Small Supplier v Recognised Supplier

TCA

I'm currently in rented accommodation and use Scottish Power (dual fuel fixed online tariff) but will be moving within 2 months when my property purchase completes. No real issues with Scottish Power. My new property is currently supplied by Ovo Energy (don't know if there's a Smart Meter), so trying to decide who to use when I move.

I signed up to the MSE Cheap Energy Club and I could save up to £87 per year (compared to my Scottish Power tariff) by using one of the smaller suppliers, but having never heard of most of them, I'd be very wary.

The top is a variable tariff from GB Energy Supply which would save that £87. The next 3 are fixed tariffs from GnERGY, Green Star and Extra Energy, which would only save £3 per month.

A fixed tariff from Ovo (Better Energy All Online) is next saving £2 per month and there are others from Sainsbury, Flow Energy and First Utility around the same savings. Then it's Scottish Power.

I'm inclined not to go with any of the newer smaller suppliers for sake of saving a few quid but as the new house already has Ovo as the supplier, I'm thinking that might just be the easiest choice, although I know nothing about them other than what I've read on here, which is both good and bad.

Reading so many disaster stories on this board, is changing supplier worth the hassle or better to keep Ovo as the existing supplier (for now)?

Any opinions?

JJ_Egan

One see GB Energy threads .
Two Ovo is a small supplier .
Three any comparison must be taken as one an estimate as the only true figure is the actual tariff rate .
Personally a switch from Ovo would save me £40 pa and in my view not worth it as i am 100% happy with Ovo .

Bear in mind that those who are happy don't post but those who are unhappy do frequently and often in multiple threads/ forums .

TCA

JJ_Egan wrote: »

One see GB Energy threads. Two Ovo is a small supplier. Personally a switch from Ovo would save me £40 pa and in my view not worth it as I am 100% happy with Ovo.

Thanks JJ. Just from my reading about Ovo, albeit small, it seems to have been around for a few years, so perhaps would get the nod over any newer small outfits anyway.

But as you said, I wouldn't switch to save £40. It's more from the perspective that I'm starting from nearly a clean sheet in a new property. I say nearly because Ovo already supply the property, so maybe it's the obvious choice just to keep them.

Although I've been happy with Scottish Power in my rented accommodation, I'm not fussed about instigating a supplier switch which might just complicate my house move unnecessarily if things go pear shaped. This is assuming that using Ovo would be a straight case of new meter readings and off we go on the chosen tariff.

JJ_Egan

This is assuming that using Ovo would be a straight case of new meter readings and off we go on the chosen tariff.


It was for me when i changed Ovo tariff .

System

Ovo is a Which recommended supplier and it fares well on TrustPilot. My own experience of returning to Ovo has been somewhat tainted by the fact that they failed to initiate my gas switch, and they tried to bill me for electricity supplied by another supplier. If the property is supplied by them already then a simple change of name and address; two meter readings and a change of tariff shouldn't be too taxing for their IT system.

When you take over the new property, Ovo, like all suppliers, will place you on their standard variable tariff. Ovo will allow you to switch to a fixed tariff without charge; however, you cannot tariff hop within your fixed contract period without paying £30 per fuel. Similarly, if you switch away, you cannot return for 3 months without paying £30 a fuel. Finally, your online discount requires you to do everything online. If you start calling them up, then they will stop the online discount.

TCA

JJ_Egan wrote: »

It was for me when I changed Ovo tariff.

Changing tariff with Scottish Power was easy as well but from what I've read, changing supplier could be a completely different ball game. I'd like to think that setting up a new account with an existing supplier in a new property, would be far easier than opting to switch. Never had experience of switching though.

TCA

Hengus wrote: »

If the property is supplied by them already then a simple change of name and address; two meter readings and a change of tariff shouldn't be too taxing for their IT system.

Thanks Hengus. That was what I was hoping to hear. I read your posts on another thread regarding the Ovo exit/re-entry fee situation and will bear that in mind.

Out of interest, do Ovo regularly revise their fixed tariffs? Scottish Power offer 12 months fixes, with a new deal every month replacing the previous offering.

System

TCA wrote: »

Out of interest, do Ovo regularly revise their fixed tariffs? Scottish Power offer 12 months fixes, with a new deal every month replacing the previous offering.

Yes, they do (but not so quite as frequently as once per month). Like most suppliers they don't change the name only the finish date. The Jury is still out as to whether we will see a rise or fall in prices. As I said above, you can switch away from Ovo without penalty if prices drop further. There is nothing difficult about switching; you just need to keep an eye on the process and be prepared to pay two DDs for a couple of months whilst the 2 suppliers get their acts together. In fairness to Ovo, CS is quick to respond to simple queries and getting a monthly statement requires nothing more than the entering of 2 meter readings once a month into an app or webpage.

Ps I forgot to mention that with Ovo you pay them your first DD at the start of the contract. They, in turn, will give you 3% interest on any credit balance.

TCA

Hengus wrote: »

In fairness to Ovo, CS is quick to respond to simple queries and getting a monthly statement requires nothing more than the entering of 2 meter readings once a month into an app or webpage.

Ps I forgot to mention that with Ovo you pay them your first DD at the start of the contract. They, in turn, will give you 3% interest on any credit balance.

That's all good to know, thanks. Decent customer service is a big plus when dealing with these companies, so definitely plays a big part in my thinking.

Better_Days

I've been using Green Star for well over a year now. I've been impressed. There was an initial problem with setting up the direct debit, but when I rang to sort it out they were very apologetic, and I managed to speak to a sensible person quickly. No being kept on hold for an hour to then find out you've rung the wrong number.

When we moved here the supply was with Eon and they were a nightmare just to get them to change the name on the supply. The lady who sold us the house, for some reason known only to herself, gave Eon the wrong name for us, and Eon insisted on billing a non existing person. It took ages, lenghty phone calls and sending their paperwork back before they finally got it right.

Green Star have regularly and fairly reviewed my DD's to fit in line with my usage. Their call centre appears to be staffed by competent and sensible people. A refreshing novelty when it comes to energy suppliers.

TCA

Thanks Better Days. The MSE Cheap Energy Club agrees with you:

"Green Star is a small supplier – as such we've had little feedback about its customer service. However, despite a low number of votes, it scored 77% great in our last poll. It was also a winner in our last Big Switch, and we found it good in dealing with issues."

Certainly looks to be one of the better smaller suppliers. Only marginal savings over Ovo Energy for my current level of usage, so Ovo still gets the nod as the existing supplier at the new house.