Elderly Parents getting Ripped Off

xlnc99

Gerry1 said:

The rates are far better than your parents' present ones which are about to expire and probably become even more expensive on the standard tariff.  Ebico and Robin Hood are both non-profit, the latter being run by Nottingham City Council.  I found Gulf were fine, I switched to Robin Hood only to get the super deal (the one that you just missed).

ebico and robin hood are the cheapest both identical in price. Which is the better option? Having looked around other sites, looks like this deal is the best at 724. Gutted about missing out the other deal but its gone now unfortunately. This still represents a saving so im happy. Just concerned about the reviews - Is this gonna be an issue for me if there are any problems going forward? Id rather pay an extra 30 poound to a company who has great reviews for their service

Gerry1

Did you bypass U-Switch's default to expensive commission based suppliers?

xlnc99

Gerry1 said:

The rates are far better than your parents' present ones which are about to expire and probably become even more expensive on the standard tariff.  Ebico and Robin Hood are both non-profit, the latter being run by Nottingham City Council.  I found Gulf were fine, I switched to Robin Hood only to get the super deal (the one that you just missed).

• Do your parents qualify for Warm Home Discount / Priority Services Register?

how do i no if they do qualify for this?
They are both 70+ and pensioners. 

xlnc99

Gerry1 said:

Did you bypass U-Switch's default to expensive commission based suppliers?

i am not sure, i just went to their website and filled the details in. How would i by pass this?

Gerry1

xlnc99 said:

Gerry1 said:

The rates are far better than your parents' present ones which are about to expire and probably become even more expensive on the standard tariff.  Ebico and Robin Hood are both non-profit, the latter being run by Nottingham City Council.  I found Gulf were fine, I switched to Robin Hood only to get the super deal (the one that you just missed).

ebico and robin hood are the cheapest both identical in price. Which is the better option? Having looked around other sites, looks like this deal is the best at 724. Gutted about missing out the other deal but its gone now unfortunately. This still represents a saving so im happy. Just concerned about the reviews - Is this gonna be an issue for me if there are any problems going forward? Id rather pay an extra 30 poound to a company who has great reviews for their service

Ebico (Equitable Billing Company) had religious roots and is a white label of Robin Hood.

You pays yer (parents') money and you takes yer chances !

Gerry1

xlnc99 said:

Gerry1 said:

Did you bypass U-Switch's default to expensive commission based suppliers?

i am not sure, i just went to their website and filled the details in. How would i by pass this?

Most commercial sites hide the best deals; you have to click on 'Filter', 'Show me suppliers that you can't switch me to', 'Show wider market' or similar.  It's seldom very obvious, so you've missed the best deals with them.  That's why it's far better to start with Citizens Advice and 'Switch with Which?'.

Gerry1

xlnc99 said:

Gerry1 said:

• Do your parents qualify for Warm Home Discount / Priority Services Register?

how do i no if they do qualify for this?
They are both 70+ and pensioners. 

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/environmental-programmes/warm-home-discount-whd-scheme

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/consumers/household-gas-and-electricity-guide/extra-help-energy-services/priority-services-register

xlnc99

Ok i have gone through various websites and looked at the deals. Robin hood and Ebico are the best but the next best are SO ENERGY (40 pound more annually).

I am looking at the SO ENERGY because they have 4000 reviews on TRUST PILOT and basically 5 stars. On top of that, CAB gave them 4 stars and google reviews have them at 5stars.

ROBIN and EBICO have poor ratings everywhere and having read reviews on trust pilot and googles people are complaining about them hiking prices, giving wrong pricing, cannot get through to them, scams and all sorts.

I think for me its better paying the additional 40 pound to get a 5 star company to save the hasssle. ITs still a big saving on what is being paid now

What are your thoughts

Gerry1

Never trust ANY reviews on TrustPilot !

You'd think that those Fischer non-storage storage heaters were the best thing since sliced bread...

Robin9

Go for SO then   - there will always be better things out there.

Google is your friend : -  
Research Warm Home Discount - your parents will need to be on certain benefits but can be worth £140 a year
Research Priority Services Register - one benefit can be having the meter reader to call