Energy: Find the cheapest supplier & earn cashback

NonGeographicalMan

donaldtramp wrote: »

This is one of my main gripes with MSE. They are NOT showing consumers the best way to get money. They are however, lining their own pockets through links that must generate HUGE income for MSE.
It is an absolute disgrace.

It's simple, if you want to make Martin even more money, follow his links.

Or if on the other hand you prefer a far larger cashback amount in your hand. Clear your cookies and switch through another cashback website, NOT MSE

Well said on all of the above points donaldtramp. MSEMartin always likes to make out he is some kind of ethical avenging crusader for the consumer whereas the only person he is generally doing the crusading for is himself and his own bank balance.:eek:

I also strongly disapprove of the approach of the money saving television program he became involved with as this was totally dumbed down and patronising and of the same kind of lets whip them up in to a crazed fervour mentality as Deal Or No Deal or The Million Pound Drop.:mad:

As a former Icesave depositor (directly due to the recommendations of this website) I know to my cost that after Martin had given me bad advice and the impression that depositing with the UK subsidiary of Icesave was as safe as a UK bank he then pulled down the shutters and simply hid from those us sweating over our savings when this proved not to be true.

competitionscafe

blahblahdoh wrote: »

I don't entirely agree. Firstly, MSE makes no secret of who supports them and who doesn't - it's spelled out clearly at the end of the article. Secondly, cashback sites are mentioned in the article, and the site even offers a cashback checker to help you find the best deal (for YOU, not for MSE).

But the links and information in the weekly newsletter (which goes out to over 5 million people) do not mention this. Most people will probably not click through to and read the entire article as well. In any case the possibility of higher cashback is only briefly mentioned in a lengthy article and you have to click on another link within the article to reveal the text containing that information:

It may be be possible to INCREASE the cashback ...

Occasionally, some energy companies pay even more if you switch directly via their websites or via cashback websites. Therefore, for the ultimate finesse, first use the comparison services to find the cheapest, then check the winner's website direct to see if it offers more cashback.

And also check if you can get more going via a cashback website both for the energy provider itself and, on rare occasions, for going to the comparison site, use the Cashback Sites Maximiser.

The quotation "Occasionally, some energy companies pay even more if you switch directly via their websites or via cashback websites" is also misleading as switching via a cashback site does not "occasionally" result in more cashback - it often does! Eg: current cashback from topcashback for a dual fuel switch: npower: £100; Scottish Power: £62; E.ON; £55; EDF: £80 compared to cashback of up to £35 via MSE.

By failing to make clear in the newsletter that people could possibly get much higher cashback by using the comparison sites for price comparison only and then going via a cashback site to make the actual switch, MSE is neglecting to mention what in many cases is the best (most moneysaving) offer for the consumer.

People should be made aware when they could possibly get £55/£80/£100 or more in cashback by using topcashback etc compared to the £30/case of wine by using MSE's links to energyhelpline/Moneysupermarket/uswitch etc without having to click through after reading the newsletter and then read an article where this is briefly mentioned. I understand the dilemma for MSE where they want to earn revenue too but you cannot be a self-proclaimed unbiased, "free of ads" 'consumer champion' (whose website by the way gets a huge amount of 'free advertising' on TV and radio [including the BBC] ) and then not clearly outline in your newsletter, the potential highest savings/most moneysaving offer to people.

I have also not had any problems with cashback being tracked or paid when switching supplier via topcashback (at least 5 different occasions over the past 3 years (also moved house twice during that time).
Of course cashback is never 100% guaranteed but then in theory neither is the cashback (or wine etc) offered by the comparison websites.

donaldtramp

Lets not forget the tabloid style articles about the nasty cashback websites....

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/shopping/2010/08/over-40-of-cashback-site-users-dont-get-paid

More than four in ten cashback site users have not received payment after shopping online, a study claims.
Some 41% had made a complaint to a website about not receiving their monetary reward, research firm Consumer Intelligence reveals.
Meanwhile, 37% of those who complained say they never received a rebate (see the Top Cashback Sites, Cheap Online Shopping guides).

That's not my experience at all. I've quite happily switched gas and elecy several times and have made a lot of cash in the process.

And remember folks,
cashback is never 100% guaranteed and neither is the cashback (or wine etc) offered by the comparison websites.

I'd take the cash every time. I can buy several bottles of wine myself(and keep the change) with the £100 on offer to switch on Quidco or Topcashback.
I rather not "help" Martin's website when it costs ME money.

I thought it would "never affect the websites advice"?

It blatantly is......

NonGeographicalMan

donaldtramp wrote: »

That's not my experience at all. I've quite happily switched gas and elecy several times and have made a lot of cash in the process.

Same here. The cash back may take two or three months to be paid and you may have to come up with a contract number or two (EDF Energy being the most difficult here) but it does always seem to get paid in the end.

I'd take the cash every time. I can buy several bottles of wine myself(and keep the change) with the £100 on offer to switch on Quidco or Topcashback.
I rather not "help" Martin's website when it costs ME money.

I thought it would "never affect the websites advice"?

It blatantly is......

I think he only claims it won't affect him recommending that switching energy supplier will save you money. He never said you couldn't make more money through switching by switching elsewhere. But I agree that the pious claims of this website to be some sort of consumer champion do ring distinctly hollow in this area.

The similar constant encouragements of this website for people to put their savings in dodgy offshore banks only to claim it was nothing to do with this website when they went belly up shows that the site was far more interested in getting people to switch than in their money remaining safe and secure.:eek::mad:

jermo

Hi all,

I am with npower std and have decided to go with npower sign online 20. Does anyone know which conversion sites will give me cash back (or wine:beer:) if i switch tarrifs but stick with the same company?

Cheers

NonGeographicalMan

jermo wrote: »

I am with npower std and have decided to go with npower sign online 20. Does anyone know which conversion sites will give me cash back (or wine:beer:) if i switch tarrifs but stick with the same company

Unfortunately none of them will give you cashback for changing tariff with your current supplier.

You have to switch to a different energy company to qualify for cashback. That's the modern 20th century marketing man's idea of loyalty. Namely if you don't move and are loyal you must be a price unsensitive IT illiterate or otherwise a busy time pressured rich git who can be exploited as much as possible without needing to be given any sort of financial rewards.

deaninengland

Hi

I am in the process of switching to Scottish and Southern Energy (S&SE)only to find out that they're upping their tarriff.

Should I cancel the switch or continue?

Thanks

Premier_2

deaninengland wrote: »

Hi

I am in the process of switching to Scottish and Southern Energy (S&SE)only to find out that they're upping their tarriff.

Should I cancel the switch or continue?

Thanks

That will all depend on whether you wish to continue with the switch to SSE or remain with your existing supplier (or perhaps go to another supplier) all of which are expected to be increasing their prices shortly too ... if Martin & his team are correct in their predictions.

As the article currently says

If you don't want to risk further unaffordable price hikes opt for an online fixed tariff, which guarantees to stay at the current price for a set time.

Having said that, I predict that SSE won't be increasing their gas prices again for another 12 months anyway

ErimusTB

Hi I've just switched to the S&S iplan Domestic Standard tariff - which seems to be a hybrid scheme by name but i can't seem to find what exactly it is... is it still worth it? - new user here so hope i'm right place to ask such questions

Doc_N

ErimusTB wrote: »

Hi I've just switched to the S&S iplan Domestic Standard tariff - which seems to be a hybrid scheme by name but i can't seem to find what exactly it is... is it still worth it? - new user here so hope i'm right place to ask such questions

I think you'll find that the best place for questions like this is the company's own website or their helpline.

https://www.southern-electric.co.uk/GasAndElectricity/iplanHowItWorks/