MSE News: Collective switching comes of age as 60,000 save £10 million

KTF

Yes, the npower Jan 2016 came out after the big switch finished and works out cheaper for me as well.

However, the stories I hear about npower (not a current customer) is putting me off switching to them at the moment.

Consumerist

KTF wrote: »

. . . However, the stories I hear about npower (not a current customer) is putting me off switching to them at the moment.

I think you're wise to be cautious. Their <complaints statistics> might help give some perspective to their reputation.

I'd say it's still a bit too much of a gamble for me, anyway.

brewerdave

This business of making the comparison based on the switch to a standard tariff after the fixed tariff period ends, is even more deeply flawed than I thought because it appears to calculate expected future consumption on a pro rata basis - in my case my fix would have finished end April - there is absolutely no way that I'm going to use the amount of gas between April and November that the calculation of "savings" must assume.

victor2

brewerdave wrote: »

This business of making the comparison based on the switch to a standard tariff after the fixed tariff period ends, is even more deeply flawed than I thought because it appears to calculate expected future consumption on a pro rata basis - in my case my fix would have finished end April - there is absolutely no way that I'm going to use the amount of gas between April and November that the calculation of "savings" must assume.

I've accepted it is nonsense anyway, but that might help explain it.
When the end of my tariff approaches, I use comparison sites to get a future predicted cost from different suppliers and compare them with each other. I've always expected an increase over my current annual cost, it's just a case of which is the smallest increase. Although the old mantra of prices can only go up doesn't seem to be quite so cast in stone these days, so I'm happy to spend another 6 months on my fixed tariff and view the market later.

MSWinner

I applaud MSE for this initiative, especially as there was a genuinely green (100% renewable) fixed term tariff available.

It meant I could finally switch from 'low-carbon' EDF whose government subsidies, massive decommissioning costs, and radioactive waste will have to be dealt with by generations to come.

I even saved a little money in the process, which I call a win-win situation.

Finally, let's hope this encourages more competition in the genuinely green market.

HelenO999

I decided to switch with the MSE collective to E-On, all was going well except my fixed rate with OVO does not end until 6th Dec - penalty £60 I think. I rang E-on to confirm that the switch would take place after that date and after a long conversation with someone was advised it would be after 6th. Happy

Then got email saying it would be 1st Dec. Not Happy

Sent email, a few days later someone rang and said the date cannot be changed. I asked for complaints area. Why???
Complaints rang me later and said date for elec would 'probably' before 6th and gas would 'probably' after. I said I would rather cancel as the switch was not worth it and would they rather lose my custom than make sure dates where correct? They weren't bothered. I said I would cancel online later (I wanted to check all figures before doing so)

Today, 14th Nov, got an email saying switch has been cancelled at my request???

What a ridulous situation, what a pathetic customer service. Surely this must come up time and time again with most companies having fixed yearly rates and penalties. E-on should get their act together and be able to specify switch dates!! Well they've shot themselves in the foot as they've lost my custom.

This is not a reflection on the MSE switch, just the processes of E-on

footyguy

HelenO999 wrote: »

I decided to switch with the MSE collective to E-On, all was going well except my fixed rate with OVO does not end until 6th Dec - penalty £60 I think. I rang E-on to confirm that the switch would take place after that date and after a long conversation with someone was advised it would be after 6th. Happy

Then got email saying it would be 1st Dec. Not Happy

Sent email, a few days later someone rang and said the date cannot be changed. I asked for complaints area. Why???
Complaints rang me later and said date for elec would 'probably' before 6th and gas would 'probably' after. I said I would rather cancel as the switch was not worth it and would they rather lose my custom than make sure dates where correct? They weren't bothered. I said I would cancel online later (I wanted to check all figures before doing so)

Today, 14th Nov, got an email saying switch has been cancelled at my request???

What a ridulous situation, what a pathetic customer service. Surely this must come up time and time again with most companies having fixed yearly rates and penalties. E-on should get their act together and be able to specify switch dates!! Well they've shot themselves in the foot as they've lost my custom.

This is not a reflection on the MSE switch, just the processes of E-on

When applying to switch supplier, you cannot dictate the timing.

Given that, what did you want the outcome to be? (You admit you said you would probably cancel)
That you paid Ovo £60 or for Eon to cancel the switch request?

Use a comparison site to find the best deal for you
You can probably do better then this MSE collective tariff anyway now

Btw, I don't think you would have got hit with early exit fees anyway
You should have had a letter from Ovo about this by now, if the Ovo deal ends 06 December. They are supposed to send it 42-49 before the end of the deal, and early exit fees are waived from then on.

latinaid

I signed up to this (e-On deal), and I remember that there are to be dedicated helplines for people using the collective switch. Does anyone know where I can find these, or could someone from MSE please post them here? Thanks.

MSE_Dan_L

latinaid wrote: »

I signed up to this (e-On deal), and I remember that there are to be dedicated helplines for people using the collective switch. Does anyone know where I can find these, or could someone from MSE please post them here? Thanks.

Hi Latinaid - you can find the contact details at this link.
https://cheapenergyclub.moneysavingexpert.com/collectiveswitch#help

I hope that helps.

lstar337

MSWinner wrote: »

I applaud MSE for this initiative, especially as there was a genuinely green (100% renewable) fixed term tariff available.

It meant I could finally switch from 'low-carbon' EDF whose government subsidies, massive decommissioning costs, and radioactive waste will have to be dealt with by generations to come.

I even saved a little money in the process, which I call a win-win situation.

You're still using nuclear energy even with your 'green' tariff. You're still using coal, gas, and oil too.

MSWinner wrote: »

Finally, let's hope this encourages more competition in the genuinely green market.

Yeah, so the other sources go out of business and we have a system where a few people have power occasionally.

All the green sources put together don't even come close to covering the countries energy needs, hell even our green and non-green sources added together barely cover it!

http://www.gridwatch.templar.co.uk/