Utility Fixed Rates

Golfer12

I'm looking at fixing my utility rates but I find that NO rate (certainly from OVO) is the same.
I have just spoken to Ovo on the phone asking what their fixed rates were and they differ quite a bit from a friend who is a customer of Ovo's and lives about a mile away. The main difference is the Electric standing charge, he pays 54.86p per day and I was quoted 63.59p per day. Is this normal for both Gas and Electric prices to be different for the same scheme? 

Netexporter

Are you close to the boundary of two DNO areas? Standing charges and unit rates vary by area. Are you sure it is exactly the same tariff (look at the version number)? You friend may be on a previous version, with a cheaper standing charge for the duration. New quotes will be at the current, higher, rates.

Gerry1

It's not the full explanation in this case but when comparing, always remember that the rates shown on a bill exclude 5% VAT.

spot1034

Also is your method of payment the same - paying by cheque on receipt of bill is more expensive than by monthly direct debit.

Golfer12

Gerry, 1'm comparing like for like.  Both prices are including VAT and my friends Tariff was only started beginning of September.

Ildhund

I'm used to the vagaries of OVO's tariffs, and some of their fixed-rate offerings have been changing weekly of late. What are these two called? And which region are you both in? If you don't know, it's the first two digits of the 13-digit MPAN ID.
You can see all the current tariffs on their Plans page. It's a pain to navigate because of the many duplications.

BarelySentientAI

Golfer12 said:

Gerry, 1'm comparing like for like.  Both prices are including VAT and my friends Tariff was only started beginning of September.

Exactly the same tariff version looking at exactly the same period for exactly the same licence area and exactly the same payment method will be like for like, and the prices will be the same.

If they're not the same prices, then at least one of those things is not exactly the same.