Switching sires such as Uswitch, moneysupermarket etc

skelly01

Can anyone advise me as to why if you go to each of the online switching sites, not one of them advises you of the same company as the cheapest. How are you to know which is the most accurate? I enter the exact same details for each of the sites so surely they should all be the same. I want to switch, but not sure as to who is really the cheapest.

bristolleedsfan

skelly01 wrote: »

Can anyone advise me as to why if you go to each of the online switching sites, not one of them advises you of the same company as the cheapest. How are you to know which is the most accurate? I enter the exact same details for each of the sites so surely they should all be the same. I want to switch, but not sure as to who is really the cheapest.

Going to each utility site and looking at their charges is best way to see who is the cheapest.

Plushchris

They should all be the same, going to each suppliers site is ok if you are handy with a calculator and got plenty of time to spare.

Also, people get really hung up with unit rates but they are only part of the story, you have to include discounts that are given for direct debit, managing online etc.


The comparison sites are the best way of working it all out without the headache. Martins top tip is Energyhelpline so I would assume them to be the most accurate.

Lezanne26

They're not all the same though are they!
I've been looking for a while now and have been to the 3 main comparison sites and often they have different unit prices. I've also been to the utilities' own sites to compare and I have included the various discounts and my head's in a whirl. Confusing or what! One day one company is cheaper, next time I look it's someone else. It seems to work out cheaper to get gas and electricity from different companies but I'm worried this may cause more hassle than it's worth.

skelly01

Exactly Lezanne,

Suppose the question I was really asking, if I didn't when I first posted, is how do I know that I am getting the real deal if for example U switch is showing the cheapest.
Yes energyhelpline is shown as most reliable, but is it really when as I first stated they all show different recommendations?
It is Ok saying go to each company and compare, but this is labourious. The switch sites are supposedly law bound to be accurate so surely they should all state the same costs and recommendations, even if you choose by customer service etc.

Dick_here

Why worry about a few pence here or there when moneysupermarket promise you £30 to do the switch ?

mickeyboy76

!!!!!!_here wrote: »

Why worry about a few pence here or there when moneysupermarket promise you £30 to do the switch ?

I think your kind of missing the point. It's all very well getting paid £30 for the switch but if the info is bad it could easily cost you more than that.
Having sold utilities for a number of years these comparison sites became the bain of my life!!! Personally, I don't trust them. They are getting paid a commission by the utility company for your business. In my opinion this means that they would probably want to push as much business to whoever pays them more, it's not just slimy doorstep salesmen that have the ability to bend the truth!!!!!
I always recommended going to the Energywatch site to do any comparisons, (cost, customer service ratings), they are the independant industry watchdog and there to look after consumers. Based on their advise I would then use whichever switching site will pay me best to transfer to the company I want to switch to.

alared

These sites make their money two ways.
They get money from the energy providers (bribes) to push their companies.
Ever noticed how they keep bringing out different tariffs that always seem to go top of the list for how much you can save?

The second way the comparison sites make their money is by getting you to switch because of the big savings they say you will make if you do switch.
They get paid approx £50 for everyone they con into changing.

Calculate your yearly USAGE (not payments) and go to each site and get their prices

---

then do your sums.

BigDave_Cash_Saver

alared wrote: »

These sites make their money two ways.
They get money from the energy providers (bribes) to push their companies.
Ever noticed how they keep bringing out different tariffs that always seem to go top of the list for how much you can save?

The second way the comparison sites make their money is by getting you to switch because of the big savings they say you will make if you do switch.
They get paid approx £50 for everyone they con into changing.

Calculate your yearly USAGE (not payments) and go to each site and get their prices

---

then do your sums.

Wow, this reply is filled with Hate - did a price comparison website run off with your Misses or something? :j :j

The first comment is completely false and if it was true would be a breach of the energywatch accreditation some of these site have. The second comment is spot on - I've heard they get £40-£70 per "sale", although the phrase "con into changing" made me laugh, nothing like a good overreaction eh! :eek:

Basically if you are going to switch, use an energywatch accredited company and then check the unit rates AND discounts on offer with the provider direct……then use the a site to get cash back!! :T

alared

The comments are not filled with hate but truth.

If the energy companies don`t pay these sites how can they possibly give away in your words "between £40 to £70" per switch.

Both comments are correct and the answer of what to do is clearly stated in my last sentence.

The trouble is that people can`t be bothered and would rather believe the fantastic savings these comparison sites,who have a vested interest,come up with.

Read the OP and answer that.

After trying to shoot down my post,unsuccessfully,with a wisecrack you`ve virtually agreed with me by your last sentence which says exactly what I said in my last sentence.

Plushchris

Actually both comments are incorrect.

The comparison sites earn their money in one way, and that is the commision they get from the supplier they switch you to.

Have you actually got any evidence to back up your claims of "bribes" handed to comparison sites by energy suppliers for being more favorable towards their tariffs?

What you are saying is COMPLETE nonsense, the comparison sites are constantly monitored by Energywatch and have to be constantly updated to ensure they are correct and displaying the correct saving etc and that they are unbiased.

If you dont use a comparison site accredited by Energywatch then who knows.

Also, how do you know the comparison sites "come up with" "fantastic savings" are you trying to say the savings quoted are wrong?

Most of the comparison sites let you enter the your yearly usage and will do the comparison based on that, so would you then say the savings quoted are right or wrong?

Everytime I have used a comparison site and bothered to work it all out it has come out the same so I dont quite understand your disliking for them (unless of course one has actually run off with your misses :rolleyes:)