Collective switch query

vigman

Hi

I am with British Gas and Southern Electricity (listens for Martin's groan).

I have mainly stayed away from switching as my two service changes this year, Vodafone and Equitalk have both led to DDs not being correctly set up and in Vodafone's case, the service being withdrawn.

I believe I have been right to be nervous about playing around with energy suppliers.

Another reason is that I have an address with 2 house numbers in eg 8-10 Fred Street. Some people use that, some use 8 and some use 10. This has caused untold problems in the past and I can see confusion coming up again over this issue.

Anyway IF I do go to the British Gas dual fuel collective tariff do I have to first move my electricity to BG and then switch or can the switch from SE to BG for electricity be done at the same time, please?

As I believe this is my 1,000th posting I must thank MSE for saving me thousands of pounds on back council tax and credit card insurance payments!

TIA

Vigman

Flt._Lt._Biggles

vigman wrote: »

Hi

I am with British Gas and Southern Electricity (listens for Martin's groan).

I have mainly stayed away from switching as my two service changes this year, Vodafone and Equitalk have both led to DDs not being correctly set up and in Vodafone's case, the service being withdrawn.

I believe I have been right to be nervous about playing around with energy suppliers.

Another reason is that I have an address with 2 house numbers in eg 8-10 Fred Street. Some people use that, some use 8 and some use 10. This has caused untold problems in the past and I can see confusion coming up again over this issue.

Anyway IF I do go to the British Gas dual fuel collective tariff do I have to first move my electricity to BG and then switch or can the switch from SE to BG for electricity be done at the same time, please?

As I believe this is my 1,000th posting I must thank MSE for saving me thousands of pounds on back council tax and credit card insurance payments!

TIA

Vigman

If you input your correct current details into the CEC, then everything will be taken care of if you apply to switch - you don't (indeed should not) first switch your electricity to BG.

In regards to the DD, you should (indeed, must) receive notification giving full details before any money is taken - if there is an error, that is the time to notify the supplier

Former_MSE_Laura_B

Hi vigman,

As Flt. Lt. Biggles mentions above, you don't need to switch your electricity to British Gas before submitting a dual fuel switch application.

Also, to avoid any possible complications with your address, it might be a good idea to enter your address manually in your Cheap Energy Club account so that when it comes to the switch application form, you'll be asked to enter your MPAN and MPRN. This would help to ensure that the correct meters were switched.

To enter your address manually, just type in your postcode and then select My address is not in the list. To avoid your address being matched you may wish to abbreviate your address, for example type 'Rd' instead of 'Road'.

Thanks,
MSE Laura

vigman

Thanks for the replies.

I take it that 1.) both meters will be read by a company representative (or at least the SE one where the supply company changes)?

and 2.) SE will ring and try and stop you leaving like the phone and broadband companies?

I have to do this remotely as I am away from home for quite a while and have to tell my wife what to expect at the supply address.

TIA

Vigman

vigman

Please could someone confirm my first question?

1.) both meters will be read by a company representative (or at least the SE one where the supply company changes)?

Many thanks

Vigman

System

vigman wrote: »

Please could someone confirm my first question?

1.) both meters will be read by a company representative (or at least the SE one where the supply company changes)?

Many thanks

Vigman

The gaining supplier is responsible for managing ALL aspects of the switch BUT there are no meter readers involved in the switching process. BG will contact you and ask you to read both meters. You pass these readings to BG and they pass them on to an independent third-party for verification. Once verified, the readings are passed back to your new/old suppliers. These verified readings will be used to close your old account and to set up your new one. You do not need to tell your old suppliers that you are switching.

It can take a supplier up to 6 weeks to produce your final bill(s) from the date of the switch(es).

vigman

First 'switch glitch'

Everything seemed to be going smoothly in moving my SE electricity to BG under the collective agreement accept I kept being asked for my initial electricity reading and kept giving it.

As the final date for submitting this was today, I rang and was told it was not showing on their system. This was then entered.

I also agreed to be put on the priority services register as both my wife and I are over 62 with health problems but would like to check with MSE forumites that there is no catch here as it is free!?

TIA

Vigman

MSE_Dan_L

vigman wrote: »

First 'switch glitch'

Everything seemed to be going smoothly in moving my SE electricity to BG under the collective agreement accept I kept being asked for my initial electricity reading and kept giving it.

As the final date for submitting this was today, I rang and was told it was not showing on their system. This was then entered.

I also agreed to be put on the priority services register as both my wife and I are over 62 with health problems but would like to check with MSE forumites that there is no catch here as it is free!?

Hi Vigman

We've been flagging a few issues around opening meter readings to British Gas. It has told us that there is a technical problem with processing meter readings coming from Sainsbury's Energy customers. I understand this is linked to its systems not being able to handle this (as British Gas also runs Sainsbury's Energy).

It sounds like this has now been resolved by providing the readings over the phone.

In terms of the priority register, I can't think of any catches. This is a free service, but for more you might be interested to check this link.
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/energy/2016/10/energy-suppliers-ordered-to-provide-extra-support-to-more-vulnerable-customers-from-2017

I hope this helps.

vigman

Thanks. Please could folks let me know when and how the £30 switch cash back is paid for moving to the MSE BG collective dual fuel?

Also just setting a meter. What is the collective electric BG electricity unit price please? I could go and get my billing info but stopped by a slipped disc?

Tia

Vigman

vigman

I have found the electricity rate at 9.05 per unit

Vigman

Former_MSE_Laura_B

Hi vigman,

The cashback is paid once your supplier has confirmed your switch as 'live' to us and passed along the switching referral fee. It usually takes around 12 weeks for this to happen, so you should expect an update soon. We'll send you an email to let you know when BG has confirmed your switch to us and another when your cashback has been paid.

If you log into your Cheap Energy Club account and click on 'Compare other tariffs', you'll be able to view the rates of the tariff you're switching to. If you scroll down a little you'll see your current switch application details. Click on 'Feedback & full info' and you'll be able to see the rates of the tariff.

Hope this helps!

Thanks,
MSE Laura