Comparing the Comparisons Sites.. LOL

illuminate

Current supplier EDF have upset me no end with their attitude when trying to sort out some recent payment issues.

I now have sufficient funds to clear the accounts so been looking around at switching.

First problem.... Working out typical usage is a nightmare as there is a proliferation of estimated readings and no date against actual readings. So its hard... ney, impossible to work out a start point.

We are on V1 Online.... There is a split that means 2 rates can apply. Is the first allowance per quarter. If so, with so many estimated readings how can I be sure that the "breaks" have been applied correctly.

Amidst all this confusion I've decided to input the same estimated usage figures into 3 comparison websites. Confused, uSwitch and MoneySuperMarket.

Now the first 2 are pretty consistant, barely a fiver difference on an estimated saving of £140 on dual fuel.

MoneySupermarket however is totally different suggesting that my preferred switch from the other 2 sites is overestimated by 60% and a single supplier switch would actually cost me money.

How the hell is the average Jo supposed to sort this lot out ? This aint a free market with competition to benefit the customer. They just confuse us all with unfathomable pricing structures and then compound that further, by selling us comparison web-sites that clearly aren't that accurate, as the alternative to true consumer protection.

To be honest this has turned into more of a rant than a request for advice, so now I've calmed down I'll save some poor CS operative at EDF an ear bashing and just pull em to pieces more constructively in the morning.

anniecave

The average Jo might find it difficult possibly... but I'm sure you could try. To sort out the meter readings, take a meter reading today for each. Then phone up each supplier and ask for what historic real meter readings they have. They should be able to give you dates and there should be one that is approximately a year ago. Or you should be able to find two that are approximately a year apart. From there you can work out how many units you used in a year. So if meter reading today is 90500 and meter reading on 8th august last year was 80000 then you have used 10500 units in a year - I'm sure you can figure that one out! Be careful if the period is significantly more than a year as your usage may be quite seasonal - a lot higher in winter than summer! Then once you have figured that out, take the suggested tariffs from the different websites and rework the figures based on the tariffs they suggest. Often it's the first 700 or so units in a year charged at a high unit rate and all other units at a lower rate. You will then have the options for what to switch to. Then work out on your current tariff how much your annual bill should be. For each you will need to make sure that the figures include VAT at 5% and any annual discounts, eg for direct debit or online billing etc. Then see which would work out cheapest. And if your current bills have lots of estimated readings, no you don't know for sure that the breaks have occurred correctly, but unless you have taken your own readings then you have to go with their estimates. I always take a reading at least once a month and around the time of any price changes just to make sure. I have always found uswitch to be fairly OK, as long as you put in your correct annual kilowatt hours figures. If you put in your estimated monthly payment figure it's normally way out on all the calculations as this isn't really accurate enough. All the best with working it all out!