How long can Ebico survive?

MegaMiniMouse

In the days of the two-tier tariff, Ebico appeared to offer a more easily understood alternative, but their appeal is now limited.

As a fully-paid-up member of the Association of UK Scrooges, I am very happy to pay Ebico the delightfully small sum of £1 a month to pay for my occasional shower.

But I am guessing that my days are numbered...

Cardew

That question has been posed for some years.


Years ago not only the easily understood single tariff, but no premium for quarterly payment or pre-pay meters appealed.


I guess it is the same lack of inertia that is demonstrated by the millions still on the standard tariff of the Regional electricity supplier and BG for gas.


That said there are other tariffs available for very low users that are not much more expensive than Ebico.


Entering 1000kWh gas and 500kWh in my region(midlands) costs £138 with Ebico and £141 with FU.


Without gas, and 1000kWh electricity costs £168 with Ebico and only £141 with NPower and £164 with Extra Energy.

enfield_freddy

however ebico do not charge a standing charge of 25-30p per day ,

MegaMiniMouse

Cardew wrote: »

That question has been posed for some years.


Years ago not only the easily understood single tariff, but no premium for quarterly payment or pre-pay meters appealed.


I guess it is the same lack of inertia that is demonstrated by the millions still on the standard tariff of the Regional electricity supplier and BG for gas.


That said there are other tariffs available for very low users that are not much more expensive than Ebico.


Entering 1000kWh gas and 500kWh in my region(midlands) costs £138 with Ebico and £141 with FU.


Without gas, and 1000kWh electricity costs £168 with Ebico and only £141 with NPower and £164 with Extra Energy.

I don't recall an easily understood single tariff. Isn't that what Ebico currently offers? Until last year, sfaik, there were two-tier tariffs and there were daily standing charge tariffs - both of them have two separate pricing components, and it is a matter of opinion as to which is fairer or simpler etc.

A choice of easily understood single tariffs would do very nicely - bring them on...

enfield_freddy

https://www.ebico.org.uk/


single tarrif , prepay or account

MegaMiniMouse

enfield_freddy wrote: »

https://www.ebico.org.uk/


single tarrif , prepay or account

The question is - how long can Ebico continue with a customer base which is overloaded with skinflints like me who pay them only £1 a month...

enfield_freddy

I agree , during the summer months as a low user I gain , and have started adding a few extra £ on my pre payment meters every week. to cover the winter period.


I have checked every MSE suggestion for reducing costs , but they all agree Ebico is best for me

SwanJon

I think OFGEM are a bigger risk to Ebico than their customers.
This time last year they were proposing that each supplier could only offer 4 tariffs, and within a year or two this would include 'white labels' (e.g. Sainsbury's Energy/British Gas, M&S Energy/SSE).
As Ebico is a 'white label' of SSE, they would be included in one of SSE's tariffs effectively removing them from the market.

Hopefully OFGEM have looked at this and held off on that change as I feel Ebico do bring something different to the market.

Cardew

MegaMiniMouse wrote: »

I don't recall an easily understood single tariff. .

I meant that is what Ebico has always offered, regardless of payment method(including pre-pay) and that attracted customers.

System

SwanJon wrote: »

Hopefully OFGEM have looked at this and held off on that change as I feel Ebico do bring something different to the market.

The changes are already up and running.


From 1 January:

Suppliers limited to offering customers a choice of only eight tariffs: Four for gas, four for electricity.

Suppliers must inform customers through bills and other forms of communication on what they have done and what changes are planned in a "Treating Customers Fairly" statement.

Simpler structure for tariffs: A unit rate and, if suppliers choose, a standing charge.

From 31 March:

Suppliers must inform customers of the cheapest available tariff and how much money it could save them.

Introduction of a Tariff Comparison Rate (TCR), likened to APR for interest rates, enabling customers to compare tariffs at a glance. The TCR will be measured in pence per kilowatt hour (p/kWh) and based on consumption of an average user.

Bills and tariff quotes to include a "Personal Projection", forecasting what a customer will pay based on their own usage or supplier's best estimate.

Every tariff will contain a "Tariff Information Label" allowing customers easier understanding and a simpler opportunity to compare it.
Source: Energy UK

Cardew

enfield_freddy wrote: »

however ebico do not charge a standing charge of 25-30p per day ,

Of course! but charge a high unit rate, and no discounts to compensate.

The comparisons I gave in post#2 were to demonstrate that unless you are a ultra low user, there are other competitive tariffs on the market.

For instance I have an annex that is rarely occupied, and use Ebico for gas and electricity.

According to Ebico's own estimate I am forecast to use 1,346kWh gas and 80kWh electricity this year. That according to energyhelpline will cost £86. However First Utility will cost £83(which they calculate as a saving of £4 not £3!)

There have been times in the last few years, when companies were offering large discounts for both Dual Fuel and payment by DD, when I could have been paid by a company for 'allowing them;)' to supply me with 'free' gas and electricity!