Symbio Energy feedback

Talldave

nic_c said:

Talldave said:

nic_c said:

Talldave said:

darkovo said:

There's only these 2 variable options for me for Symbio, the others on their quote section are fixed term for more money.

Tariff name: Low Fair and Green Variable Uswitch
Tariff type: Variable
Standard unit rate: 11.457 p per kWh
Standing charge: 19.000 p per day   
----------------------------
Tariff name: Low, Fair and Green 2020 Variable v18
Tariff type: Variable_2
Standard unit rate: 11.205 p per kWh
Standing charge: 21.000 p per day

I expect my yearly usage is 1958 kWh, slightly less than their estimated 1993.270 kWh but not far off.

Is the v18 tarriff a bit better cheaper for the year then?

No, uSwitch is cheaper. 

You also need to weigh up the risk of rates increasing before you choose the variable tariff because if rates go up, the fixed tariff you're currently being offered will have been replaced with a more expensive one. But of course the more months you can get at the cheaper variable rate the better.

Doesn't the Symbio website tell you which is cheaper without asking? The Uswitch deal isn't exclusive as they can't switch you for Symbio. For renewing you can click the link to view tarifs and it shows both on their and their monthly/annual cost.

Yes but variable tariffs are just that, they could increase in price, or go down.  So you can't make a 12 month cost prediction other than guessing that the price remains the same.

But the poster wanted to know which of two variable tariffs were better, which is shown on the website - yes it says annual but if you assume both variable rates would change at the same time then it would give an indication of which is cheaper until the variation.

They were asking which of the two variable tariffs were cheaper, whilst commenting that the fixed tariffs offered were more money. So I answered the question asked for their consumption (uSwitch) but also pointed out that if rates went up, the originally offered fixed rate might have cost less over the coming 12 months. 

I also don’t think you can assume that different variable rates will be changed at the same time or by similar amounts. 

PixelPound

Talldave said:

nic_c said:

Talldave said:

nic_c said:

Talldave said:

darkovo said:

There's only these 2 variable options for me for Symbio, the others on their quote section are fixed term for more money.

Tariff name: Low Fair and Green Variable Uswitch
Tariff type: Variable
Standard unit rate: 11.457 p per kWh
Standing charge: 19.000 p per day   
----------------------------
Tariff name: Low, Fair and Green 2020 Variable v18
Tariff type: Variable_2
Standard unit rate: 11.205 p per kWh
Standing charge: 21.000 p per day

I expect my yearly usage is 1958 kWh, slightly less than their estimated 1993.270 kWh but not far off.

Is the v18 tarriff a bit better cheaper for the year then?

No, uSwitch is cheaper. 

You also need to weigh up the risk of rates increasing before you choose the variable tariff because if rates go up, the fixed tariff you're currently being offered will have been replaced with a more expensive one. But of course the more months you can get at the cheaper variable rate the better.

Doesn't the Symbio website tell you which is cheaper without asking? The Uswitch deal isn't exclusive as they can't switch you for Symbio. For renewing you can click the link to view tarifs and it shows both on their and their monthly/annual cost.

Yes but variable tariffs are just that, they could increase in price, or go down.  So you can't make a 12 month cost prediction other than guessing that the price remains the same.

But the poster wanted to know which of two variable tariffs were better, which is shown on the website - yes it says annual but if you assume both variable rates would change at the same time then it would give an indication of which is cheaper until the variation.

They were asking which of the two variable tariffs were cheaper, whilst commenting that the fixed tariffs offered were more money. So I answered the question asked for their consumption (uSwitch) but also pointed out that if rates went up, the originally offered fixed rate might have cost less over the coming 12 months. 

I also don’t think you can assume that different variable rates will be changed at the same time or by similar amounts. 

Oh ok, still their fixed has exit fees (my fix didn't but no reason to move). The variable doesn't, so if prices go up you can change tariff. 
Normally I always fix, for peace of mind, but tempted to go variable as there seems to be a decent price difference (last year Symbio fix was a matter of pence per month more expensive than Bulb, the cheapest variable).

You are probably correct re the variables, as they do have variable_1 variable_2 etc.

Talldave

nic_c said:

Oh ok, still their fixed has exit fees (my fix didn't but no reason to move). The variable doesn't, so if prices go up you can change tariff. 
Normally I always fix, for peace of mind, but tempted to go variable as there seems to be a decent price difference (last year Symbio fix was a matter of pence per month more expensive than Bulb, the cheapest variable).

You are probably correct re the variables, as they do have variable_1 variable_2 etc.

Same here, I would normally fix but I've gone for the v18 variable as its cheaper than my fix that's ending, so nothing to lose really.

It would be interesting to see how they would plan a change to variable rates - it might well depend on how many customers are on the tariff and whether they have any kickbacks to recoup from uSwitch, for example?

PixelPound

Talldave said:

nic_c said:

Oh ok, still their fixed has exit fees (my fix didn't but no reason to move). The variable doesn't, so if prices go up you can change tariff. 
Normally I always fix, for peace of mind, but tempted to go variable as there seems to be a decent price difference (last year Symbio fix was a matter of pence per month more expensive than Bulb, the cheapest variable).

You are probably correct re the variables, as they do have variable_1 variable_2 etc.

Same here, I would normally fix but I've gone for the v18 variable as its cheaper than my fix that's ending, so nothing to lose really.

It would be interesting to see how they would plan a change to variable rates - it might well depend on how many customers are on the tariff and whether they have any kickbacks to recoup from uSwitch, for example?

AFAIK there is no kickback, if you go on uswitch it's not a tariff they can help you switch and you apply directly on he suppliers website, so that says no kickback to me. The tariff does not appear in initial searches unless you specifically choose it and then USwitch tries to stop you by reminding you that "they will be unable to help you switch".

The V18 is slightly more expensive for me but cheaper than anything else on offer, any alternatives anywhere near are also variable. Symbio confirmed that I can stay on my old tariff (due to run out in a couple of days) until 1st Oct when the new ones start. I guess they want to try and align everyone.  It will be interesting to see how they do it. If the billing is anything to go by, it could be eventful 

Swipe

Had an new email from Symbio today. They are now pushing their phone app with the tagline "With our Mobile App you can now Submit your Meter Readings on the go."

"Click a picture of your meter & Submit the meter reading."

Must be part of their cunning plan to get customers to send in photos of their meters

Talldave

Swipe said:

Had an new email from Symbio today. They are now pushing their phone app with the tagline "With our Mobile App you can now Submit your Meter Readings on the go."

"Click a picture of your meter & Submit the meter reading."

Must be part of their cunning plan to get customers to send in photos of their meters

It's really rather strange promoting the ability to submit meter readings "on the go". I've often thought whilst shopping in Sainsbury's how handy it would be to be able submit an electricity meter reading whilst browsing the Hobnobs.

carpy

Swipe said:

Had an new email from Symbio today. They are now pushing their phone app with the tagline "With our Mobile App you can now Submit your Meter Readings on the go."

"Click a picture of your meter & Submit the meter reading."

Must be part of their cunning plan to get customers to send in photos of their meters

i got that email even though i've now left Symbio!!!

Swipe

Talldave said:

Swipe said:

Had an new email from Symbio today. They are now pushing their phone app with the tagline "With our Mobile App you can now Submit your Meter Readings on the go."

"Click a picture of your meter & Submit the meter reading."

Must be part of their cunning plan to get customers to send in photos of their meters

It's really rather strange promoting the ability to submit meter readings "on the go". I've often thought whilst shopping in Sainsbury's how handy it would be to be able submit an electricity meter reading whilst browsing the Hobnobs.

Yes, I thought that too. Surely you'd just read the meter, type it into your phone and press submit there and then?

rp1974

Just what is their obsession with meter pictures?,some strange electrical fetish perhaps?.My fix is ending October 1st,considering elsewhere though Symbio still among the cheapest,with the added entertainment thrown in.In the past year they have encouraged pictures,discouraged pictures several times,just make a decision and stick to it.Dont mind really,just sort of resent the pictures or your lying attitude.Shiny new webpage for quotes as well,interesting...ish.

PixelPound

carpy said:

Swipe said:

Had an new email from Symbio today. They are now pushing their phone app with the tagline "With our Mobile App you can now Submit your Meter Readings on the go."

"Click a picture of your meter & Submit the meter reading."

Must be part of their cunning plan to get customers to send in photos of their meters

i got that email even though i've now left Symbio!!!

But did you opt out of their marketing emails before you left?