Fixed Plan / Fully Fixed Plan?

gaz99

So a few weeks ago I was persuaded by Utilitywise to fix my business energy plans early - before the end of my current contract runs out. So acting on their advice I fixed 3 business electricity accounts for a year with Corona from February 2017. Last week I received a letter from Corona to say my price per Khw was going up (quite a lot about 18%) from April - due to increases to Distribution, Transmission and Renewable Levy costs.
I phoned Corona to say there must be a mistake as I had only weeks ago been persuaded by Utilitywise to take a Fixed Price Contract - but the response was Oh you should have had a Fully Fixed Contract - we can put up prices on a Fixed Plan but not a Fully Fixed Plan! What ! Is this legal its the first time I've ever heard of a Fully Fixed Plan - I feel totally shafted.

footyguy

gaz99 wrote: »

So a few weeks ago I was persuaded by Utilitywise to fix my business energy plans early - before the end of my current contract runs out. So acting on their advice I fixed 3 business electricity accounts for a year with Corona from February 2017. Last week I received a letter from Corona to say my price per Khw was going up (quite a lot about 18%) from April - due to increases to Distribution, Transmission and Renewable Levy costs.
I phoned Corona to say there must be a mistake as I had only weeks ago been persuaded by Utilitywise to take a Fixed Price Contract - but the response was Oh you should have had a Fully Fixed Contract - we can put up prices on a Fixed Plan but not a Fully Fixed Plan! What ! Is this legal its the first time I've ever heard of a Fully Fixed Plan - I feel totally shafted.

You will need to refer to the terms of the contract you agreed with the supplier.

Business users are expected to be conversant with contracts, or employ a person/their services of someone who is.
You do not get anywhere near the same protection as a business user as you would as a consumer.

If the terms allow for the increase, then that is what you agreed to.
If the terms do not allow for such a change in price, then challenge them.


Edit: I'm not sure what exact deal you agreed to, but I did a quick search and they appear to offer 'Standard' or 'Fully Fixed'
https://www.coronaenergy.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/SME-Electricity-Pricing-Overview.x39509.pdf

A quick look to me indicates their Standard tariff is fixed as far as unit costs are concerned, but "Metering, distribution and transmission costs" will be reviewed each April and costs passed on accordingly.

Fully fixed would avoid any change in tariff during the agreed period.

gaz99

Thank you - I just wished Utilitywise had explained this as well as you have. I was definitely misold as I had never even heard of Fully Fixed. Ofgem's website says 'Fixed means Fixed' and as a micro business i.e. Under 10 employees I do think different rules apply. Thank you though - that was very helpful. Hopefully if nothing else it makes people aware that a Fixed deal doesn't mean Fixed!