Switch Atlantic to Scottish Power or First Utility

fifthofwhisky

I have a relative who has been with SSE/Atlantic for a few years and paying cash on receipt of the quarterly bill. The person is a pensioner in receipt of winter fuel allowance. Looking at Cheap Energy Cub is seems she can save around £200 p.a. and get a £30 cashback from Scottish Power or First Utility, or £240 p.a. by moving to monthly payments. Both deals are one year fixed.

Does anyone have experience of switching to these suppliers and getting the cash back? Scottish Power customer service ratings seem not so good.

matelodave

My previous supplier was Scottish Power who seemed ok whilst I was with them although it took ages to get my credit back when I left them in 2013

I've been with First utility for two and a bit years now and after a fitful start (no bills or statements for six months) they have been fine and up to now have been fairly competitive.

My fix with FU runs out at the end of April and I'll be changing unless they can improve on their current offerings.

Neither of them have been everso good at answering queries via E-Mail but FU has been better over the phone when I've changed deals, got refunds and adjusted my DD's.

I'll reserve overall judgement if I leave, as FU will owe me around £100 when the fix ends and it will depend how easy it is to get the final bill and refund - watch this space.

Scottish Power didn't have a termination fee whereas FU's is £30 per fuel if you decide to jump ship before your contract ends.

Most companies will give you a discount of some sort for having a DD as it costs them a lot less to process than quarterly bills and cash/cheque payments.

With any of them I'd strongly recommend that you read the meter monthly, send in the readings and check your bills carefully to make sure that you aren't getting estimated bills and that you aren't running up a big deficit (or credit)

System

Hi. First Utility wouldn't be on my short list given comments on this forum. Most of the newer/smaller companies want the customer to provide actual meter readings once per month and payments by Monthly DD. If you are able to help your relative with this, then my recommendation would be Ovo. Their billing system is pretty robust but they do like contact via e-mail. They will provide monthly billing but you can also set up Statements on Demand. The contract requirement is a reading at least once every 90 days but you can get statements every 14 days if it suits. Statements on Demand will use the meter reading that you provide.

matelodave

OVO would cost me £20 more than I'm paying now, FU £15 more, Scottish Power is £20 less and the Co-op £47 less.

That's for leccy only in Cambridgeshire - dual fuel might be better but I don't have gas

fifthofwhisky

Hengus wrote: »

Hi. First Utility wouldn't be on my short list given comments on this forum. Most of the newer/smaller companies want the customer to provide actual meter readings once per month and payments by Monthly DD. If you are able to help your relative with this, then my recommendation would be Ovo. Their billing system is pretty robust but they do like contact via e-mail. They will provide monthly billing but you can also set up Statements on Demand. The contract requirement is a reading at least once every 90 days but you can get statements every 14 days if it suits. Statements on Demand will use the meter reading that you provide.

Thanks. I'm with OVO myself. They didn't come up as an option in the quote engine. I'll investigate further.

System

matelodave wrote: »

OVO would cost me £20 more than I'm paying now, FU £15 more, Scottish Power is £20 less and the Co-op £47 less.

That's for leccy only in Cambridgeshire - dual fuel might be better but I don't have gas

I accept all the above but I always worry that first-time switchers may be put off from doing it again if they choose one of the more troubled suppliers. Ovo is top of the latest Which energy suppliers table. Not perfect by any means but they bill accurately and answer e-mails.

fifthofwhisky

Hengus wrote: »

I accept all the above but I always worry that first-time switchers may be put off from doing it again if they choose one of the more troubled suppliers. Ovo is top of the latest Which energy suppliers table. Not perfect by any means but they bill accurately and answer e-mails.

The only problem I had when switching to Ovo was a delay for them and the previous supplier to agree on final readings.

I found Ovo further down the energyhelpline comparison Website indicating a saving of £111 p.a. which is a lot less than the £240 for SP or FU, and £30 cashback in addition.

System

If cost is the sole determination then look at Zog for gas and GBEnergy for electricity. Zoe has just reduced its 12 month fix price. Together, they give me a deal which is £37 per year cheaper than the best dual fuel deal (People for Places). However, both companies are pretty basic. Zog doesn't send out meter reading reminders: GBEnergy does but a week in advance of the actual monthly billing date. If bills based on actual meter readings are a must, then some pre-planning re meter reading submission is required. I have no complaints whatsoever but it may be a bit daunting for someone who hasn't switched before, or someone used to the Big 6's expansive websites.

dogshome

Don't get mesmerised by the Cash-back.
It won't be difficult to get a saving on the Gas/Elec bills, but with any supplier the best prices will involve paying by D/debit.

As for Scot Power and First U, SP have software problems than can result in confused billing, and being polite, I'd describe FU as slippery.
I wouldn't advise either of them for an elderly customer who isn't 'Switched' on about checking bills.

If you are in regular contact with this relative it would be best to have them sign up for an online account, which then armed with password you can keep a close eye on

fifthofwhisky

The Ovo saving was for green energy. Found a link through topcashback to uswitch and found another Ovo tariff saving £200 p.a. and a £28 cashback so I've gone for that. Thanks all.

matelodave

I hope your savings are based on actual kwh consumption and not on estimates.

I trust you've done your homework and checked the tariff rates (both per kwh and standing charges) to make sure that the cost saving are reall and not imaginary