Confusion on comparison site ( Energy)

Phones4Chris

You haven't told us what region you are in which I asked several posts back 
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81002988/#Comment_81002988

Electricity rates vary by region, Some companies MAY offer different gas prices on some fixed deals but again that could depend on region.
Is that Gas usage of 17000kWh (I assume that's what you are correctly giving) a good typical figure, because when comparing there'll be a trade off between Standing charge and Unit price. The other thing you need to just make a note of is any exit fees on a fixed tariff should the point be reached you want to change provider for some reason.

How long is that BG Fixed tariff for? At the moment the Standing charges look quite good BUT the Gas Unit price seems high and as you are a High user that needs to be taken into account.

Just for example doing a comparison of your Gas Fixed figures against another provider for my region (so not a true reflection but will show the principle) the difference in Standing Charge is 6.17p per day less with BG so x365 days is £22.52 less p.a. but the Unit cost is 0.4p more, so x17000kWh that's £68 p.a. more. Not so good as your overall £46.50 more expensive - it'll go up or down a bit if your usage goes up or down a bit.

I hope you can now see why we are asking for so much detail about Region, Unit costs and Standing charges in the quotes as well as knowing a good estimate of total usage on Electric and Gas.

firsttimeever

South West

Phones4Chris

Hmm. Well, by coincidence that is my region, so the Gas figures I've just mentioned are a good comparison. For the electricity the comparison was 14.39p per day more expensive so £52.52 per annum, but unit cost 0.52p less so £13.52 less, so overall £39 less with BG. 
So for Gas & Elec BG are £46.50 - £39 = £7.50 p.a. more expensive! hardly worth worrying about, your gas usage could change that plus or minus. So I'd be trading off in my mind, customer service, and exit fees for each provider (that's assuming you want to stick with one provider for Gas and Electricity rather than split them).
How long was the BG fix and exit fees?

Which other providers and what Unit cost and Standing charges for fixed deals looked good on your comparison site.

firsttimeever

Everyone's been really helpful but I got brain fog understanding it all  . I provided as much info in the last few days and I'm none the wisers. 

I'm throwing in the towel and leaving my variable with BG . I may lose £100 plus I may not .

Unless you are an expert ( I'm not) it is a  fruitless exercise understanding the process. Serves me right thinking things are straight forward !  

Thanks for everyone's help !.

Phones4Chris

Since I posted the above, I'm thinking about this and what you've told us. Unless some of the other providers are coming close to what we've looked at so far, considering your situation etc, PERSONALLY (and this is a very personal view) I would go with the BG Fixed deal unless you are unhappy with BG for some reason. They have had some examples of bad customer service, but others have had no problem.
By sticking with BG you save yourself the hassle (and yes sometimes it can be a hassle!) of changing providers. As I said this is a very personal view, others may have a different opinion!

Phones4Chris

Your brain fog post didn't appear before I posted my last. So my thinking - my opinion was right.
Save yourself the hassle and a few quid overall compared to now, GO WITH THE BG FIXED DEAL.
(Especially as it's a 1yr fix, sorry, missed that earlier).

firsttimeever

Thank you phones4chris. 

Gerry1

I have to disagree about BG.

• BG can be almost impossible to contact by phone (forever on hold) and it's a chargeable number unless you're on the Priority Services Register.

Chat is similarly impossible, like wading through treacle and only usable with the simplest of issues.

IIRC there are hefty exit fees even if you switch to BG's variable tariff.  And it only lasts a year.

• Octopus are easy to contact by phone, it's a loud and clear freephone call, and their agents are easy to understand.

They also publish various email addresses and respond reasonably quickly.  Their app is also very good.

No exit fees so you can reset the clock if they launch a cheaper 15M fix.

• You can get £50 by using a referral code to sign up, with more £50s each time you refer a friend.

• I'd suggest switching to Octopus by phone.  If it all goes well you'll have the confidence to stay, if it's not a good experience you can choose not to proceed or to change your mind and leave without any penalty.

Phones4Chris

@Gerry1 you just aren't listening are you. @firsttimeever has clearly stated about "brain-fog". I could see it going that way when I made my post (before that one popped up).

The comparisons I made in my recent posts WERE as it happens with the Octopus 15M fix which I'd already advised about earlier in the thread, and BG works out at £7.50 p.a. more based on the figures quoted.
I also said that many people have had no issues with BG -  I have had no problem with them previously.

Whilst there are some/many plusses to Octopus in many respects (in both our views), there are people who've had bad experiences with them, so it's not always straight forward.

It should be plainly obvious to you that the hassle of changing provider is not something that @firsttimeever really wants considering what they've said. It may be relatively easy for geeks like us to cope with, but not so for such ordinary folk!

Let me list the points of hassle - true even for us - 
Making sure you've got accurate meter readings on the day of change (might be different days for Gas & Electric).
Making sure that the correct readings are on the new opening bill(s) of the new provider(s).
Making sure that the same readings are on the closing bill of the old provider (which may be weeks later).
Setting up a new direct debit with the new provider(s) and making sure it's at the correct level and one that was expected.
Making sure that the new direct debit is taken as and when expected.
Making sure that the old provider hasn't incorrectly taken a Direct debit that wasn't due, if so we are then into the game of making sure you get a refund - can take weeks sometimes.
When one get's the final bill from the old provider, making sure it's correct and making sure the final DD is taken correctly (or refund given). When that is complete, cancelling the old provider's DD with the Bank.

I rest my case

Gerry1

True, there are pros and cons with all suppliers.  But I think it's fair to say that there are far more pros with Octopus and far more cons with British Gas.  That's certainly the verdict of 'Which?': if you just want energy, Octopus is right at the top of the ratings list and BG is right at the bottom !

https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/energy-companies/article/best-and-worst-energy-companies/which-energy-survey-results-ajqM43e6ycY8

Of course, all that really matters is firsttimeever's perspective.  But I'd suggest that the ease of phoning a real person at Octopus may be very important to them.  Possibly also the ability to pay the whole Octopus bill by Monthly Variable Direct Debit.  OK, MVDD's not for everyone because the bills are higher in winter and lower in summer, but it certainly makes the bills much easier to understand, and Octopus bills couldn't be clearer.