Add your feedback on energy supplier Powershop

soberton

Further to what neilsedaka said above ..... the Powershop model is very simple really, join Powershop and download the Powershop app onto your smartphone. As PowerPacks and FuturePacks become available, notified on your smartphone or log in to your on-line account, purchase the maximum amount available. Later, if it turns out that you don't need them all, they can, by request, be refunded. Every week or couple of weeks provide a meter reading using either the Powershop smartphone app or your on-line account - this is to ensure accurate monthly billing.
It is that simple. No Powershop customer needs to do any more.

Tafrock

The low discounts continue with a 16 per cent festival special today

fewkeste

soberton wrote: »

Remember the PS model. PS set the tariff (presumably BaseLine) and they also set the discount rate (presumably TopShopper) The contract between PS and the customer is that the TopShopper rate will be achieved OVER A 12 MONTH PERIOD if all the PowerPacks available to that customer are purchased. That is a legal contract and it is up to PS to make the PowerPacks available at the correct discount for each individual customer to achieve the TopShopper rate for their estimated energy usage providing they purchase all available PowerPacks. All the customer is concerned about is that the TopShopper rate is the best tariff available in our individual area - It doesn't matter to us what PS call a PowerPack or how much each PowerPack contains or what the discount is, PS are contractual liable if they do not provide sufficient discount to meet the TopShopper rate for that customers estimated energy usage. Providing each customer buys ALL the available PowerPacks in the 12 month period then the discount will be achieved, if not then PS will have, by law, to refund the difference - it is a contract. This is absolutely no different that having a Stamdard Tariff and an EasySaver Tariff, PS provided the discount against the estimated usage and it worked out, we all beat the EasySaver tariff last year. The only concern we have is that the new discounted tariff is the best tariff available in our area NOT HOW PS WILL ACHIEVE THAT TARIFF.

I've read the Ts & Cs and I'm not sure if Top Shopper rate is actually classed as a contractual obligation.

Secondly, the reason why it's worthwhile knowing how PS will achieve the Top Shopper rate is that it goes to credibility.

In order to make a judgment whether to stay or go, one needs to be sure they will/can allow customers to achieve the Top Shopper rate. Part of the confidence building process is knowing and understanding how they will achieve this.

It may be for example that they do nothing to improve the discounts of Future Packs already issued or purchased, if so that means some hefty discounts at the back end of the account starting year.

That means staying with them for a number of months when Top Shopper rate is not being achieved in the hope that they will come good later in the year. In other words they are effectively saying 'trust us'.

Given that they are a subsidiary of NPower in the UK (I have my own views of NPower which I won't post here because of libel laws) I am nervous of the NPower influence/effect.

fewkeste

I almost exclusively view my PS account via their website on my laptop. However, a while ago I bought a cheap Android smartphone and downloaded their app which ran great.

I run my smartphone without a sim card just connecting to my home wi-fi network to run the app. Historically this has worked fine.

However, just recently the app is reporting it cannot run because it needs a data connection.

I even put a compatible sim in my phone to see if that would solve the problem but no joy.

Has anyone else had problems with the Android PS app saying it needs a data connection?

Tafrock

I'm with you fewkeste. Nowhere have I seen the top shopper rate guaranteed. I don't believe it is its just a possibility. Used to say pay as little as. Last year I bettered it. With discounts being issued at moment (ie today's 16%) it's looking increasingly likely 30.1% discount over 12 months is not going to happen. Every time a sub 20% discount is issued it raises the pack discount necessary to achieve top shopper rate.

PS I've not had any issues with the app requiring a data signal

soberton

I think we are putting the cart before the horse here. So far, PS have advised me that, as from the 21st August, the NAME of my tariff will change from Standard Variable to Baseline, there will be no other changes on 21st August.
Secondly, PS will contact me in 4 to 5 weeks time (from 6/8) to advise that my tariff is increasing. They say, but only in the Q&A that I can continue to buy Powepacks. Nowhere have they said anything about what MY Baseline tariff will be nor have they mentioned anything about Topshopper. Unlike Fewkeste and Tafrock who are aware of their new tariff and seemingly information concerning the amount of discounts they have to achieve n order to make this discount, I have not been given this information so I am going to have to wait until PS advise me.

Regarding the contractual obligations of PS, can I can only draw your attention to your on-line account (I assume that everyone's is the same) I have a page that shows rates in "my tariff information" Those rates are pretty self explanatory and clearly identify what my daytime and nighttime rates will be if I don't buy any powerpacks and clearly states what it will be if I buy all available powerpacks. That is a contractual obligation from PS to me. I have to assume that when PS advise me of my new tariff they will also advise me of the daytime and nighttime rates that I will pay if I don't purchase any powerpacks and the rates I will get if I purchase all available powerpacks. That will be the new contractual obligation that PS make to me.

Regarding credibility and my confidence in PS. I have been with PS for over 14 months and they have met all of their contractual obligations and even given additional information when asked. PS have earned their credibility with me and I have no doubts about their ability to manage their business in such a way as to make sure that I am offered sufficient powerpacks to obtain the discounted rates they offer me if I buy all of the available powerpacks.

fewkeste

soberton wrote: »

Unlike Fewkeste and Tafrock who are aware of their new tariff and seemingly information concerning the amount of discounts they have to achieve n order to make this discount, I have not been given this information so I am going to have to wait until PS advise me.

No, I haven't been made aware of what my new tariff will be. All I did was in July get a quote as a new customer and used that to work out what typical Baseline Tariff, First Year Promise and Top Shopper rates MIGHT BE.

From these figures I was able to estimate what discounts from Baseline Tariff would be required to achieve Top Shopper rates.

It may be that the Baseline Tariff rates I was quoted in July bear no relevance to the rates I am eventually offered by PS later.

It was just a quick 'look see' as to what might be coming.

It could be they offer a super tariff to customers who have been with them for over a year - because as we know, energy companies really value loyalty don't they?

I hope that clarifies where my 'knowledge' comes from - simply getting a quote as a new customer.

Tafrock

So today as promised by powershop by email on 31 July my account became a baseline tariff. However my prices won't be altering until 15th October

I await details of my new prices with bated breath with one finger on the transfer to another company button if they are unacceptable to myself. If baseline rates are unacceptably high I think I'll be transferring as despite all the pros and cons of posters on here I truthfully cannot see how I'm ever gonna achieve top shopper rate. Maybe over winter it will be possible with increased discounts as last year but I can't see myself building up enough money in the pot over this winter to enable me to have credit at discounted rates going forward into spring 2019. Last winter was superb. I built up credit and am still using January 2018 future power packs but that was before our purchase amount was slashed so going into spring 2019 I expect to be buying power with powerpacks of minimal discount and discounted off a higher standard (sorry baseline) rate.

dait1945

I just wanted to report that the transfer from my old supplier to Powershop has been smooth and seamless. Everything happened on time as promised. No delays.

The only downside is that there is not possible for Powershop to access the readings on my smart meter (installed by my previous supplier), However, I am sure that will come. It should be a logical development. The mobile app is excellent and easy to use. I have already bought some power packs. Some good discounts for the winter months too. The Powershop tariffs compare favourably to my previous Economy 7 tariff.

Tafrock

Can you post what discounts your getting please. I assume you're on a baseline tariff