Energy Supplier that does not do credit checks

Keu

I have been switched to Shell Energy as SOLR, I downloaded their terms and find them particularly onerous, they also use credit check and obtain a credit score despite the fact that I will not be getting credit. and they say they will look you up on Land Registry, Companies House as well as voters roll ! 

I spoke to their call centre as they still have not created my account and we only have 10 days to end of month, I really did not like their attitude to customers either, they seem to treat customers as cattle rather than valued.  The say they will charge you more if you do not do Direct Debit. I did not think that was allowed but just another example of bad culture and attitude in my opinion.

I do not mind energy companies like Scottish Power who do not do credit checks UNLESS you get into debt or do a runner, I know I will not get a better price than OFGEM cap so I thought that for once I might as well switch to someone with good customer service and and who does not do credit checks, not light touch check or any check. I really resent them.

I also do not want a company that insists on a smart meter for their variable tariff, I will never have one of those.

I previously liked SSE but I gather they are now part of OVO, they and BOOST are the worst in my experience, absolute contempt for customers.

Another thing that is important to me is billing, Shell Energy has a 24 hour windows for providing reads! I thought Green was bad with 5 day window.

Previously I had quarterly billing but I do not mind paying monthly and by Direct Debit, as long as I can determine the DD amount, I am not a bank and I will pay only what is due.

The narrow window for reads seems to be warning sign for smaller companies who need money urgently.  Previous suppliers before Green used to bill me for January by the 3rd week of Feb with an estimate if I had not provided a read.  That seemed fair enough, I like accurate bills and I use an app to bill form 1st to 1st of month, but I might not be a home on 1st so I want some flexibility.

Sorry it is a long message, these are issues I think we should all consider and now we are all grabbing our ankles service and flexibility are key.

So I was hoping you fine people might have some suggestions of good energy company based on the above criteria.

QrizB

You won't get a credit account with any energy supplier without a credit check.

LippyDoodle

Don't it tell you when doing a switch online that credit checks will be done or am I dreaming?

bristolleedsfan

QrizB said:

You won't get a credit account with any energy supplier without a credit check.

https://www.moneysupermarket.com/gas-and-electricity/no-credit-check/  Feb 2021

"At the time of writing, EDF is the only major provider that will not require you to pass a credit check"

QrizB

bristolleedsfan said:

QrizB said:

You won't get a credit account with any energy supplier without a credit check.

https://www.moneysupermarket.com/gas-and-electricity/no-credit-check/  Feb 2021

"At the time of writing, EDF is the only major provider that will not require you to pass a credit check"

Thanks, that's me told

elsien

A company can give a discount for paying by direct debit. That’s not unlawful and isn’t exclusive to Shell energy. 

MWT

Keu said:

I have been switched to Shell Energy as SOLR, I downloaded their terms and find them particularly onerous, they also use credit check and obtain a credit score despite the fact that I will not be getting credit. and they say they will look you up on Land Registry, Companies House as well as voters roll !

You wish to consume their energy before you pay for it, they wish to be sure you have a decent track record of actually paying your bills, doesn't seem unreasonable...

Keu said:

The say they will charge you more if you do not do Direct Debit. I did not think that was allowed but just another example of bad culture and attitude in my opinion.

The Ofgem cap is a matrix of different prices for different payment methods and meter types (single rate, multi-rate, Prepayment).

It is explicitly allowed for a supplier to charge a higher price for those who want a credit tariff without a DD.

Keu said:

I do not mind energy companies like Scottish Power who do not do credit checks UNLESS you get into debt or do a runner, I know I will not get a better price than OFGEM cap so I thought that for once I might as well switch to someone with good customer service and and who does not do credit checks, not light touch check or any check. I really resent them.

Some might think that checking a credit rating only after the customer is already in debt or has 'done a runner' is a bit too late, but the main flaw in your plan is that you currently can't get onto the capped standard variable rate with the vast majority of suppliers by switching as they are not accepting new customers that are going to cost them money right now....

Unless you want to roll the dice on an expensive fixed tariff you are generally better off staying where you are for now...

Ultrasonic

Keu said:

I also do not want a company that insists on a smart meter for their variable tariff, I will never have one of those.

I bet there's a good chance you'll eventually have no choice, but I don't think smart meters are something to be worried about.

Do you have a specific reason to not want a credit check completed? If not I'd honestly stop worrying about all of the points you've raised and just let Shell do their thing. 

macman

Unless you have a PAYG meter, how exactly do you come to the conclusion that you won't be getting credit, via a credit meter?

Keu

macman said:

Unless you have a PAYG meter, how exactly do you come to the conclusion that you won't be getting credit, via a credit meter?

Simples, because an invoice is produced monthly and I pay by direct debit for amount used

The Energy companies hold excesses hundreds of millions of customers money and were so bad at returning it that rules had to be brought in to make them show the amount in credit and force them to repay within 28 days of a request. So me thinks they can afford the few days between a bill being raised and the DD going out.

Keu

Don't it tell you when doing a switch online that credit checks will be done or am I dreaming?

I did not switch I was SOLR but I have managed to achieve credit account because I have a credit meter which I pay promptly.

I have had at least three suppliers do so.

I had one supplier I never even registered with, I paid quarterly when they sent a paper bill to "the occupier"

Of course if they have made the market tighter it is because they can use the 13bn we paid them for smart meters, what idiots fell for that.  The only benefit was to energy companies who no longer need meter readers, get paid monthly instead of quarterly and who can flip you to PAYG at an extortionate rate in a heartbeat.