shawnee32:

Would welcome advice please

see my response above on your thread.

"if switching don't cancel your DD until you get your balance back otherwise it's a cheque to get lost (or not sent)."

That can be dangerous - a few years ago NPower kept on taking my DD even after I had switched to Swalec- ended up owing me ~ £300 !! I had to stop DD - they eventually paid me the credit (and overpayments) about 8 weeks after switching!!

BREWERDAVE1:

That can be dangerous - a few years ago NPower kept on taking my DD even after I had switched to Swalec

I agree there is that risk, however getting the bank to "immediately" refund payments collected in error, under the Direct Debit guarantee, IMHO almost completely mitigates the risk.

However if you'd rather debate where the cheque has got lost......

Scottish Power told me on phone I have until 17th Oct to opt out of new Sept 2010 capped rate. I completed a Challeng SP on their website with the result they suggest moving to Fix and Flex. This carries the same £50 penalty to leave them but is waived if I change to new rate with themselves before July. The lady I spoke to about changing DD or requesting refund suggested I would be put on Premier Plus if I opt out. Although I seemed to get more accurate rate on switching site using KWH The options listed for stating my present plan with SP do not include the one I am on so this may be the reason for the fluctuating 'savings' These varied from £28 to £600 plus but their estimations of my current billing was way out thus giving these optimistic figures. A couple of years ago when I proposed moving SP came back to me and persuaded me to revert - not sure if that was in my best interests either! Certainly 'expert' advice at present does not seem to favour 'capping so still uncertain of best way forward

shawnee32:

'expert' advice at present does not seem to favour 'capping so still uncertain of best way forward

I thinks it's really really easy to give advice here. Opt out now to Scottish Power Online Energy (no standing charge if you prefer). That's got absolutely no tie-ins. Then take stock. The market is in flux just now and it's a bad time to tie-in.

Regarding whether "capping" is good or bad, in theory "capped" prices can go down (but not up), though I've never seen small print which defines the circumstances that a capped price will go down. On the other hand "fixed" prices won't change.

If you still think you might want to "fix" or "cap", and personally I think de-risking the winter bill period is worthwhile, ask your SP adviser why you are not being offered Online Saver 6. It's a competitive "hidden online" tariff they have to attract new customers, but if you want it, insist.

thanks I will try that

Well Jalexa I have just received an email from SP offering me this deal. At the weekend I opted out of the new offer online but when I spoke to the adviser this week I still was on itaccording to my account. The email seems to be in response to that as it says it is in response to me opting out of their offer. I will look up the details of this offer and as you say there are no tie ins I may well go for it. Thanks for your advice

shawnee32: I have just received an email from SP offering me this deal.

For the avoidance of any doubt, SP Energy Online has no tie-ins and is not capped or fixed.

SP Energy Saver 6 is capped with a tie-in, but unlike many competitors, the benefits are not deferred for a year.

Your choice.

I just checked Energy saver 6 which HAS early termination fee I take you are saying (above) straightforward SP energy online does not (will change to that for now at least) Now being offered OVO with considerable saving but an exit fee of £60!! thanks again

shawnee32:

I take you are saying (above) straightforward SP energy online does not (will change to that for now at least)

Correct...

...and its much easier to find SP Energy Online of the comparison websites than the multitude of SP fixed/capped tariffs so your next switch should be much easier to compare.

done thanks