Energy suppliers

[RaceDiagnostics]

I'm on a fixed deal with SSE (now OVO) till mid August but I want to change supplier. Due to their underhand dealing, sharp practice and poor customer service.

Multiple times over the last year they tried to put up my monthly payment due to, in their words, increasing wholesale prices, despite us being on a fixed deal, each time it takes 40 minute call to get it put back to the correct amount.

Bottom line is I want to move to another supplier at the end of the contract, but it looks like most of the other suppliers I've been looking at are not taking on new customers.

Does anyone know of a supplier that is taking on new customers, and are not totally crap.

 

[Neilj]

Unfortunately I think they're all totally crap. Well, maybe some are slightly less crap than others...
As far as I know most will take on new customers but you'll only find fixed rates deals on the websites, at prices way over the current price cap level. The only way to change suppliers and go onto a variable rate that is capped is to ring them, good luck with that!

 

[RaceDiagnostics]

I've been to a few of the big suppliers web sites and so far haven't found one that will take me on even on a standard rate tariff.

Just of the phone with SSE again (40 minutes again) as they don't publish their actual standard rate tariff. It's not on their web site or the renewal letter they sent out to me.

Wen I questioned the operator as to why it's not published, they said they didn't know. What a joke!

Anyway 10 minutes later they can back to me with the figures.

So for the Dundee area, it's.

Electricity

27.9p/kWh & 50.06p/day


Gas

7.33p/kWh & 27.22p/day

 

[daleyd]

We are with Octopus, as we have an EV we use their Go tariff, which gives us cheap rate (7.5 p/kwh) for 4 hrs a night, but slightly more expensive the rest of the day.

Can't comment on their other products but I've got no complaints from my point of view.

 

[RaceDiagnostics]

Here is what is on the Octopus site, same as all the others I have tried.

You need to know this​

Energy prices are at record highs, and most homes will be better off staying with their current energy supplier right now.
If your fixed term is coming to an end, don't choose a new tariff or switch supplier.
Instead, let your supplier automatically move you to their default tariff, so your prices are protected by the Government's Energy Price Cap.
Would you like an email when prices fall?


The market it totally broken.

 

[AVI_8]

Mine is 27.838 per KWH and 49.64 per day standing charge for elec
7.35 per kWh and 27.22 for gas
Shell Energy,
I think they’re all sheisters who are left.
Some of the ones who went bust were good and were genuinely cheaper than the big ones who are left.

 

[daleyd]

Yes I think whoever you I’ve to the best you can get is going to be the standard tariff, which is effectively the price cap rates - there are no cheap deals anymore.

 

[RaceDiagnostics]

Yes I think whoever you I’ve to the best you can get is going to be the standard tariff, which is effectively the price cap rates - there are no cheap deals anymore.

I'm not looking for a cheaper deal, just better customer service. Unfortunately it doesn't seem like it's an option.

 

[Neilj]

I was with Green last year on a decent fixed rate deal until they went bust. I ended up with Shell Energy as SoLR on their standard variable rate, that was a big hike. Then it went up again with the hike on 1st April, so I'm now paying about 80% more than I was with Green. I've adjusted my DD with Shell Energy to take all this into account but I still keep getting the 'your not paying us enough and we need to increase your DD' emails. I've not been with them 12 months so they've got no idea of my previous usage to work out an accurate figure. Based on my actual usage figures my DD is spot on, so I've told them to do one. Apparently there's a lot of this happening at the moment with suppliers over inflating DD's.

 

[daleyd]

I'm not looking for a cheaper deal, just better customer service. Unfortunately it doesn't seem like it's an option.

Ah - ok. Octopus have been pretty good to be honest, took a bit of getting through on phone but they respond to emails next day generally.

 

[Morrisman]

I'm with Bulb, for electric, who are currently 'under special administration'. I've never had a problem with them, they advise me what I ought to pay DD each month, and when I've been paying too much in the past they have suggested I reduce it so not to build up too much credit.

My tariff is 48.13 a day, plus 27.86 per kwh. Last bill was £48.


I thought it was the customer who decides what their DD is, not the supplier. They can't change your DD surely, not without your permission?

 

[RaceDiagnostics]

They can change your DD, as long as they inform you in advance, they problem is it then takes a 40 minute call to get it cancelled with SSE.

 

[Morrisman]

They can change your DD, as long as they inform you in advance, they problem is it then takes a 40 minute call to get it cancelled with SSE.

I adjust mine on the Bulb web page. Currently paying £50 per month. I don't think I have ever called them, not yet, so not sure what their phone etiquette is like.

I've no idea how long Bulb will be around, or whether they will shut down, but I was advised not to jump ship, and to definitly not sign up for any fixed tariffs at the moment, the market is so volatile.

Can't remember who advised me though.

 

[Blobber]

For customer service E.On Next domestic side are ok, not sure on the prices though, now E.On Next business side is a different matter they are useless/incompetent/waste of space/detached from reality/dim/no grasp of the situation, put those in any order you like but dealing with them you will need the lot!

 

[Greeves246]

I’ve been with OVO for some years and try to build up a healthy credit, currently about £500, as they pay 3% interest deducted from the bill. Need to increase Direct Debit to keep it high, max allowed is £1000, as I don’t get 3% from the bank.

 

[AKN]

I have gone through hell with ovo this year having two accounts, my late mother’s property and my own. I’ve tried twice to move to British Gas but first time got the “our prices are higher than your current supplier so we are not allowed to take you on” and the second time just “we are not taking new customers”. Having spoken to the Energy Omnbudsman they said that with several companies failing British Gas had had to take on half a million new customers and were struggling with it. I’ve been close to a nervous breakdown over these lot! I have now started a case with the Serious Fraud Office against ovo energy and their trading practices.

 

[Mikey D]

Im with out fox the market (foxglove energy ) electricity only .
Day rate 35.6 pence kWh
Night rate 23.4 pence kWh

No standing charge
Happy with the service and no problems with communication via e mail or live chat .

 

[Craig-SM]

I have gone through hell with ovo this year having two accounts, my late mother’s property and my own. I’ve tried twice to move to British Gas but first time got the “our prices are higher than your current supplier so we are not allowed to take you on” and the second time just “we are not taking new customers”. Having spoken to the Energy Omnbudsman they said that with several companies failing British Gas had had to take on half a million new customers and were struggling with it. I’ve been close to a nervous breakdown over these lot! I have now started a case with the Serious Fraud Office against ovo energy and their trading practices.

I’m with British Gas after Peoples Energy collapsed last September. Only this month have they managed to get my bill and readings correct. Call customer ”services” and you’re talking to an Indian call centre who tried to correct my direct debit. By correcting it they managed to triple it! Called again the next day and they canceled the direct debit and only found when I got an email. Another call and after spending 3 hours on the phone spoke to an English person who actually sorted everything out and arranged for a smart meter to be fitted.
Smart meter fitted by an engineer who arrived on time and was very professional. Smart meter doesn’t connect to British Gas correctly so don't get any meaningful information. Getting another fitted next month.

I think you’ve had a narrow escape that you didn’t transfer to British Gas

 

[prepman]

Fear not help is on the way!
This will make ALL the difference in the world. Received this today...wtf?

"As a Priority Services Customer, we wanted to let you know that our name is changing. From September Western Power Distribution (WPD) will be known as National Grid."

 

[prepman]

I'm with Bulb, for electric, who are currently 'under special administration'. I've never had a problem with them, they advise me what I ought to pay DD each month, and when I've been paying too much in the past they have suggested I reduce it so not to build up too much credit.

My tariff is 48.13 a day, plus 27.86 per kwh. Last bill was £48.


I thought it was the customer who decides what their DD is, not the supplier. They can't change your DD surely, not without your permission?

Tariff seems high. Are you a business user? But your usage must be very low. Mine's currently £140/m at 27p/d and 20p/kwh. That's just cooking and lighting/welding/machining..etc