Changes To StayWarm

chas1937

Thanks again for your timely warning and as usual it the folk who cant afford that too happen to that it hits hardest.Its about time the Government stepped in and kicked up a fuss.As pension only rises approx 2-3% each year its a kick in teeth when power companies can raise prices whenever they feel like it.Even when they make huge profits they never take that into consideration

panther

My dad has just received his renewal and it has rocketed to £1144 whereas last year it was £861. The letter says it is based on consumption used but should he have been notified that they intend to increase based on usage?

Edit,
Does anyone know what the new fixed price is for those not been charged by usage? I'm not sure whether this new price is based on consumption usage or if its simply their new fixed price to reflect all the price rises during the last 12 months?

chas1937

What size of house has your Dad got and does he live alone.Also where he stays can make big difference as here in Glasgow its got highest rating

joseph012

panther wrote:

My dad has just received his renewal and it has rocketed to £1144 whereas last year it was £861. The letter says it is based on consumption used but should he have been notified that they intend to increase based on usage?

Edit,
Does anyone know what the new fixed price is for those not been charged by usage? I'm not sure whether this new price is based on consumption usage or if its simply their new fixed price to reflect all the price rises during the last 12 months?

it will actually say that his price is based on consumption, it will also say he is either a medium user or high user. all the info is on letter

panther

Hi,
The letter doesn't mention if he is medium or high user. Last years letter said the price is based on our current information which says that 2 people live in your home which has 3 bedrooms. (west midlands area). This years letter says £95.38 p/m and is based on the amount of energy you are using as well as our current information (as above).

Does £95.38 a month represent a medium, high or is it the new standard price after the price increase?

lona_2

Like your father, Panther, I got my renewal letter in today for next year's monthly payment.

It does not state whether I am a high user, med user or low user.

My monthly payment has gone up from £74 to £115 which I think is at least a 50% increase.

I called the freephone number for an explanation and ofcourse was told it was because I was a high user. I explained that that wasn't the contract I signed up for when Staywarm was not owned by Powergen.

I have been on staywarm since it first began and although there was an increase every year to cover inflation I feel that Staywarm rather than discontinue the service is making it so unviable that people will move of their own accord.

I would have admired them better had they just wrote to customers and said that Staywarm was being discontinued, rather than con people into thinking they had an unmeans tested service.

I have till the 7th October to find a more honest provider as I certainly won't be giving my custom to Powergen even if they work out the cheapest.

It's a matter of principal, I abhor backdoor tactics.

joseph012

lona wrote:

Like your father, Panther, I got my renewal letter in today for next year's monthly payment.

It does not state whether I am a high user, med user or low user.

My monthly payment has gone up from £74 to £115 which I think is at least a 50% increase.

I called the freephone number for an explanation and ofcourse was told it was because I was a high user. I explained that that wasn't the contract I signed up for when Staywarm was not owned by Powergen.

I have been on staywarm since it first began and although there was an increase every year to cover inflation I feel that Staywarm rather than discontinue the service is making it so unviable that people will move of their own accord.

I would have admired them better had they just wrote to customers and said that Staywarm was being discontinued, rather than con people into thinking they had an unmeans tested service.

I have till the 7th October to find a more honest provider as I certainly won't be giving my custom to Powergen even if they work out the cheapest.

It's a matter of principal, I abhor backdoor tactics.

high users were identified last year apparently??? so you would have been offered a home visit or had letters advising u about consumption. they cannot just put you as a high user...it has to be justified...still dont agree with though!!!!!!

djohn2002uk

I moved from them 18months ago to a Scottish Power capped rate untill Oct 07, which was over £200/yr cheaper then and almost £400/yr cheaper now.
Our friend rang me last week to say hers had gone up from £70 to £100 per month and asked me to source a better supplier and I pointed her to Ebico at £85/month saving her £180/yr and with Southern Electrics renowned good customer relations as opposed to Powergens shambles.

Perhaps I ought to add here that the Age Concern tariffs are also run by Powergen and are also a rip off. Again costing older people more than they could be paying elsewhere.

twirlyd

Just got my new contract with Staywarm up from £58 to £77.18 but the worrying problem is Consumption summary for the past year has been vastly overestimated - electric by 737 kwh and gas 10671 kwh by changing I will now probably save over £300 per year I have been with Staywarm for about 5 years I wonder how long my consumption of gas and electric have been overestimated... Staywarm users beware!!!!!

freuch

high users were identified last year apparently??? so you would have been offered a home visit or had letters advising u about consumption. they cannot just put you as a high user...it has to be justified...still dont agree with though!!!!!!

I never got any notification or offered a home visit. I just got my renewal notice for next years payment. Needless to say I have now changed supplier.