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

So I signed up to " Team Ireland 22% Gas & Smart Electricity 12 months €300CB"

Thinking of getting out as there are better rates out there. I've already been billed twice for both the Gas and Electricity so have used up the €300 credits. But getting out now means a break fee of €100 (for both Gas and Electricy).

Is it worth my while?

14 days grace? to move back to previous provider.

already with fg so if I can 14 days will change

your cost to break fee is effectively now €400 and not €100. They will claim their cashback from you as per their T&Cs.

this is why I avoid cashback offers

Just out of contract with Energia on their Dual Fuel 26% Electricity Discount and 26% Gas Discount plan.

Phoned and asked for their retention plan - was offered 27% Discount on both.

I said their website was offering 32% Dual to new customers, their Axa offer was 35% Electricity and 34% Gas and the One Big Switch offer was 38% on Electricity alone or 32% Dual.

They increased their offer to me to 30%. Said I'd stay for the 32% Dual. No! Moved supplier last night…

(I can't understand their logic. Offer someone you don't know a 32% Discount. And offer an existing Customer, with a 24 month Direct Debit payment track record a 30% Discount).

They're dickheads

My daughter just bought an apartment with an activated smart meter. Does she have to stick to smart meter offers and if so has anyone any recommendations?

Currently on the Flogas deal expiring next week . I Have an MCC08 smart day night meter (no smart plan activated). curently paying approx 13c night and 25c day. I think I’d be better switching to Energia ev 4 hr window plan as I have a 10kw/h battery and while it’s nice to have full night hours , realistically I could fully charge my battery in that 4 hr window .

I rang Flogas yesterday for their rates and they said they’re still working on them . Surely this can’t be right.

Think I’m better off going onto a smart plan at this stage with 4 hr ev window. Anyone any thoughts on giving up the smart day night meter ?
pretty much all my usage is night usage now anyway with the 10kw battery.

Is this rate a fixed rate or variable? I can't find it anywhere on the offer. With Flogas but speaking with customer service agent, I don't see any offer being forthcoming before 31st. Unless you ring up to cancel and they offer something???

Flogas CEO John Rooney was interviewed on Newstalk this morning. Listen in from 5m:50s for discussion on elec prices.

No major revolation, other than he was saying wholesale elec prices are still volatile at the moment and they are unsure which way prices are headed at the moment.

funny people have no patience to wait u too their contract is up, ringing flo gas won’t get a special deal unlocked, best to wait until near the 31st and if nothing comes from them find an offer and pull the plug on the 1st of April

Calling them is only wasting you’re own time really

31st March is the contract expiry date. Nothing to do with the electricity or gas prices in general

Is anyone else seeing differing end dates on their Flogas dual fuel? I signed up one of my parents and they seem to have the end of March for gas and mid April for electricity. Maybe something to keep an eye on for people to avoid getting stung with a break fee if you're in the same boat and planning to switch in early April.

What would people recommend when moving to a home with a heat pump system, still just try to find a plan with the lowest rates? I suppose since these things are on 24/7 it might be best to get a plan with a fixed 24 hour rate?

It’s a common pricing technique across almost all business: mortgages, gas, electricity, broadband, Tv, insurance (although rules limit it here now)

In very simple terms in order to compete for new business the suppliers will offer the product close to margin or even loss making. They are happy to do this on the basis that a known percentage will

1. Move to a new supplier
2. Stay on but negotiate some sort of new rate
3. Default to some scandalous standard rate

They are willing to lose money on new business in the knowledge there is a percentage chance you might end up as 2, or even better, the golden number 3.

So if you’re someone who rings up wanting the new business rate every single year - you’re loss making. They don’t want to keep you.

People give out about the fact people in bucket 3 get ripped off so badly. But for the people who do shop around every year. It’s the presence of loyal customer (and the hopes that you might be one of them) that means you get such attractive introductory offers.

Did this kind of price optimisation as my job for a while. It’s absolutely inevitable in any annually renewed contract unless you regulate it out (like they’ve kinda done in insurance )