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Do U Switch make up the savings

scatmanjohn
scatmanjohn Posts: 10 Forumite
Hi.

Been looking to move my gas and electricity supplier so looked at u switch.

They say if i move from BG to nPower i would save £369 pa.

Sounds good.

So checked on various other sites and found that i would save no more than £80. Even Npowers own site said no more than £80 saving.


Has anyone else noticed thier inflated savings.

Comments

  • penrhyn
    penrhyn Posts: 15,215 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    I'm with Ebico, and did a comparison on U-Switch, it told me I was on the cheapest tarriff, which is clearly wrong as their prices increased a day or so ago.
    I wonder how often they update their database.
    Perhaps they don't bother withh tiddlers.
    That gum you like is coming back in style.
  • espresso
    espresso Posts: 16,447 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    There are several other more reliable comparison sites than U-Switch! See the resource bar at the top.
    :doh: Blue text on this forum usually signifies hyperlinks, so click on them!..:wall:
  • dori2o
    dori2o Posts: 8,150 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts
    as i have said before take the comparison sites results with a pinch of salt.

    There is one piece of advice I always give to people who are switching, always check the figures yourself and look at the way you use gas.

    For example, say you were told that a 2 tier rate for Npower was cheapest by £100, but in summer you used very little gas, probably less than the 1st tier cut off, then for the whole of summer you would be charged at the higher rate. This could mean that you actually don't make any savings.

    Similarly with a price that has a standing charge, don't forget that even if you use no gas/elec for a period, you will still be charged.

    I myself have developed a spreadsheet, (and if enough people would like a copy then I would be willing to post it) which tells me how much annually I wuld be paying based on the prices that i input into it.

    I also read the meter about 2-3 times a month and keep all this information on a seperate spreadsheet. this way I can moniter my gas useage and better understand when and to whom I should be switching. I.e. in summer I use almost nothing for gas, so I switch to Ebico. In the winter I have a good idea of what my useage is going to be as I have 2 years details so I check if there is anything I can do to lower my winter bills.

    But do not take these comparison sites at their word, especially if you are getting cashback via the site as this could mean that the figures are manipulated as the comparison site is more than likely getting a comission from any switch.
    [SIZE=-1]To equate judgement and wisdom with occupation is at best . . . insulting.
    [/SIZE]
  • DGJsaver
    DGJsaver Posts: 2,777 Forumite
    dori2o wrote: »
    as i have said before take the comparison sites results with a pinch of salt.

    There is one piece of advice I always give to people who are switching, always check the figures yourself and look at the way you use gas.

    For example, say you were told that a 2 tier rate for Npower was cheapest by £100, but in summer you used very little gas, probably less than the 1st tier cut off, then for the whole of summer you would be charged at the higher rate. This could mean that you actually don't make any savings.

    Similarly with a price that has a standing charge, don't forget that even if you use no gas/elec for a period, you will still be charged.

    I myself have developed a spreadsheet, (and if enough people would like a copy then I would be willing to post it) which tells me how much annually I wuld be paying based on the prices that i input into it.

    I also read the meter about 2-3 times a month and keep all this information on a seperate spreadsheet. this way I can moniter my gas useage and better understand when and to whom I should be switching. I.e. in summer I use almost nothing for gas, so I switch to Ebico. In the winter I have a good idea of what my useage is going to be as I have 2 years details so I check if there is anything I can do to lower my winter bills.

    But do not take these comparison sites at their word, especially if you are getting cashback via the site as this could mean that the figures are manipulated as the comparison site is more than likely getting a comission from any switch.


    Hi Dori

    I would be interested in your spreadsheet

    Dan
  • It's worth remembering that these comparison websites are there to make themselves money rather than to save you money.

    They only make money when you switch suppliers and are really no different to the reps who knock on your door or collar you at the shopping centre except that they
    offer energy from more than one supplier.

    Do your own sums, then switch to your chosen supplier using a cashback website
  • dori2o
    dori2o Posts: 8,150 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts
    DGJsaver wrote: »
    Hi Dori

    I would be interested in your spreadsheet

    Dan

    If someone could tell me how I can get a link to the s/s onto the site that would be helpful.
    [SIZE=-1]To equate judgement and wisdom with occupation is at best . . . insulting.
    [/SIZE]
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