Isn't Uswitch a really flawed system ?

hpuse

Not sure whether this has been discussed here before; but I feel the principles Uswitch applies that is supposed to help customers to effectively 'switch' utility suppliers is really flawed and needs some reconciliation.

They ask you 3 key questions;

- your post code
- your current supplier;
- you monthly/annual bill by direct debit

Above details only helps to get meagre direct debit discount, but the meat of the billing items (ie consumption and rates based on slab consumption) is still kept out of scope.
In my opinion, for an 'intelligent' switching of suppliers; the above 3 is not just suffient and the following 3 key components decide a major part of any utility bill.

- your average consumption details ( may be last 3 bills depends/summer or winter; and previous years if handy)
- Your current tarrif;
- Your current caps (primary and secondary billing units )

Does anyone know any real switching providers out ther who has a system that gives you options to switch based or similar to the above ?

MoneyMiser

Your right, they are in trouble with energywatch now!!

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/consumer/bills/article.html?in_article_id=424305&in_page_id=510

I heard EnergyHelpline is the best of the lot :T

penrhyn

I just used Uswitch to check my gas/electric.
The facility is there to input your current supplier/tariff's and also your annual consumption in kWh.
OP is quite correct in that using your current monthly payment gives you a very rough idea of savings.

hpuse

Thanks for the replies;

This is really funny and I dont know what logic and they apply to find the best supplier in your area.

Try this out ;
Your current supplier : Company A
option; dual fuel

The search will bring a list of providers; Say Company B(Cheapest) , Company C, Company D ...so on.

Now try this with the same post code

Current Supplier : Company B
Option : dual fuel all the rest remains the same
The new list brings everything providers; Company A(Cheapest, yes cheapest !) , Company C, Company D ...so on.

Where is company B gone from the list ?. Of course, most companies do a lot of tricks to attract new customers and make customers switch. But once switched, no customer pays a different rate whether they are newly switched or existing..unlesss of course the specifically opted for a tariff when switching. Surely there is a lot of marketing and the list is list of agreement with uswitch 'search deals' made with .

hpuse

Thanks for the replies;

This is really funny and I dont know what logic and they apply to find the best supplier in your area.

Try this out ;
Your current supplier : Company A
option; dual fuel

The search will bring a list of providers; Say Company B(Cheapest) , Company C, Company D ...so on.

Now try this with the same post code

Current Supplier : Company B
Option : dual fuel all the rest remains the same
The new list brings everything providers; Company A(Cheapest, yes cheapest !) , Company C, Company D ...so on.

Where is company B gone from the list ?. Of course, most companies do a lot of tricks to attract new customers and make customers switch. But once switched, no customer pays a different rate whether they are newly switched or existing..unlesss of course the specifically opted for a tariff when switching. Surely there is a lot of marketing and the list appears like its is an agreement with uswitch 'search deals' made with their paying clients.

Cardew

You will find many adverse comments in threads about the Comparison sites, and the Utility company call centres. Particularly from myself.

You have got to appreciate that these websites exist for one purpose - to make a profit. That profit comes from commission, and they only get commission if they can get someone to swop.

Read this:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=545807