We always welcome a Letter to the Editor to share with readers. If you have something you’d like to share, get in touch. This letter from Alan Bennett from Northwood. Ed
A little time ago, I was one of the thousands of Islanders pleased to see the offer of the ‘Big Wight Switch’ that could save us money on our energy bills.
To my great delight I got an email a few days ago with a link for me to sign in and commence a switch.
8% more expensive
The form asked the usual questions, current supplier, EDF in my case, current tariff, capped to 2014 was mine. I then entered my average monthly spend and the best tariff they could offer me, including the savings of their ‘bulk buying power’, was £87, or 8% more expensive than the one I am on!
They offered me an ‘Introductory Discount’ of £100 and this made my new tariff £13 cheaper than my current one with EDF.
No mention was made of how much it would cost me after the first year without the discount.
Other introductory tariffs
On inspecting the other tariffs, nearly all of them offered introductory discounts to lure you into switching, but these only last for a year, then the small print tells you most of them have cancellation penalties.
So once they have sucked you in with the offers of discounts and energy credits, they will make it very hard and cost you money, to escape.
Not impressed
All in all, not impressed after all the hype and empty promises from The Big Wight Switch.
Alan Bennett, Northwood
Response from Community Action
OnTheWight got in touch with Community Action IW who organised the scheme on the Island.
They started by confirming,
So far over 1,300 households have achieved lower fuel bills through the Big Wight Switch. This is a fantastic response that has resulted in an estimated total savings of over £177,344 – an average of £135 a household – and counting.
The spokesperson went on to say,
During the last eight months energy prices have been going up so people such as your reader may well be on a fixed rate contract that was offered when prices were lower but can not be obtained now. The tariffs that we are offering are a range of the cheapest currently available.
The special offers obtained through the Big Wight Switch are resulting in additional savings for Islanders. Generally speaking those who change supplier regularly to better market deals will be paying less for their energy bills each year. Our recommendation is to review your energy supplier frequently to keep an eye that you are on the best deal that you can be.
The unit price in kWh and, where it exists, the daily standing charge are clearly displayed inclusive of VAT in the “Tariff details” box under each and every energy deal we are offering.
Early exit penalties
Each energy company sets has its own policy with regard to the customer ending their contract period early. This is something that we have no control over. There are tariffs available through the Big Wight Switch that do not have penalty fees.Energy companies should not “make it very hard” for customers to change energy supplier. Independent advice on this is available from Consumer Focus http://www.consumerfocus.org.uk/get-advice/energy/households/how-to-switch
The closing date for switching through the scheme is midnight 30th April. Anyone wanting to see if they can save by switching their supplier can do so online at www.bigwightswitch.co.uk or calling 0800 902 0415.
