Problem with a lot of online tools to compare will work out your current usage and just give you a cheaper direct debit to make it look cheaper. You still have a lot of work to find the cheapest by unit cost.
You end up being in debt to them, then the DD is hiked up.
Our recent switch was actually to the 4th cheapest on the list after doing several comparisons. But cheapest overall after checking the standing charges and unit costs (how can a company be cheaper if their standing charge, and unit costs are higher.
Don't understand your post. If you give the online tool the correct usage for the last 12 months, then based on the same usage next 12 months the price will be accurate.
There is a big difference between similar quotes where one charges a lower unit cost but a higher standing charge or vice versa.
I eventually chose a higher standing charge, but lower unit cost package. Why?
1. If my usage is exactly the same as last year it won't matter.
2. If its a much milder winter I'll lose out on the gas, but the electricity will be about the same, as that does not vary much.
3. If its a very cold winter, I'll be paying much less on the extra gas charges.
i.e. The high standing charge/low unit cost package is kind of a cold winter insurance package for me.
we switched to OVO 2 and a bit years ago, not only was the process quick and easy, but our bills are a good bit lower, and the billing and their website is much easier to understand. Lots of graphs where you can compare your useage vs previous years etc. You submit your readings every month so there are no estimates, you pay for what you actually use. You can choose to adjust your DD up and down if you wish so you can judge how much in credit you want to be. And you get 3% interest on your credit balance.
Jim
We're with Co-op. As with Bob61, it's been a bit bumpy - website is not great, though better now; and it's been difficult to set a level for the direct debit. Online reporting works OK, and about twice a year they send a meter reader round to cross check. Phoning to sort problems was good; and the rates seem reasonable, and fair.
It's always difficult to compare, I feel, as you can never tell whether your provider is about to change their tariff, relative to everyone else. We've now done a one-year fixed term contract, with the date in my e-calendar to remind me to review.
At least with Co-op, you don't feel The Man is ripping you off!
Thanks botty, we have always just paid the quarterly bill via debit card over the phone, and have not done DD payments, and have never been on a monthly tariff, so this will be a new concept to us.
Will be getting it all sorted on Monday, and then will look at switching each year, all madness really but if it saves us money then it has to be done.
Our dd is a grand £32 pm. We had built up a credit at the recommended £55 pm. Not cold, just careful. It does give some amusement when a reptile from the big suppliers knocks on the door to offer us a big saving! They never believe us until they see a statement.
Got a quote of OVO, although they told me that currently they were not the cheapest in the market at this time, which I thought was wierd.
Eventually ended up with Sainsbury's which will be half what I was paying with BG.
The mad thing is that Sainsbury's is just a White Label operation for BG, it even says that it's BG on the leaflets.
I hate all this Smoke & Mirrors that goes along with switching, although it is the first time that we have ever switched, been with BG since 1982, which I know has been a stupid thing to do.
I just wish that they would re-nationalise the utilities like what they are in France.
What next, you will be having to switch your water provider, it's all quite stupid really.
But hey ho, I have done what needed to be done, and all should be up and running, towards the end of July.
Well the switch over to Sainsbury's Energy (British Gas) went really well.
As requested I went on line and put in the starting meter readings. Few days later I received an email telling me there had been an online problem with their system and could I resubmit the readings. Readings duly entered again.
This morning, another email asking for the readings to be submitted again as there is a computer problem. Sainsbury's Energy has rapidly lost a customer. I've cancelled my direct debit and told them I refuse to pay any cancellation fees due to their incompetent service.
I would have thought better of Sainsbury's than this.
You have probably played right into there hands, no doubt the offer is to rich and they are looking at cutting down on the customer intake.
The crazy thing about the Sainsbury's offer, is that it's British Gas in anycase, like I have mentioned previousley it's all smoke and mirrors this switching malarkey.
I have had my letter from Sainsbury's advising my Switch date from British Gas, so will report back on the outcome.
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Topic: Smaiil Energy Companies
