Let us know what's important to you when choosing a tariff (POLL)

MSE_Dan_L

As part of our plans to improve Cheap Energy Club we’re looking at making some changes to our results page, to make it easier to find the right tariff.

To help us do this, we’d love to hear what’s most important to you when choosing a tariff.

If there were any other factors you think we’ve missed, please post them below! Or if you have any other feedback, we’d love to read it.

footyguy

MSE_Dan_L wrote: »

...
If there were any other factors you think we’ve missed, please post them below! Or if you have any other feedback, we’d love to read it.

It's usually price, first & foremost for me.

But then I do look at the supplier as there are one or two suppliers I would prefer not to use (e.g. I've experienced poor service from them before)

Also I'm a little nervous if the supplier is brand new to market, and so there is no history from them either by my own experience or that of others.

So then it's back to risk vs reward
i.e how much more would the next, more acceptable to me, supplier cost.


Edit: Also of importance in regards to gas maybe whether or not they accept an IGT, and if so at what cost.
I know most suppliers that do now accept an IGT charge no premium, but at least one thinks it's ok to charge £100 per year additional admin! :eek:
(*cough*Bulb*cough*)

Edit2: Also if I want to go to town on the comparison, I also experiment on the effect a small change in consumption would have. e.g. +/- 10% of gas should we experience a particularly cold/warm winter.
Usually has no effect on the cheapest supplier, but it can sometimes do.

Edit3: Always check single fuel suppliers too. The sum of these is often less than a dual fuel supplier, even if they provide a dual fuel discount. It would be nice if a comparison site could somehow automatically alert people to this, if appropriate.

D_M_E

Daily cost of the standing charge, if any and practically all suppliers charge something for this.

JJ_Egan

The key points always seem to be missed in favour of mythical yearly usage and estimated direct debits .The price how much does it cost per unit and how much daily standing charges add on exit fees and any kickbacks .
Its the estimated DD that leads to so many users posting i am being charged more than i signed up to . A total failure of many to understand its an estimate due to the lay out and methods of price comparison sites .
#True prices often are hidden #

Smodlet

One thing I would really like to see is a column stating whether a supplier does or does not charge its customers to switch tariffs with that supplier. This really gets my goat. It seems Eon, Scottish Power and SSE do not charge whereas Npower and First Utility do. I understand penalising customers for taking their business elsewhere but when you are staying with the same supplier, to be charged to move to a cheaper tariff often makes the move pointless. It is immoral. OK, I'm done.

E.ON_Company_Representative:_Helena

Smodlet wrote: »

One thing I would really like to see is a column stating whether a supplier does or does not charge its customers to switch tariffs with that supplier. This really gets my goat. It seems Eon, Scottish Power and SSE do not charge whereas Npower and First Utility do. I understand penalising customers for taking their business elsewhere but when you are staying with the same supplier, to be charged to move to a cheaper tariff often makes the move pointless. It is immoral. OK, I'm done.

Good morning Smodlet,

I just wanted to pop on to confirm you're absolutely correct I can't comment on other suppliers, but we don't charge an exit fee when you're changing from one E.ON tariff to another.

You can do it at any time.

Thank you

Helena

victor2

I would add to that the supplier's reputation.
As has already been said, I too would be nervous about switching to a brand new supplier.

No surprise that price is topping the poll. Maybe OFGEM will realise that their seriously flawed methodology for calculating "savings" should no longer carry their name, as too many people believe it.

Smodlet

E.ON_Company_Representative:_Helena wrote: »

Good morning Smodlet,

I just wanted to pop on to confirm you're absolutely correct I can't comment on other suppliers, but we don't charge an exit fee when you're changing from one E.ON tariff to another.

You can do it at any time.

Thank you

Helena

Good morning, Helena,

I have begun compiling a list but those five suppliers are as far as I have got... while I would love to be with Eon, especially for your "calculate bill" button, something else npower lack, unfortunately for me, you're just too darned expensive. Oh, well.

Former_MSE_Rose_1

A quick message to say thank you to everyone who's voted and given feedback so far - very helpful.

Please do keep the feedback (and votes) coming!

As Dan wrote, we'll be using your feedback to help make sure our results page does everything you need it to do.

Thanks,
MSE Rose

datlex

A key factor for me is accurate bills- monthly readings and monthly bills so I don't get any nasty big bills.

lisa110rry

A really key point for me is customer service. After a year of struggling with ExtraEnergy, preceded by several years with Scottish Power, during which time a customer services person actually had the nerve to say to me that I could not possibly calculate my gas and electricity usage/cost, we are now with Green Star who have been super special! I'm coming up to the end of our fix and have calculated that when we leave we are likely to be about £1.21 short of paying what we actually owe them, a bank transfer will be made with alacrity. They have always helped with any queries punctually, and I like the idea that over the past three months when I have entered my gas usage, a little dialogue box has asked me to check again as the figure seems too low. After I re-enter, the website accepts my reading. Unfortunately, Green Star is now not among the cheapest for me, but I might stay with them because of the experience of the past months.