Forum Topic

Gas and electric suppliers.

ENERGY SUPPLIERS.Because I haven't got a head for figures I have stuck with SSE Swalek for 47 years. But owing to Look After My Bills without my permission signing me up to Utility Point in October 2021, I have had the opportunity to try and figure out which energy provider gives the best deal. I have learned that using switching companies provides the worst deals and leave behind a trail of stress. For instance Look  After My Bills and Utility Point for 4 months have both blamed each other and both have launched an investigation into the mess they have dropped me in. And the situation has not been resolved with 2 BBC consumer programmes investigating hundreds if not thousands of complaints against these 2 companies.My energy provider for 47 years, SSE had suggested that I start off with them as a new customer and on 12-1-21 a contract was agreed with a customer service agent emailing me the following details."Good day Mr Milkins,This is to confirm the effective start date with Swalec-SSE is the 29 January 2021 to take over the gas and electricity supply.This means that you will only be charged from the date mentioned above going forward. All other charges will be applied by your current supplier until the date your supply starts with Swalec-SSE.Thank you.Regards,Yolanda."Hooray. Then I get the following  email from Jolene from SSE on 20-1-20."I understand that you have been sent an email regarding the dates the supply has come back to us and you were advised that you would not have a bill until SSE started [29-1-21], feedback is being provided to that adviser so this incorrect information is not given in the future, for this I can offer a goodwill payment of £30.00 for incorrect information given. SSE can keep their £30 !!!!!!!!!!I have now learned how easy it is to find the cheapest deal for gas and electric. Find a company offering a 2 year fixed tariff which I have done. To date, the best deal offers a 2 year fixed tariff.                                 For gas, the daily standing charge is 27 pence per day. The charge for gas is 2.952 pence per kw hour.For electric, the standing charge is 24.02 pence per day. The charge for electric is 17.42 per kw hour.These prices are considerably cheaper than my former supplier. If anyone can direct me to a better deal, please let me know as haven't signed up to EDF yet.

Neil Milkins ● 1922d7 Comments

It's nice to be able to post a positive review for a change. Look After My Bills without my permission or knowledge Switched me from SSE and signed me up to Utility Point on November 2020. Despite a 60-70 day investigation by both companies both are arguing that each other are to blame and the matter is still not resolved. Fortunately yesterday (27-1-21)  SSE kindly invited me back to them from 29-1-21 and because of my nightmare with LAMB and UP they have generously waived the cost of gas and electric used between 2 November 2020 and 29-1-2021 estimated at £300-£350. My Civil Court action against LAMB and UP is still going ahead.

Neil Milkins ● 1914d

I had the following email from Ben Bolt CEO of Utility Point on Sunday 17 January. The email was in response to an email that I sent to him in regard to Look After My Bills illegally switching me from SSE to Utility Point in October 2020. Utility Point will not answer emails and I spent 32 minutes on the phone to them this morning and then just got cut off. I phoned again and after 30 minutes spoke to Daniel R. He still hasn't a clue as to whether Utility Point are near to resolving the matter.Good Evening Neil,I understand your frustrations and you are not alone in this misfortune. It is a common hazard of such switching services and we are working with them to help improve their services. We will ensure that any compensation that is due is rightfully forwarded.I realise that you do not wish to hear from us again but I wondered if I could please reply to one of your statements below and happy for you to ignore my response.Would you kindly look at the financial accounts of OVO, AVRO, BULB and indeed the majority of the energy suppliers. You will find that every single one has posted significant losses of tens if not hundreds of millions. Indeed Bulb alone reported £149 million loss.As a business owner it is disheartening to report losses however in comparison to our size we have performed well amongst our peers. The sector is such that competition is fierce and there is a large void between the reality of costs and some of the tariffs that are being sold on the market, indeed with some 10% or more of a customer’s bill going to price comparison sites!Industry commentators thrive on portraying us as villains in a strange drama in which price comparisons seem to be the hero. I ask you to compare these losses to the profits that are made in the price comparison arena. Indeed I mentioned Bulbs losses, just so happens that these losses grew year on year by the same percentage increase that they grew by… through price comparison websites.I am sorry you have had a bad experience and got wrapped up in something that was not of your doing. This is a real shame and frustrating when one sets out on a journey to support customers and change things. Alas this is the world we live in and it is the negatives that make the news as with everything and all those hours of hard work and positive achievements are cast into the shadows.I am sorry Neil that we took you away from your energy supplier and am glad to hear you have been loyal to them for so long. It is a real credit to them that they have looked after you for so many years without your head being turned.Neil, I do not often reply directly to customers especially on such subjects but it is a Sunday evening and I felt you may take the time to read by reply. There is so much about this industry that is backwards but so much some suppliers are doing for good and I hope one day it is laid bare for the public to see as it really is.Thank you for your time Neil and I wish you all the best. I hope you read this email in the way it is intended as one man talking to another.Please stay safe and well and all the best for the future.Warmest Regards,Ben

Neil Milkins ● 1922d

Thank you all for recommendations.

Neil Milkins ● 1922d

I use Bulb who I've had no problems with after switching from E'ON (who were also good, just no longer cost-competitive). They were the cheapest firm I could find that had a more established reputation and 100% renewable. They also offer £25 credit for a single switch or £50 for a dual switch when signing up using my referral link (for full disclosure, I get the same so admittedly a vested interest - but I honestly think they are good!) www.bulb.me/daniele7452?utm_campaign=account-referral-share&utm_medium=copy-link&utm_source=copy-button

Dan Ericsson ● 1922d

I'm with Avro Energy. They come up as one of the cheapest on several comparison sites. So far had no problems with them at all. 
I also signed my daughter up with them in her house at university 

Sean Hodges ● 1922d

I will try them today thank you.

Neil Milkins ● 1922d

Have you by any chance consulted Which?They are truly brilliant!

Ivonne Holliday ● 1922d