switching supplier?

[Deleted User]

Ardent-Admirer wrote: »

However, nobody has addressed my specific point about the 14 day cooling off period! If, as Martin says, nothing will happen for 14 days after applying then surely the switching window does not commence until that 14 day period is over and, therefore, there will be less than 49 days to the end of the present contract? I really would like clarification on this particular point.

No-one can definitively answer this.
Last time I switched, my old supplier sent me a "sorry you're leaving us" email within the 14 days after initiating the switch.
So the new supplier had started to put the wheels in motion before the 14 days ended and the old supplier knew it was coming. But as I was inside the last 49 days BEFORE I initiated, it had no effect to me.

NineDeuce

Hengus wrote: »

If you are fortunate to choose a supplier that doesn’t mix up readings or use incorrect calorific values for billing purposes then ......

Such things might happen on a changeover of supplier, but again, who calls up questioning calorific value?

System

NineDeuce wrote: »

Such things might happen on a changeover of supplier, but again, who calls up questioning calorific value?

You do when the supplier is issuing monthly statements (nothing to do with a transfer of supply) using a fixed calorific value for gas contrary to Ofgem supply regulations.

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/sites/default/files/docs/2014/08/supplier_guidance_on_cv_calculation.pdf

footyguy

Ardent-Admirer wrote: »

Thanks to everyone who replied to this thread. However, nobody has addressed my specific point about the 14 day cooling off period! If, as Martin says, nothing will happen for 14 days after applying then surely the switching window does not commence until that 14 day period is over and, therefore, there will be less than 49 days to the end of the present contract? I really would like clarification on this particular point. I have read the article about the OFGEM switching rules and its fairly clear about the switching window but doesn't mention the 14 day cooling off period.

I respectfully refer you to the answer I gave you earlier in post#5

Good luck!

valleyboy22

i am torn switching to a company that i have no heard of because there are so mixed reviews on each but want to save money. Surely bad companies would not be advertised or even offered on this site?

System

valleyboy22 wrote: »

i am torn switching to a company that i have no heard of because there are so mixed reviews on each but want to save money. Surely bad companies would not be advertised or even offered on this site?

A price comparison website is nothing more than a listing of the deals that are on offer. It is unrealistic to expect comparison websites to do anything but simple due diligence based on such things as the time that the supplier has been in business and customer feedback.

Moreover, my experience with a particular supplier might not be the same as yours. Even the Big 6 get many things wrong. These are the suppliers that I would happily use again - based primarily on billing and customer service: Bulb; Zog; Ovo (although they did make a hash of my transfer but sorted it out once they realised their mistake) and Powershop. My experience of E.oN was mixed and I would never return to Iresa.

Which ever supplier you choose, you are taking something of a risk. You actually need to read the Welcome Pack (check, for example, that they are taking over the correct meters and that your address is correct). You should also read the supplier's terms and conditions so that you know when your first monthly payment will be claimed. Moreover, give the new supplier actual meter readings when requested and note these down. Once your account is set up, then monitor it closely and make sure that you give the supplier an actual meter reading once per month.

NineDeuce

Hengus wrote: »

You do when the supplier is issuing monthly statements (nothing to do with a transfer of supply) using a fixed calorific value for gas contrary to Ofgem supply regulations.

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/sites/default/files/docs/2014/08/supplier_guidance_on_cv_calculation.pdf

Thanks for assuming that I know nothing about calorific value, but despite what you say, the point is, how many people, you know, actual regular people actually know what it is and complain about it? Taking you into account, it is probably less than 2 people....

System

NineDeuce wrote: »

Thanks for assuming that I know nothing about calorific value, but despite what you say, the point is, how many people, you know, actual regular people actually know what it is and complain about it? Taking you into account, it is probably less than 2 people....

I am not sure that I did assert anything whatsoever about what you do and do not know.
The issue relating to the misuse of fixed calorific values has been mentioned by many people on various threads about various suppliers on this forum.

The point that I was trying to make, obviously without the necessary clarity, was that when a supplier has an automated system with online support tickets that it just ticks as being resolved without any response, then there may be a need to pick up the phone. This is fine provided there is someone at the end of the line prepared to answer it.

Your choice of suppliers has clearly been better than mine.

System

Ardent-Admirer wrote: »

Hi, I want to take advantage of this event but my contract with my present supplier doesn't expire until 31 March. I understand from the blog that if there are less than 50 days to run the present supplier cannot charge me exit fees. However, it also states that nothing will happen once I apply to switch for 14 days because of a cooling off period. Does this then mean that the 50 day period will only start after that 14 day cooling off period? In other words, if I apply to switch to Octopus on the 1st February and the cooling off period ends on 14th February and there then being less than 50 days left until the end of March that my present supplier cannot charge me the exit fees? Grateful for clarification.

When you apply to switch suppliers then they is every possibility that the gaining supplier will start the transfer process within the 14 day cooling off period window - particularly, if the supplier is signed up to 17 day (including the 14 day cooling off period) switching. Part of the transfer process is an industry notification to your present supplier that you are leaving them. In the scenario above, your new supplier will also be asking you for meter readings 2 days before the end of your cooling off period. The cooling off period does not mean that the supplier does nothing: it is just a legal provision which allows you to cancel the contract even if the transfer has gone ahead.

If you are on a Fixed Term contract, Ofgem requires suppliers to notify you that a contract is coming to an end within a 49 to 42 day window. The Ofgem rules state:

Suppliers will be required to notify customers that their current fixed-term is coming to an end between 42 and 49 days before the contract ends.

Between this notification period and the end of the fixed term contract, suppliers will be banned from charging a termination fee should the customer decide to switch.

It follows that if your present supplier has been notified by industry of a switch in progress prior to it releasing its contract end notification (ie; prior to 50 days before contract end), then there is the possibility that exit fees will be added to your Final Account.

NineDeuce

Hengus wrote: »

I am not sure that I did assert anything whatsoever about what you do and do not know.
The issue relating to the misuse of fixed calorific values has been mentioned by many people on various threads about various suppliers on this forum.

The point that I was trying to make, obviously without the necessary clarity, was that when a supplier has an automated system with online support tickets that it just ticks as being resolved without any response, then there may be a need to pick up the phone. This is fine provided there is someone at the end of the line prepared to answer it.

Your choice of suppliers has clearly been better than mine.

Because when querying rates, calorific value doesnt come into it. The supplier can confirm that the rates are correct and then nothing more is said. Very few people are going to be alert to how gas is converted from volume to units, even though it written on the bill, so unless the overcharges are obvious even to the operator, then nobody is likely to go any further in complaining.