Which Supplier?

Darksparkle

Hi All,

Probably a very stupid question but is there any such thing as a bad supplier?

I rent just now and pay gas/electricity to Scottish Power as they were the provider when we moved in.

I'm buying my first house and move in two weeks and the current provider there is NPower. Their quote is much cheaper than Scottish Power but also offered a similar quote from SSE.

So really just wondering does it matter who you go with or just go with the cheapest?

Thanks.

Cardew

Quotes are meaningless unless they are based on the same consumption in kWh(units).

You will have no option but to be with Npower initially when you move in as you will be on a legally binding 'deemed contract'. They will also place you on their most expensive Standard tariff unless you opt for a cheaper tariff with NPower. However ensure that tariff does not have penaties for leaving a fixed term early.

Eric_Disley

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/poll/23-05-2016/is-your-energy-companys-service-any-good

This tells you what customers think of their suppliers' service. Among the bigger companies, there are a few - Npower, Scottish Power, Co-operative Energy and Extra Energy - that stand out. Over half say service is poor. Personally, although others will have had a good experience with these suppliers, I wouldn't touch them.

It's definitely worth switching. Put your average consumption into a price comparison site (or how much you currently spend a month), look at the results, and weigh up service (if it's important to you) against price.

Darksparkle

Eric_Disley wrote: »

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/poll/23-05-2016/is-your-energy-companys-service-any-good

This tells you what customers think of their suppliers' service. Among the bigger companies, there are a few - Npower, Scottish Power, Co-operative Energy and Extra Energy - that stand out. Over half say service is poor. Personally, although others will have had a good experience with these suppliers, I wouldn't touch them.

It's definitely worth switching. Put your average consumption into a price comparison site (or how much you currently spend a month), look at the results, and weigh up service (if it's important to you) against price.

Thanks I have used price comparison sites, that's where I got the quotes from that I mention in my OP. I am moving to a bigger property though and I'm off on maternity so using more gas/electricity so I find it difficult to compare.

anotheruser

I have been with Scottish Power and nPower.
Currently with First Utility. My loyalty is with the cheapest.

I note customer service for nPower was really bad but I personally haven't received any bad service from them. Same with Scottish Power.

The only time I have ever had a problem is when switching: Scottish Power > nPower > Scottish Power > First Utility. Each one there was some sort of problem with the meter readings.

Smodlet

Hi. It depends on what you want. I have been with nPower for years, not because I'm too lazy to switch, far from it. I have changed tariffs no end of times, always getting a lower price than the one before and, while their reputation for customer service is pretty bad, I find almost all of them very pleasant indeed to deal with. They are freakin' slow at executing third party switches (don't forget the CEC pays £15 per fuel to switch through it) but if you would rather have half-price cinema tickets/a cuddly toy, that is your prerogative

Eon are supposed to be wonderful but, unless you happen to grab one of their collective switches, they are hopelessly expensive. I prefer to save £20 per month and take my chances with nPower but there is a collective switch coming up on here, on 13th September, so maybe that will fit in with your move, Darksparkle. Good luck with it and I hope you will be very happy in your new home.