Bad Timing

Bazman

Hi There,

Saw Martin's new show on chanel 5 tonight liked the show but was surpsied when he said not to change suppliers now? I realise most floating rates will rise and even capped rates probably reflect an elevated forward market.

However I think in my case it probably does make sense to switch but thought I'd post it up here un case I missed something.

I am with nPower just to complicate matters I am currently in dispute with nPower over a massive bill they sent us (£180 for laast quarter combined). Basically they have now admitted that they have been reading from the wrong gas meter!!
They are supposedly having an internal investigation so if I leave now they may well try and stiff me for the whole amount, but they may do that anyway.

Currenly I am paying:

electricity:

1st 210 kWh at 15.03p
next 469 kWh at 8.8p

gas:
first 557 kWh at 4.412p
next 1400 kWh at 1.915p


My total bill was £180 consideribly more than I am used to paying, so the kWh figures for the gas at least are most likely incorrect but they are all I have as we have just moved in.

according to money supermarket I can save £220 per annum + £30 cash back and prices are guaranteed not to change until Nov 2008 that to me seems like a no brainer?

Just wanted to establish why martin is against switching now, and whether the fact that I am in dispute with nPower should affect my decision?

Baz

IWasWondering...

If you read todays weekly email from Martin it says that gas/elec suppliers are likely to increase their prices very soon (Npower being the first) if you switch now you may end up paying more as the company you switch to may end up increasing its prices even more than Npower.
He also says if you would prefer a capped tariff then go for that now.
If you do switch make sure you get meter readings. So long as you have start and finish readings you should not pay for more than you have used.

Bazman

ah OK I had not read the article, as my deal is capped till November still seems like a good option. I guess I need to double check how long it isbeforeI can switchagain after that.

I guess if I leave nPower are going o try and stiff my for the entire £180 even try they have admitted they were using the wrong gas meter. Is there anything I can do to try and precent this?

Thanks

Baz

Ken68

Quite possible, Bazman, that you won't be accepted by a new supplier whilst there is a disputed amount owing.

stimpo

Your existing supplier will not allow you to switch with a debt on the account.

Bazman

stimpo wrote: »

Your existing supplier will not allow you to switch with a debt on the account.

I've asked them and they said its OK which I thought was pretty decent of them.

The fault was on their side (like I said they have been reading the wrong meter) but I was still pleasantly surprised.

Baz

Cardew

If you have just moved in, how did you get money supermarket to calculate that you will save £220pa?

To get any meaningful comparisons you need to enter your annual consumption in kWhs.

The figures you give for your consumption/prices are way below £180???? Do you pay a daily charge? are those prices including VAT?

If your gas is for a winter quarter(under 2,000kWh) it is extremely low. Bear in mind that the average is 20,500kWh pa and in a winter quarter 7-8,000kWh would be quite normal.

Your electricity consumption is also below average.

If you post a little more detail, perhaps we can help more.

P.S.
Welcome to the forum.

Bazman

Cardew wrote: »

If you have just moved in, how did you get money supermarket to calculate that you will save £220pa?

To get any meaningful comparisons you need to enter your annual consumption in kWhs.

The figures you give for your consumption/prices are way below £180???? Do you pay a daily charge? are those prices including VAT?

If your gas is for a winter quarter(under 2,000kWh) it is extremely low. Bear in mind that the average is 20,500kWh pa and in a winter quarter 7-8,000kWh would be quite normal.

Your electricity consumption is also below average.

If you post a little more detail, perhaps we can help more.




P.S.

Welcome to the forum.

Thanks!

There is no daily charge.

I moved in in July and I based it on the figures for the first 3 months in Kwh supplied by Npower. I know this is obviously not brilliant as we know the gas meter readings are definitely wrong. So the saving calculated on moneysupermarket.com may be overstated

However regardless of units used the rates offered by Scottish Power are markedly lower and are fixed till Nov 2008 so with prices rising sharply I thought it was still worth moving now before prices rise further.

Baz