Cooling Off Period

DollyDee_2

My fixed tariff ends June 30th. I changed Tariff with my existing supplier online on Sunday. I thought the change wouldn't become effective until 1st July but they have changed it straight away. I have an email stating they will not move you until the current one ends.

I'm having second thoughts and thinking of switching to a different supplier - Flow Energy came out top on uSwitch. I know I will be put on their standard variable tariff until everything is sorted and will have to take a "hit" for a few weeks but I think it may be worth it.

As I am not changing suppliers only changing Tariff, am I entitled to cancel the change in tariff under the "cooling off period" and be restored to my old (much cheaper) tariff until the end of June and start the switch straight away?

I'm with Scottish Power, dual fuel, Economy 7.

I have googled but every answer comes up as switching suppliers. I've also looked at Spanish Power's website and that seems to be the same. If I go back on my old tariff there won't be any exit fees.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks - Dolly

System

There is no cooling off period when you switch tariffs with your existing supplier. It is known as a mutual variation of contract which if my memory is correct is covered by Standard Licence Condition 23A. Only the supplier can tell you whether they will allow you to switch to their SVT without paying an exit fee - most do not charge, but you will have to look at the contract ts and cs.

DollyDee_2

Thank you for reply and explanation. Much appreciated.

System

My reading of ts and cs suggests that a further change of tariff should not incur an exit fee (but I suggest that you get it confirmed by the supplier.)

8. 5. If you tell us that you wish to end your Agreement for a Fixed-term Tariff, you may have to pay a termination fee if required under the specific terms and conditions of your Fixed-term Tariff. However, you will not have to pay a termination fee if:

8.5.1 you take steps to switch to another supplier, but do not complete the switching process until after the end of your Fixed-term Tariff;

8.5.2 you complete a switch to another supplier at any time after we give you an End of Fixed Term Notice, unless you have already entered into a new Agreement with us for a new Fixed-term Tariff;

8.5.3 we extend your existing Fixed-term Tariff without following our regulatory obligations; or

8.5.4 you switch to an alternative Tariff with us.

footyguy

DollyDee wrote: »

My fixed tariff ends June 30th. I changed Tariff with my existing supplier online on Sunday. I thought the change wouldn't become effective until 1st July but they have changed it straight away. I have an email stating they will not move you until the current one ends.

I'm having second thoughts and thinking of switching to a different supplier - Flow Energy came out top on uSwitch. I know I will be put on their standard variable tariff until everything is sorted and will have to take a "hit" for a few weeks but I think it may be worth it.

As I am not changing suppliers only changing Tariff, am I entitled to cancel the change in tariff under the "cooling off period" and be restored to my old (much cheaper) tariff until the end of June and start the switch straight away?

I'm with Scottish Power, dual fuel, Economy 7.

I have googled but every answer comes up as switching suppliers. I've also looked at Spanish Power's website and that seems to be the same. If I go back on my old tariff there won't be any exit fees.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks - Dolly

Have you contacted the supplier about this anomaly?

If neceessary, follow the suppliers complaint procedure. At worst they should credit you the difference btween the old tariff and the new ... but I suspect they will probably just appease you with a £20 goodwill gesture (which I am sure will more than cover any difference)

Depending on the terms of the new tariff, you may also want it extended by another week or two. i.e. if it's 12 months from start, you want it to end 30th June 2018 (as opposed to 09/10th June 2018)

Or is your issue more that you have agreed to a new contract and have now got cold feet? Unfortunately, I don't think you get any cooling off period in the circumstances you describe (unless you have terms stating otherwise)
I think with this supplier you can transfer to their standard tariff without penalty , and then you can switch supplier without penalty if you want to avoid the early exit fees (but do check your terms crefully to check this is correct )

DollyDee_2

Thanks for your reply footyguy. I am going to complain about the new tariff being applied straight away instead of 1st July.

This is the paragraph in their email to me dated 18/05/17:

"Choose your new tariff

You can choose a new ScottishPower tariff in just a few minutes using our Online Tariff Selector. If you choose a new ScottishPower tariff on or before 30th June 2017 we'll automatically move you to this new tariff when your current one ends. At ScottishPower, we offer the same prices for new and existing customers, and you can move between our tariffs at any time without paying exit fees."

Blackbeard_of_Perranporth

If you are with Scottish Power, they had an offer last October to fix until December 18, which was slighty more expensive than the previous fix I was on (June 17). I am surprised that people still wait until the end of their fix to move, especially as Scottish Power allows you to move tariffs for free in their offerings. With oil heading down now the yanks are fracking on with it, I expect to move again very shortly for another competitive fix.


SP Fixed tariff customer for 20 plus years and currently pay £63 a month!

DollyDee_2

I've been with them since at least 2003 when it was Sainsburys Energy - I've still got the bills!

Blackbeard_of_Perranporth

Just checked my fix. SP other Tarrifs are getting closer to my fix again, so a move could be around the corner. Currently the fix July 19 is competitive. I think prices will fall come October, so a move then could be a choice.