done thanks

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.

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 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.

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

thanks I will try that

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.

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

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......

"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!!

shawnee32:

Would welcome advice please

see my response above on your thread.

Scot Power have just put me on Capped Price Energy 2010 ( can opt out till 17th Oct) Comparison sites suggest savings varying from £28 -£272 -£472 each based on an annual cost of £1280 by moving to Eon I am wary of such varying figures and would need to opt out of capped 2010 to avoid £50 exit charge first Eon exit just £30. The more I search the worse it gets.Have also phoned SP With bill and readings up to date today still have £241 credit with them (includes £113 today for next quarter) but they say cannot have refund. Would welcome advice please

sparky76:

If you want to have the credit balance refunded you can do this. It is your money. Just be firm and polite.

Yep, I agree, although the SP small print does say more that 3 months surplus before a refund. Howver they would be stupid not to recognise that the balance would be refunded in full if the customer left. I am not sure however that SP are not stupid.

A comparison using annual consumption will give annual costs for each tariff. The appropriate DD starting afresh is simply the annual cost/12. In my experience switching with annual consumption figures will result in a reasonable DD being set.

PS

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

If you want to have the credit balance refunded you can do this. It is your money. Just be firm and polite.

You don't owe them this money yet, so they don't have to have it.

You can reduce your DD also.

To justify this (as they are being awkward) just look at your average usage over the year (and including the winter months where its higher, and work out what you think it should cost you, and reduce your DD to the average (not the low summer usage) amount.

Continue to take accurate readings and keep your balance up to date.

HTH

Sparky.

PS I had exactly the same thing with BG and they were a pain about it too.

shawnee32:

Because you have a credit balance you can dictate what you want to do. If you particularly want the credit back you can get it back by switching to another supplier.

Rates and tariff availability vary by region so I can't give specific tariff advice but I'm not convinced SP have recommended their most competitive tariff.

There is no need to go round in circles. If you do a comparison search using a Consumer Focus accredited website (eg Moneysupermarket) based on annual consumption you will get a very accurate indication of what supplier and tariff options are available in your region. Ask your supplier if you don't know what your annual consumption was for the last year.

Don't search on monthly payments. While that will still rank suppliers in approximate order the actual savings indicated may not be achieved.

Bear in mind that some suppliers, eg NPower and Atlantic don't pay any discount for 12 months even though the comparison included the discount. E.ON don't pay any discount on a final bill. There are a lot of "gotchas" out there if you don't understand the small print.