That's terrible. They all seem to be the same. I've given up trying to save money by switching companies. Then all of the hassle trying to speak to them!!!!! Sooooo annoying. x

We are on gas and elec meters, and recently moved to British gas, so we can now top up our key and card online with the attachments you plug in to your computer, so nice not having to worry about big quarterly bills, or sliding up to the shops in bad weather, just pay as you use! I also find i dont ever have to ring up querying bills either. Yes it is slightly more expensive in the long term, but in the short term, i would rather have no stress!

i tried to switch online and do my own meter readings once a month and send them over the net to save money and its ended up costing me no paper work for them no meter readings and its still costs more

I am with EDF and I switched my parents to EDF. Mum saves about £250 a year and I save about £180. The switch over was smooth by EDF but EON who we both left made life difficult. With EDF they send emails saying that a reading of the meters is due and I give the readings to them on line. For doing this you also get a discount. EDF send a meter reader round once a year to make sure the meters are ok. I have no complaints about EDF and they also informed my parents and myself that we are entitled to the winter subsidy from the power companies and we had not even been in touch with them.

Everytime you take out a fixed price deal with Scottish Power they charge you extra, between £4-5 a month. I have just changed to EDF because my contract with SP was up at the end of August. Hope I will save something but since they all seem to be the same I won't be holding my breath.

I have only once every changed over anything to save money and that was BT to Post Office Home Phone and it was a nightmare from start to finish so I vowed I would never try to do this again, instead, I just put on lots of layers, do a bit of exercise dancing around the room, and crochet lots of warm blankets to keep my cat warm and my children too.....I know it is not ideal, as we live in the Scottish highlands and it is b@:LL(&*^%%$y cold here, but I refuse to allow the electricity companies to run away with all my money....we had a 30% increase this year....I am glad I am not a pensioner or I would not be able to afford this. I feel so sorry for my in-laws who really cannot afford to put on their heating at all, like me.

I agree lizzie, i have had nothing but trouble whenever i have changed to another supplier, even though i like British gas and the ability to top up on my computer, i had to wait over 2 months for my elec key, after 3 phone calls to their customer services, and promises of it being sent, i at last was told "it has been sent to your local newsagent" by e-mail, and i had to go and pick it up myself! Then i had a letter saying that their prices were going up!
I have changed 3/4times in the last 6/7years and regretted it every time, i must be a glutton for punishment! I always thought, no it has got to be ok this time, no problems! How wrong was i, i am now just going to stick with British Gas and get on with it, as i think they are all the same!!
My husbands sister lives in Forfar, Angus, i feel for people in this part of the country in the winter, as the weather is very harsh isn't it.

think im going to switch one last time when my contract with SP is up EDF is sounding good so far

i just hope when the bosses at the top energy companies are slapping each other on the back for a job well done after another year of record profits and when they are admiaring thier posh new cars,houses,jewlery they spare a thought for the 2700 poor souls that WILL die this winter simply because they cant heat thier homes ...sad

Tip for people using EDF as an energy supplier or If you know anyone that uses EDF and who has had problems with arrears .EDF have what they call a community fund ( this is the same for most energy suppliers ) where their customers who are in financial difficulties can can ask for help.

For example : One of my clients had energy bill arrears and the repayments were causing hardship , EDF payed the arrears off for her .A young family on benefits with children needed a washing machine but were unable to take out loans via the DSS went to the C.A.B and were advised that EDF would pay for a brand new washing machine to be delivered and installed .

As I said these are just examples , I try to pass this kind of information onto as many consumers as I know , because it needs to be in the public domain.Large energy companies have hardship funds ( which they collect the interest on ) ,yet the majority of the population are unaware of them so they don't get used .

Sorry rant over ! EDF aren't the cheapest energy company .Npower have the lowest prices in the South East .

I got a letter in August to tell me that my betterplan had come to an end and I would no longer be able to be on the 20% reduced energy plan because the government had abolished it and so I phoned them and they said that apart from that I was also going up by 10% so my electricity will go up by a total of 30% then this morning I got a letter saying that they would freeze the prices until August 2012 and they are the only energy company doing this - Scottish Hydro Electric - now what can I say?

The only thing freezing will be my family!!

When I lived on Lewis Hydro Electric were the only suppliers and I found their bills very high in comparison to companies that had been supplying on the mainland . Suffice to say after 3 long hard COLD years in the wilderness of Lewis we decided to move back south .

Since you told me about the hardship funds which exist, I have been going around telling EVERYONE. You are quite right to rant, the public NEED to know about these. It is appalling that these interest bearing amounts of money in these funds can be added to their profits the companies show each year, instead of going where they need to, to help those in hardship!! Grrr.....I understand how you feel Tracey.

And I know about cold....I cycle everywhere and cannot drive, so you can imagine how cold it gets for me in the winter....

There seems to be too much rubbish being banded about by comparison sites such as uSwitch.About 5 years ago I switched electricity to BGas and now have both from BGas.Only one bloke to read the meter,but definitely wont be switching again.Let's hope for a mild winter where we can try and save by notusing as much-fingers crossed.I do however feel for all the Scottish people,especially the old.

Aw, thanks John....I am one of those Scottish people and as I write, it is blowing a gale...but I have RESISTED the urge to put on my central heating in favour of heating the room I am in....I have a poor little cat, however, who immediately hones in on your knee every time you sit down as body heat is the warmest place in the house!!

I agree LizzieAnn, who can forget the picture of your body. It certainly rose my temperature.

My cat does not usually chose to sit inside my undergarments, however, but as soon as I put my jumper or cardigan on, he snuggles up and keeps me even warmer!!

checked the bank this morning and scottish power have raised my monthly DD by £25.36 with out even telling me sheer luck that i didnt go over my over draft as i get paid tomorrow and id left £115 in the bank to cover my bill thank the lord for survey payments that went in over the weekend to cover the extra £25.36 they wanted FUMING!!!