Utility bills

[Simpo Two]

So BG have just sent me a letter offering to help me 'manage my bills', and saying how much they value me as a customer, but they're still going to put the price up by 7%.

I have both gas and electricity from them and both are going up by 7%. The natural instinct is to shop around and jump ship. However the cynical side of me says that just after I switch, the new supplier, having hoovered up lots of emigrating BG customers, will do the same, and even if they don't, the changeover will go wrong and I'll get double bills and then end up in the usual nine-month fight with 'final reminders' and computers to get it all sorted out.

What does the panel think? Change for no certain benefit, or take it on the chin and apply the Dunkirk Spirit?

[JABB]

I have just had the end of contract, here are your new rates letter. I phoned them up, and asked for a decent rate, rather than the standard rate and after faffing about pressing keys, I have got our main shop £500 and our warehouse £800 cheaper based on last years usage.
It pays to talk to them.

[Simpo Two]

Thanks, though this is just a 3-bed house not a business. Interestingly though it does say 'If you wish to terminate this contract please contact us on 0800...... within 20 working days.'

Is this like the famous Vodafone Retention Department I wonder? Can domestic users simply ring up and haggle/bully them into price matching?

[Simpo Two]

I have a question in mind - 'How much of this 7% is paying for the Government's Feed-in Tariff?

[cjs]

I just switched to EDF from BG, saving me £200 a year ( so the U switch web site told me). EDF are doing £100 back if you're a new customer and I also went through Quidco to get another £80 cash back.

You'll need to be quick as the offer runs out soon.

http://www.quidco.com/utilities/edf-energy/

Edited by cjs on Monday 29th November 19:16

[CatherineJ]

Try uswitch and see what comes up in terms of a deal for a fixed length of time. We were on a fixed deal with EON and switched at the end of our existing deal last month to a cheaper one which is fixed until early 2012.

[Simpo Two]

cjs said:

I just switched to EDF from BG, saving me £200 a year ( so the U switch web site told me). EDF are doing £100 back if you're a new customer and I also went through Quidco to get another £80 cash back.

You'll need to be quick as the offer runs out soon.

http://www.quidco.com/utilities/edf-energy/

Edited by cjs on Monday 29th November 19:16

Looked great but every option sseems to want DD. No way is any utility company getting their paws on my bank account! Thanks for the thought though.

CatherineJ said:

Try uswitch and see what comes up in terms of a deal for a fixed length of time. We were on a fixed deal with EON and switched at the end of our existing deal last month to a cheaper one which is fixed until early 2012.

Will do. Although last tme I tried Uswitch it suggested the OAP Special tariff!!

What a pity that something as simple as electricity and gas has turned into a marketing and sales promotion jamboree.