How to change tariff mid fix?

AnnoyedEnergyUser

I am on a 18 month fixed tariff with eon,I was just coming to the end of one, It was before the drops had been announced, it was set up just as various wars looked as though they could get worse. So took the gamble and for the first three months they were lower than the first increase. But now with two successive decreases coming we are a good 20 pound a month above current tariffs and will go further above come Julys drop. To change the tariffs they have a 100 pound exit fee. But is there anything I can say or do to avoid this? I don't wish to exit eon just change the tariff, it seems they hold all the cards. My wife is on state pension and I earn minimum wage so earn just enough to avoid help. I am on top of my bills and feel it is wrong that I have to gamble on predicting future events just to not over pay for gas and electric.

BarelySentientAI

Sorry to be blunt, but that's what happens if you sign a fixed contract with an exit fee.  You didn't have to fix.

You can't say "it's wrong I have to gamble" when your fix looks bad if you weren't also thinking it was unfair that you paid less than others in the first three months.  That's have cake and eat it stuff.

Have you checked that the fee applies if you move to another E.ON tariff?  Sometimes the fee is only if you move to a different supplier.

oldagetraveller1

I am on my third E.on fix and each one has an exit fee. My previous one was to end in July, but I changed last month. However, that fee only applies if changing supplier. No fee when moving from one E.on tariff to another of their's.

Check the Ts & Cs of your tariff, or even contact them for confirmation of when the exit fees are charged.

AnnoyedEnergyUser

oldagetraveller1 said:

I am on my third E.on fix and each one has an exit fee. My previous one was to end in July, but I changed last month. However, that fee only applies if changing supplier. No fee when moving from one E.on tariff to another of their's.

Check the Ts & Cs of your tariff, or even contact them for confirmation of when the exit fees are charged.

did some digging in the email and have this

"An exit fee of £100 per fuel will be applied if you change product or supplier before your tariff end date."

Now it says product, doesn't say tariff though, as the product they sell is gas and electric and as I am having gas and electric and wont be moving supplier. 

I have a manager call back tomorrow. Will keep asking the question of them.

BarelySentientAI

AnnoyedEnergyUser said:

oldagetraveller1 said:

I am on my third E.on fix and each one has an exit fee. My previous one was to end in July, but I changed last month. However, that fee only applies if changing supplier. No fee when moving from one E.on tariff to another of their's.

Check the Ts & Cs of your tariff, or even contact them for confirmation of when the exit fees are charged.

did some digging in the email and have this

"An exit fee of £100 per fuel will be applied if you change product or supplier before your tariff end date."

Now it says product, doesn't say tariff though, as the product they sell is gas and electric and as I am having gas and electric and wont be moving supplier. 

I have a manager call back tomorrow. Will keep asking the question of them.

The tariff is the product.

You will get nowhere with that argument.

AnnoyedEnergyUser

BarelySentientAI said:

Sorry to be blunt, but that's what happens if you sign a fixed contract with an exit fee.  You didn't have to fix.

You can't say "it's wrong I have to gamble" when your fix looks bad if you weren't also thinking it was unfair that you paid less than others in the first three months.  That's have cake and eat it stuff.

Have you checked that the fee applies if you move to another E.ON tariff?  Sometimes the fee is only if you move to a different supplier.

You are correct and funnily enough match what my wife said "You gambled and you lost" But it seems quite a rigged system. All folks should pay the same price, I fix in some ways as loyalty to a brand, maybe you should get it cheaper based on, I will be a customer of yours for x amount of months, the same way you have to pay by direct debit and having both gas and electric from the same supplier. Just seems off that we all have to play this same game of predicting the future to pay a reasonable price for energy.

I am checking, the not moving clause element.

AnnoyedEnergyUser

BarelySentientAI said:

AnnoyedEnergyUser said:

oldagetraveller1 said:

I am on my third E.on fix and each one has an exit fee. My previous one was to end in July, but I changed last month. However, that fee only applies if changing supplier. No fee when moving from one E.on tariff to another of their's.

Check the Ts & Cs of your tariff, or even contact them for confirmation of when the exit fees are charged.

did some digging in the email and have this

"An exit fee of £100 per fuel will be applied if you change product or supplier before your tariff end date."

Now it says product, doesn't say tariff though, as the product they sell is gas and electric and as I am having gas and electric and wont be moving supplier. 

I have a manager call back tomorrow. Will keep asking the question of them.

The tariff is the product.

You will get nowhere with that argument.

You can but try and God loves em.... ;o)

BarelySentientAI

AnnoyedEnergyUser said:

BarelySentientAI said:

Sorry to be blunt, but that's what happens if you sign a fixed contract with an exit fee.  You didn't have to fix.

You can't say "it's wrong I have to gamble" when your fix looks bad if you weren't also thinking it was unfair that you paid less than others in the first three months.  That's have cake and eat it stuff.

Have you checked that the fee applies if you move to another E.ON tariff?  Sometimes the fee is only if you move to a different supplier.

You are correct and funnily enough match what my wife said "You gambled and you lost" But it seems quite a rigged system. All folks should pay the same price, I fix in some ways as loyalty to a brand, maybe you should get it cheaper based on, I will be a customer of yours for x amount of months, the same way you have to pay by direct debit and having both gas and electric from the same supplier. Just seems off that we all have to play this same game of predicting the future to pay a reasonable price for energy.

I am checking, the not moving clause element.

So you disagree with the concept of a fixed rate, because it is gambling, and yet you took one anyway?

If you want to pay what OFGEM determines is "a reasonable price for energy" at all times, then stick on the SVT.  It'll be the same regardless of supplier, and will often not be the cheapest, but you won't need to do any predicting at all.

bluelad1927

How is a system rigged. You undoubtedly  chose to go on a fixed tariff because the cost at the time suited you9

pseudodox

As a fellow pensioner and a relatively low user of energy I choose (at the mo) not to fix as I like certainty.  That is a gamble on my chance to save £££.  As said above you cannot have your cake and eat it.  If you gambled and fixed why should you benefit now from a free exit to a lower tariff any more than I should be able to turn round and say "hey I did not fix but now I want a refund of the money I could have saved if I had".  There is no rigged system, other than you are trying to rig it to suit you.

pallyman

Also your gas usage will be low during summer & your S/C will probably be lower than what they are now so.I took a fix till September & think it will have evened itself out mostly by then.