Comparing the "compare" sites

tartansand

I've been with EDF for over a year and think - time to look around...
Tried 3 different compare sites...
1. http://www.moneysupermarket.com
2. http://energylinx.co.uk
3. http://www.switchwithwhich.co.uk

All suggest a better deal - all with the SAME new supplier and the same tariff (nPower, Sign Online 8)
1 & 2 shows about £45 saving but 3 shows just a 37p saving!

Wierd
Checking 1 & 2 more carefully I see their estimate of my current bill is wildly inaccurate.
I track my bills carefully and both got it completely wrong by overestimating it - hence their suggested "saving".
Site 3 - almost got it it right, and it was the only one that showed the tariff they'd used for the calculation.

So I try a little test
Re-enter the same gas and electricity usage details but with a nearby post code and saying I'm already with nPower on their Sign Online 8 tariff.
Yuo'd expect the sites to say.... wow you're already on the best deal so don't switch.... wouldn't you????

Results...
1. refused to calculate saying "your details are incorrect" (interesting, how do they know that after I'd switched browser for the test and cleared all cookies!)
2. suggests I can save £48 by changing to the VERY SAME nPower tariff I've claimed I'm already on! :rolleyes:
3. Correctly says I'm on the cheapest rate - no change

Conclusion
Most of these sites will always try to switch you.
Despite all their claims they're NOT your friend, you're just an asset they can make money out of.
Site 3 was the exception, accurate assessment of my current bills and no fudging the numbers to make it look like I'd benefit from switching.

A small test admittedly but if anyone's got more time to do a wider comparison there could be some interesting results on the real accuracy (honesty?) of these sites.

Lesson?
Check on a number of sites and make sure the estimate they say you're currently paying with your current supplier actually comes close to reality!

Cardew

Welcome to the forum.

Your conclusion is absolutely correct.

The sole purpose of these parasitic organisations is to maximise their commission by getting you to change supplier.

If you want to give them a better excuse to get you to change supplier, try this test.

Enter just your monthly DD spend into a comparison site. Start high - say £80 for gas and £80 for electricity.

The result will always be a cheaper DD by changing . - that will depend on which company is paying them the largest commission!!!!

Clear cookies(or enter a slightly different postcode e.g SW1XXX instead of SW1YYY) and enter the new DD amount and company/tariff you have been given.

Keep repeating the process - you will be amazed at the huge 'savings' you will be able to make - and probably finish up with the company with whom you started!