Economy Energy raising gas unit charge by 88%

silverwhistle

Bloomin 'eck; £102 annual standing charge for gas! I'm such a low user that on my zero standing charge tariff with extortionate unit rates I pay around £70 a year!

deltabox

Here is my details,

had the email this week and yes can switch on energy club as still in process from June. Mine was locked un until June next year and is also rising by a mammoth amount!!!

I had some early experience of their customer service so not looking forward to whatever is going to happen....

PixelPound

alanb122 wrote: »

I had a look at the Bulb website. I could see only a variable tariff. I don't see any point switching to other than a fixed or capped tariff as you are likely to find that the rates increase shortly after you sign up.

Yes its variable, but maybe it was the cheapest tariff for the poster. You would need to do your own comparison and find out which fixed rate is best.

The_Big_Bamboo

glennevis wrote: »

"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."

In my case my fixed tariff was supposed to end on 13th July. I had no contact from them during the fixed period.
EE advised me by letter (not email) that my tariff was increased massively. The letter was dated 2nd August and the tariff change was BACKDATED to 1st August. A clear breach of T&Cs and Ofgem rules. They are refusing to accept they are in the wrong.

Sterlingtimes wrote: »

Thank you, tg99. This is very helpful.

I have just written to my MP, Dame Caroline Spelman. She has a good reputation for helping people.

Economy Energy’s fixed term agreements aren’t worth the paper they’re written on apparently;...I can only assume EE are in dire financial straits and they feel that riding roughshod over their customers ‘rights’ is their only way to redemption.

Perhaps they have other reasons for taking the course of action that they’re presently on,...who knows.

I’m not aware of any other energy company that has resorted to such flagrant and dubious measures;...it will be interesting to see how it pans out.

Good luck with your campaign.

Sterlingtimes

I have written to my MP, Dame Caroline Spelman, to the Ombudsman, to the Daily Mail Financial Editor, and to MSE Cheap Energy Club (the switching agent).

It is disappointing that OFGEM provides no vehicle for domestic customers to seek redress when an energy supplier is behaving incorrectly, The method of redress for the consumer requires the consumer to follow a protracted process which would work well if the energy supplier is behaving in a commercially responsible manner. I am hoping to shortcut all of the nonsense and get a timely result.

The_Big_Bamboo

I’m a new customer of Yorkshire Energy and my switchover was just a few days ago;....Yorkshire Energy have just released a new tariff called ‘Green Badger’.
When you obtain a quote the tariff info says this::

Tariff Green Badger - Fixed Until 31st October 2019
Type of tariff Variable

I do hope it’s just an admin error,... god forbid they've contracted the Economy Energy malaise! :eek:

PixelPound

The_Big_Bamboo wrote: »

I’m a new customer of Yorkshire Energy and my switchover was just a few days ago;....Yorkshire Energy have just released a new tariff called ‘Green Badger’.
When you obtain a quote the tariff info says this::

Tariff Green Badger - Fixed Until 31st October 2019
Type of tariff Variable

I do hope it’s just an admin error,... god forbid they've contracted the Economy Energy malaise! :eek:

I have seen tariffs on MSE described as fixed that once you go onto the suppliers website turn out to be variable.

Green badger does seem to be fixed

Green Badger
Fixed until 31st October 2019
Electricty and/or Gas
Fixed Monthly Direct Debit

Source: https://yorkshire-energy.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360004206411-Our-Live-Tariffs

System

The_Big_Bamboo wrote: »

I’m a new customer of Yorkshire Energy and my switchover was just a few days ago;....Yorkshire Energy have just released a new tariff called ‘Green Badger’.
When you obtain a quote the tariff info says this::

Tariff Green Badger - Fixed Until 31st October 2019
Type of tariff Variable

I do hope it’s just an admin error,... god forbid they've contracted the Economy Energy malaise! :eek:

Look at the ts and cs:

6.2.1 For the avoidance of doubt, the following are not classed as disadvantageous to You:
i) Any changes to the rate of VAT incorporated in Your tariff or associated charges.
ii) Changes We must make due to changes required by a regulatory body.
iii) Any changes to Your fixed Direct Debit amount.
iv) Moving You onto a variable tariff.

One of the Unintended Consequences of the Govt’s insistence on a SVR cap?

PixelPound

Hengus wrote: »

Look at the ts and cs:

6.2.1 For the avoidance of doubt, the following are not classed as disadvantageous to You:
i) Any changes to the rate of VAT incorporated in Your tariff or associated charges.
ii) Changes We must make due to changes required by a regulatory body.
iii) Any changes to Your fixed Direct Debit amount.
iv) Moving You onto a variable tariff.

One of the Unintended Consequences of the Govt’s insistence on a SVR cap?

The SVR cap related issues would be covered by point (ii)

System

nic_c wrote: »

The SVR cap related issues would be covered by point (ii)

I agree that the cap itself is covered by point (ii) but this is the first time that I have seen ts and cs that allow a supplier to change the terms of a contract. It could be cap related ( albeit, indirectly) or it could be linked to the fact that suppliers are finding it difficult to manage fixed contracts in a dynamic/fast-changing market. It will be interesting to see whether moving consumers from fixed to variable rates, along with a 30 day notice of an increase is illegal in contract terms. The suppliers will no doubt argue that they are giving consumers the right to leave without penalty. There is nothing that I can see on the Ofgem website that covers this legal point. The 42/49 day rule relates to exit fees and tariff protection during a transfer of supply.