On 25/03/2021 16:57, Michael Chare wrote:
On 25/03/2021 16:20, Jeff Layman wrote:
I thought I should finally make an effort to change from an EDF standard
variable dual-fuel tariff to a fixed EDF one. I assumed it would not be
simple (as far as I could see the tariffs I was interested in weren't
available through a Switch website, and they appeared to be identical on
the EDF website but had different names).

First stage was to set up an online account ("MyAccount") with EDF.
Pretty straightforward. Then I asked for a new tariff. There were a few
filters to get through - I wanted a fixed tariff and to pay quarterly by
cash/cheque. I was offered only *one* tariff, and that one included a
servicing agreement - and it appeared to be a direct debit one! I wasn't
interested in it. No matter what I tried I could not get to the tariff I
was interested in. So I tried clicking on "live chat" and found it
wasn't available!


It is a long time since I paid a utility bill at a bank using a cheque.

Nor do I. For some reason the energy companies still call it "paying by
cheque or cash", but I've been paying by BACS for years.

These days nearly all suppliers want paid monthly by direct debit. One
difference is how often they change the amount that they want to take.
It is poaaible to ring your bank and ask them to reclaim a direct debit.
I did once do this. The bank were a little reluntant but they did do as
asked.

Of course - it's damned if you do and damned if you don't:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-56413991:

"Customers who pay too much to their energy supplier through their
monthly direct debit payment should receive automatic annual refunds,
Ofgem says.

For years, customers have complained that energy firms can hoard
thousands of pounds of overpayments and would only return it on request.

Now the regulator has proposed balances are cleared once a year,
claiming suppliers held a surplus of £1.4bn.

It said some were using the money for "unsustainable business practices".

It's a fiddle:
"On behalf of suppliers, Energy UK said: "Paying by direct debit helps
customers budget by ensuring they pay a regular amount each month even
though their actual energy usage varies significantly over the year."

I'll happily do that by Standing Order, so I remain in control - not the
fat cats running the energy companies. Or they can fit a smart meter and
bill me for what I've actually used, not an unrealistically high fixed
amount.

I only use electricity and have been using Symbio since learning about
them on Newsnet.

Most of my energy expense is gas for central heating.

--

Jeff