Co-op Enegry F&S May 2016 coming to an end - what next?

Malcolm1948

Within the next few days this will be in the 49 day transfer window.
Given the hassle transferring to this deal in the first place, I am in two minds about switching or staying with Co-operative Energy, depending on what their new offer is.
Is the general consensus that Co-op Energy are now past the worst of the customer service issues?
SSE seem to have a good fixed deal going at the moment - I was previously a SSE customer for many years and never had serious problems with them.

System

I switched 5 times in the past 15 months and I only had one issue which was easily resolved. My advice, FWiW, look at separate suppliers for gas and electricity. You might be surprised by the results.

Malcolm1948

Unfortunately the experience of many has been that 'hassle' and 'Co-operative Energy' go together.
My problems were eventually resolved - 6 months in - in August last year since when everything has gone smoothly.
Most of the reported ongoing customer service issues seem to relate to customers switching in and out.
My quandary is whether to follow my instincts and cut loose now and switch to SSE (who I trust) and risk the likelihood of Co-op energy screwing up the process, or going with the flow and clicking through to whatever Co-op offer - their December 2017 deal seems quite attractive.
Any views?

JJ_Egan

Price them up first .
Then delete the unreliable .
Difference if you are saving an estimated £40 PA at best you may decide to stick with your current supplier .

I am also split fuel Zog for Gas and GB Energy for electric .

System

Malcolm1948 wrote: »

Unfortunately the experience of many has been that 'hassle' and 'Co-operative Energy' go together.
My problems were eventually resolved - 6 months in - in August last year since when everything has gone smoothly.
Most of the reported ongoing customer service issues seem to relate to customers switching in and out.
My quandary is whether to follow my instincts and cut loose now and switch to SSE (who I trust) and risk the likelihood of Co-op energy screwing up the process, or going with the flow and clicking through to whatever Co-op offer - their December 2017 deal seems quite attractive.
Any views?

Why reward an energy company that has caused you hassle with a new contract? As far as switching is concerned, the new supplier handles all aspects of the switch. Provided you don't owe the Coop £00s they cannot block the switch. You provide the gaining supplier with meter readings which are then reviewed and passed back to the Coop to close your account.

I confess that I am not sure what you mean by 'trust'? I have had issues with E.oN and EDF in the past, and no issues of note with Zog or GBEnergy. I don't need to trust them, I just need them to bill me accurately which they do.

Neil_Jones

I may be in the smallest of majorities here but since I moved to where I am now I have not had any problems with any of the suppliers I've had in the last six years. Even managed to blag free prepayment meter to credit meter replacements from nPower back in 2010 (an achievement in itself) and then moved to another provider six weeks later.

That being said, the easiest thing to do is at the 49 day point, feed your details into the Cheap Energy Club or uSwitch or wherever, see what comes back then crucially look at separate suppliers for your gas and electricity. I am now, like many other members here, customers of Zog and GB Energy - it was cheaper to split them rather than go dual-fuel. That may be where the market is now going.

JJ_Egan

Most that swap don't have a problem .
By its very nature this board will attract posts from those that have a problem .

Malcolm1948

Thanks to those that responded. I'll decide in the next few days what to do!
'Trust' = confidence in the competence and professionalism of the supplier - I've been somewhat put off small suppliers by the Co-op experience. But then Scottish Power are a large legacy utility supplier like SSE, and they have screwed up pretty badly on the customer front in recent months....
I am presently about £100 in credit with the Co-op so not so much concerned about them blocking the move, as getting my money back in a reasonable time.

kingstreet

I've recently switched from F&S October 2016 to Online March 2017.

It was fairly easy. They did stick the 2 x £30 exit fees on, but removed them sharpish when I reminded them they aren't payable on internal switches.

Been with Co-op five years in August and had no problems at all, even when switching (three times.)

strickersuk

Switching windows starts today so no exit fee.

Google 'coop terms and conditions may 2016', sorry website won't let me post a link.

System

strickersuk wrote: »

Switching windows starts today so no exit fee.

Google 'coop terms and conditions may 2016', sorry website won't let me post a link.

May not apply. The relevant ts and cs are the ones in place when the fixed term contract was taken out.