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

KeRbDoG · 29-08-2022 8:08pm

Cancelled the move the SSE and the same day EI called as the normal customer retention folks do. I was offered a 26% discount rate on their standard 24 hour tariff.

whitelightrider · 29-08-2022 10:43pm

Currently with Bord Gais but looking to switch over to EI. Going through bonkers.ie - is it reliable info?

2forjoy · 29-08-2022 11:29pm

Got my Eg contract letter today. 28% discount for 12 months so I pay including vat 0.2613 unit rate.

Padraig Mor · 29-08-2022 11:37pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119538695#Comment_119538695

Whoah! The devil lies in the detail as they say. So, while Airtricity have been describing it as a 45% increase in unit rate, in reality it varies depending on the tariff, with the 'smart' peak rate (when of course many working families have little choice but to cook etc) jumping a humongous 72% to an eye watering 63.6c per unit. Even with what seems to be their largest 33% discount, that's still a whopping 42c per unit. Flaming Nora...

CptMonkey · 29-08-2022 11:44pm

Smart meters seem to a complete scam. Would it be best to refuse one when they offer it?

Gooser14 · 30-08-2022 12:26am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119540110#Comment_119540110

I will be opting out when offered to me.

grange mac · 30-08-2022 8:39am

I have a smart meter but told them didn't want their smart plan offers as once you switch to smart plan can't go back to regular plan.

Unsure which provider to goto now as bonkers tell me switch to flo gas even though with them already but its low usage house.

Gooser14 · 30-08-2022 8:47am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119540634#Comment_119540634

Are you on a 24 hr plan or can you choose a day/night plan on your smart meter. My concern is that they will eventually find a way to force users with smart meters to use smart plans.

Padraig Mor · 30-08-2022 9:08am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119540673#Comment_119540673

It was already reported several months ago that Eamon Ryan was investigating ways to make time of day pricing mandatory for those with smart meters - i.e. force them to use 'smart' plans.

Cape Clear · 30-08-2022 10:39am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119540089#Comment_119540089

You are quite correct. They have also tended to use the percentage increase based on the national average usage which is higher than adding say 10% to the unit price. If you are a below average user your percentage increase will be larger than what they advertise.

zell12 · 30-08-2022 10:43am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119540634#Comment_119540634

Flogas are still offering e220 cashback (high unit rates) for existing customers, which makes a difference if low user

Cape Clear · 30-08-2022 11:06am

Has anybody claimed welcome credit or cashback and moved within the year? Has the supplier tried to recover these in top of the €50 breakage fee?

zell12 · 30-08-2022 11:28am

Yes they will direct debit it from your account as part of your final bill

SnuggyBear · 30-08-2022 11:36am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119541227#Comment_119541227

They also seem to have the lowest standing charge. Looks like they might be the best for a low user.

homer1982 · 30-08-2022 11:45am

Has anyone used switcher.ie lately? I'm with electric ireland on the value reward plan, I called the loyalty team and they offered me an 18% discount plan but on switcher.ie there is a 26% discount plan.

Gooser14 · 30-08-2022 11:51am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119541598#Comment_119541598

The EI website has a 30% electricity discount plan for new customers.

homer1982 · 30-08-2022 12:10pm

I'm not a new customer though, I'm with electric Ireland unfortunately.

Ger Roe · 30-08-2022 12:23pm

I feel like the whole situation is stacked against the consumer at the moment. Every supplier will be raising prices, various plans are a scam and a con, linked to the scam and con smart meters that don't seem to actually save you anything, but might just about negate some of the rip off raises that are occurring.... until they hike up again.

As a low level user, I can see no way it is going, other than I will be paying far more for using less energy. Why do we not have a low usage incentive? ... use less than average and be positively rewarded for it? It is all smoke and mirrors at the moment, and the best you can hope for is to work through the various plans confusion and hope you can save a few quid, for a few months and then go through it all over again.

Where is the benefit to the consumer in this brave new world of encouraged competition (don't make me laugh) and smart meters that 'put you in control' ?... (yeah right!).

We are being fleeced ladies and gentlemen by a market that is set up to benefit the suppliers, more than the consumer. The CRU is a dismal failure and there is no one batting for the consumer in the dysfunctional market that they allegedly preside over. The only option the consumer has, is to put considerable effort into trying to achieve price rise avoidance .... its not the same as the cheaper electricity options that the smart meters were supposed to deliver. The energy supply crisis is now being pitched as a problem caused by consumers wanting to use electricity at convenient times, rather than a total lack of supply planning by people paid big bucks to ensure that we do not run out of capacity.

Cape Clear · 30-08-2022 12:29pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119541521#Comment_119541521

What supplier was it?

KeRbDoG · 30-08-2022 5:56pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119541747#Comment_119541747

The 26% is for existing customers, seems to be the best rate with them if you are in that boat.

zell12 · 30-08-2022 6:13pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119541863#Comment_119541863

All of them do it, it's in their t&c's that cashback is repaid if you exit before contract ends

sparrowcar · 30-08-2022 7:31pm

I'm with Electric Ireland on the dual 26% expiring tomorrow.

Any suggestions who to go with for flat 24hr rate?

SuperBowserWorld · 30-08-2022 7:36pm

Airtricity offered us a 15% discount despite being a customer for many years.

This thing where everyone can switch every year to become a new customer elsewhere for a discount is daft. Huge waste of admin costs too.

It's another example of a system creating useless work and jobs.

Why not just offer cheaper electricity across the board ?

Anyway, moving elsewhere for a better discount. It's a circus.

CptMonkey · 30-08-2022 7:44pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119544324#Comment_119544324

The best for me on 24hr rate was bord gas. Ina rural area.

Darwin · 30-08-2022 7:58pm

Same here, just switched to Bord Gais from Electric Ireland, BG were offering a 39% discount for new customers so my 24 hour rate for now is 20.17c per kWh (inc VAT). I usually use bonkers to switch, but they were missing the better offers this time round. EI texted me twice in the last month to say they were going to call me, but never did. Wonder how long it will be before BG hike prices by the 39%.

CptMonkey · 30-08-2022 8:02pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119544439#Comment_119544439

I was with ei too. I emailed them and got that text but heard sfa so I changed. Unless they beat my new deal they can do one

Cape Clear · 30-08-2022 8:06pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119543992#Comment_119543992

Have you actual experience of this happening or are you just surmising that they all do it? I Can see it in EI's t&c's but I don't see it on Airtricity's.