Big 6 Smart Meter Pricing Cartel-MSE Tool to find non smart meter Tariffs?

Highwayman

MSE Energy -DO YOU HAVE TOOL TO SEARCH FOR CHEAP TARIFFS NOT ATTACHED TO HAVING A SMART METER!


I have good low tariff deals from Npower and Dec 19/April 2020.
35% less than current SVR rates.
I started looking to replace gas and Npower advised there were ZERO tariffs available of 4 without a smartmeter.
I told them I have checked out the technology and record of SMs and I do not want one and I do not have to have one[not compulsory]

After a complaint they replied Npower just replicating Big 6 policy and non were offering them. So 80% of the market only offers SVR if no smart meter other smaller suppliers are going bust daily.
Surely this is a Cartel and illegal?

JJ_Egan

Why dont you ask MSe CEC ??

giraffe69

I don't see the problem.

You don't wish to have a smart meter as is your right(currently) but if you exercise that right then you don't get access to some tariffs. You could choose another tariff or move away from the "big six" to a company which does not insist on smart meters. You still have plenty of choice although it is likely that will narrow over time to come.
If the companies don't encourage users to have smart meters then likely they will end up being fined by Government for not installing enough of them.

A cartel suggests that the firms are colluding whereas they are being pushed to their position by Government policy.

[Deleted User]

I have just switched two friends of mine who were with Eversmart over to the latest Scottish Power dual fuel fixed tariff . It is 3 rd cheapest dual fuel behind Avro .It has no stipulations in the T and C s I can see for agreeing to accept the installation of a smart meter.
Maybe these smart meter sweetener tariffs are dying out now that suppliers who use it have had problems in pushing the smart meter install side of the deal with occupiers claiming they were not aware of the T/C s

Michaelw

giraffe69 wrote: »

I don't see the problem.

You don't wish to have a smart meter as is your right(currently) but if you exercise that right then you don't get access to some tariffs. You could choose another tariff or move away from the "big six" to a company which does not insist on smart meters. You still have plenty of choice although it is likely that will narrow over time to come.
If the companies don't encourage users to have smart meters then likely they will end up being fined by Government for not installing enough of them.

A cartel suggests that the firms are colluding whereas they are being pushed to their position by Government policy.

It does appear that a customer's without a smart meter are seeing a significant reduction in service and choices' that are open to them.

Now British Gas customers can only view their energy data if they have a smart meter

British Gas customers can now view their energy data only by getting a smart meter.
Previously, all customers - not just those with the new devices - could go to the supplier's website to monitor their usage.


https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/bills/article-7551601/Now-British-Gas-customers-view-energy-data-smart-meter.html

bsms1147

Carrot and stick

Highwayman

Thanks for the various replies to which I have replied as below:

Just to let you know that I followed the advice I assumed would come from MSE readers i.e. Complain and take it to the top.
Which is what I did and got smart meter link removed to tariffs.

Firstly yes Govt is forcing cartel position but that does not make it right or acceptable.

Secondly the idea that Smart meters are accepted as proven and reliable is just plain "wrong"

Reference Articles last few months alone across all media and trade bodies
BBC news-Why your smart meter may not be so smart 13 September 2019
the sun homes-suffering-smart-meter-problems
energyvoice one-in-three-smart-meter-owners-has-issues-with-device

Also thanks Houbara with suggestions ref alternatives which was a positive advice. I would however not be a Scottish Power customer as they have just about the worst legacy issues with their billing system going back a decade and low cs rating as a result hence 2016 fine

scottish-power-fined-18m-for-poor-customer-service-that-prompted-one-million-complaintlbelow..

giraffe69 wrote: »

I don't see the problem.

You don't wish to have a smart meter as is your right(currently) but if you exercise that right then you don't get access to some tariffs. You could choose another tariff or move away from the "big six" to a company which does not insist on smart meters. You still have plenty of choice although it is likely that will narrow over time to come.
If the companies don't encourage users to have smart meters then likely they will end up being fined by Government for not installing enough of them.

A cartel suggests that the firms are colluding whereas they are being pushed to their position by Government policy.

Highwayman

hanks for the various replies to which I have replied as below:

Just to let you know that I followed the advice I assumed would come from MSE readers i.e. Complain and take it to the top.
Which is what I did and got smart meter link removed to tariffs.

Firstly yes Govt is forcing cartel position but that does not make it right or acceptable.

Secondly the idea that Smart meters are accepted as proven and reliable is just plain "wrong"

Reference Articles last few months alone across all media and trade bodies
BBC news-Why your smart meter may not be so smart 13 September 2019
the sun homes-suffering-smart-meter-problems
energyvoice one-in-three-smart-meter-owners-has-issues-with-device

Also thanks Houbara with suggestions ref alternatives which was a positive advice. I would however not be a Scottish Power customer as they have just about the worst legacy issues with their billing system going back a decade and low cs rating as a result hence 2016 fine

scottish-power-fined-18m-for-poor-customer-service-that-prompted-one-million-complaintlbelow..

Talldave

I'm not really for or against smart meters but having a career in technology I object to inaccurate criticism for the benefit of eye catching headlines.

Recent headlines about smart meters misreading have nothing to do with the meters being smart and could be attributed to electronic meters of both smart and non-smart flavours. But don't let facts get in the way of a tantalisingly clickable headline!

[Deleted User]

Michaelw wrote: »

It does appear that a customer's without a smart meter are seeing a significant reduction in service and choices' that are open to them.

Now British Gas customers can only view their energy data if they have a smart meter

British Gas customers can now view their energy data only by getting a smart meter.
Previously, all customers - not just those with the new devices - could go to the supplier's website to monitor their usage.


https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/bills/article-7551601/Now-British-Gas-customers-view-energy-data-smart-meter.html

How is it possible for BG or any suppliers customers with last centuries credit meter to view data which could match anything like a smart meter could provide ? All they can do is look at the last few bills with either estimated/ actual quarterly readings.
Nothing has changed, they can t display much data because they don t possess it.
Most customers only provide a reading once a year, if that , so all they can see is a few recent quarterly bills .