Any energy supplier not liers.....any take monthly ammontys that you use???

houghton19

Hi guys, I'm getting really p'ed ofc with all these energy companies that you can "pay as you go?" I'm sick of them all saying the same then after a year hitting you with a big bill.

I am just about at the end of the year with the latest, they are a company that are not allowed discussed about on here so won't name.

I want a company obviously as cheap as possible but if I use £200 gas and electric they take that ammount (even if its a month behind) rather than a "set ammount of £150 a month" then find after 12 month you owe them another sodding £700.

Luckily I have a little saved so I have it to pay but it's getting beyond a joke all these companies saying there the cheapest and save you xyz a month or year only to hit you with a bill at the end.

Grrrrrr

Thanks in advance.

teddysmum

When choosing the most economical supplier, it is up to you to look at the quoted cost for the whole year and not go for the lowest direct debit amount.Too low a monthly payment obviously results in a shortfall later in the year.


Also, if as the year progresses your arrears increase, then ask for the direct debit to be increased, though most companies will automatically do this.

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

And what if you "forget" to give meter readings for a month, 2 months - what do you pay then? Nothing?

houghton19

That wasn't the question I asked was it???

Did I say I want free energy???

I asked is there any that just charge you an exact ammount of what you use?

I don't want to be in debt to a company of up to £700 as I find myself today (as I say I have savings so I can pay it) but. Also don't want a company with my money in thir IR account. When I owed them £100 why didn't they tell me I was in debt!

CashStrapped

Yes but you will be charged a higher amount. It is pay on receipt of bill. You then send a peyment via your bank or even a cheque. However, as I said, you pay a penalty (higher tariff) for using this method.

If managed correctly a Direct Debit should work fine. If you give regular meter readings and check your account balance you can very quickly see the state of the account.

With Scottish Power (and many other companies) I give ameter reading every month, just after the Direct Debit has debited my bank and credited the energy company account. With an up-to-date meter reading I get an up-to-date account balance. This method has never failed me. It only takes a few minutes.

System

Here you go......

https://www.britishgas.co.uk/help-and-advice/Bills-payments/Direct-Debits/Signing-up-to-Direct-Debit/What-types-of-Direct-Debit-are-available.html

footyguy

According to energyhelpline, there are currently no suppliers offering this, but check with Eon and British Gas as I think they may do.

There may be the odd other supplier too, (look for variable monthly direct debit) but if you want to expand your options a bit more, would you consider paying quarterly in full rather than monthly? I guess most suppliers are not prepared to bill (as opposed to issue statements) monthly as it's probably not really very cost effective.

Many suppliers offer paymnent on receipt of bill quarterly. Most offer various ways to pay, including via Direct Debit (for the full amount of the bill)

pelirocco

teddysmum wrote: »

When choosing the most economical supplier, it is up to you to look at the quoted cost for the whole year and not go for the lowest direct debit amount.Too low a monthly payment obviously results in a shortfall later in the year.


Also, if as the year progresses your arrears increase, then ask for the direct debit to be increased, though most companies will automatically do this.

Actually you should just compare tariffs not predictions

molerat

pelirocco wrote: »

Actually you should just compare tariffs not predictions

But it is not as simple as that is it - different daily charges, unit rates and discounts make a simple tariff comparison worthless. The only real comparison is total annual cost based on your best estimate of annual consumption. I usually put in 3 comparisons - high use, low use and "normal" and see how the suppliers move up and down the table.

System

molerat wrote: »

But it is not as simple as that is it - different daily charges, unit rates and discounts make a simple tariff comparison worthless. The only real comparison is total annual cost based on your best estimate of annual consumption.

True to a point. However, discounts - which are usually fixed - can have an adverse effect if more energy is used than estimated. I have gas CH, so my electricity usage is pretty constant. Gas usage can vary winter-by-winter. When comparing deals, I do a simple comparison based on my average usage over the past few years and then I run the comparison again with gas usage up and down by 15%.

I am now with Zog for gas which proved to be £60 per year cheaper for the gas element than any dual fuel deal on the market. It remained so when I did the +/- 15% calculation. That said, these calculations are nothing more than an educated guess.

giraffe69

With Eon you can change your direct debit to what you want it to be within your online user account. It works fine and i have never had a big bill or adjustment at the end of a year. I also give them regular readings to minimise any chance of this.