'Switching' is NOT as easy as Martin makes out

PixelPound

You don't say who you have switched to. Some, but not all comply with the switch guarantee. The ones I have used have and they went through fine. I think some people get too caught up of thinking everything is instant.

spiro

When you do a dual fuel switch you are actually doing 2 switches, 1 per fuel. The systems/processes are totally different for the 2 fuels hence 2 lots of comms etc.
In electricity there are 9 organistions involved for a single switch.
OFGEM are looking at 'faster and more reliable switching', the term same/next day has been dropped.

System

spiro wrote: »

OFGEM are looking at 'faster and more reliable switching', the term same/next day has been dropped.

I wasn't aware of that - thank you. It begs the question though whether any of Ofgem's past changes to switching, simpler/fairer tariffs etc will stand the test of time? Ofgem seems to have gone into complete meltdown since the release of the CMA report.

glen.dewhirst

I agree about problems having switched before, my recent switch involved bills been sent to me on many occasions from SSE for gas and electricity even though I’m on a prepayment meter and pay in advance, eventually this was sorted but it took a couple of months. I also had problems with the incorrect tariff set for my electricity once switched I.E paying too much, this took several weeks to sort out with EDF Energy. My gas tariff with Cardiff energy was also set wrong (Set too high on meter) and after a couple of months and many emails and phone conversations this has still not been rectified although after a new card was sent the tariff went to a lower rate than it should be. As a prepayment customer I feel there are many pitfalls in place when switching energy supply and can actually see many people being ripped off if they are not aware of tariff and standing charges that should be set on your meter correctly. I believe that people on prepayment meters are exploited by energy companies because they are more vulnerable.

bertiewhite

I can only speak for electricity but I switched from Swalec to NPower at the beginning of August.

By the 24th Aug, I was switched to NPower and on 8th Sept, I had my final bill from Swalec and a refund paid into my bank.

Couldn't be simpler.

don9999

I'd forgotten that I had raised this topic last year so am only just reviewing the replies.

I don't doubt that the switch process has gone smoothly, for some people and not for others.

But I still think it is rather disingenuous to pretend that 'switching' is easy.

Like many people on here, 'I' have switched numerous times, sometimes 'quite' smoothly. But for the less savvy people, the process can be a minefield. And by that I mean the 'whole' process, NOT just initiating the switch!

Someone said they switched whilst on holiday. I don't doubt it. The switch initiation takes minutes.
But monitoring the switch and dealing with the fallout can take weeks or months.

I've written about my latest switch from Iresa on the Iresa thread.
In summary, I left Iresa in July-17 (their invoices were rarely correct).
One invoice put me £72 out-of-pocket! I raised a complaint but it wasn't dealt with.
I switched company.

Iresa finally corrected the invoice in Jan-2018 ! (6 months after my complaint, and 5 months after I'd left the company).
They have NOT provided any final invoices, and my account is in credit by at least £200.

I left the company almost 8 months ago now and they STILL owe me 'at least' £200 - I don't know exactly how much as they have not provided any fincal/closing invoices.

I am STILL chasing them.....

Yes, the switch went easily. I am now with SSE and I am in control of the new Utility usage and invoices etc. But I am STILL dealing with fallout from the switch. This is not a-typical, especially when dealing with the smaller companies.....