Energy: Find the cheapest supplier & earn cashback

blahblahdoh

Premier wrote: »

A tried to pre-empt another scenario and made the post even more prone to criticism

What I meant was the simplest approach is to contact a supplier direct. That assumes you already have decided on a supplier like the poster I was quoting had.

If not, and one is interested in moneysaving (as hopefully most people who read this are) then they should use a comparison site to discover who supplies the cheapest tariff to suit their needs.

As Martin makes clear, cashback from a cashback site is not guaranteed until it's in your own bank account, and there are numerous posts of where people had thought they had correctly applied for it but failed to receive it ... perhaps as a result of doing it in 10 seconds instead of following the advice given to increase the chance of securing a cashback payment?
Also, there is no guarantee that the cheapest supplier on the comparison site offers cashback via a cashback site.

But the discussion was essentially over the simplest way to apply.
For the lowest cost, I would always choose the lowest cost supplier as proposed by the comparison site if it suits your needs.
(Just be aware of any early exit fees and/or ties ins to get discounts included)
As Martin indicates in his articles, cashback should be seem as an added bonus if received, not part of the main decision making process

... unless you are a cashback tart, in which case don't even bother with comparison sites, just trouser the biggest cashback going at the time - again being careful of any early exit fees

My perception of Spendaholicchick's post was that they wanted a quick decision not something else to think about. I therefore attempted to give one which was optimal between best price and best cashback (and they did seem interested in cashback). In the absence of all the facts it should still have got them close to the best deal. Since they have thanked none of us, nor posted any reply, perhaps we were all wasting our time?

deke777

:j My bill with British Gas this past year was £258.00 When I switch to NPOWER my costings will be £70.00!!! Is this legal, fair and moral?? What a 'No Brainer' I don't believe it! If true, after 12 months I shall be making a donation to Martin Lewis' charity foundation. Happy Days Deke777

Doc_N

deke777 wrote: »

:j My bill with British Gas this past year was £258.00 When I switch to NPOWER my costings will be £70.00!!! Is this legal, fair and moral?? What a 'No Brainer' I don't believe it! If true, after 12 months I shall be making a donation to Martin Lewis' charity foundation. Happy Days Deke777

I wouldn't believe it, either. Don't get your hopes up. :cool:

auss2k

ita a scam. I happenend to me about a year ago.

I got a favourable quote from Npower and changed to them. on their website and in the publicity it states that they will review the Direct debit after six months, they made no changes, even though i was over £120 in debt.

Six months later I get a letter from them telling me that they have reviewed my Direct debit payments from £45 a month (Dual Fuel) to £146!!!

I have managed to get it down to £96 a month but my Direct debits are now fixed for 2 years!

so much for saving money!

aliette

Wow there is so much to take in! I remember why I always mean to switch but never actually does it. I would be grateful if someone could help me make sense of it.

I'm with Scottish Power for both electricity and gas. Consumption is high but the electricity at least is coming down due to some lifestyle changes:
12,574 kwh for electricity per year = £1503
18,935kwh for gas per year = £620
I've just received my bills and I have £150 credit in gas and £16 owing in electricity.

Energyhelpline says EON and the SaveOnline 3 (Dual Fuel) tariff would save £853. Is there anything I need to be aware of? It doesn't seem to mention that the savings only come in after you have been with them for a year. It

Or Edf with Online S@ver v7 £794 plus a £100 welcome bonus so that would seem to be the best.

Is Edf the way to go?
Any cancellation or set up fee I should be aware of?

Thank you SO much for your help!

JoeMoomin

Great thread.

I've just completed on my first home and am going through the minefield of electric and water suppliers (no gas).

As this is my first place I don't really have an idea for consumption, I also don't know how much the previous owners were paying as the property has been empty for a while! I do know they use Southern Electric though.

Going through comparison sites etc it seems that NPowers Sign Online Economy 7 is the cheapest option, but my head is spinning now.

What's the best way to proceed? I'd appreciate any advice!

Thanks

Premier_2

JoeMoomin wrote: »

...What's the best way to proceed? I'd appreciate any advice!

Thanks

With caution! Even more so when the tariff has early exit fees.

If you have no idea of what your annual consumption is likely to be, the words frying pan and fire immediately spring to mind.

HanSpan

Premier wrote: »

Perhaps an energy monitor would help you identify how come you are currently using so much electricity?

I've got an overall one (an eco-eye) that attaches to the mains box and shows the house consumption. From that we've worked out my living room uplighter is a shocker with its halogen bulbs but last time I looked I couldn't find anything I liked with more efficient bulbs - I must look again.
Other than that I'm just not sure what's drinking the juice. I think I need to get individual plug meters and test the fridge/freezer as that's the only thing on all day apart from my laptop (I'd unplug the laptop but it charges and synchs my palm and I forget to switch it on and end up with a flat phone if I turn it off!).
We do have the PC on overnight (to backup) and I watch a lot of telly but I can't understand how we use as much as a family of 6 doing no doubt considerably more cooking, washing and drying.

Terrylw1

Helen_Clouds wrote: »

Does anyone know the best supplier to go to with Economy 10?

This depends on whether you have E10 with 2 rates (day & night like E7) or whether you have 3 rates (day, night & heat). The latter has 2 MPAN's for your property.

If 2 rates, it's easily but if 3 Suppliers don't always support them.

Eitherway, do some shopping around and ensure you speak to more than 1 person at each company to avoid getting a noob! Sometimes they only offer you E7 which might not be what you need. If you have 3 rates, you can only be on E10 unless you rewire, hence some don't want them.

Carrowkeel

Tried to switch to EON..THEY messed it up..told them to cancel the agreement (They didn't )..now recieving letters threatening debt collectors ! It's not worth the hassle .