br1anstorm,

The cashback offer is not available direct to site however it may still be available through cashback websites.

With regards to sending a private message, you can email me at scott.byrom AT moneysupermarket.com.

Scott

A quick further follow-up. I've just revisited the comparison site. Cashback offer (£30 for dual, £17.50 for gas or electric) still shows up. Was my ref to April fools closer to the mark than I had realised?

Scott

Thanks. I'd rather not put my postcode into a public forum post - but I can't see any guidance on how to send a PM (private message). The Help FAQs explain PMs, but don't give any pointer on how to send one!

But ho hum, this may all become academic anyway in view of your comment about the removal of cashback (makes April fools of the users of the MS.com comparison site since then, surely?). If there's no cashback, there's no incentive to use MS.com to switch - I might as well go direct to AEG as forumfan suggested earlier!

br1anstorm,

Sorry for the late response.

Although you are an existing SSE customer for your electric, you should still be able to apply for a dual fuel tariff for Atlantic.

Can you send me your postcode so I can run a check on the site.

Please note cashback was removed from the MS.com website on 1st April 2008.

Thanks, forumfan - I was aware of that already.

But doing it directly means no cashback - which is why I'd still like to make the switch using the Moneysupermarket site. So I'd still like an answer from an MS "expert" to the question I asked about how the MS comparison site presents its results. Scott - are you there?

You can switch to AEG via their website.

Hmmm... now I have a question about how your comparison site works. When I put in all my details, Atlantic (AEG) shows up as a possible alternative gas supplier. But I'd like to have a dual-fuel arrangement (to simplify billing). In the dual-fuel results table, no sign of AEG at all.

So I tried an experiment. My actual current suppliers are British Gas for gas, and Scottish Hydro-Electric for electricity. I cheated, and put in Eon as my existing supplier for electricity. Lo and behold, AEG now appears as a possible alternative supplier among the results in the dual-fuel table!

Scottish Hydro may be part of the SSE group, like AEG. But they operate and trade as separate companies (separate websites, separate contracts, etc). And anyway, I want to switch to a dual fuel contract. So how come I'm not offered the option to switch from my (actual) existing suppliers to a dual-fuel arrangement with a new supplier - AEG?

br1anstorm

I've always been surprised by why AEG doesn't show up in the ratings. From paying over a thousand pounds with Powergen a year for gas and electric, my annual bill with AEG is now under four hundred. The customer service is great. You call an 0800 number, are connected under two minutes (in my experience) and they don't mess about or fob you off with empty promises. I always endorse them wholeheartedly.

br1anstorm,

Glad to help.

The SSE prices will be loaded on to MS.com this morning.

Thanks, Scott, for a very clear and helpful answer. Once you have SSE/Atlantic etc on your comparison site I'll check and compare again before any decision to switch. I certainly agree that it would be very useful to have a clear and full list of the various different providers (licensed or not) and the guide to who owns/supplies whom.

br1anstorm

br1anstorm,

Due to the late announcement by SSE on Thursday we are unable to show its new prices on MS.com at the moment. We have discussed this with the energy provider and will look to add its new prices ASAP.

Spark Energy is not a licensed energy supplier and is currently underwritten by a company called Utilita.

Currently we list all licensed suppliers but in the near future will be looking to add all providers and their affiliates, agents and brands.

With regards to our transparency, we have a full list of all providers who we do/don't receive a commission payment from. This is positioned on our results page under the ''How can we offer this service for free?' link.

We pride ourselves on providing a comprehensive, accurate and true reflection of the energy market to ensure our customers can find the best deal possible.

SSE certainly lead the market on customer service and are becoming a real player in the energy market. Its best product can be found in its 'Standard - Online' tariff.

I hope this helps.

I have been exploring options, and comparison sites, for switching energy suppliers. Atlantic Electric & Gas is well-reviewed on the supplier-info pages of moneysupermarket.com, and features also in the forum discussions. But where is it (or for that matter SSE, Swalec and Scottish Hydro) in the price-comparison tables? Why does it not show up?

Similarly, where is Spark? Newish supplier, apparently, and very competitive. But nowhere to be seen in the comparison tables.

Do I conclude that moneysupermarket.com's comparison service is

- less than comprehensive;

- less than transparent; and therefore

- not a reliable guide

.... and that moneysupermarket.com only features those suppliers which pay commission?