The reason energy savings can not be displayed as you have described, is because the energy market is far more volatile and prices can change more or less at any time, so decisions on energy supplier's will require a certain level of "gut instinct" as well as a great deal of research.

Playing the long game isn't always a bad thing especially if you're on some form on capped/protected/fixed rate, the only downside is if a new tarriff emerges on the market than can save you in excess of "retention" bonus, then technically you've lost out and have little choice but to remain with the supplier to limit your losses or cut your losses and switch. (whihc is why i perosnally prefer reward son the fly), But in either case a difficult choice

have a look at southern electric go direct 2 tariff

gas 3.46 (first 1143 per qtr) going to 2.6

elec 14.06(first 182 per qtr) going to 9.11

Halfcat:

...... Atlantic are not the only company to pay some kind of retention bonus, so this could mean that the websites are not showing the best deal. I am highlighting that.

In the case of a Consumer Focus accredited website your point is (probably) wrong.

Clause 7.1 of the Code refers.....

discounts that are paid annually (e.g. loyalty discounts)

OK its a long game, but if you select the right deal, you are most likely to be with a company for at least a year.

Retention bonus are there to be taken advantage of. My main point is that the websites dont acknowledge the existance of this. When you compare a mortage for example, you can see what it costs over one, 2, 5 or 25 years (or what ever you select). OK a mortgage is a long term commitment, but the websites claim to be "comparison" on energy, but are not.

As another poster pointed out, Atlantic are not the only company to pay some kind of retention bonus, so this could mean that the websites are not showing the best deal. I am highlighting that.

Of course I would prefer that the prices were just lower, but the world isnt like that!

As Jalexa as pointed out its just another take on Npower's notorius "£100.00 per year discount (payable on 12th month aniversary".

You may see it as a bonus and i suppose in the grand scheme of things it sortof is - but you have to play the long game, and pay over the odd's over those 12/13 months before reaping the benefit.

From a personal point-of-view if there's an added perk or bonus for doing something I prefer to recieve on the fly, rather than wait a year or so for it.

Halfcat:

Looking at OVO myself, but waiting for some reviews liek most.

Currently with Atlantic. .......they give the 13th month free as a rebate

but don't forget that another effect of that is to lock the customer in for 12 (or is that 13?) months by a future rebate which is higher in many cases than the penalty to leave early other suppliers fixed tariffs.

I call that a "gotcha".

Looking at OVO myself, but waiting for some reviews liek most.

Currently with Atlantic. Though I must point out that as far as i can see the comparison sites do not do them justice. They give the 13th month free as a rebate, but as the comparison sites look at the first 12 months for a comparison, this "bonus" is not inculded in the calculated, so for me, they make atlantic appear £71 per year more expensive than I actually pay. For me OVO will still be £50 cheaper a month, but going to wait a little longer. Also, I think energy prices will go up in the next 12 months, and OVO are fixed for 12 months.

access:

Recently when I switched to EDF V5 and subsequently keeping an eye on things I noted OVO were not much cheaper.

You'll see this more and more, as market conditions have changed suppliers are approximately within 5% of one another. Far closer than they have been in the past - price while important is quickly becoming far less of a differentiating characteristic.

daz.c:

... they don't pay commision so dont appear on a lot of comparison sites...

Which means what excactly?

The answer is nothing IF as Jalexa has pointed out you use an acredited comparison site, they'll appear regardless of commission payments. The simple fact is that atlantic are no where near as competitive as they were when then emerged in the market.

Well I've read their website and done a bit of Googling. You can't find anything about the management of the company on the website unless they've hidden it away somewhere. What I did find through Googling is below.

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/stephen-fitzpatrick/9/8bb/985

Recently when I switched to EDF V5 and subsequently keeping an eye on things I noted OVO were not much cheaper.

I wish all who try this company on the basis of the information I have found, the very best! Oh er... I won't be wishing myself the very best any time soon.

daz.c:

... they don't pay commision so dont appear on a lot of comparison sites...

Always use a Consumer Focus accredited website. There is a link to one on this Forum.

Commission or not should not influence the listing. See here....

http://www.consumerfocus.org.uk/Media/ViewFile.aspx?FilePath=154_20081017141314_e_@@_Consumer_Focus_Confidence_Code.pdf&filetype=4

hiya i work for southern electric and atlantic is part ov us

they are still going very strong but they don't pay commision so dont appear on a lot of comparison sites

and ebico is the same

cheers Daz

As the new guy in the market Ovo will be very keen to make an impression. They'll need to, to survive. If you look through the forumns you'll see mentions of two other "new suppliers" Atlantic and Ebeco, both started off very prolific, very cheap and provide very good customer service experieces. The question is where are they now? Unfortunately it doesn't seem that times have been kind for them and as has been seen now do not appear highly (if at all) on any comaprison site right now.

Fingers crossed Ovo fair better.

Thanks for swift and useful reply. If I get any more feedback - I will pass it on.

J

jeremy_s:

Several comparison sites have recommended Ovo Energy as the cheapest option for my usage and location.

Too new for there to be any reviews.

If you know your annual consumption and set your direct debit at 1/12 of the annual cost predicted by the comparsion website for Ovo Energy I do not expect you will have any more requirement to contact the supplier than you would have with any of the established suppliers.

Anyway I note that the Ovo Energy customer service number is 0800.......