Fixed deals

Mstty

That's true and there have been people here that mention deals only on their account they can join but don't seem open to the masses.

As I understand it the people that attended that meeting from the energy supplier side agreed to make those deals more transparent? But don't know the timescales for this and most secret deals appear to have been pulled.

pochase

If you follow the link to the "flash sales" it refers to an Octopus deal in October where they a had a deal 1% cheaper than SVT in October for a limited number of customers.

What the Sun does not mention is that Octopus gave a discount to double to this to "loyal" customers on the standing charge. I believe it was all customers who were at least 6 months with them.

Most of the "secret" deals are secret because only existing customers can go onto them, and therefore only they can see them. Would not really help a lot if you can see them and when you try to get onto them you get a "computer says no".

In addition as described by @spot1034 you might need to get actively onto the website of your supplier and check if there are deals available, they might not be promoted by email.

SUPERGIRL2020

I have gone on the edf app and website and they are offering deals from £347 a month which is utterly insane considering Ive been paying £100 per month normally 

Mstty

If you are coming off a fixed deal it could well be right.

Do you have any debt on your account?

What is your annual usage?

What price in pence per kWh are you currently paying?

EssexHebridean

I've taken the plunge and jumped to Green - admittedly there are more factors at play for us than just price - the desperate need to escape from Utility Warehouse who are on a one-company mission to make it completely impossible for us to build up any sort of meaningful credit ahead of the winter months for a start - but still, looking at what we expect to pay once the October increase bites, being on a fix until next Autumn definitely appeals. I did a very rough metaphorical fag-packet calculation yesterday afternoon and even if the increase to electricity rates is only 50%, and standing charges remain the same, worst case scenario is we'll break even on where we would have been. if the threatened 60%+ increase happens though, with a further rise in January as seems likely, we'll definitely be saving. Downside is - in theory - that we have to increase our DD more than I would like now - but as I plan to immediately switch to variable DD anyway, this isn't so much of an issue. Everything above what we actually pay for the next few months will be stashed away into savings ready to pay the higher bills when they arrive in the colder months. 

pochase

EssexHebridean said:

I've taken the plunge and jumped to Green - admittedly there are more factors at play for us than just price - the desperate need to escape from Utility Warehouse who are on a one-company mission to make it completely impossible for us to build up any sort of meaningful credit ahead of the winter months for a start - but still, looking at what we expect to pay once the October increase bites, being on a fix until next Autumn definitely appeals. I did a very rough metaphorical fag-packet calculation yesterday afternoon and even if the increase to electricity rates is only 50%, and standing charges remain the same, worst case scenario is we'll break even on where we would have been. if the threatened 60%+ increase happens though, with a further rise in January as seems likely, we'll definitely be saving. Downside is - in theory - that we have to increase our DD more than I would like now - but as I plan to immediately switch to variable DD anyway, this isn't so much of an issue. Everything above what we actually pay for the next few months will be stashed away into savings ready to pay the higher bills when they arrive in the colder months. 

I think somebody mentioned that they will automatically put you on variable direct debit if you join as a new customer. At least that is what happened to him/her.

Mrs_F_2017

I have also just gone for the Green fixed deal - Sparkling 2023 v6 and it automatically sets up variable direct debit from the info I read. 

I’m quite good at budgeting, but have never used a variable direct debit before for energy so will be a bit of a learning curve for me. 

I’ll stash by Bulb credit straight aside for winter bills. 

Mike360

Mrs_F_2017 said:

I have also just gone for the Green fixed deal - Sparkling 2023 v6 and it automatically sets up variable direct debit from the info I read. 

I’m quite good at budgeting, but have never used a variable direct debit before for energy so will be a bit of a learning curve for me. 

I’ll stash by Bulb credit straight aside for winter bills. 

Is variable direct debit where you give them meter readings each month so that you pay what you've used?

Mstty

You can change it to fixed with them they mention that on their website 

EssexHebridean

Ahh that makes life even easier then - thanks all, I was assuming I'd have to watch for them setting up a fixed one then change it after month one! 

@Mike360 yes - so you get lower bills in summer, and painfully eye-watering ones in winter if you use electricity for heating!