix and save 2 that figure came down to £33 so hardly seems worth changing . Yes they sent me a letter with the personal projection based on their standard rate £591 40 and with their Fix and save 2 £493 How they reached this figure I have no idea as I read my meter and know exactly how many units I have used for this year I am currently in credit and paying £84 per week When I do the figures on their web site as though I were moving to them or staying with them the figures come out at £77 a month Used almost £900 but 80% of that is on Economy 7 This has been a very warm summer so heating has not been on and it was a mild winter At the end of the day don't know how they reached these figures unless they are looking at only 6 months of the year ?? I am in all probability going to remain with them but have yet to do the renewal
Sue

jatinmistry_uk

I somewhat agree. All using some different kind of comparison and very difficult to work out the actual saving (if any).

For example, I have used 11473 kWh gas and 4052 kWh electric in last year. According to CEC, I could save £75/year with Sainsburys Energy. But when I used the TCR to compare both and done a manual calculation, M&S Fix & Save 2 tariff infact is £34 cheaper than Sainsburys.

So I think I am going to stick with M & S Fix & Save 2 too (for at least another year)!

Mr_K

Susan1942 wrote: »

My contract with M&S is also coming to an end this month I did a comparison with Uswitch and Scottish Power came out as cheapest £171 in fact

Make sure the comparison site is showing you all suppliers. By default they only show the ones from which they earn commission. They've been forced to put an option in to show all suppliers, so make sure you check that - it'll be hidden away in the small print.

I've found that 2 of the smaller suppliers not promoted by the comparison sites (Zog for gas, Extraenergy for electricity) are cheaper for me, and that dual fuel isn't the way to go any longer. It maybe different for you depending on region and consumption, but worth checking. Communication with both suppliers so far has been excellent. The big boys have got too complacent, time to shake them up a bit.

Susan1942

Will take a look but unless the saving is considerable I don't think I would make the change Thanks though Sue