Shot in the foot?

dogfonos

Apologies if this topic has been covered already but I've searched and not found anything, so...

Clearly, I'm not the only person having difficulties switching to (and from) another collective fixed energy tariff arranged by MSE Energy Club. Whilst I appreciate MSE's efforts in arranging all this - I really do - I'm beginning to wonder if the energy companies (primarily British Gas from my experience) can cope with so many customers switching energy tariff and/or supplier. Looking around various forums, I notice that far too many switches are not going smoothly - perhaps the majority?

I'm all for cheaper energy and, until now, have switched tariff and/or supplier almost every year since it became possible but I have to say, recent experiences have made me rethink this strategy.

Unless one has hours to spare checking back on payment records, talking to nice customer services folk on the 'phone, supplying meter readings you've already given, reading energy company emails and receiving more reference numbers than you can shake a stick at, then think twice before switching.

No longer will I religiously switch to a cheaper tariff/supplier. Time is more precious to me than saving a few quid so I shall only switch if I consider the predicted savings will outweigh the likely hassle.

[Deleted User]

@dogfonos

Martin Lewis said on this week's emails that 90,500 people have already swapped to the British Gas Collective Offer. And up to 30,000 more would be accepted if they applied!

There have been a handful of complaints on this forum.

Given the number swapped I'd assume that it has been successfully otherwise you wouldn't be able to move for complaints and the rest of the press would have a field day going after Martin Lewis consumer champion if it was bad.

Robin9

Looking at the various posts on the Energy forum the problems do not generally seem to be swopping related.

There will always be exceptions but the issues centre on moving into new properties and deemed suppliers and standard tariffs; not reading meters and supplying readings; DD's; OFGEM rules re the suppliers quoting "savings" against new tariffs ; OFGEM also requiring suppliers to ensure consumers not being too much in credit/debit and DD's regularly changing; legacy metering arrangements.