Sainsburys Energy - feedback welcome

The_Councillor

Hi there, I am looking to switch mu dual fuel to Sainsbury's Energy after having a disastrous 2 years with n power , if anyone has any feedback on the customer services and general service from Sainasbury's energy it would be most appreciated ?


Thanks TC

[Deleted User]

There are 32 pages of Feedback here https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4415687

Also note that it is really British Gas just trading under the Sainsbury's brand name. British Gas feedback is here https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4415639

[Deleted User]

Personally I found Sainsburys Energy an excellent supplier.No problems whatsoever and seemless smart switching when I moved over to British Gas on a collective tariff. It is of course 100% British Gas,same call centre and sales team, who are the UK s biggest supplier. They operate a very efficient call centre and website.
OFGEM stopped "white label " brands from offering cheaper tariffs than the parent company last year. They used to be one of the UKs best deals but when I looked recently their tariffs were back in line with BGs, expensive !

The_Councillor

Thank you both, much appreciated

System

I have just switched from Sainsbury's after 7 months , the customer service was dire and while they are essentially British gas they are less competent.
They don't send reminders out when the meter is due to be read resulting in estimated bills.
Cost £60 to end my contract but well worth it.

[Deleted User]

CHRISSYG wrote: »

I have just switched from Sainsbury's after 7 months , the customer service was dire and while they are essentially British gas they are less competent.
They don't send reminders out when the meter is due to be read resulting in estimated bills.
Cost £60 to end my contract but well worth it.

Sainsburys Energy was marketed as a Brit Gas "no frills " tariff. Why anyone would need advanced notice of a meter reading is baffling. Suppliers are wary of giving times and dates of a visiting meter reader because if he failed to turn up then customers start getting "offended ", so they leave it to the meter reader to call and leave a card for the following day. If you are an onliner then an automated email is generated to supply a reading. British Gas/Sainsburys I know to be the supplier who reads meters the most of any supplier in the UK .We come round four times a year,quarterly, to those who need it. Just see how often cheap jack suppliers like First Utility or Spark perform in this regard. EDF and Scot Power, Eon and Npower do 2 read attempts a year . I can t believe anyone would throw £60 away for such an odd reason as failing to let you know of an impending visit or when its due to be read. Just put in a monthly reading online if you are that keen.
There is a good reason BG are the biggest supplier in the UK, its because they are easily the most reliable and best run of the bunch. Considering they have something like a 40% market share we don t see that many complaints on this forum over the years against BG.

System

sacsquacco wrote: »

Sainsburys Energy was marketed as a Brit Gas "no frills " tariff. Why anyone would need advanced notice of a meter reading is baffling. Suppliers are wary of giving times and dates of a visiting meter reader because if he failed to turn up then customers start getting "offended ", so they leave it to the meter reader to call and leave a card for the following day. If you are an onliner then an automated email is generated to supply a reading. British Gas/Sainsburys I know to be the supplier who reads meters the most of any supplier in the UK .We come round four times a year,quarterly, to those who need it. Just see how often cheap jack suppliers like First Utility or Spark perform in this regard. EDF and Scot Power, Eon and Npower do 2 read attempts a year . I can t believe anyone would throw £60 away for such an odd reason as failing to let you know of an impending visit or when its due to be read. Just put in a monthly reading online if you are that keen.
There is a good reason BG are the biggest supplier in the UK, its because they are easily the most reliable and best run of the bunch. Considering they have something like a 40% market share we don t see that many complaints on this forum over the years against BG.

Missed the point completely ! Other companys I have been with have emailed saying a reading is due the I take the reading and submit it online thus avoiding estimated bills . I don't care when the meter reader comes around as my meters are outside.
I have had to contact them 3 times during my time with them and all 3 times have taken multiple attempts to get answers and even then the answers have been wrong !

Oh just read your signature that explains a lot !

[Deleted User]

CHRISSYG wrote: »

Missed the point completely ! Other companys I have been with have emailed saying a reading is due the I take the reading and submit it online thus avoiding estimated bills . I don't care when the meter reader comes around as my meters are outside.
I have had to contact them 3 times during my time with them and all 3 times have taken multiple attempts to get answers and even then the answers have been wrong !

Oh just read your signature that explains a lot !

You re dead right Chrissy I m biased to good old British Gas having been working for them for 17 years now ! but I also work for nearly all the other big 6 (except Npower ) and I see up close how much better they are than the foreigners like EDF/Scot Power.
I think you have shot yourself in the foot by dumping Sainsburys for a minor quibble like you mention because I see they have come out with a really good dual fuel tariff ..electric is only 7.89 p/kwh and gas not too bad at 2.37 p/kwh for South Yorks area like me.Swallow your pride and go back to them ! cheapest dual fuel in the UK at the moment.

System

sacsquacco wrote: »

You re dead right Chrissy I m biased to good old British Gas having been working for them for 17 years now ! but I also work for nearly all the other big 6 (except Npower ) and I see up close how much better they are than the foreigners like EDF/Scot Power.
I think you have shot yourself in the foot by dumping Sainsburys for a minor quibble like you mention because I see they have come out with a really good dual fuel tariff ..electric is only 7.89 p/kwh and gas not too bad at 2.26 p/kwh for South Yorks area like me.Swallow your pride and go back to them ! cheapest dual fuel in the UK at the moment.

Had you actually bothered to read my post you would have seen there were more than a few issues, but you know what each to their own.

skint-student-nurse

CHRISSYG wrote: »

I have just switched from Sainsbury's after 7 months , the customer service was dire and while they are essentially British gas they are less competent.
They don't send reminders out when the meter is due to be read resulting in estimated bills.
Cost £60 to end my contract but well worth it.

I too have just switched from Sainsburys Energy after my tariff expired and I was free to exit my contract - or so I thought. Despite being paid up and up to date, as my new supplier was due to take over, Sainsburys wouldn't allow the switch to go through as I was apparently in debt to them, which isn't true. After three attempts, my new supplier couldnt complete the switch and put me back to the start.

The reason I wanted to switch was inaccurate meter readings and subsequently inaccurate bills. I would have read the meter myself but despite being thrown out of my online account and several password resets and calls to customer services, I was never able to access my account and manage it online.

The customer service is shocking, I had no end of problems with them, and I am hoping I will have more luck with my new supplier...if I am ever allowed to switch. If you like the feeling of always being in the naughty chair, then sainsburys energy is the way to go!

[Deleted User]

skint-student-nurse wrote: »

I too have just switched from Sainsburys Energy after my tariff expired and I was free to exit my contract - or so I thought. Despite being paid up and up to date, as my new supplier was due to take over, Sainsburys wouldn't allow the switch to go through as I was apparently in debt to them, which isn't true. After three attempts, my new supplier couldnt complete the switch and put me back to the start.

The reason I wanted to switch was inaccurate meter readings and subsequently inaccurate bills. I would have read the meter myself but despite being thrown out of my online account and several password resets and calls to customer services, I was never able to access my account and manage it online.

The customer service is shocking, I had no end of problems with them, and I am hoping I will have more luck with my new supplier...if I am ever allowed to switch. If you like the feeling of always being in the naughty chair, then sainsburys energy is the way to go!

You and Chrissy are perfect for smart meters, apply for one as soon as possible for gods sake ! Personally I have never had a problem with ANY supplier in my life,including Npower and I ve had quite a few over the years. Maybe its because I don t expect a supplier to manage my affairs, I do it myself, I do not rely on estimates and I make sure my direct debit is nt fooling me by being set too low. Sainsburys Energy (British Gas ) now has the cheapest dual fuel direct debit in the UK.