Recent Shell Energy Price Hike

VXman

Asked for clarification and got this:

Dec 14, 2020, 13:14 GMT Hello *******, The credit supplied to you from any promotional offers, is unable to be returned in the form of a cashback alternative. It will be used to cover any remaining billing but we will be unable to refund any of the promotional credit back to you in the form of cash or card refund. We’re here to help If you’ve got any more questions, please email me back and I’ll be happy to help. There’s also some useful information on our website under help and advice Thanks, The Shell Energy Broadband Team

pallyman

Yes,has when signing up it stated bill credit so if you got £120 it will be better staying with them most likely.

alandaniel132

No anybody who signed up after September 2020 is already on the new price system so there will be no further increase

VXman

alandaniel132 said:

No anybody who signed up after September 2020 is already on the new price system so there will be no further increase

That's for after 1st Sept/from 2nd Sept. My service started 1st Sept and  I'm getting £1 price increase.

stojom

Try plusnet they say no increase during contract. Was caught once by post office who stated no broadband charge increase then put up phone rental. Crafty.

Nardge

My initial thoughts in the comments section of the original MSE article that detailed the price-hikes:

"I don't see the problem folks. 1) Shell Energy have credited my account with the £120, so I could quite easily leave and make a profit if I'm not mistaken? 2) Should I choose to remain, a £1/month increase is 'only' £8 more over the contract's 12-month lifetime (Aug 2020 - Aug 2021)? Still better than anyone else for fibre broadband!"

Thanks to you folk on this thread I now know I can't make a profit, so won't be trying! My second point holds true though - even if to pay £8 more till the contract's expiry, it still outclasses all existing equivalent current offers!

With Kind Regards

phillw

35moss said:

so I'll have paid £59.94 for 6 months broadband.

A bargain, I believe. And I will be leaving them to take advantage of their largesse whilst trying to bilk customers mid contract.

For about 18 months I made money on broadband, it's just the luck of the draw (although I did research what month they increased bills and picked based on ones that would pay cashback before then). I'm hoping for another price rise in six months
I just received an email from them "As part of your new broadband plan, you’re eligible for Google Chromecast and Nest Hub worth up to £109.99 RRP, at no additional cost."
I wonder if you can get that before you leave.

phillw

Nardge said:

it still outclasses all existing equivalent current offers!

Is there nobody else offering cash back?

MiserlyMartin

alandaniel132 said:

No anybody who signed up after September 2020 is already on the new price system so there will be no further increase

Me too, they are saying £1 in their email T&C's. The price before promo discounts is £26.66. This increase is supposed to be for CPI. If you work out CPI being 0.6% on £26.66 is only 16p so I don't know where they get their £1 increase from due to CPI!

I was supposed to get the £120 credit but only got £95. There was something in the email saying the £100 would be credited and the rfest being in the VAT section £20 but that is wrong. What is it with Shell energy, why do they have to have the most confusing billing system in the UK>? See below:

One off charges

27th Nov 2020

• Promo Credit 50
  £83.32credit
• Promo Credit 20
  £16.66credit
• Total one off charges
  £99.98credit

• Total before VAT
  £79.15credit
• VAT at 20%
  £15.83credit

Total charges:

£94.98credit

This is wrong isn't it?

MiserlyMartin

VXman said:

Asked for clarification and got this:

Dec 14, 2020, 13:14 GMT Hello *******, The credit supplied to you from any promotional offers, is unable to be returned in the form of a cashback alternative. It will be used to cover any remaining billing but we will be unable to refund any of the promotional credit back to you in the form of cash or card refund. We’re here to help If you’ve got any more questions, please email me back and I’ll be happy to help. There’s also some useful information on our website under help and advice Thanks, The Shell Energy Broadband Team

I have just read through the T's and C's and it seems that you can leave if they increase the price without paying early termination charges, but as ever, the document reads very badly and has condition after condition.

"10.3 Subject to Condition10.4, you may terminate this Contract at anytime without incurring the Early Termination Charge:(a)by giving us at least 30days’notice where you have a right to end the Contract under Condition 6.2 (unless such price increase arises under Conditions 6.4) ...."

I see nothing in there about promotional credits cannot be refunded by cash or card, the credit was part of the deal. It is not our fault they have broken the contract by applying a price rise, leaving us at a material disadvantage, so we should be within our rights to cancel  - to no disadvantage - any credit should be refunded. I may check with the watchdog about this.