Discussion
dickymint said:
Mr Pointy said:
dickymint said:
richatnort said:
Also interested to know as i'm going to move to them soon so if anyone has a code I can use.
bulb.co.uk/refer/richardh4941?utm_campaign=account-referral-share&utm_medium=copy-link&utm_source=copy-button
Monsterlime said:
We have just switched from British Gas to Scottish Power, because Compare the Meerkat said it was cheaper. Which it is, but Bulb clearly weren't included. I have just quoted with them, and it is slightly cheaper, but the question is - can we switch and is it worth it?
I got the email from Scottish Power to say we had switched 2 days ago. Although they had something really odd with their sign up and initially seemed to think we had 3 Electricity meters, but that seems to have resolved itself (even though I spent almost 2 hours on hold waiting to talk to someone and eventually gave up).
Bulb say they will refund our exit fee, but since we have only just switched, would we be liable? On the basis I've already spent 2 hours on hold with Scottish Power with no answer, I am not eager to try and call them (and is another reason I am considering leaving already).
I think you would need to read the SP T&Cs to find out if you have a cooling off period (or post a link to them). I found switching to Bulb very straightforward & I'd always avoided switching as I thought is was hassle. I can't say what the wait to speak to CS is like as I've never called them but they did answer a couple of emails promptly. They are just starting to rollout the SMETS2 meters & from their forum they are struggling a bit with the workload but you don't have to have a smart meter.I got the email from Scottish Power to say we had switched 2 days ago. Although they had something really odd with their sign up and initially seemed to think we had 3 Electricity meters, but that seems to have resolved itself (even though I spent almost 2 hours on hold waiting to talk to someone and eventually gave up).
Bulb say they will refund our exit fee, but since we have only just switched, would we be liable? On the basis I've already spent 2 hours on hold with Scottish Power with no answer, I am not eager to try and call them (and is another reason I am considering leaving already).
Edit: it looks like you have 14 days after the delivery of the welcome letter to cancel , although I don't know where you go to if you do. Maybe give Bulb a call or send an email.
https://www.scottishpower.co.uk/legal/cooling-off-...
Since it seems obligatory here's my link for us to both get £50 if you sign up (although that's not what I started the thread for):
www.bulb.co.uk/refer/julians9197
Edited by Mr Pointy on Wednesday 27th March 13:22
dhutch said:
Yeah it's nice to be able to set the payments.
Presumably there is a limit to how much in debt you can be, mines a but below what we are burning over winter and after Jan+Feb having started in aug we're now slightly in the red.
While it asks in the website if I want to up it I've had no emails or anything and expect it to go positive in a month or two now it's not as cold so I'm leaving it.
Same here - I've been a bit negative in January & Feb, levelish in March & I'll be in credit over the summer but they still suggest I raise the DD. I suspect they might try & get people to pay a bit more in to help cashflow but unlike my previous supplier at least it's only advisory/polite begging. Of course referrals distort the picture as well as they can't be relied on so I suspect are ignored when they calculate the DD level.Presumably there is a limit to how much in debt you can be, mines a but below what we are burning over winter and after Jan+Feb having started in aug we're now slightly in the red.
While it asks in the website if I want to up it I've had no emails or anything and expect it to go positive in a month or two now it's not as cold so I'm leaving it.
stevesuk said:
Are we allowed to share our referral codes these days? 
Anyway... Bulb sent me an email yesterday inviting me to register to have a smart meter fitted... apparently engineers are in my area in the next few weeks, and they thought I wouldn't want to miss out (OK ...)
In the past I've read all sorts of articles telling me why not to have a smart meter installed... but what's the current opinion on them?
These are the second generation ones apparently (which still work if you switch energy providers). However, reading through the blurb, the only potential benefit I could see (to me personally) is that Bulb plan to allow you to make use of cheaper electricity off-peak. But at the same time, its only at the trial stage, and not available on the meters they're currently fitting.
That aside, is there any real world benefit to having one installed? (if not, I'll forgo the hassle I think)
You'll get all sorts of arguments about how having one will instantly put all you bank details & passwords online but I've gone from anti to meh about them. Bulb do say that 80% of users on the Smart Tariff trial saved money so if you knew when the peak time was (4-7pm I think) you can make sure you only use candles during that time.Anyway... Bulb sent me an email yesterday inviting me to register to have a smart meter fitted... apparently engineers are in my area in the next few weeks, and they thought I wouldn't want to miss out (OK ...)
In the past I've read all sorts of articles telling me why not to have a smart meter installed... but what's the current opinion on them?
These are the second generation ones apparently (which still work if you switch energy providers). However, reading through the blurb, the only potential benefit I could see (to me personally) is that Bulb plan to allow you to make use of cheaper electricity off-peak. But at the same time, its only at the trial stage, and not available on the meters they're currently fitting.
That aside, is there any real world benefit to having one installed? (if not, I'll forgo the hassle I think)
What would be useful is live updating of usage on the home display but I don't think that's working yet which is why I didn't bother when they sent me the email.
LivingTheDream said:
Am I right in thinking I can change my payment amounts? I could then drop them in summer when we use significantly less and raise them in winter - sounds so obvious!
Yes you can although they may suggest a figure to keep your balance positive. They didn't insist on it though.675 Gaz said:
I'm seeing lots of positives with bulb on here, I'm due end of contract with BG beginning of July.
I'm currently paying £228 a month combined (I raised to clear a shock debit due) and have taken to inputting my own readings months to save the aforementioned debit again.
Last month we used £88 combined !
I've seen on the bulb Facebook page ?? alot of complaints from people saying it was low but then price hikes, are these just people that get suckered in or in general what to expect
Bulb make it very clear that they offer a variable rate deal not a fixed one so it is quite possible that the rates will change but the latest change was a reduction so it's not always an increase.I'm currently paying £228 a month combined (I raised to clear a shock debit due) and have taken to inputting my own readings months to save the aforementioned debit again.
Last month we used £88 combined !
I've seen on the bulb Facebook page ?? alot of complaints from people saying it was low but then price hikes, are these just people that get suckered in or in general what to expect
I've found them very efficient & considerably cheaper than my previous suppliers with them handling everything if you switch. As has been said they will pay any exit fees, you can adjust your monthly payment online, you can have a SMETS 2 Smart meter if you want (or not if you don't, no threats or hassle to have one) & they run a popular referral scheme so you can get money for roping in all of your friends & relatives. Submit your usage every month & they'll tell exectly how much you have used & what your account balance is. They do really seem to running a good online business.
Speaking of codes, here's mine! www.bulb.me/julians9197
corradokid said:
Looking into this as our British Gas tariff is up for renewal. Can the tariff go up and down? Are they a decent company to deal with generally? Also Am I doing something wrong here, the referral links show £50 still?
Yes, it's avariable tariff so it can swing both ways. No company is perfect but I & many others have found them very efficient: the quality of customer service is a key requirement for me & I've found it good. The referral goes up to £75 just for next week only. snuffy said:
Mr Pointy said:
Apparantly I'm going to save 306 Cherry Bakewells 
That's not helped me either. Bulb's childish marketing really started to cock me off. I had an email just before I switched to say I'd saved the weight of so many diplodocus's in CO2. Oh do f
k off.Providing a comparative image is also very useful - no-one can imagine how big 5.3 million tonnes of CO2 is but 240,000 Diplodoci is a very big pile. We use the principle quite frequently - usually it's London buses or football pitches.
It made me smile & you're boring.
dickymint said:
Mr Pointy said:
snuffy said:
Mr Pointy said:
Apparantly I'm going to save 306 Cherry Bakewells
That's not helped me either. Bulb's childish marketing really started to cock me off. I had an email just before I switched to say I'd saved the weight of so many diplodocus's in CO2. Oh do fk off.Providing a comparative image is also very useful - no-one can imagine how big 5.3 million tonnes of CO2 is but 240,000 Diplodoci is a very big pile. We use the principle quite frequently - usually it's London buses or football pitches.
It made me smile & you're boring.
Gretchen said:
I’d been with the same energy supplier for 25 years until I changed to Bulb this time last year. Electric only here so an increase for me. Have run another comparison and a couple of unknown names showing a slight saving, but with a minimum contract and an early release fee. I like Bulb’s communication and ease of use. Is it worth sticking with them?
Octopus seem to be highly rated by those who are with them & their electricity rate is slightly less than Bulb in my postcode. Maybe get a quote & see if it's worthwhile changing:https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://octopus.energy/
Use a referral code of course & you'll save money.
Kev_Mk3 said:
Bulb are really annoying me with the direct debit now. I had it set up for an amount they increased it to a ridiculous amount for no reason. When I asked why and requested it to be reduced again they wont do it. They have restricted the amount I reduce it too also so now I am massively in credit which they wont give me. I am going to move asap I'm bored of them now after several issues
That's at odds with my experience: they've just emailed me to suggest I reduce my DD by 10% so I don't build up a credit amount. There must be a reason they set your DD at that level. How long have you been with them? Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff