The Switch Date

tplunkett

Have just spoken to a proposed new supplier (dual fuel) about the switch date (which is appx 17 days).
But my current (Single) deals are cheaper and expire on 9th Aug & 31st Aug; so I would like to get the full benefit.
So either I lose some of my current good deal (as any switch is more expensive) or I risk paying Deemed Rates if the timing is wrong.
IMO it is ridiculous that the new supplier cannot control when the supply actually starts; thereby providing customer service.
It doesn't seem to be an issue in the business sector where your existing supplier can actually stop you leaving before the end of a fixed contract.
Oh, for the days of deregulation when I didn't spend hours upon hours every year sorting out Utilities, Phone, Broadband, Mobile etc etc
wheres the smiley of me banging my head on the wall?

brewerdave

You could leave it until early August to apply?? You would then only lose a few days of the cheaper rate (on the deal finishing 31st August) and hopefully only pay a few days on the current supplier's SVR for the second supply. If the gas is the earlier deal then it will be pennies as there won't be heating costs.
The risk is that the dual tariff might be withdrawn BUT currently doesn't seem as if rates are varying too much, so little risk in waiting

System

To put this into context. My present average gas usage is 7kWhs per day. I switched early to get a good Winter deal. The Delta Cost (the difference) for 7 Kwhs a day for 31 days on my new tariff compared to my old tariff works out at 6p.(total not per day). Why; because my summer usage is low. Switching tariffs with about a month to run in summer is not going to cost you shed loads of money. The difference for electricity is about £1.75 given that electricity usage doesn't drop off in the summer as much as gas.

The mistake that a lot of people make is that they believe that they will save, say, a month on their present tariff if they delay a switch to the end of the contract. What is here today may be withdrawn tomorrow.