SSE Airtricity - new name new contract?

skycatcher

My contract with SSE is due to end in Feb. From the comparision tool they would still be the cheapest supplier for me if I could get the 17% tariff but this is only available to new customers. If I put the contact in my wifes name would that constitute a new customer? Has anyone tried this? Their website is currenly down again as is their APP!

Thanks

Gummomarx

My contract has just run out - they're knocking me down from 15% (34.31p) to 10% (36.32p). Not renewing the contract doesn't stop you being a customer so I think it's not possible to be considered 'new' in order to get the 17%.  I'm going to call them in the morning to confirm if this is true (and the wife manoeuvre).

Meanwhile, Power NI is offering strangely cheap unit prices, although they may be after the EPG discount - you'd think they'd say.  If the worst come to the worst, because Power NI don't keep you on a contract, you could theoretically leave SSE, join Power NI for a week and go bck to SSE for the 17%.

Power NI:

 

skycatcher

Gummomarx said:

My contract has just run out - they're knocking me down from 15% (34.31p) to 10% (36.32p). Not renewing the contract doesn't stop you being a customer so I think it's not possible to be considered 'new' in order to get the 17%.  I'm going to call them in the morning to confirm if this is true (and the wife manoeuvre).

Meanwhile, Power NI is offering strangely cheap unit prices, although they may be after the EPG discount - you'd think they'd say.  If the worst come to the worst, because Power NI don't keep you on a contract, you could theoretically leave SSE, join Power NI for a week and go bck to SSE for the 17%.

Power NI:

 

Would you mind updating this thread after your cal to SSE re the "wife manoeuvre"! Also, I shall look into this powerNI tariff though imagine it does include the EPG but your pont about the penalty free to move away from powerNI is worth considering!

skycatcher

I've checked and those powerNI rates DO include the EPG discount.

sunshine

skycatcher said:

My contract with SSE is due to end in Feb. From the comparision tool they would still be the cheapest supplier for me if I could get the 17% tariff but this is only available to new customers. If I put the contact in my wifes name would that constitute a new customer? Has anyone tried this? Their website is currenly down again as is their APP!

Thanks

This was a few years ago, so I don't know if it's still the same.  With SSE you had to ring every year and get the cheaper rate.  They don't tell you about it - I found out accidentally, after paying a higher rate for a few years.  Was about to leave them and they said you had to ring up as it's a new contract.  It's worth a try.

Gummomarx

Power NI not an option then.  I'm awaiting callback from SSE - I'll let you know the craic.

Gummomarx

Just off the phone with SSE.

On the subject of the wife manoeuvre: the rep said it wouldn't work because the MPRN number would be the same meaning you wouldn't be a new customer.

On moving to Power NI: she wasn't entirely sure, but said it may work but there'd be administrative delay during both switches.

On my contract which ended 3 January: she offered me the same 15% that I'd been on despite the fact that the email from SSE (the day after my contract ended), offered only 10%.  I've renewed as I couldn't be footered doing the double-switch.  My new contract would only start today which means I've been on 4% for the past week week - so the lesson for me is: set a diary date for 51 weeks' time to make a new contract before I lose money again.

skycatcher

Gummomarx said:

Just off the phone with SSE.

On the subject of the wife manoeuvre: the rep said it wouldn't work because the MPRN number would be the same meaning you wouldn't be a new customer.

On moving to Power NI: she wasn't entirely sure, but said it may work but there'd be administrative delay during both switches.

On my contract which ended 3 January: she offered me the same 15% that I'd been on despite the fact that the email from SSE (the day after my contract ended), offered only 10%.  I've renewed as I couldn't be footered doing the double-switch.  My new contract would only start today which means I've been on 4% for the past week week - so the lesson for me is: set a diary date for 51 weeks' time to make a new contract before I lose money again.

Thanks for the update! If they offered me the same 20% discount I'm on I'd bite their hands off......will make that call but doubtful they'll offer that!

Gummomarx

Well, they renewed my 15% - maybe you'll get the 20.  How did you get it in the first place - as a new customer?

PS: Switch or agree the new contract before the old one ends or they'll knock you down to 4% until you do.

skycatcher

Gummomarx said:

Well, they renewed my 15% - maybe you'll get the 20.  How did you get it in the first place - as a new customer?

PS: Switch or agree the new contract before the old one ends or they'll knock you down to 4% until you do.

It was an offer they ran last February. I'll ring them now and let you know.

skycatcher

OK best they could/would do was the 15% discount so for ease I went with it.