General Chat

Was watching the debate this morning with half an eye.

Think we are probably all trying to keep our costs to a minimum and trying to get a good deal. And no doubt 4 tariffs and automatic switching to cheapest tariff is welcome.

But it wil not happen for 18 months :-( :-( And the expert said this morning that we still have to compare prices on comparison sites.

It seems a ridiculous situation to me when the industry has been made so complicated that we (if we are lucky enough to be computerised) have to go on comparison websites to get a decent deal. I cannot see that any of us are winning except the companies and the comparison sites. Discuss and contrast (in less than 150 words) :-D ;-)

If only you could buy energy! I would have a couple of slices like a shot to keep me going! When you were younger, after a full days work a quick bite to eat and then work on into the evening decorating. Now it's pack up at dinner time and crash out after nothing more than a bit of gardening!

Just have to rely on buckets of caffine now!

Mayfield ;-)

Mayfield :-D :-D

One thing I noticed when I changed supplier 18 months ago was the standing charge. It is easy to compare one another on their normal price ie 3.007p per unit is cheaper than 3.011p.

But with some companies the first 500 units are at a higher level, whereas with another the first 300 units are higher.

In the end I had to set up an Excel spreadsheet for the 8 companies I was interested in comparing. I wonder if price comparison sites do that work for you
:-S :-S

I bet they don't :-( I think they might skew results so that they get the best switch fee from the relevant company ;-) So will it be any easier for consumers in 18 months time?

You lose playing 'just a minute' for repetition:

http://www.genesreunited.co.uk/boards/board/general_chat/thread/1313892?page=1

:-D

Burp!!! ;-)

Have deleted the other thread now. It was specifically about my supplier First:Utility and I have sort of resolved that with a cheque finally being received.

But I think energy prices are a minefield and I cannot see that changing much with the Govt's intervention. :-)

This morning's news:

"Energy Secretary Ed Davey has said the Government's long-delayed Energy Bill would see consumers pay less for energy in the long-run.

As he introduced the legislation to Parliament, Mr Davey insisted: "The net effect of Government policy on energy bills is downwards not upwards."

The Government forecasts that - unlike what many critics claim - energy bills will be £94 less in 2020 if the measures are introduced."

Does this sound terrible - but I don't believe bills will come down. Either in real terms or after accounting for price inflation.

And I also believe that price comparison sites are not comparing eggs with eggs and are skewing their results towards suggesting the companies that give them the largest kick back are the cheapest.

Of course energy prices will not come down. They will get half way through this hairbrained scheme realise it's not workable and scrap it therefore landing the taxpayer with £millions in wasted investment.


Sound familiar?

If my old memory serves I read that the consumer was to pay £95.00 pa MORE to fund this.

And perhaps we are forgetting that in 8 years time we all have to have Smart meters. They cost about £1,000 for elec and heavens knows how much for gas.

Those will be charged to consumers until they have been paid for. Bit like the second Severn Crossing and Dartford Bridge. We only pay until the debt has been paid off. So the Severn Crossing will charge no toll by 2010, Dartford will be free by 2011, and we will not get charged for Smart meters once energy companies have been paid.:-D

nb High degree of sarcasm in this post, sorry if not very evident ;-)

Maybe someone will remember when they are the last person to leave the City at night to turn off the lights!

Why light multi-story empty buildings at night? Oh because these businesses pay a lower tariff!

When in a couple of decades we will have electricity for X hours each day in order to maintain supply to everyone somebody will have decided that multiple sources of production might have been a good idea. That global warming is in fact a myth and just cyclical as many scientists believe.

Sorry I'm waffling, had a bad morning with hospitals! but you get the gist.

You remind me, Sue, of one of the great thinkers of the 20th century. Bertrand Russell, no. Jacob Bronowski, no, Malcolm Muggeridge, no, Joan Bakewell, no.

I am referring to Sir John ("Jack") Cohen, founder of Tesco.

Once, about 1972, there was an evacuation of Tesco House in Cheshunt (700 staff then) for a fire drill. It was this time of year about 4pm and all lights were on.

As we were all assembled at front of building, I overhead the "old man" say. "Why are all these lights on. How much profit am I losing. Why the hell don't we just have one switch for the whole building by the front door?"

John : correction
Dartford will be free by 2002.
I have spent years campaigning against the tolls and the congestion they cause.
Anyone who can help would be welcome.

Brian :-( :-( :-(

2002???? Isn't that terrible. I have campaigned against parking fines and speed fines. They are always temporary expedients but they keep milking us.

I wonder if there is a similar group against these fees over the River Severn. I think it is racial discrimation. It is free for me to come to England, but costs you about £7 to come to Wales. Still, weigh attractions of Cardiff Bay against Clacton on Sea, and still a good deal. :-D

More seriously, there is not a lot of work in Newport or Cardiff area and small companies have to spend a fortune to cross the toll bridge to Bristol or Swindon to get work (small vans are much higher toll than cars). Only alternative is to do a detour via somewhere like Leicester :-( :-(