When to switch, fix coming to an end ?

asturdy2

asturdy2 wrote: »

Im on a NPOWER fix until the end of march for electricity which is cheaper than anything on the market now, with prices rising should i switch as soon as i can leave penalty free as i think the fixes that are on the market now maybe replaced with more expensive fixes if i leave it till the end of march.

Decided to go with the SSE 2 year fix online billing, only slightly dearer than a 1 year fix and i can't see prices coming down anytime soon.

Blackbeard_of_Perranporth

I moved from SP July 17 to Fixed December 18 last October. You're too late!

hawkwind

I`m a bit confused as to when i can switch without penalty.
I am currently on Co-op online march 2017 which ends on the 31st of March so i am 48 days from it ending.
Do i have to wait for them to give me the information between 42 - 49 days that my contract is coming to an end or am i safe to start my switch now.
I am looking at SO Energy as they are one of the cheapest at the moment and i would like to switch before anymore price rises.

[Deleted User]

From http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/energy/2016/12/british-gas-and-npower-wrongly-tell-those-with-energy-fixes-ending-they-face-exit-fees-to-switch

Its licence conditions for suppliers specify that customers must not be charged exit fees if they leave during or after the 'switching window', which is defined as "49 calendar days before a fixed-term contract ends". The only exception is where a customer has already agreed a further fixed-term contract with the same supplier.

We've checked with Ofgem exactly how the rule's implemented and it's confirmed that means you can APPLY to switch up to 49 days before your fix ends without paying exit fees. You can't, however, apply more than 49 days before your fix ends and then just change supplier within the switching window – if you do that, you may have to pay fees.

If you do apply to switch within the switching window you don't need to do anything to make sure you aren't charged exit fees – it's the responsibility of your supplier to make sure it follows Ofgem's rules.

Blackbeard_of_Perranporth

hawkwind wrote: »

I`m a bit confused as to when i can switch without penalty.
I am currently on Co-op online march 2017 which ends on the 31st of March so i am 48 days from it ending.
Do i have to wait for them to give me the information between 42 - 49 days that my contract is coming to an end or am i safe to start my switch now.
I am looking at SO Energy as they are one of the cheapest at the moment and i would like to switch before anymore price rises.

No. You can switch with the same supplier free at anytime. Why wait to fix. You are charged on some tariffs if you move supplier.

Scottish Power have allowed me to move tariff easily and without penalty for the last twenty years! I cannot remember what Standard rate is. the difference has been around £5 a month, though I am now fixed until December 18.

System

Blackbeard_of_Perranporth wrote: »

No. You can switch with the same supplier free at anytime. Why wait to fix. You are charged on some tariffs if you move supplier.

Scottish Power have allowed me to move tariff easily and without penalty for the last twenty years! I cannot remember what Standard rate is. the difference has been around £5 a month, though I am now fixed until December 18.

Not all suppliers offer free tariff switches. It's worth reading the supplier's terms and conditions.

Blackbeard_of_Perranporth

Hengus wrote: »

Not all suppliers offer free tariff switches. It's worth reading the supplier's terms and conditions.

Mine does. And I have continually moved when it benefits me.

System

Blackbeard_of_Perranporth wrote: »

Mine does. And I have continually moved when it benefits me.

But not if you are with the Coop:

Yes. For our fixed term tariffs, we want to make sure you have certainty over the prices you pay. So if you wish to switch to another supplier, or another tariff with us, you may be required to pay a cancellation fee if it’s before the end of your fixed term contract. Details of tariff cancelation fees can be found on your Tariff Information Label (TIL) here.

You post above suggested that all suppliers will allow customers to switch from one fixed tariff to another without penalty. In truth, most apply the 49 to 42.day rule whether you switch away or stay.

Blackbeard_of_Perranporth

Remind me again why I am not with the co op!

techno12

With regards to the OP, I've just applied to switch NPower tariffs about an hour ago.

I'm on the same tariff, but my bill says I can switch penalty free from 11th Feb (tho in 14 years I've never been penalised switching within NPower, even super early like a few months into the one with the massively subsidised Nest thermostat).

Anyway, I've just done my usual yearly-ish dance of going to USwitch via Quidco to change there. Don't phone NPower if you want to stay with them as you'll miss out on the cashback. Gone up a bit this year and is currently £30.

I could have waited a month or so, but I suspect the Online Price Fix March 2018 I've switched to could be pulled soon, seeing as they've announced substantial standard tariff hikes last week.