EBICO customers be aware.

Premier_2

1carminestocky wrote: »

Is 6 monthly billing classed as good customer service? I genuinely can't remember the last time my father got a bill through the post. Luckily, I check his meters every week and make sure his DD is in the right ballpark but how many other Ebico customers of his age (80) would do this? 6 monthly billing is useless IMO as a whole lot can happen to consumption in that space of time. Rightly or wrongly, I reckon in the majority of cases people will only concentrate their mind on their consumption after getting a bill through the post. Twice a year isn't very good IMO.

According to this thread, 6 monthly billing only applies to customers after 12 months with the company (to ensure more accurate billing), only to customers who pay monthly by DD, and even then a customer can request to continue to receive quarterly bills

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?p=21106609&highlight=#post21106609

[Deleted User]

Premier wrote: »

I'm sorry to hear you were dissatisfied with Ebico & their supply partner for customer services, Swalec (SSE).


Best of luck in finding a supplier that you are pleased with ... but you do seem to be running out of options fast!

I tend to move for financial gain premier. SP were offering £100 via quidco so it was a no brainer to move from BG for electricity and from ebico for gas. I shouldn`t think I am the only one who is on the ball re energy costs

[Deleted User]

Ypaymore wrote: »

Then theres her Telecom Supplier.:D

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?
t=1751249&highlight=[/QU

I have sorted BT and my internet supplier but what has that to do with my energy provider? I am puzzled

1carminestocky

Premier wrote: »

According to this thread, 6 monthly billing only applies to customers after 12 months with the company (to ensure more accurate billing), only to customers who pay monthly by DD, and even then a customer can request to continue to receive quarterly bills

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?p=21106609&highlight=#post21106609

Why would a customer only getting transferred to 6 monthly billing after 12 months in any way excuse its practice? And why should customers have to OPT IN to a better service with a company one of who's mottos is

With Ebico, our customers come first. All customers, equally

Like I have said before, nothing against the ethos of the company or their gas prices (my father remains with them for this fuel, on my recommendation) but, like most companies, they are far from perfect.

Premier_2

1carminestocky wrote: »

Why would a customer only getting transferred to 6 monthly billing after 12 months in any way excuse its practice? And why should customers have to OPT IN to a better service with a company one of who's mottos is




Like I have said before, nothing against the ethos of the company or their gas prices (my father remains with them for this fuel, on my recommendation) but, like most companies, they are far from perfect.

They wait a full 12 months presumably to get a better understanding of a customers usage.

If you are paying monthly by DD, what does it matter how often they send you a bill? If you want more frequent bills, just ask.

If you want more bills so you only pay for what you've actually consumed, I would suggest paying monthly by DD is not recommended, especially since you have nothing to gain by doing so with Ebico.

Edit: it appears that the 6 monthly billing is something that the billing company (SSE) has introduced.

Edit 2: If you check the meter every week like you do, there's nothing to stop you providing these readings to the supplier at that time to ensure continual accurate billing, and to provide early warninng should a revision to the monthly payment be required.

QTC

alared wrote: »

Yes a long while ago and SSE are very good.

I wish I could say the same..

I went on to Ebico economy 7, and asked to be transferred to Ebico's standard tariff (flat rate, no standing charge), as I didn't benefit from Economy 7. When I got my bill, 5 months later, I found that they had actually transferred me to a Southern Electricity tariff, which included an additional daily standing charge- not what I wanted, especially as I spend many days per year away from home working. This meant that my bill was about the same as, or maybe slightly more than, my previous supplier, e-on.When I eventually got through to Southern customer services (queue time around 20-30 mins), they couldn't refund, but told me that they would switch me to the tariff I originally wanted - Equipower standard. When I received my next and final bill, I was back on the Southern tariff with the standing charge, rather than the tariff I had asked for.

I'm afraid they won, because I just did not have the time to wait on hold to try and get through to their call centres to complain.

Premier_2

QTC wrote: »

...I'm afraid they won, because I just did not have the time to wait on hold to try and get through to their call centres to complain.

Scottish & Southern Energy are renowned as offering probably the best customer service out the the big six.

... but even they are not perfect.

When I first moved to Ebico, I was being inconvenienced by SSE quite regularly and despite my repeated requests for them to desist, they failed to do so.

In the end I contacted Ebico directly (in writing) and expressed my dissatisfaction.

I received a response shortly afterwards from ebico, apologising profusely, thanking me for bringing the matter to their attention and assuring me that they would speak to the management at SSE (their supply partner) to ensure the actions ceased forthwith. They did

Of course, if you decide not take the time to complain to Ebico that another one has taken over your supply without your permission, there's little Ebico can do is there.

MRGRUMPY

liney wrote: »

i have just used a comparison site and ebico came out tops - do you think i should steer clear?

hiya, ive joined up with ebico and my gas has reduced by almost half ie bg was 6.7, ebico 3,6...i should point out im on a pay as you go meter and everyone one pays the same with ebico and so far ive found no hidden charges.none of this oh we charge only 10 pence a unit but dont tell you they charge 24 pence for the first 500 units as some do,so my advice , shop around get all the info and yes why not give ebico a try if you think its right for you OH AND EBICO USE SOTHERN FOR BILLING ONLY,ITS CHEAPER THAT WAY IM TOLD

MRGRUMPY

cardew wrote: »

my point was that with electricity you cannot "easily save 50 to 66% with ebico" and that around 2,000kwh the costs are roughly equal for the same conditions.

Up to 500kwh pa ebico is 42% cheaper and that reduces to zero advantage at about 2000kwh.

Surely the average for a dual fuel customer is the much quoted 3,300kwh? That 'average' figure doesn't include the 'all electric' households; or at least that is how i understood the figures.

However i certainly agree that go for ebico at the same price as i like the ethos of the company.

In fact i will consider switching to them for my little used annex when my fixed to april 2010 tariff ends - my present tier 1 prices for gas and electricity are lower than ebico's flat rate - i would always pay by dd however as i just couldn't be bothered to pay quarterly.

as far as i know ebico electric is 12.75 pence/unit(kwh) no other charges(mine has gone down a lot since i changes from bg)

Cardew

Even on a Pay as You Go meter you have to have very low consumption on dual fuel for Ebico to be cheaper. Gas is better with Ebico than electricity.

There is no point in just quoting the higher rate.