Don't Switch Now Becomes SWITCH NOW!

edda

jellyhead wrote:

this may be off topic, but one to watch when switching - i signed up through a comparison engine to scottishpower's online dual fuel, the cheapest at the time. they have put me on their ordinary expensive tariff! i called to ask why i'm not on the online tariff and they denied all knowledge, told me i signed up for the standard package! they said they can't change my tarfiff on the phone, i have to do it on their website. the website won't let me, it says it can't access my account and will i please call the helpline (it gives the number you pay for, not the 0800 one). the helpline say they can't help. so i'm stuck on an expensive tariff i didn't sign up for, with no idea how to change my tariff except for switching suppliers again but that will still mean scottish power have me on their expensive tariff for around 8 weeks, very lucrative for them. so don't assume that because you signed up for the cheapest tariff that that's the one you're being charged on!

I thought tha when you signed up, the new supplier had to send you confirmation details. You then have 14 days to change your mind - which you can do if they try to change the Ts&Cs.

I always insist on something in writing (which includes by email) before I commit myself and it has saved me from mistakes in the past.

jellyhead

the written confirmation leaves the 'tariff' section blank, i didn't notice :-(

parkside_stroller

Hope this isn't straying too far off subject, but picking up on an earlier post about making money on switching (by using cashback websites I take it), how many websites do a switching comparison apart from uswitch?

Woby_Tide

parkside_stroller wrote:

Hope this isn't straying too far off subject, but picking up on an earlier post about making money on switching (by using cashback websites I take it), how many websites do a switching comparison apart from uswitch?

There are a few links to the various comparison sites in Martins gas/elec article on the main website

parrotfish74

I'm with Utility Warehouse!!!!! Should i be an exception and switch?

lisyloo

In my opnion no -you should listen to Martin.
If you switch now (before knowing the full facts) then you might switch to the wrong company and being in process of the first switch will prevent you from doing the second.
It could cost you money.
Of course there is nothing stopping you ignoring Martins (and my) advice and going ahead.
You might however lose out and have double the hassle.
It's your choice at the end of the day.

I am with them too but I'm waiting until Martin says so.

mrnomoneybags

I am waiting for the word .............. hope it wont be much longer Seeboards rates are not nice.

-Tom

pault123

I'm currently with Utility Warehouse who have been cheapest in Northwest for some time now, and as martin mentioned gone from one of the top to the top provider in the bottom!

The letter they recently sent along with the price hike clearly states in the terms and conditions 'customers who take out an additional none energy service eg mobile phone, will get the cheapest rates' so along with a price hike I feel there bullying me into taking out another one of their services to keep my cost per unit down

My dad the 'energy guru' who spends night upon night scouring the internet for the best deals and going off the raw cost per unit figures found https://www.ebico.co.uk who dont have a standing charge were the cheapest for me. They have had one price hike since 2003 and that was on the 1st of September this year.

Ebico's EQUIGAS charges 1.94p per kWh (including VAT) regardless of how much you use or how you pay.

Telecom plus charges 1.985p per kWh AND £2.33 monthly standing charge AND montly membership fee of £1.76 for being in the utility club per month!

see for electric prices >> http://www.ebico.co.uk/en/open/pages/powertariffsen.php

for my area thats 7.73p (including VAT) for electric.

Telecom plus charges 7.854p for electric and 1.52p standing charge.

I know were not talking big money here per unit, but as telecom plus were cheapest of the Big 6 as they put it, these rates are better PLUS £27.96 gas standing charge PLUS £21.12 Membership fee PLUS £18.24 electric standing charge.thats £67.32 a year saving alone before the unit costs are considered :beer:


.....................................................

"Perhaps we should be saying instead, "The prices are going to be going mad over the next few months, so if you've got the stamina, (or possibly no life! ) you could actually take advantage of the uncertainty and make a few quid."

We could call it the 'Utilities Shuffle'. "

I like that ! Ive switched so many times I think they refer to me as a "Utilities Tart" !!

bugsonic

I'm desperate to switch.

I'm with Basic Power, and had the notification that prices were going up. Had my last bill in August for just over £100 this quarter, and being the moneysaver I am decided to work out what it would be under the revised tariff.

£145!!!!! That's in excess of a 40% rise.

The standing charge has increased by 50% from around 12p a day to 18p a day. More worryingly I'm on Economy 7 and my night rate has gone up from 3p a unit to 5.2p. With winter coming on and the heating going on, these units have increased by a whopping 76%.

erb

I found this list on the Uk Power site Martin mentions as a comparison site.

It lists the dates the utility companies have increased prices so is a good check on who has and who has not increased lately.