Switching electric/gas providers (see first post for links)

CoBo55 · 24-07-2023 1:35pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120890221#Comment_120890221

You didn't agree to access your smart meter data in January did you? What's your meter type on your latest bill? It wouldn't surprise me if, along with changing your meter status they tied you to a new contract as well🤬🤬

banie01 · 24-07-2023 1:43pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120890414#Comment_120890414

I did access my smartmeter usage alright, but only via the ESBN site, not via EI and that was around middle of last year if memory serves. Interesting though that its a stroke they might pull. On the EI site, I never viewed my meter insights/usage as it always tied in to changing my tariff to a smart meter plan, which I don't want.

enfant terrible · 24-07-2023 1:44pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120890221#Comment_120890221

Did you sign up to Flogas community plan?

What are the rates?

banie01 · 24-07-2023 1:52pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120890466#Comment_120890466

Rates listed on the landing page https://www.flogas.ie/dual-fuel/flogas-community-plan-fixed-dual-fuel-1-yr.html

Mantis Toboggan · 24-07-2023 1:56pm

Finally got my first Flogas bill and confirmed on the BWG rates, cheers OP should save at least €700.

muffler · 24-07-2023 1:56pm

The Flogas community plan which is 30 cents per unit (rounded up figure) is obviously still generating a profit for the company. It makes you wonder about the profits the other suppliers are making when they charge 40 cents plus per unit.

tx_tx · 24-07-2023 4:23pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120890122#Comment_120890122

First, I don't give blanket advice. I don't know everybody's circumstances, and there's no one-size-fits-all advice.

But since you're asking, I can certainly tell you again what I'm doing. I said it already when Waterpower and Flogas were first discussed some time ago.

I'm currently on the OBS deal with BGE, until October. The day/night rates are good, close to Community (slightly higher, for now at least). What I'm doing is staying with them until my contract is up.

Some people on that deal felt the need to move to Flogas before the end of their contract to secure these rates for a longer period, particularly over Winter. I didn't, because I think they're only good, not extraordinary, and it won't be hard to find similar rates in October, without having to sign for fixed rates, which I think is not a great idea when we know that consumer prices are due to come down significantly over the next 12 months. The fixed rates are what put me off this deal, really.

I also said that if I wasn't on that OBS deal at the moment, or if I don't find another interesting deal in October with a run-of-the-mill supplier, the Waterpower tracker offer would be my choice. Probably not forever, but in a period where wholesale prices have come down, and may keep coming down further, this offer that doesn't charge yesterday's hedging rates makes a lot of sense. So maybe I'd be waiting as you're saying, but certainly not paying >40c and wasting 100s as you pretend to believe is the only alternative, paying half that, as you perfectly know is available. And actually paying (slightly) less than with Flogas, and with no exit fee.

It may not suit you personally, as I said I am in no way saying it's my advice to anybody or everybody, it's simply what I'm thinking for my very own circumstances.

I'm sharing it and my rationale in a discussion, and I hope people seeking advice and reading different rationales in this thread can find something they'd be comfortable with themselves.

Now, even if you're doing something else, you don't need to misrepresent what I'm doing or saying, to then portray it as ridiculous.

Just because you don't like the Waterpower tracker offer - and there are valid reasons you may not - doesn't mean you should pretend it doesn't exist, just to hammer the point that Community is the best offer for everyone. That's not helpful for the sake of this forum.

Bottom line : to get these rates today, you have to choose between fixed rates for 12 months (Community), or a rate that tracks the ups and downs of the wholesale market (WP Tracker). But you also need to consider the possibility that in the next few months, there may be other offers at these rates, nor fixed nor wholesale-dependent, that may suit you better.

Setanter · 24-07-2023 4:37pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120886107#Comment_120886107

I did.

I had received the dreaded "you are on a smart tariff" email from Flogas.

There was no inquisition about whether I worked for BWG or not, just got straight down to the negotiations around price / cooling off periods etc.

Unfortunately you must ring them during business hours, there is quite a hold time and I was working so I didn't get to note the actual smart rate but it was very much in the ballpark of good value, from my research so I took it and left.

Make sure you syncronise your gas and electricity plans, you don't want to get stuck in twelve months, waiting for a contract to finish.

enfant terrible · 24-07-2023 5:03pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120890530#Comment_120890530

Not sure if they do it for smart plans will have to ring them and see.

Tazz T · 24-07-2023 5:34pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120890614#Comment_120890614

I wouldn't be sure about rates coming down for winter. The regulator has already allowed GNI to increase prices which will in turn be passed on by suppliers - https://www.independent.ie/business/irish/higher-gas-bills-on-the-way-as-26bn-revenue-limit-to-fund-network-approved/a1732706292.html and there's a good chance prices will rise in winter anyway. Which is just the excuse ESB/Electric Ireland/Bord Gais need to say our costs are rising so we can't reduce prices now. Actually I'm fairly confident this is the exactly what EI will say come October. They know the government will do nothing to force their hand and will pay another credit to to households to subsidise their profits.

Grand old country.

OmegaGene · 24-07-2023 5:34pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120890785#Comment_120890785

there is a community deal for smart plans and the rural rate was posted here a few days ago but not the urban

jkforde · 24-07-2023 6:00pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120890915#Comment_120890915

https://www.flogas.ie/flogas-community-plan-electricity-fixed-1-yr.html

you sure? as the offer page mentions 24hr and Night Saver meters, no mention of smart meters

OmegaGene · 24-07-2023 6:02pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120891038#Comment_120891038

that is not the prices, it is a screenshot of the pricing

OmegaGene · 24-07-2023 6:13pm

post #3269 for smart plan info and linky

tx_tx · 24-07-2023 6:40pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120890914#Comment_120890914

Well, their standard rates are around 40c. There are players out there, Flogas and Waterpower, who price at 30c, and that can't be dismissed as promotional offers, because in the case of WP at least it's a standard rate.

There'll be also a new player coming, Yuno.

I'm not thinking in terms of political pressure or excuses the suppliers may have for the media. I'm only thinking in terms of competition, and of actual costs coming down for the suppliers. They're the two forces that will bring price cuts.

If WP can offer 30c today, and they're a small player, so not particularly efficient in terms of economies of scale, the bigger players can offer less than that, once they're out of their past hedging. If you add to that price differentiation between switchers and non-switchers like they used to do, that may bring the discounted rates for switchers in the low 20s. They're the rates we're discussing here I'd say, while the media and politicians focus on standard rates for the non-switchers, where the cuts are likely to be more modest.

That's a reasoning based on today's wholesale prices, not on hopes of further price drops.

Now, how long exactly will that take is anyone's guess. But Yuno said they want to enter the market before Christmas, and every day that's passing is also putting all suppliers in a better position in relation to their costs. We're already seeing better discounts being offered than a couple of months ago. That's effectively a first price cut.

jkforde · 24-07-2023 8:59pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120891087#Comment_120891087

nice one, you happen to have the link to the actual offer page with the urban & rural rates?

Gerard93 · 24-07-2023 10:44pm

Hi

Signed up online this morning for the Electricity plan .30c / unit through the Flogas Community link given here. Just wondering how long does it take to get confirmation of the rate ?

I got an email stating that I will get a Welcome Pack within two weeks but if for some reason they don't honour this rate I want to cancel the switch during the cooling off period as I am in contract with another supplier and no doubt will be charged the exit fee

OmegaGene · 24-07-2023 10:56pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120891733#Comment_120891733

There’s a post shortly after that with a screen shot of the rural rates but not the urban which is what I’m after 🤷‍♂️

con747 · 24-07-2023 10:58pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120892033#Comment_120892033

Take a screen shot of the rates in case like others they charge the wrong rate and ring them if they do. Others got the rate changed when the wrong one was charged. Going by previous posters it can take a few weeks to get confirmation but you have the acceptance email and that's what counts.

Gerard93 · 24-07-2023 11:05pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120892083#Comment_120892083

Thanks

yes I have screen pic of the rate so just

wait and see 😁

jkforde · 25-07-2023 12:42am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120892105#Comment_120892105

why not just email Flogas and ask them to confirm that they are the rates in your contract?

Gerard93 · 25-07-2023 5:49am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120892342#Comment_120892342

I have done this but have no reply yet

Eleusis · 25-07-2023 7:44am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120892033#Comment_120892033

I didn't get the welcome email within the 14 days but I was switched after a fews days of signing up. I phoned to get the info.

Just an FYI. If flogas have switched you with the incorrect rate you can't magically hop back on your old contract. As far as I know that will be broken once flogas switch you. However people here can confirm that if they are on the wrong rate flogas have switched them over to the correct rate.