British Gas - should I switch?

[1977Nicky]

Ok, what's the deal with British Gas then? Obviously they are putting their prices up (I am with them for gas and electric) so should I switch? Or is it true that all other companies will have to put their prices up as well so is it worth it? Also, does anyone think this freeze prices deal from 1st March is worthwhile and is it available to existing customers?

Thanks

[Ethel]

I am a BIG fan of Martin Lewis, the money-saving expert. Following his advise I've pocketed a least an extra �500 this year.

He says if you have never changed from British Gas - do so, and you should save a lot of money.

Otherwise wait a month or two until the market has settled down. Have a look at his site - you will find comparison sites there to show how much you will save by switching.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/index.phtml

[zara 4]

Yeah i heard him yesterday saying that even when other companies put there prices up you will still save money by leaving british Gas it'll still be cheaper for you.

[Lonnie]

Two months ago, we switched to PowerGen, got a good deal, capped for six months. However, if you've seen the news, theirs is going to be almost on par with BG, so after the six months, we are expecting a big increase.

But the main selling point for us, is that we have a handicapped daughter, and in the event of a power cut, they'll bring a generator round, so she is not inconvenienced, if you know anyone who might suffer in a powercut, then that alone is worth looking at.

[smurfchops]

We changed from British Gas to Powergen a couple of weeks ago and the paperwork is now going through. However British Gas want us to stay with them, and what do you know Powerget have just upped their prices as well so what should we do? British Gas are now offering us capped rate until 2009 plus with a BT line, free calls evenings and weekends without a quarterly charge, plus a cheaper line rental. Should we go back to British Gas? They came to read the meter today and I dread to think what our final bill will be... I might be passing the hat round to all your ABers soon ..

[Postdog]

Maybe I'm just cdopping out, but my view is if it ain't broke, don't try to fix it. Totally different I know, but I switched my phone to NTL and regretted it because the service was so bad, and I switched my car insurance only to find that was crappy too when I had to make a claim.Regarding fuel prices though, I don't think anyone is going to escape rises, whoever they are with.

[WendyS]

I get the Martin Lewis tips too and now see that he's recommending biding one's time for a while before switching because many suppliers are in the process of implementing big price hikes. Possibly the only way we can control our fuel bills in the short term is to turn the thermostat down a degree, shorten the amount of time the heating is running and wear an extra sweater or fleece indoors. Drawing the curtains in all rooms at night reduces heat loss. Using a microwave oven instead of an electric oven uses less power and when using a gas or electric hob, keep the lids on saucepans and turn the power down as low as possible instead of letting things bolil frantically away.

[buildersmate]

Agree with the earlier comments about Martin Lewis and his excellent website.

There is a subtle difference about the way the electricity supply industry works and the telecomms and car insurance services which makes the comparison less relevant. About 10 years ago, the Government separated the electricity (and gas) SUPPLY companies from the DISTRIBUTION companies. The distribution company runs the wires and pipes to your home, the supply companies stuff the energy into the front-end of the wire or pipe. Crude analogy, I know, but bear with me. If the wires fail, it is the job of your local electricity company to sort it - so SSE, the old Southern Electricity in S England, irrespective of who your supplier is. So the only thing to get right from the customer services angle with the supplier is the billing. And since we all have a meter just outside the front door, it isn't beyond the wit of most men (or women) to keep track of what going on there and decline to pay if it gets messed up until it is sorted. Yes - I know there are occasional horror stories on this front over billing.

Regarding the switching over of supplier, it really is that easy. Your meter has a unique code associated with it called an MPAN. The MPAN gets registered with one supplier only. When you switch over, you move the MPAN registration.

One last word of advice. If you are going to switch, either do it now, or hold back for two months. This current fuss about prices will encourage many more people to switch over and the sustem that manages the switchover process will, in my humble opinion, get overloaded. A bit like anything else where the demand suddenly peaks, and the companies will not be able to cope. More stories will then appear in the press about the pathetic response by electricity supply companies.