Is there a quote blacklist?

Brie

I've got a bit of a debt with my energy supplier.  I'm not worried about it, it will get paid.  They of course want it to be paid immediately which I am not in a position to do this week.  They'd like it cleared in full but are willing to simply double my monthly DDs.  

So I'm very aware that I'm not the customer some companies would like.  But does this blacklist me?  I've tried 2 different quote sites (Uswitch & MoneySuperMarket) and they both give me just 1 quote each.  Neither give me a chance to input any figures.  MSM gives assumed use which are a bit high.  

So unlike previous times I've looked for quotes and been given masses of choices now there's almost no choice.  

I am somewhat holding out for April to go on to a new fix but will I need to get an individual quote from 10 different companies???  Or are the comparison sites not quoting much of anything for anybody??

QrizB

There have been several reports that the comparison sites aren't giving many results, and several sites have simply shut down. It's suggested this is because energy retailers aren't generally offering referral fees to sites at the moment, as there's very small margins on retail energy.

It seems the only reliable way to compare prices is to visit the retailers own websites and request quotes directly. And most suppliers are offering similar tariffs.

Are you looking for anything in particular?

born_again

Given that prices are capped & fixed deals are few & far between. No energy companies are throwing bribes at the comparison sites for new customers.
So if you want to move, pick who you want to move to & use their site.

ArbitraryRandom

Energy comparison sites don't search your credit record when providing a quote (they look at the central database to pull the previous energy use for that postcode, but that's about it), so can't tell if you're in debt (they're different to quotes for things like insurance which can do a soft search if you give them your name/date of birth etc). 

If you think about it, if all the info you're giving them is the supply address and your estimated usage, they have no way of knowing if it's you (with your current debt) doing the search or someone who just moved in and is looking to open a new account. 

Be aware though, if you have debt on your account then your current supplier may refuse to allow you to switch until it's repaid.  

I'm in credit with Octopus atm and just done a search - the only result that came back was so energy 

MeteredOut

As above, comparison sites show their true colours when referrals fees stop - you basically get a very reduced view of the market (though the others can sometimes be found by changing the default filters).

At present, any major differences in quotes would be down to either the data you enter or the data the supplier uses as basis of the quote (if you don't give them exact kWh usage figures) - your actual bills will be pretty much within a few £ of each other, nomatter who you might select (though EoN Next has a slightly below cap tariff).

In any case, with a debt to your existing provider, you won't be able to move to another. Work with them to agree repayment plan that works for you. If you put forward a realistic offer but they don't accept, raise a complaint and if that does not resolve it, take it to the energy ombudsman after 8 weeks, and hopefully they'll help you work towards a resolution.

Note, however, the ombudsman will not just be easy on you, which is why you have to put forward a realistic offer you can afford. You'd then present that to the ombudsman as evidence.

I *very* much doubt there is a blacklist of any sort.

When you do get the debt clear, get a friend or family to refer you to Octopus, and you'll both get £50 credit.

bristolleedsfan

Uswitch i got So Energy and UW results

Click filter change option to include tariffs cannot switch via Uswitch

Got OVO, BG, Home Energy, SP, Eon Next, OFTM, EDF, Sainsburys Energy, COOP, Octopus, Utilita, Tullo, 100 Green  results.

Brie

QrizB said:

Are you looking for anything in particular?

Thanks all.

I guess the expected reduction in April will open things up a bit.  At that point I will be looking for a fix for dual energy and a variable DD.  I should at that point have the ££ to catch up on the arrears.  At least the energy firm has decided I can stick with my current DD for now, which is good as it is just under 20% of our household income. 

What really sticks though is that they confirmed that the average use amount that they quoted was the average from 3 Nov to 3 Feb.  So typical that they ignore all the months of the year when use is way down!!!

markin

If you have debt a switch would be blocked. People are making good savings on Octopus Tracker tariffs.

ArbitraryRandom

Brie said:

QrizB said:

Are you looking for anything in particular?

What really sticks though is that they confirmed that the average use amount that they quoted was the average from 3 Nov to 3 Feb.  So typical that they ignore all the months of the year when use is way down!!!

If it helps, we can show you how to work out what your DD 'should' be based on your average usage?

All you need is two readings from each meter (gas, electric/day and night if on E7) at least 12 months apart and your tariff details - both of which should be available on old bills in your energy account; double checking they're actual readings not estimated. Then there's a bit of conversion and it's easy maths

I know there's always things to do, but I like to check a couple of times a year to make sure things are still on track.  

Brie

ArbitraryRandom said:

If it helps, we can show you how to work out what your DD 'should' be based on your average usage?

Thanks but not necessary - I have it on a spread sheet so just needed to update the numbers and check I was using the current rates.  It seems to amaze any utility company that I've been with that I'm able to figure out what my DD should be rather than whatever fiction they try to peddle.  I particularly liked the one a few years back (Bulb?) that took January's figures, multiplied by 14 to get the annual amount and divided that by 10 to get what they felt the monthly DD should be.  Just a bit inflated.

FreeBear

markin said: People are making good savings on Octopus Tracker tariffs.

Not been on Tracker long, but currently saving around 32% over SVR.