Cashback Price Comparison Services Discussion

MSE_Martin

To discuss or ask questions about the cashback price comparison utility article simply reply to this thread.

To read the article which this discussion refers to click here.

Lewis_Gerolemou

I am a Telecom Plus distributor. Martin you say in your article that T+ is competitive for low users. I have used Energylinx comparisons with high and very high usage profiles and savings (especially for electricity) can be made there too withT+.
Lewis Gerolemou

System

When I read martin's article today I thought "hoorah".  Finally the Telecom Plus issue dealt with.  Hopefully all those people lining their pockets by distributing it - wll stop trying to force it down the throats of others.  But the above makes me realise I was wrong.

The great thing about the article was that Telecom Plus is now just another 'power suppler', we dont have people raving about others on here - why do we have to have people (with a vested interest) raving about Telecom Plus.

Lewis.  Fine it did well, but surely that means the price comparison methodology works.  So let people make up their own mind.  I dont think martin said it isnt competive for higher tariffs (though when i tried it, it came out second - and i can get cashback on the first choice via using another one).  So why is that needed to be pointed out.  Other people dont come here saying "oooog ooooh, Scottish power was cheapest for me".  

Forgive my rant everyone, I am just fed up of Telecom Plus distributors trying to set the agenda on this one, when their real agenda is to make their cash.

System

I have just went through each of the price comparison services that you recommend and I am very concerned that The Energy Helpline, who apparently are Energywatch approved do not list Atlantic Electric and Gas Tariffs, Telecom Plus Tariffs nor Powergen tariffs.

Cash Back deals are all very well but if the customer is duped into thinking they might have the best deal then I would question the entire worth of this recommendation.

It appears that even out of the energywatch accredited sites very few list all the tariffs.

Seperately I will be writing to Energywatch to complain about The Energy Helpline as they pass themself off in your advanced tips as being Energywatch approved, yet they are clearly flouting the rules.

Given this manipluation of the facts, it may be worth me setting up my own company, offering say a £50 cashback and only then comparing the company that say pays out more than this.

I would also add that it may be worth you carrying out a price comparison for say one postcode area with all the sites you recommend - you might be surprised at the results as unfortunately The Energy Helpline does not come close

For future recommendations it may be using Energywatch as a starting point, so that you can be sure somebody is checking these companies out, then narrow it down firstly by who list all the suppliers, then deleting those who get it wrong.

I have followed your board for months and hope that you do find time to correct your recommendations and bring it back to the level it was.

Lewis_Gerolemou

Emma, you don't have to read T+ posts if you don't want to just scroll past them, my post mentioned T+ in the first sentence. I switch channels on my TV when energy suppliers show the adverts that help them line their pockets. T+ has had a bad time on this site (to be fair to Martin he has always listened) I feel we should be allowed to give our views especially as they appear to be vindicated.
Lewis

gt94sss2

I have just went through each of the price comparison services that you recommend and I am very concerned that The Energy Helpline, who apparently are Energywatch approved do not list Atlantic Electric and Gas Tariffs, Telecom Plus Tariffs nor Powergen tariffs.

Ross,

I have just tried The Energy Helpline's web site and saw Atlantic Electric and Gas and Powergen tariffs included in their results for me.

Also if you look at http://makeashorterlink.com/?A34C22EB6 , it lists all the different price comparison service policies on Telecom Plus. For the Energy Helpline:

"As of 20/11/03, we do not currently show Telecom Plus as their new tariffs include a membership fee which cannot be incorporated at the moment in our calculator. Other sites still showing Telecom Plus eg. saveonyourbills.co.uk are showing what Telecom Plus tell us are defunct tariffs that are ‘no longer available’. To put it bluntly, they are showing the wrong rates. Due to energywatch rules we are not allowed to show bundled tariffs hence we do not. We are currently working with Telecom Plus to get their new tariffs on the website. Our and their understanding at the moment is that no-one is actually showing their new tariffs on any comparison services."

System

gt94sss2

Please have a further look at the main comparison sites such as Uswitch to see how the figures are manipluated on The Energy Helpline website.

You say that you see Powergen listed for you, it only lists the higher priced tariffs and not Powergen Online. The same applies to Atlantic because the Direct Tariffs are missing and they list only the higher priced tariffs.

I read the note on Telecom+ and again this is misleading as sites like Energylinx already list every tariff, whereas The Energy Helpline say that no-one does.

It makes me wonder how they can use a name as The Energy Helpline - who is it helping?

I have no axe to grind with any of these companies, but it does appear that The Energy Helpline clearly flout the rules. MoneySavingExpert should be just that, money savings, but of it directs you to a company who miss out all the best deals then clearly it is not about money savings.

Galstonian

I have no axe to grind

Well stop grinding it then. It does say "as of 20/11/03" and I for one believe that at that time they were correct. By all means point out that the information is out of date but there is an underlying current of accusation in your posts. If you believe that comparison services are deliberately misleading customers for their own gain then I suggest you compile the evidence, complain to enegrywatch and post a copy here.

Jackie_Welsh

Purely from the point of clarity, Energylinx has listed all Telecom plus tariffs since May 2003.

From May to the end of September we listed and transferred clients on the basis of their unbundled price package as our energywatch accreditation precludes the listing of any bundled packages.

When the Telecom plus structure was altered on the 1st October 2003 we amended our prices on the same day and have listed and transferred clients to each of their curent price packages since that time.



Regards


Jackie
CST Team
Energylinx
08.12.2003

alared

Why is it when you put EXACTLY the same information into eight search sites you get eight DIFFERENT answers to who is the cheapest?
If they were all up-front with prices etc. and had no vested interest you would expect to get the same result from them all or am I being naive.

MSE_Martin

Ross,

I am sorry you feel this way. First of all, please remember most articles you read on price comparisons simply pick one company, usually Uswitch as it has the best PR and simply say use that.

In the article I wrote

i. There is the option of cashback from 2 sites - something that doesn't exist elsewhere
ii. THe missing tariffs are discussed, there is a note about Telecom Plus (spot me any other article on the subject which mentions TP and price comparisons in the same subject) and a note to check Energylinks as its the only price comparison that covers it
iii. It states - "dont let cashback be the driver"
iv. There is a full survery of all price comparisons policies on the issues you suggest.

I present the information - it is for people to use as they choose. I believe if you read teh article you're fully equipped to get the best deal. Im sorry you don't feel that way.