Goodbye BG Collective Fix Feb 2017

Joyful

AndyJ52

The freetime tariff is the one for people with dual fuel smart meters and internet access. It gives one day free electric at the weekend between 9am and 5pm.

Dadof4

I'm in exactly the same boat and have opted to move to the EDF Blue+Price Protection Jan18. Based on my usage, region, no exit fees and the customer service scores this looked to be about the best option, but it will increase my dual fuel monthly payment by around £40/month . A collective switch would be appreciated ASAP as I have just been informed by BG that my switch will take place on 2nd Feb. I only kicked off the process on 17th Jan through the Cheap Energy Club!

DopeyDylan

Just got my collective fix bill through. It states I'm just £23.62 in debit, that my monthly payments will go from £64.60 to £90.49 (with first payment as of February 1st), yet my tariff ends on 24th February?!

So they're upping the payments before the tariff ends... surely that's not allowed, or is that why we get the 50 day exit window?

AndyJ52

Hi Joyful,
Thanks for the info. That explains it ...... apparently smart meters aren't available in this area yet. We're on the waiting list, but as yet - no news.

jeanieweanie

If British Gas are installing the smart meters, they wont be usable by any other supplier!! I am having this problem at present. Being on The Collective Fix Feb 2017, I have received notification from BG that it is going up from £43 to £88 per month. When I asked about the smart meters I was told they wont work with another supplier!! Wonder if this their way of keeping customers?

System

DopeyDylan wrote: »

Just got my collective fix bill through. It states I'm just £23.62 in debit, that my monthly payments will go from £64.60 to £90.49 (with first payment as of February 1st), yet my tariff ends on 24th February?!

So they're upping the payments before the tariff ends... surely that's not allowed, or is that why we get the 50 day exit window?

Suppliers try to achieve a zero balance at the end of your contract. Yes, it is allowed. They just have to inform you on the DD change.

System

jeanieweanie wrote: »

If British Gas are installing the smart meters, they wont be usable by any other supplier!! I am having this problem at present. Being on The Collective Fix Feb 2017, I have received notification from BG that it is going up from £43 to £88 per month. When I asked about the smart meters I was told they wont work with another supplier!! Wonder if this their way of keeping customers?

Your smart meter will work with any supplier - it just won't be smart anymore. There is a possibility that towards the middle of 2015 that some old meters may be upgraded - many though will have to be replaced.

rusty_frog

jeanieweanie wrote: »

If British Gas are installing the smart meters, they wont be usable by any other supplier!! I am having this problem at present. Being on The Collective Fix Feb 2017, I have received notification from BG that it is going up from £43 to £88 per month. When I asked about the smart meters I was told they wont work with another supplier!! Wonder if this their way of keeping customers?

What BG have told you is just not true.
We are on the MSE collective and have a smart meter fitted by SSE. It has been read by British Gas for some six months or so since we moved in!

DopeyDylan

Hengus wrote: »

Suppliers try to achieve a zero balance at the end of your contract. Yes, it is allowed. They just have to inform you on the DD change.

They're more than zeroing the account tho, they're taking more than I owe lol... then we go into summer, I use less energy, but they happily over charge. Time to move onto another provider.

It's such a chore having to constantly change to get a good deal. Whatever came of loyalty eh!

System

DopeyDylan wrote: »

They're more than zeroing the account tho, they're taking more than I owe lol... then we go into summer, I use less energy, but they happily over charge. Time to move onto another provider.

It's such a chore having to constantly change to get a good deal. Whatever came of loyalty eh!

There is no over or undercharging going on. You will only pay for the energy used at the agreed daily standing charge and price per kWH plus VAT. Your contract comes to an end on the 24th February.

All that the supplier has done is add your debit to your monthly DD, and recalculated what it thinks your energy use will be up to the 24th February. Given that we are in Winter, my guess is that you will still have a debit balance on your contract end date. If you want a variable payment based on your quarterly usage, then you are probably on the wrong sort of contract. Most people like the fact that monthly payments are broadly constant and that a credit balance builds up during the summer to offset Winter bills.