Energy: Find the cheapest supplier & earn cashback

John_Pierpoint

I very much doubt that, even if it made economic sense, it would be possible to comply with the electricity regulations.
Personally I prefer gas.

purplestar133

I just completed the switching form on the Energyhelpline site to switch from Eon to Scottish Power. I have a small balance outstanding with Eon, as my direct debits hadn't quite covered my usage in the past few months. Should I pay that off now via the website despite normally paying direct debit or should I wait for a final bill? I suppose I am asking whether I will be seen as trying to leave without paying up if I just wait for them to bill me!

Scottish Power's terms and conditions say "Where we are advised that you owe any debt to your previous supplier(s) of gas and/or electricity (as applicable), you permit us to contact your previous supplier(s) for details of the debt you owe. " I wouldn't want it to get to the point where the new supplier is charging me for what I should have paid to the old supplier!

NonGeographicalMan

purplestar133 wrote: »

Scottish Power's terms and conditions say "Where we are advised that you owe any debt to your previous supplier(s) of gas and/or electricity (as applicable), you permit us to contact your previous supplier(s) for details of the debt you owe. " I wouldn't want it to get to the point where the new supplier is charging me for what I should have paid to the old supplier!

You will be billed by your old supplier for anything outstanding once you have supplied the final meter read at switchover and they will charge you using your existing direct debit unless you have cancelled it? If you have cancelled it they will send you a bill instead.

The new supplier will not chase you for any debt outstanding to the old one but it is important that you supply an accurate meter read around the date of switchover to avoid either supplier billing you for energy that you have not used with them.

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

purplestar133 wrote: »

I just completed the switching form on the Energyhelpline site to switch from Eon to Scottish Power. I have a small balance outstanding with Eon, as my direct debits hadn't quite covered my usage in the past few months. Should I pay that off now via the website despite normally paying direct debit or should I wait for a final bill? I suppose I am asking whether I will be seen as trying to leave without paying up if I just wait for them to bill me!

Hi purplestar

We only usually object to transfers where there is a substantial outstanding balance involved. Generally, where this has built up over a period of time.

If, as you say, the balance is small and is a result of recent usage being higher than the Direct Debit arrangement, then I can't see a problem.

This being the case, I think you will be ok to wait for the final bill.

Just a heads up, purplestar. We don't give discount on final bills. Don't know when your next bill is due but you might want to think about asking for one before the final bill. This way you will only lose a small amount of discount when the final statement is issued.

Give us a call with your meter readings if you would like to do this.

Hope this is useful. Give me a shout if you need any more details as will be happy to help.

Malc

harryhound

Does anyone know what this added complexity would do to a customer trying to switch providers.

(I had problems with Npower refusing to put me on a low cost tariff just because I have an electronic meter (Thanks EDF) that looks like a large post card with a flashing liquid crystal display and I'm on "Economy 7")

Read all about this service that forces the electricity company to funnel money between most of their customers and the few who are able install electricity generating dark panels on their south facing roof.
Read slowly and carefully or you will get totally confused.
Probably a much more important decision than "flipping" electricity supplies.


http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=2244389&highlight=feed+in+tariff

(Eon is German? Perhaps they invented the system?)

http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2010/04/448434.html

bren.g wrote: »

did any one see gmtv on friday 26th feb a millionair setting up buisness for gas &electric missed his web site thanx

http://www.atcostenergy.com/

cariad84

I'm about to start renting on my own after living somewhere where bills were included. How do I go about finding the cheapest energy supplier as someone who isn't switching (all the comparison sites I can find ask for details of my current supplier).

Will be grateful for any help with this!

purplestar133

E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc wrote: »

Hi purplestar

We only usually object to transfers where there is a substantial outstanding balance involved. Generally, where this has built up over a period of time.

If, as you say, the balance is small and is a result of recent usage being higher than the Direct Debit arrangement, then I can't see a problem.

This being the case, I think you will be ok to wait for the final bill.

Just a heads up, purplestar. We don't give discount on final bills. Don't know when your next bill is due but you might want to think about asking for one before the final bill. This way you will only lose a small amount of discount when the final statement is issued.

Give us a call with your meter readings if you would like to do this.

Hope this is useful. Give me a shout if you need any more details as will be happy to help.

Malc

Thanks Malc, that is very useful. My only bill (only joined end of Dec) was 22nd March after which I had £60 outstanding. I now have £20 outstanding as my direct debit came out a week or so later. Will that be ok?

Is it worth asking for another bill? Hasn't been long since last bill and transfer is said to take 4-6 weeks.

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

purplestar133 wrote: »

Thanks Malc, that is very useful. My only bill (only joined end of Dec) was 22nd March after which I had £60 outstanding. I now have £20 outstanding as my direct debit came out a week or so later. Will that be ok?

Is it worth asking for another bill? Hasn't been long since last bill and transfer is said to take 4-6 weeks.

Hi purplestar

Sorry for the delay replying...weekend and all that. :beer:

Can't see any difficulties at all transferring. A £20 deficit with a Direct Debit in place will not be considered as grounds for objection.

If you have only just started the switching process and the previous bill was end of March, the likelihood is your transfer will complete round about mid-May. This will give you approx 8 to 9 weeks of charges.

I would definitely say you will save a bit if you ask for a bill before the final bill is issued. The actual saving will depend on your tariff and the associated discount. Let us have your meter readings before the transfer date and ask for a bill.

I will stress about asking for a bill because if you don't the agent will just record the readings as the account will not be in the billing window.

Will be happy to do this for you nearer the time if you like. Just drop an email with your details to the address in my Public Profile.

Hope this answers your questions, purplestar. Again, give me a shout if I can help further as will be glad to do so.

Malc

therac

I moved my electricity from Eon Energy last year to British Gas, and have benefited substantially from the switch. Knowing my annual gas contract (also with Eon) was up for renewal on 16th June (we are a small business), though we would ring in today to find out when they were sending out the letter about the new tariff. Imagine my surprise to be told - "We posted a letter to you on 7th March, and as you had not replied within 21 days, the contract is now in place and we will not accept cancellation". I asked how this had been sent - they said normal post. We checked the address - the postal town appears to be incorrect!

Despite this, and being well within the existing contract Eon are claiming that as we have not cancelled (based on a letter we havent received!!), we are stuck with the company for another year, at a none negotiable rate. Complain to the Ombudsman I thought... No - they cannot handle until its been through the formal complaints procedure at Eon (can take up to 8 weeks), and it can then take a further 6 weeks to switch supplier even if they resolve in your favour (apparently your gas does continue (good news) but is supplied at an 'out of contract rate' (presumably very bad news!)).

Now awaiting a promised call back from a manager at Eon (10 minutes claimed, so far 40 mins and counting)

How on earth in this day and age can I be held to a contract I havent seen, at a rate I have no knowledge of, for a period I havent agreed, by a company that I dont want to do business with (ever!!)? Its going to cost for lawyers, let alone the aggro involved. If I behaved like this in my business we would be broke within months... And what use are Ofgem / the Energy Ombudsman / Consumer Direct? They wont even handle the issue until its too late! And my contract isnt even due to start until June 16... I'd emigrate, but I'm too old...

harryhound

cariad84 wrote: »

I'm about to start renting on my own after living somewhere where bills were included. How do I go about finding the cheapest energy supplier as someone who isn't switching (all the comparison sites I can find ask for details of my current supplier).

Will be grateful for any help with this!

Ask the existing tenant?
See if the new landlord has details?
(If I were a landlord, which I am not, I would be a bit worried that my tenant would mess up the change over and then leave)