changing suppliers questions

trashcan_2

Hi,
I have never changed my energy suppliers before,
so i am still with southern electric and British gas.
If i change will it be best to do dual fuel or keep them separate?
I have been on the comparison sites and British gas energy 5 came out with the best savings.
They have not got a good customer record and it would mean going to an on-line account.

Do any of you good people have an on-line account with your supplier and are they OK.

Do any of you recommend British gas or have you any other ones that you think offer good value for money.

And if you recommend an on-line account or not, as these seem to offer the biggest savings.

thank you for any advise.

weemissy

Hi there
have recently changed to EON from scottish (british) gas, I did both gas and elect as it was cheaper for both and have opted for an online account to maximise savings. The first DD will come out my account beg May. Has been relatively smooth so far, although I did get quite a threatening phone call from a chap at british gas re leaving them - which I did file a complaint about. I signed up thru' quidco and today got £65 from them. This is the first time I have changed anything and first time I have used quidco so thanks to everyone here for their advice.

trashcan_2

I hope the change over works for you OK.

They make it sound so easy but i have heard some horror stories.
perhaps its to discourage you from changing.

Ken68

Southern Electric seem to have a good reputation on here, Trash...have you checked the savings seperately. Maybe you could go dual fuel with them.

smartie1976

Remember there are different prices for different areas, so what is good in say London, may not be in Manchester.

Dual fuel is definately the best way to save money, and using direct debit as your payment method. You'll get discounted rates/ annual discounts.

Be aware that comparison sites sometimes do not show all the tariffs, and ultimately when you find the one you think is right for you, ring that supplier and check all the figures. There may be an even cheaper option that's not been advertised.
Also use a cashback site like quidco and see if there is an additional cashback to be gained using them when you switch (instead of uswitch for example)

I have an online account for my dual fuel. I submit meter readings once a month to make sure my bills are spot on (this is my choice), although meter readers still come every so often (although they've not been in over a year now). I get a discount for having online billing (i think it's a nominal £5 or something). I get quarterly e-mails telling me my online bill is available.
When prices go up I get postal mail advising as such (i'm on a 5 year fixed tariff so I just get the "don't worry, yours aren't going up").

Also I would say that BGs customer service is actually quite good providing you get through to the correct department. What annoys people is the wait to speak to someone.
Search for a free number using www.saynoto0870.com and then you won't pay to call them.

BG are my suppliers (They are my employer and I get a small employee discount), although I send all contact through online correspondence, rather than calling as then I have written/ sent mail evidence I can store.
I've never had a problem though - my couple of queries were dealt with on the phone and correctly.

trashcan_2

I have done a comparison of changing separately ken, and if i change electric to gas and my gas to southern electric i should be quids in . It seem mad doesn't it.

Smartie it nice to know someone has something good to say about BG. I have had no problems with them but they do get a lot of complaints.
If on the on-line accounts i was to have a problem are you always able to contact them by phone, or is that done on line as well ?

Thanks very much for all your help

trashcan_2

also in the comparison tables do they take into account the standing charges?

Sooler

trashcan wrote: »

I have been on the comparison sites and British gas energy 5 came out with the best savings.

Use Quidco to get an additional £60 cash back
http://www.quidco.com/mobiles-utilities/energy-suppliers/british-gas/