uSwitch Not Showing the Cheapest Tariffs!!

KeithMc9

I have noticed from running a quick comparsion that uSwitch is not showing the cheapest tariffs on the market despite claiming to show the whole market.

Quick google search and it looks like they're being investigated for it by OFGEM seems unfair on customers who use their site and think they're getting the cheapest deal!!! :mad:

System

I think that we are beginning to see the end of switching cash backs as more suppliers enter the market, and compete solely on price. Personally, I would prefer to have £60 off my annual bill rather than £30 Cashback. Also, following last year's close Parliamentary scrutiny, my guess is that the CMA investigation will recommend that OFGEM sets up its own comparison site.

Hasbeen

KeithMc9 wrote: »

I have noticed from running a quick comparsion that uSwitch is not showing the cheapest tariffs on the market despite claiming to show the whole market.

Quick google search and it looks like they're being investigated for it by OFGEM seems unfair on customers who use their site and think they're getting the cheapest deal!!! :mad:

Would suspect like most comparison sites they would give you the choice of tick box for plans they could switch you to, or tick box show the whole market?

If you are ticking show the whole market and they are not, then a complaint to them is in order!

brewerdave

Just used USwitch this am after a mailshot.
1. The trumpeted "savings" figure -all comes from the period after my current fix ends in October by the use of the standard plan tariffs.
2. The savings figure does not include the current tariff "penalty" for early termination (altho' USwitch do acknowledge the ETC on the front page)
HOWEVER, a brief search with other comparison sites doesn't yield any better tariffs than USwitch are showing??

Robin9

KeithMc9 wrote: »

I have noticed from running a quick comparsion that uSwitch is not showing the cheapest tariffs on the market despite claiming to show the whole market.

Quick google search and it looks like they're being investigated for it by OFGEM seems unfair on customers who use their site and think they're getting the cheapest deal!!! :mad:

Can you give some examples please ?

KeithMc9

I live in the midlands and nearly switched using uSwitch however I thought I'll check with Which? to be sure and it showed me the cheapest tariff was in fact with Avro Energy.

Its not right that you have to use two comparison sites despite claiming they show the whole market!!

macman

It's perfectly rational to show the figures based on your current tariff ending and then reverting to Standard. If you are switching, you want your costs projected 12 months ahead, not based on what you are paying now, and which is no longer available.

System

brewerdave wrote: »

Just used USwitch this am after a mailshot.
1. The trumpeted "savings" figure -all comes from the period after my current fix ends in October by the use of the standard plan tariffs.

Blame Ofgem not the comparison sites. An assumption has to be made and reversion to the standard tariff is as flawed as any other method. The savings are only incorrect for those already on a fixed tariff and with less than 12 months to run. MSE CEC shows both the Ofgem-mandated inflated savings method and a much simpler annual cost comparison.

kilofarahs

I have Uswitch in front of me telling me 5 suppliers are cheaper than renewing with the best OVO rate/plan - however OVO renewals are showing me slightly lower price per KW and slightly lower standing charge than those on USwitch..

Which fair little in better by the fact that their view of my current rate is higher than the actual plan and different to the rates Uswitch seem to think it will cost...

I think basically - know your usage, know your rates and use these tools as an aid rather than gospel. I always find it strange that a new supplier (be it home ins, car, utility whatever) is always recommended, I find it implausible that at least once if you life your existing supplier isnt able to compete with the best rate and bracketed you for that rate to retain custom..Not once in many years

NittyGritty

as with all these comparison sites, they all have a vested intrest in us all switching...why because it earns them money.




they are not independent,impartial,




they always advertise on tv telling us to switch , and yes they do a good job in saving people money.




the revalation thing about some companys not showing the cheapest deals when it came out a while back shows they are not there 100% to save us money they are there for one thing and 1 thing only to make money out of us

weather or not we will get an independent comparison site ( that as no vested intrest in making money out of people switching) setup remains to be seen

System

kilofarahs wrote: »

I have Uswitch in front of me telling me 5 suppliers are cheaper than renewing with the best OVO rate/plan - however OVO renewals are showing me slightly lower price per KW and slightly lower standing charge than those on USwitch..

Which fair little in better by the fact that their view of my current rate is higher than the actual plan and different to the rates Uswitch seem to think it will cost...

I think basically - know your usage, know your rates and use these tools as an aid rather than gospel. I always find it strange that a new supplier (be it home ins, car, utility whatever) is always recommended, I find it implausible that at least once if you life your existing supplier isnt able to compete with the best rate and bracketed you for that rate to retain custom..Not once in many years

Are you sure that you are comparing like with like? If the differences are small then it is possibly down to VAT.

i suggest that you take a look at this link:

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/information-consumers/domestic-consumers/switching-your-energy-supplier/confidence-code

If you think that a particular switching site is not providing all the required information in an accurate way, then make a report to:

consumeraffairs@ofgem.gov.uk

These sites are I can assure you are gospel - in so far as is humanly possible. Any suspicion of mis-selling and Ofgem would ban suppliers from taking referrals from them.

From the Ovo website (note the exclusion of VAT). I believe that Switch includes VAT in its comparisons as most sites do;

https://www.ovoenergy.com/binaries/content/assets/documents/products/prices-paym/15th-jan-2016/ovo-energy-prices-15.01.16.pdf