British Gas - £570m Profits Reported

gt94sss2

icefall wrote: »

I do notice that its been mentioned quite a few times on this board (in fact repeatedly) that Ebico are supposed to be more expensive for some customers and usually mentioned in statements from people that are not with Ebico and never have been, so how would they really know for themselves that this is the case I wonder...

Its quite simple really - Ebico would be a lot more expensive for me than using my current supplier. I am perfectly capable of using comparison engines which include Ebico or just looking at the unit prices on their website.

I suspect if Ebico is better value for you depends on:

1. The part of the country you live in.
2. How you pay. Ebico will be a lot less attractive for people who pay by monthly direct debit rather than those who pay when a bill is produced or who have a prepayment meter installed

Regards
Sunil

gt94sss2

JohnG wrote: »

Having said that, I'm still not totally convinced as I believe they are owned by Centrica which may or may not be British? I'm sure someone in the know will confirm one way or the other.

Centrica do own British Gas and are british owned.

BG Group is a separate company (British Gas ex foreign businesses) but also British owned.

Regards
Sunil

clairet707

Unfortunately not everyone can switch...

We cant, we live in rented property and its written into our contract that we cannot change the energy suppliers..

So we are stuck with BG until we can move, though on a positive note about them (wow yes shock horror) we managed to get them to reduce our monthly payments by £10 today, which considering we are £120 in credit with them mid February isn't enough but its a start

Cardew

icefall wrote: »

Ebico are cheaper for me and for many happy customers on this site just do a search for Ebico on this site to find them. Their customer service is second to none, they have no confusing tariffs unlike some companies. And are non profit making.

I do notice that its been mentioned quite a few times on this board (in fact repeatedly) that Ebico are supposed to be more expensive for some customers and usually mentioned in statements from people that are not with Ebico and never have been, so how would they really know for themselves that this is the case I wonder...

I think that takes the prize for the strangest statement on the forum.

YOU know that Ebico is cheapest for yourself; but others cannot "know for themselves" who is cheapest.

So by which method do you determine that Ebico are cheapest? and is that method not available to anyone else?

I compare tariffs to find the cheapest - but as I have never been with Ebico it would appear from your statement that I cannot "really know" that this is correct?

icefall

Cardew wrote: »

I think that takes the prize for the strangest statement on the forum.

YOU know that Ebico is cheapest for yourself; but others cannot "know for themselves" who is cheapest.

So by which method do you determine that Ebico are cheapest? and is that method not available to anyone else?

I compare tariffs to find the cheapest - but as I have never been with Ebico it would appear from your statement that I cannot "really know" that this is correct?

reply to the part I have bolded above
yes, basically

But as you say you check the tariffs for yourself in which case its more about the fact not everyone checks tariffs for their use and the tarriffs that suit some may not suit others.

I am pointing out that I have seen repeated statements on this board inferring that Ebico could be more expensive than British Gas etc... Yet I have not really seen any other gas and electricity company mentioned as being more expensive, only Ebico.

Comparing tariffs for yourself is one thing, but a blanket assumption for every consumer combined with repeated statements of 'Ebico is probably more expensive' is not going to be fact for every consumer.

Maz

clairet707 wrote: »

Unfortunately not everyone can switch...

We cant, we live in rented property and its written into our contract that we cannot change the energy suppliers..

So we are stuck with BG until we can move, though on a positive note about them (wow yes shock horror) we managed to get them to reduce our monthly payments by £10 today, which considering we are £120 in credit with them mid February isn't enough but its a start

I've read somewhere (probably on here) that this isn't necessarily the case. Something to do with whose name is on the bill I think. Doesn't seem right that you can't choose who your supplier is!

Hopefully somebody more knowledgable than me will come along to clarify this for you.

SwanJon

Maz wrote: »

I've read somewhere (probably on here) that this isn't necessarily the case. Something to do with whose name is on the bill I think. Doesn't seem right that you can't choose who your supplier is!

If you pay it, you should choose who you pay. It might be worth asking why that clause is there. It shouldn't be a problem, as it is probably so they know who the supplier is for new tenants.
If you swap, how can they tell? Just make sure you swap back before you leave.
If they have some specific reason for locking you in with one supplier, make sure you get on their cheapest tariff (usually online).

Cardew

icefall wrote: »

reply to the part I have bolded above
yes, basically

But as you say you check the tariffs for yourself in which case its more about the fact not everyone checks tariffs for their use and the tarriffs that suit some may not suit others.

I am pointing out that I have seen repeated statements on this board inferring that Ebico could be more expensive than British Gas etc... Yet I have not really seen any other gas and electricity company mentioned as being more expensive, only Ebico.

Comparing tariffs for yourself is one thing, but a blanket assumption for every consumer combined with repeated statements of 'Ebico is probably more expensive' is not going to be fact for every consumer.

It does seem rather arrogant for you to state that you “know” Ebico is the cheapest company; but others cannot calculate the cheapest company for themselves. If I read your post correctly, you believe that I(and others) are incapable of working out our cheapest supplier.

The reason why Ebico is used as an example – indeed a standard - is because they are a non-profit making company with a justified reputation for good service. In the context of this thread, where profits are being discussed, it makes sense to compare prices of a non-profit making company with BG.

Yet even though they are non-profit making, they are not the cheapest for many people.

Ebico are very competitive for those with low consumption – particularly if you have a pre-payment meter. They are more expensive for those with higher usage and the ability/inclination to pay by Direct Debit.

If Ebico were cheaper for myself I would join them immediately – but they ain’t!

alared

Cardew wrote: »

Well of course all BG customers could all switch to an excellent non-profit making company like Ebico.

The only flaw I can see in that plan is that for most customers Ebico is more expensive than profit making BG!!

The above is INCORRECT.

Ebico gas price is 2-55p per kwh
Electricity is 9.36p per kwh (east mids)
There is also an Econ 7 tariff
No standing charge
Prices include VAT
and you pay your quarterly bill AFTER you get it.

British Gas doesn`t have any package that you can switch to TODAY, that can beat,equal or even come near to Ebico`s.

It really is amazing how someone (Cardew:mad: ) can defend a mugger (BG )who has just hit him over the head,stole his wallet
and then had the cheek to ask for more money to pay for a new cosh.:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

Cardew

alared wrote: »

The above is INCORRECT.

Ebico gas price is 2-55p per kwh
Electricity is 9.36p per kwh (east mids)
There is also an Econ 7 tariff
No standing charge
Prices include VAT
and you pay your quarterly bill AFTER you get it.

British Gas doesn`t have any package that you can switch to TODAY, that can beat,equal or even come near to Ebico`s.

It really is amazing how someone (Cardew:mad: ) can defend a mugger (BG )who has just hit him over the head,stole his wallet
and then had the cheek to ask for more money to pay for a new cosh.:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

Well firstly I am not defending BG, but putting some of the criticism of high prices into perspective.

Secondly perhaps you should check out BG’s click 5 tariff against Ebico’s tariff to see if your statement that BG do not have a tariff that can “beat, equal or even come near to Ebico`s.” is accurate!!