Utility Warehouse - Is it too good to be true?

MWT

FreeBear said:

... and the few suppliers taking new customers will only really want to do so on even more expensive fixed deals.

Not true for Octopus & EDF (the most commonly mentioned switch targets) they are accepting people onto their standard variable tariffs...

t0rt0ise

OP, also some quotes of unit rates include VAT and some don't, so make sure you are comparing like with like.

aoleks

I'm with UW and they're exactly what you would expect from a utility firm:

a straight forward utility provider that sells me gas and electricity. prices are "good" (they should be the same everywhere, I'm aware), bills are accurate if you provide readings, direct debits reflect actual consumption and their website is very easy to use. haven't had to use the customer service, except when I signed up, to update a few things on my bills.

not too pushy with smart meters, they tried twice and gave up.

Garnigo_Tarmeister

[Deleted User] said:

The app is showing the old October OFGEM cap rates, not the EPG rates.

I expect you to actually be charged 42.68p/day and 35.32p/kWh for your electricity, 28.48p/day and 10.296p/kWh for your gas based on the details you have given.

Thank you! That makes the difference minimal between UW and EON, really appreciate this.

Thanks every for your feedback and replies.

StocktonFlyer

I'm with Utility Warehouse and didn't sign up through any pyramid selling scheme or agent, but through the MSE Cheap Energy Club as it was showing as the cheapest provider last September when my previous fix expired. I am on their Value tarrif with no other services (just Gas and Electric), and if I type in the OFGEM typical use then my new rates come in at £50 less than the £2500 cap. As it is I pay £300 more than the cap as my electric usage is a lot more than "typical", but I can't complain about that.
The Customer Service seems fine, never had to wait for the phone to be answered, and polite. However I have never actually had a problem or complaint, so I can't comment on how they deal with that.
My only negative comment is their billing and account review is very basic, but I've ended up underpaying rather than overpaying. The way they apply VAT is also a concern (to the DD amount rather than billed amount) but as I have been underpaying then that has also worked in my favour.
So that's my unbiased review. I'm still looking at other providers though as that always makes sense.

MWT

StocktonFlyer said:

The way they apply VAT is also a concern (to the DD amount rather than billed amount) but as I have been underpaying then that has also worked in my favour.

I've not seen one of their bills, but this is an aspect that can look confusing...

If they are deducting VAT from the DD payment, then adding the net amount to your balance,they will then calculate your bill for the amount used net of VAT and deduct that from the balance.

The alternative is that they do not deduct the VAT from the payments, but then add the VAT to the bill before deducting it from your account balance.

Both will give the same result.

t0rt0ise

StocktonFlyer said:

I'm with Utility Warehouse and didn't sign up through any pyramid selling scheme or agent, but through the MSE Cheap Energy Club as it was showing as the cheapest provider last September when my previous fix expired. I am on their Value tarrif with no other services (just Gas and Electric), and if I type in the OFGEM typical use then my new rates come in at £500 less than the £2500 cap. As it is I pay £300 more than the cap as my electric usage is a lot more than "typical", but I can't complain about that.
The Customer Service seems fine, never had to wait for the phone to be answered, and polite. However I have never actually had a problem or complaint, so I can't comment on how they deal with that.
My only negative comment is their billing and account review is very basic, but I've ended up underpaying rather than overpaying. The way they apply VAT is also a concern (to the DD amount rather than billed amount) but as I have been underpaying then that has also worked in my favour.
So that's my unbiased review. I'm still looking at other providers though as that always makes sense.

That's odd because on their website it says you will save £12 on just energy compared with the new cap.

lisyloo

I had a look at them recently.
the idea of saving money by having more services with them was attractive.
however when I looked at it in detail it didn’t stack up.

for example, mobile phone, internet was all more expensive - “ah but you’ll get a discount on your energy”.
sorry didn’t stack up when I did the sums and looked at it in detail

Garnigo_Tarmeister

lisyloo said:

I had a look at them recently.
the idea of saving money by having more services with them was attractive.
however when I looked at it in detail it didn’t stack up.

for example, mobile phone, internet was all more expensive - “ah but you’ll get a discount on your energy”.
sorry didn’t stack up when I did the sums and looked at it in detail

Yes my friend mentioned that savings are more with more services, but I pointed out my only other expense aside from gas and electricity was my broadband and phone line and I pay £20 for that, so they would have to go some to beat that!

Garnigo_Tarmeister

EON have now update the tariff details on my account and yes the difference by going with UW is roughly a £2 saving per year (based on average usage) so not worth considering.