Switching supplier - HAVE I done wrong?

ScoobyCanDo

OK, so the advise at present is NOT to switch yet, due to the current round of Price Increases, but I already have (just B4 Christmas), so my question is Have I Done Wrong?

I'm a LOW user of energy, so I'm on a pretty tight budget and the offer of a £50.00 Cash Back for moving to Scottish Power was too good to miss (being about 11% of my total yearly bill) so I signed up and am currently waiting the cash back, plus a nice refund from my old provider as I pay by DD and they have not been able to stiff me with their new rate (result).


My concern is, with Martin telling us NOT TO SWITCH yet ............. WHY, ................ as surely there is nothing stopping me from switching yet again, when the market settles down and hopefully catching another Cash Back from a different supplier OR is there a limit as to how many times you can switch ??? ................ does anybody know?

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[Answers on a Post Card OR to save cash, post a reply here!]

Ken68

The background data also needs to catch up with the moves, Scooby, so although technically every 28 days, accounts would get in a muddle
Also Quidco frown on more than two moves a year. Just means Energyhelpline in between Quidco's. So three moves a year £150.

ScoobyCanDo

OK, so these people "Quidco" (?) do not like you switching too often ............ but there are no HARD & FAST rules saying you can not ............ am I right?


I'm NEW to this cash back/deal hunting scene so I'm not sure of all the "in's & Out's" or who Quidco are (yet!) ................I've only used Greasy Palm so far (and it's early days for me still) ........... but if these companies carry on making the offers, should we (or at least some of us) not take them up on them and if it means SWITCHING every two/three months, surely we should .............. or at least until they stop offering these deals???

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Just a thought?:huh:

Ken68

I approve, Scooby of cashback sites and comparison sites, tho yet to take advantage of them. Am with EBICO at £370 pa energy bills, and two Quidco's per year and 2 Greasy Palms a year and 2 Comparison sites per year would go down very well, just plucking up courage.
Plus other benefits.

ScoobyCanDo

Hi Ken68,

Glad you approve ........... I know my BANK BALANCE does now!

Took a look at the "Quidco" site (added to my FAV list now) ....... and I see where you get your comment from :-

"The Quidco cooperative concept also means that it is not every member for themselves. The actions of an individual can affect the entire group and in some cases spoil things for everyone".

But unfortunately it is a case of 'everyone for themselves' I'm afraid, ............... as I have found myself, if you do not ask or look for yourself, you'll end up like the majority of our population, OUT OF POCKET & PAYING THROUGH THE NOSE for everything!

Anyway, go for it .................... shop around, change as many times as you can find the time to do and don't look back, I know I'm not ........... as soon as things settle down with the energy market, I know I'll be looking again.

And do not even consider the 'Loyalty Card' ............. as I know my past suppliers have never given me any 'loyalty bonus' for staying with them, only a kick in the teeth when I discover the offers they give to new customers, whilst fleecing us existing ones.

Best of luck

Scooby:D

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NO MORE ..................... the revolution is now here and long may it last (or words to that effect!!!):cool:

ScoobyCanDo

Does ANYONE else have an answer..........................:dance:


______________________________ :whistle:____________________

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:grouphug:

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NO?

Plushchris

Yes, Martin has now said its time to switch anyway!

ScoobyCanDo

Yes ................ seen that.


BUT as I've just joined S-Power after singing up to them at the beginning of last December (2007) for a £50 Cash Back and they have only JUST started to become my NEWEST supplier, has anyone else had experience of 'switching' again, so soon after taking up one of these cash back offers???

I did note that on the Cash Back offer web page, it said NO CONDITIONS ..................?


Should I again start thinking of switching my supply _______________ NOW???:rolleyes:

Ken68

One downside of constant moving, Scooby,tp get maximum cashback, is that you will be dealing with British Gas, Powergen and Scottish Power.
Also an insider expert has said on here that the background data has to catch up, presumaly not only the meter readings.
So you would need to be right on top of things, otherwise muddlesville.

ScoobyCanDo

Thanks Ken,

Whilst I appreciate the DATA problem that may occur, I can not see any actual reason not to 'swap' as often as we can. If the offers are there, then it would be stupid not to take them up on it.

As to keeping track of meter readings, this is not a problem .......... I deal with a lot of data every day, so a little more will not hurt me. One thing to remember, you can always take photographic evidence to back up any meter readings you take OR get an independent witness (say your best mate, or friendly neighbour) to take a reading for you, in case of any problems with the supply companies!

If you do not put in the graft, you can not expect a reward ........... so it looks as if I will be switching (again) very soon.

Scooby

mynameisclare

I see the switching traffic light is now on green and the cheapest result the sites give me is Ebico. BUT they haven't announced their price rises yet. I assume there's no reason to think they would be above the others' rises? Despite my electricity useage being pretty high, the current Ebico rate would save me money on top of my pre-rise EDF tariff so hopefully I should still save money after Ebico rise their prices...

What do people think? I could just wait, but then I'm paying more right now. They sound like a cool company too.