No New MSE Big Switch

brewerdave

f&w -think that you will find that Cooperative energy is NOT part of the Co-op Group based in Manchester who had all the problems with banking.
They are part of MidCounties Co-op which , AFAIA ,merely shares a common brand with no financial ties.

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

fredandwilma wrote: »

Thanks Malc.

It only confirms what i already know.

I do hope you are not too busy at E.on HQ acquiring 160,000 accounts. Given so many people are already switching from E.on and many of the 160,000 are likely to do so, it would be insanity? and i worry about about the impact this would have on the overall service received from E.on.

Worse customer service and most of all higher energy bills, particularly for those who are already in "fuel poverty."

I guess E.on is well aware of the economics, but to me, i think it will have a long lasting impact on E.on's customers, service and public profile. I hope it doesn't happen. Actually, i pray, it doesn't happen.

But it's all about the numbers game, isn't it?


Maybe i was wrong. E.on is such a huge company in comparison to other energy suppliers. With Co-op energy having an estimated 260,000 customers, (now 410,000?) it's a "mid range" company. It wouldn't have had that much of an impact on E.on, or other big 6 companies? They are "big" in comparison, with millions rather than thousands, of customers.

In this current uncertain energy climate, i'm probably one of the few who would stay with E.on. They've definitely played it safe this year after the Age Uk controversy and are working within their budgets / business plan, (some would say expensive.)

It just means if you are in "fuel poverty" you have to live within your means and use less energy if you can't afford it. Which comes at a detriment to health.


I'm not so sure about the Co-op expansion programme, given the difficulties the Co-op group has been having. Only time will tell.

Hello fredandwilma and glad you've decided to stay.

As you know, since your original post, Co-op Energy has been appointed to look after GB Energy's customers.

Totally accept, we don't always do everything right, but we are committed to maintaining and improving levels of customer service. We've also various extra levels of support for our more vulnerable customers. These include Warm Home Discount, help with energy saving stuff through the Energy Company Obligation (ECO), help for those struggling to pay their bills via the E.ON Energy Fund as well as a range of services for those on the Priority Services Register. There's more about all these things, including eligibility, on our website.

Glad we're looking after you fredandwilma.

Malc

fredandwilma

brewerdave wrote: »

f&w -think that you will find that Cooperative energy is NOT part of the Co-op Group based in Manchester who had all the problems with banking.
They are part of MidCounties Co-op which , AFAIA ,merely shares a common brand with no financial ties.

Hi brewerdave. It's all very confusing (ambiguous) BUT although Co-operatives are member-owned democratic organisations, Midcounties Co - operative still have ties with the Co- operative group, i.e investments (shares?) The Midcounties Co-operative is the largest independent consumer co-operative in the United Kingdom

Maybe I'm missing something here? or maybe it's far more complex than we imagine?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-26970903


Notably :

The group lost full ownership of Co-operative Bank after owners of its debt had to bail it out when it uncovered £1.5bn of unexpected losses. Co-op Group now owns about 30% of the lender.

The group is owned by its members and 80 or so member societies.

Area committees are the grass roots of the organisation. There are about 48 of them, each with 10 to 12 members who serve three-year, elected terms.

These area committee members elect members of the seven regional boards. They, in turn, elect 15 of the 21 members of the group's board. Of the remaining six, five come from member societies, such as Midcounties and Midlands, and there's an independent director, the role held by Lord Myners.

http://www.thenews.coop/84281/news/general/controls-owns-co-operative-group/

Eight million members own at least £1 each in the Co-operative Group. But another portion of members, known as independent society members, own another £8m in shares.

The biggest shareholders are seven large retail co-ops: Central England (£2,674,810); Midcounties (£1,561,370);

So, which co-ops own and control a part of the Co-operative Group?

In principle, it’s the 126 independent society members. In practice, it’s the large retail co-operatives that buy through CRTG

Co-operative Retail Trading Group

The Co-operative Retail Trading Group (CRTG) was established in 1993 by the Co-operative Wholesale Society to centralise buying power for retail co-operatives in the UK. By 2002 it had become the central buying group for the all of the major food retailing co-operatives, after being joined by the last two independent societies.[5] The CRTG lost its complete control over the food co-op sector in 2014 however after the Clydebank Co-operative Society left the buying group.[6] After the financial crisis in The Co-operative Group it was decided that The Group should no longer be responsible for the central buying group (the CRTG) as, if it had have collapsed, it could have led to the collapse of the independent co-operative societies as they would have had major difficulties in sourcing produce.[citation needed] The new buying group, Federal Retail and Trading Services, was established in 2015 and differs from its predecessor most notably in that each member co-operative has equal control over the business,[7] whereas previously control was proportional to total amount purchased (giving The Co-operative Group dominant control). Although each member now has an equal voice, FRTS continues to be managed by The Co-operative Group.

It's definitely more complex than we imagine, although some of the information is slightly outdated?

fredandwilma

E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc wrote: »

Hello fredandwilma and glad you've decided to stay.

As you know, since your original post, Co-op Energy has been appointed to look after GB Energy's customers.

Totally accept, we don't always do everything right, but we are committed to maintaining and improving levels of customer service. We've also various extra levels of support for our more vulnerable customers. These include Warm Home Discount, help with energy saving stuff through the Energy Company Obligation (ECO), help for those struggling to pay their bills via the E.ON Energy Fund as well as a range of services for those on the Priority Services Register. There's more about all these things, including eligibility, on our website.

Glad we're looking after you fredandwilma.

Malc

Thanks Malc,

Yes, I'm already aware of these services, thanks.

MoneyMate wrote: »

I've just renewed with E.ON for a fixed 2 Yr term sounds good to me for Piece of mind NO penalties to change at any time :beer:

It appears one person at least, has managed to find this elusive 2 year fix.


Maybe they switched before the 26th October?

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

fredandwilma wrote: »

Thanks Malc,

Yes, I'm already aware of these services, thanks.




It appears one person at least, has managed to find this elusive 2 year fix.


Maybe they switched before the 26th October?

Glad you're aware of the services I mentioned fredandwilma. Thought you might be but wanted to be sure.

On the tariff, yes, you're right. The switch to the E.ON 2 Year Fixed version 9 was done before we withdrew it from sale at the end of October 16.

Have a good evening.

Malc

fredandwilma

E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc wrote: »

Glad you're aware of the services I mentioned fredandwilma. Thought you might be but wanted to be sure.

On the tariff, yes, you're right. The switch to the E.ON 2 Year Fixed version 9 was done before we withdrew it from sale at the end of October 16.

Have a good evening.

Malc

Thanks Malc, i hope you did, too.


Whilst many people find E.on expensive, it has to be remembered, due to regional differences, there are a few areas in the country where E.on have consistently provided cheaper or competitive tariffs, very often beating any tariffs offered by other companies and the smaller companies, (including GB Energy.) Obviously, some of the E.on "supporters" who post on this forum, must live in those areas.

I hope you now provide some competitive tariffs for those people whose tariffs are now ending, (as far as is possible.)

Although i said i would most likely stay with E.on when my tariff ends, i hadn't looked at the V20 tariff for some time, and the increase in standing charges is huge, (especially for low users.) It goes without saying, even i, will consider all options when my current tariff ends. In fact, V20 is £155 a year more expensive than my current tariff. WOW. That's a massive increase in relation to my overall energy bill. :eek: V20 has been around for almost a year now, too.


I shall definitely have to switch if you don't provide some more competitive tariffs, (assuming i can find something cheaper.) Even not putting my heating on doesn't balance out the price / cost of the standing charges.


It has to be hoped you have lots of those customers who just keep paying their bills, regardless, whatever it costs, (and i know a few of those people.) The ones who don't want the hassle, aren't aware of the "switching game," are company loyal, etc. I switched my mate to my tariff, and convincing them to do so was more difficult than the actual switching process. I got grief for weeks. They had been on a standard tariff for 50 years, with the same companies. That's how energy companies make money. Unfortunately, I'm not in the financial position where cost isn't my main priority, (although customer service is equally important.)


Blimey, you're working early this morning, Malc. :eek:

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

fredandwilma wrote: »

Thanks Malc, i hope you did, too.


Whilst many people find E.on expensive, it has to be remembered, due to regional differences, there are a few areas in the country where E.on have consistently provided cheaper or competitive tariffs, very often beating any tariffs offered by other companies and the smaller companies, (including GB Energy.) Obviously, some of the E.on "supporters" who post on this forum, must live in those areas.

I hope you now provide some competitive tariffs for those people whose tariffs are now ending, (as far as is possible.)

Although i said i would most likely stay with E.on when my tariff ends, i hadn't looked at the V20 tariff for some time, and the increase in standing charges is huge, (especially for low users.) It goes without saying, even i, will consider all options when my current tariff ends. In fact, V20 is £155 a year more expensive than my current tariff. WOW. That's a massive increase in relation to my overall energy bill. :eek: V20 has been around for almost a year now, too.


I shall definitely have to switch if you don't provide some more competitive tariffs, (assuming i can find something cheaper.) Even not putting my heating on doesn't balance out the price / cost of the standing charges.


It has to be hoped you have lots of those customers who just keep paying their bills, regardless, whatever it costs, (and i know a few of those people.) The ones who don't want the hassle, aren't aware of the "switching game," are company loyal, etc. I switched my mate to my tariff, and convincing them to do so was more difficult than the actual switching process. I got grief for weeks. They had been on a standard tariff for 50 years, with the same companies. That's how energy companies make money. Unfortunately, I'm not in the financial position where cost isn't my main priority, (although customer service is equally important.)


Blimey, you're working early this morning, Malc. :eek:

Morning fredandwilma and, yes, I'm an early bird today.

Following the product review I mentioned in another thread, I'm expecting some information next week about tariffs. I'll be able to let you know more once I have this.

What tariff are you on? Our standing charges have stayed virtually the same across most of our tariffs for quite a time. This includes the standard Energy Plan.

On our Fixed 1 Year tariffs, standing charges haven't changed since version 5 back in 2014. This includes the current version 20. Similarly with the 2 year fixes. These haven't changed since version 4. Most collectives also had the same standing charges as our regular tariffs. Do you mean the price per kWh? These have definitely changed.

Hope this is of interest.

Malc

fredandwilma

E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc wrote: »

What tariff are you on? Our standing charges have stayed virtually the same across most of our tariffs for quite a time. This includes the standard Energy Plan.

Malc

I do apologise Malc, that's my eyesight.

The £155 a year increase in cost is purely from the rise in cost per kwh.

That does mean i would potentially have to use less energy.

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

fredandwilma wrote: »

I do apologise Malc, that's my eyesight.

The £155 a year increase in cost is purely from the rise in cost per kwh.

That does mean i would potentially have to use less energy.

E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc wrote: »

Following the product review I mentioned in another thread, I'm expecting some information next week about tariffs. I'll be able to let you know more once I have this.

What tariff are you on? Our standing charges have stayed virtually the same across most of our tariffs for quite a time. This includes the standard Energy Plan.

On our Fixed 1 Year tariffs, standing charges haven't changed since version 5 back in 2014. This includes the current version 20. Similarly with the 2 year fixes. These haven't changed since version 4. Most collectives also had the same standing charges as our regular tariffs. Do you mean the price per kWh? These have definitely changed.

Hope this is of interest.

Malc

Ah! I see fredandwilma. That makes sense.

On the product review I mentioned in my reply, there's a new version of our Fixed 1 Year tariff now available for sale. Version 21 has replaced version 20 today. It's on our website.

We've also launched a trial aimed at selected customers on versions 18 and 19 (Dual Fuel only) of the Fixed 1 Year tariff. If memory serves me right (always a dubious prospect), you're on our 2 year fix so I doubt these will be of interest.

Malc

fredandwilma

E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc wrote: »

Ah! I see fredandwilma. That makes sense.

On the product review I mentioned in my reply, there's a new version of our Fixed 1 Year tariff now available for sale. Version 21 has replaced version 20 today. It's on our website.

We've also launched a trial aimed at selected customers on versions 18 and 19 (Dual Fuel only) of the Fixed 1 Year tariff. If memory serves me right (always a dubious prospect), you're on our 2 year fix so I doubt these will be of interest.

Malc

Very disappointing, Malc.

V21 is as i suspected and identical to the V20 tariff for me. At least, the quote is £155 a year more expensive, which was the same as the V20 tariff.

Obviously, i can't access the selected customers tariff, so I've no idea what you are offering them.

Yes, I'm on what turned out to be the last competitive 2 year pre brexit collective fix, (for E.on,) so at least i have two winters at a very competitive rate, (and almost two more summers.) I still have more than 19 months remaining, so i'm not too worried at the moment.

When i switched, i was very reluctant to relinquish the remaining 7 months (or whatever it was,) of my V19 tariff, but i'm so glad i did, now. The difference in cost between the two tariffs, was negligible. In fact, gas was slightly cheaper and electricity slightly more expensive. As i use 3 times more gas than electricity, that was the deciding factor in switching. Am i glad?