Experiences with joining a new supplier and switching to their existing customer tariff

Billyrayvalentine999

Hi there,

apologies if this question has been answered before, I'm sure it will have been but I haven't been able to find a thread.

I've just used the tool to check the predicted viability of switching from my 

Sainsbury's Standard Variable (Electricity)

Prices follow wholesale costs

27.18p/kWh58.28p/day

and 

Sainsbury's Standard Variable (Gas)

Prices follow wholesale costs

7.10p/kWh29.11p/day


to

 E.on Next
Next Fixed 12m v3

The result was "borderline" and there wasn't a huge difference in price, so I'm guessing that the 'Next Pledge' tariff for existing customers should give me a small (predicted) saving over the course of the year.

Does anyone have any experience of joining a new company and then switching to a cheaper tariff? I'm assuming they don't let you but if you don't ask, you don't get!

Thanks,

Kieran.

EssexHebridean

I assume you have checked the T's  and C's for the Next Pledge tariff to ensure that there isn't anything in there about needing to have been a customer on a particular date, to rule out the option of switching then changing? 

Gerry1

There won't be a problem switching within the same company unless there's something in the Ts&Cs that you don't meet, e.g. not owning an EV or refusing a smart meter.

Right now it's not so much about saving money with a slightly cheaper tariff, it's more about a year's peace of mind.

The chances of prices falling dramatically are fairly small, and if by some miracle they did do so then it might be worth paying the exit fee.  OTOH, there are so many instabilities around the world that might cause prices to rocket even more, so you'd be protected against those events.

FWIW I've fixed with Octopus and BG, but what's right for me may not be right for you; similarly, past performance may not be a reliable guide to the future.  Basically you have to decide what feels right for you depending on your personal circumstances and your attitude to risk: you then place your bets then sit back and watch what happens !

Billyrayvalentine999

EssexHebridean said:

I assume you have checked the T's  and C's for the Next Pledge tariff to ensure that there isn't anything in there about needing to have been a customer on a particular date, to rule out the option of switching then changing? 

Thanks for replying.  Yes, I can't see anything in the T's and C's, which I guess is a good start.  I've sent them a Whatsapp message and I might just ask the advisor straight out if this will be a problem.

Billyrayvalentine999

Gerry1 said:

There won't be a problem switching within the same company unless there's something in the Ts&Cs that you don't meet, e.g. not owning an EV or refusing a smart meter.

Right now it's not so much about saving money with a slightly cheaper tariff, it's more about a year's peace of mind.

The chances of prices falling dramatically are fairly small, and if by some miracle they did do so then it might be worth paying the exit fee.  OTOH, there are so many instabilities around the world that might cause prices to rocket even more, so you'd be protected against those events.

FWIW I've fixed with Octopus and BG, but what's right for me may not be right for you; similarly, past performance may not be a reliable guide to the future.  Basically you have to decide what feels right for you depending on your personal circumstances and your attitude to risk: you then place your bets then sit back and watch what happens !

Thanks, Gerry.  That's good to hear.  I think you're right, there isn't going to be much of a saving and I'm happy with the peace of mind that my tariff isn't going to change.