GB Energy Price Hike

paul8067

Hi,
Has anyone noticed GB Energy's email, advising customers of a tariff price rise?

I did and read and researched their advice email further. On 15th July GB Energy's email advised customers of a pending price rise from 26th August, however, I could avoid this price rise by committing/ switching to their new Fixed 12 Crystal tariff.
Upon reseaching this on their website I note their new Fixed 12 Crystal tariff was more than I was already paying on my current tariff. I advised GB of this on several occaisions and given various reasons why they didn't respond. I finally got through to one of thier complaints managers who advised, and although he conceeded the email was badly worded, GB was not prepared to either redraft/ resend the advice email. He thanked me for raising the issue and offered me £25 in lieu of the delay in responding, adding, this will be used as useful feedback. He went on, I will be making a savings between the new rate and old and have the new rate locked in for 12 months.
I accepted his offer of £25 (on 25/8) but also advised I was not happy with his response to my issue and wished to esculate the matter further and if necessary, to the Ombudsman.

I feel the initial email was misleading and I am persuing this matter.

I am still awaiting a response???
I'll keep you posted!

Heedtheadvice

Not sure how you come to the conclusion that it is more expensive. Can you clarify as hope I have not made a mistake by switching

My old bill (Actual unit charges for dual fuel) and my new agreement (Change to Crystal fixed tariff during August) clearly show a slight but nevertheless reduction in p per kW hour for both fuels with a slight monetary rise in standing charges (about a substantial 15% - but less than a tenner over a full year so much less significant than the unit rate). Electricity for example has gone from 9.55p per unit to 9.4 p per unit.

Please clarify your post Paul.

matelodave

I've just checked their website and the Crystal tariff is cheaper per kwh than my existing Sapphire one but the daily charge is a bit more expensive so they just about cancel each other out so I cannot see how that can be construed as a "hike".

Where does the term "hike" come from, I always though it was a long walk

paul8067

I was on the Premium Energy Saver, the new Crystal Tariff is marginally more. (percentages of a penny) But nevertheless GB failed to honour their statement to allow their 'loyal' customers avoid the pending price rise. If the customer did not agree to switching to Crystal, they would subject to GB's Price 'Hike' which is subsequently more than the Crystal tariff.

My rates (p/kWh) were Elec 9.55p new rate 9.87p standing charge (p/day) 16.65p now 17.03p
Gas 2.65p new rate 2.77p standing charge (p/day) 10.50p now 10.23p.

I am aware the price rise is insignificant over 12 months, but GB got it wrong. Multiply that by the number of customers who did not spot it and it amounts to a nice holiday for the CEO and family in the Bahamas.


Price Hike -a percent of increase in the cost of goods or services. A 1% price hike means the cost of that particular item has increased / gone up. Also called price increase. Commonly used in News media bulletins.

Heedtheadvice

I can see that you are indeed paying more, and I wonder why.
Could it be related to your location Paul (though I assume that has not changed) as your cost per kWhour on the Crystal 12 months is greater than mine? I too was on the Premium Energy Saver with the same cost per unit as you were on Premium?
... or maybe it is a timing thing? Are those Crystal prices the current tariff following the increase? Just wondering if your prices you quote are not those prior to the 'price hike' as, if I remember correctly, all prices rose after a specific date so there was a window when the price dropped changing from one tariff to another.

That would not excuse the offer to existing customers not being honoured if it was not a time limited offer!!

Not disputing the 'hike' you have had but trying to understand why I have had a 'Price Reduction' at about the same time.