Forum Topic

Electricity and Gas Suppliers  ... who's cheapest in TW7 and TW8

Has anyone researched this subject lately?Apparently www.uswitch.com is a website that requests all your details...then I discovered an outfit called the Utility Warehouse based in NW10 and wondered if they were the best of all...as they say?As apparently 10% of fuel bills never get paid!!! I gather that direct debit accounts attract the lowest prices.  I spend £800 and more on gas and electricity and these websites suggest I could save maybe 10-15%.Anyone have advice?

Jim Lawes ● 7334d9 Comments

Jim How about these utility companies asking new customers who are tenants to pay a deposit to cover anticipated costs or the providers installing key meters? For homeowners how about utility companies taking firm action such as going for CCJ's or applying for a charging order in cases where debtors are persistent?I don’t see the commercial advantage of any organisation taking on new customers when they know nothing of the customer’s financial history.  A customer who will not pay is not a customer, it’s a debt and if the debt can’t be managed, it’s a liability.

Gareth Evans ● 7330d

Gareth and Charles:It was a Powergen debt collector who told me about the problems of collecting unpaid bills in Hounslow Borough... even when customers have been sent red reminders and threatened with Court action.So many swing the line that the owner is away for three months and I'm his brother etc etc...or pretending to be.I asked "Would as many as 5% not pay their bills?" Oh much more than that was the reply. "Over 10%?" yes and more.The debt collector said that the Customers often swopped to new Suppliers in the meantime...sometimes taking the outstanding bill/debt with them..but sometimes not. The new supplier was more interested in getting a new customer than worrying about his immediate financial history!!So. prices must take into account that only 88% will pay...and so we'd better insert that 12% shortage into current prices.On the same score...how many people really do pay their Council tax..or pay their business rates. You may be surprised.  Maybe 90%?

Jim Lawes ● 7330d

CharlesAgreed that the best interests of the society would be poorly served if the utility companies started cutting the supplies of vulnerable people off. However, I can’t see why utility companies couldn’t offer to install a key operated meter to anyone having trouble settling their utility bills.

Gareth Evans ● 7330d

[i]Would you believe that of a private company!!!![i/]I have been giving this some though over the last couple of days, and reached the conclusion that this anomaly, may be due to the fact that the Government does not allow the utility companies to disconnect the supplies of the elderly on none payment of their bills.(due to being caught in some kind of poverty trap)? Could this be part of the answer as I must agree it is very odd that the Private Companies have not created a song and dance about it.

Charles Guest ● 7330d

"As apparently 10% of fuel bills never get paid"Would you believe that of a private company!!!!

Gareth Evans ● 7331d

It would seem that the hassel involved in the change over is not worth the effort, considering the very tiny savings, also taking into account the number of telephone calls from your original supplier asking why you have changed over.

Charles Guest ● 7332d

So are we better off in the free market with so many suppliers?

Gareth Evans ● 7333d

The only all British Utility company operating at the moment is Scottish Power, I've just changed from British Gas to Scottish Power and they seem to be a little bit cheaper and if/when you go on holiday you will not be charged a standing charge. and they are also a little bit cheaper than British Gas if you pay by standing order.

Angus James ● 7333d

This website seems to sort the deals out Jimwww.ukpower.co.uk

Paul Fisher ● 7333d