Archive for January, 2009

Delivering Energy Promises

31 January 2009

If you’re a business, when it comes to monitoring your overheads, it pays to check the small print very carefully if you are reviewing your business energy contracts whether that’s business electricity or business gas. Some companies are happy to put this to a third party broker and so it pays to be aware of a few pitfalls and ask the right questions first.

Ask your broker:

  • Do they have access to the most competitive prices on the market?
  • Do they compare energy prices from all leading suppliers to help you make a well informed and confident decision?
  • Do they provide expert independent and impartial advice?
  • Do they facilitate the contract sign up to your new business electricity or business gas suppliers?
  • Do they keep you informed with regular email updates during the transfer process?
  • Do they provide ongoing supplier liaison if you raise any queries during the contract?
  • Do they provide a contract renewal reminder service to prevent you being rolled over onto an uncompetitive renewal rate?

If you have any doubts or queries then a first port of call should be the energy regulator – OFGEM who has published a list of ‘key questions’ that it recommends should be asked of business energy suppliers and brokers to improve chances of a fair deal.

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Helping businesses save money on their energy bills and providing impartial

27 January 2009

Energy Advice Line (EAL) have tailored themselves as consumer champions of the business energy market, believing that everyone should be entitled to clear, trustworthy and impartial advice about their business utility bills.

Energy Advice Line are a totally independent business energy comparison company who will search the entire business energy market on a businesses behalf to establish which suppliers are prepared to offer the best prices.

Any supplier offering competitive business gas or business electricity rates will be included in their comprehensive panel of suppliers. Some of these rates may be the same as going direct but the cheapest prices will often be special rates that EAL are able to negotiate through their size and industry contacts. Suppliers EAL have terms with currently include: British Gas Business, Scottish and Southern Energy, Npower, Scottish Power, EDF Energy, Haven Power, and Eon.

EAL are committed to offering the lowest price for business gas and business electricity and will always present the best available deals, no matter what commission is being offered by suppliers. If, on the rare occasion, better prices are available by going direct to the supplier, they will be happy to explain the pros and cons of choosing that option.

This is a free service and EAL only receive an introductory commission from business electricity suppliers once they have safely transferred as a customer. Price transparency is key to earning the trust of customers and, whilst unable to publish the commission rates here, EAL are happy to advise on a case-by-case basis.

Whether it’s checking current contract status or helping avoid unwanted/expensive renewals, EAL’s service is geared towards making sure every switch happens smoothly and successfully. Given the high number of switching attempts that fail because of suppliers raising objections – legitimate or otherwise – EAL are very proud of a near 100% contract ‘live rate’. They will also be there throughout the term of the contract and, significantly, offer a ‘renewal reminder’ to ensure that there is always the freedom to choose the best available option from a business gas and electricity supplier at the end date.

The energy regulator – OFGEM – has published a list of ‘key questions’ that it recommends should be asked of business energy suppliers and brokers to improve chances of a fair deal. There shouldn’t be the need to ask Energy Advice Line any of these questions but, if in doubt, please do. NB OFGEM does not deal directly with any energy related enquiries/ complaints itself, but refers calls to Consumer Direct (08454 04 05 06).

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Is your current supplier Electricity 4 Business (E4B)?

26 January 2009

Review Your Options and Switch to a new Supplier NOW!

Electricity 4 Business (E4B) was placed into administration on Wednesday 22nd October 2008.

Electricity 4 Business (E4B) customers need to review their options now and agree a new fixed price energy contract at the earliest possible opportunity to avoid the potential of being put on higher out of contract rates with a default supplier nominated by the UK’s gas and electricity regulator OFGEM.

Julian Morgan, Commercial Director at the UK’s leading business electricity price comparison service Energy Advice Line comments “This is a very unfortunate situation for E4B’s 40,000 customers. They will not be disconnected, but the supplier of last resort process will mean that they will be transferred to a supplier nominated by OFGEM and they will almost certainly be put onto tariffs that are much higher than their current contract price.”

The last resort procedure adopted by OFGEM ensures that the customer’s supply is not disrupted but it does not necessarily protect their right to the most competitive price on the market.

Current E4B customers are they now free agents as their contract ends as soon as the supplier is placed into administration but they need to review their options as quickly as possible before agreeing to new fixed term contract in a market that has experienced high levels of volatility.

Compare prices before making the switch!

The Energy Advice Line has a proven track record helping thousands of small and medium sized business customers switch supplier simply and quickly.

Julian Morgan continues “The Energy Advice Line compare prices from the UK’s leading business electricity suppliers and our expert advisors are available to help customers make the right choice by not just providing the best prices available but also a bite sized view the contract small print. This coupled with good impartial advice – Guaranteed – really makes a difference in unfortunate circumstances such as these.”

Compare business electricity prices online now!

Ask an Energy Advice Line advisor to call you back.

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Why Small and Medium Sized Businesses Must Be Vigilant About Assumptive Supplier Renewal Tactics

24 January 2009

Small and medium sized businesses in the UK must be wary of the assumptive renewal tactics employed by business electric and gas suppliers in the UK, warns the Energy Advice Line. Unfortunately for the majority of SME business energy consumers assumptive renewal is common place when the client is coming to the end of a fixed term contract period.

Commercial Director, Julian Morgan states “Suppliers rely on this tactic to roll their clients over onto a further contract duration/period which can be as long as 24 months, usually on prices that are more than 30-40% above the current retail price – The supplier maximises their margin to the detriment of their client!”

Impartial help and advice…

Given their impartial position in the market, the Energy Advice Line are well placed to help and advise the client as much as possible, but they must be vigilant and gain an understanding of when their contract term expires so that they can take control and plan their renewal. Julian Morgan continues “We advise our clients to obtain a position of authority and confidence as soon as poissible by speaking to their supplier and asking them to confirm when their contract term expires”.

The Energy Advice Line also warns that the onus is on the client to terminate their current contract by serving notice of termination for the expiry date given to them by their supplier.

Independent approach…

Being entirely independent of any particular energy supplier, the Energy Advice Line is uniquely placed to provide good impartial advice focussed on the specific requirements of a customer. The process of assessment of need through to switching of supplier is seamless and, critically for the customer, the service is provided at no cost.

Julian Morgan continues: “The Energy Advice Line will do all the legwork for customers, providing an impartial online price comparison service in which the customer can view and evaluate the most competitive offers on the market. We have also developed a “Star Rating” system based on our monitoring of all of the offers available and present the information in an easy-to-read, bite-size format. Given that business electricity and gas customers on renewal are usually contracted by the supplier for a minimum of 12 months it is very important they make the right choice – our aim is to help our clients do this!”

Why use the Energy Advice Line…

The Energy Advice Line offers small and medium sized business customers the option of being able to easily asses their energy needs, view and compare alternative business electricity and gas suppliers confidently. Julian Morgan sums up “We provide the customer with all of the information in easy to understand bite-sized chunks so that make the decision in complete confidence without a salesperson at the other end of the telephone trying to pressurise them into making what could be the wrong decision”.

Contact Us…

Please do not hesitate to contact the Energy Advice Line on 0845 094 2516 (local rate) if you require any further information or advice about supplier assumptive renewal tactics.

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Attention Small and Medium Sized Businesses – Beware of Energy Sales Cold Call Tactics!

22 January 2009

Small and medium sized businesses in the UK are being subjected to an increased number of unsolicited cold calls from Energy sales agents or suppliers! This old fashioned sales tactic uses misleading information and tries to pressurize the customer into accepting a contract over the phone usually on very high prices.

Paul Savage, head of the business consumer operations for the UK’s Gas & Electricity Watchdog Energywatch states: “We have seen a worrying increase in the number of contacts we are receiving from business consumers that have been targeted by unscrupulous cold callers, and who have found themselves locked into an electricity or gas contract over the phone. These calls do not allow consumers to make an objective comparison of the deal being sold and we are concerned that many consumers simply do not understand what they have agreed to. Energywatch as a result, strongly advises energy consumers not to agree to anything over the phone in the first instance without making sure that what you are being offered is really competitive before making a decision, this way you are in control!”

There is no denying that with electricity and gas price rises very much a focus of attention at present, small and medium-sized businesses need to consider their options and assess what alternatives are available.

The Energy Advice Line, located in Bournemouth, is an online electricity and gas price comparison and switching service dedicated exclusively to the needs of small and medium-sized businesses in the UK.

Independent approach…

Being entirely independent of any particular energy supplier, the Energy Advice Line is uniquely placed to provide good impartial advice focussed on the specific requirements of a customer. The process of assessment of need through to switching of supplier is seamless and, critically for the customer, the service is provided at no cost.

Commercial Director Julian Morgan says: “The Energy Advice Line will do all the legwork for customers, providing an impartial online price comparison service in which the customer can view and evaluate the most competitive offers on the market. We have also developed a “Star Rating” system based on our monitoring of all of the offers available and present the information in an easy-to-read, bite-size format. Given that business electricity and gas customers are usually contracted by the supplier for a minimum of 12 months it is very important they make the right choice.”

A solution for small and medium sized business energy consumers…

The Energy Advice Line offers small and medium sized business customers the option of being able to easily asses their energy needs, view and compare alternative electricity supply options and switch supplier. Importantly, all of this can be done in their own time without a salesperson at the other end of the telephone trying to pressurise them into making what could be the wrong decision.

The Energy Advice Line is the first online electricity price comparison service in the UK which is dedicated to the needs of the small and medium-sized business customer.

Please do not hesitate to contact the Energy Advice Line on 0845 094 2516 (local rate) if you require any further information or advice about switching business electricity of gas supplier.

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Beware of Supplier Win-Back Tactics warns the UK’s Energy Watchdog

18 January 2009

Energywatch, the UK’s gas and electricity watchdog is warning customers to beware of win-back phone calls from British Gas Business.

Julian Morgan, Commercial Director at the Energy Advice Line explains “The win-back tactic from British Gas is putting the client in a very difficult position as they have usually already formed a binding contract with another supplier. Then as a last ditch attempt to keep the customer British Gas object to the client transfering to their new supplier and while this block is in place, their very aggresive win back team phones the client and pressurises them into agreeing a new contract”.

Businesses are starting to complain…

Energywatch state that business consumers are starting to complain to the consumer watchdog that they are now being penalised by their new new supplier if they have accepted a win-back deal with British Gas.

Julian Morgan continues “If British Gas wanted to renew with the customer, they should have quoted to keep them when they sent the renewal quotation to them. Clients have even been known to go back to them after obtaining competitive quotes on the open market and ask give British Gas one last opportunity to beat it only for them to decline the opportunity. It does not make sense for British Gas to wait for the new supplier to start the switch process for their win-back team to get involved”

Creating confusion for the client…

This tactic creates a lot of confusion for the client and it can lead to issues of penalties being enforced by the new supplier. Paul Savage, Business Services Manager at Energywatch comments “Where a business has agreed to move suppliers, even over the phone, the new supplier is entitled to enforce their new contract, even before they have actually taken over the supply. As a result, small businesses can easily find themselves tied into two contracts with different suppliers at the same time and at the risk of paying substantial penalties.”

OFGEM are being pressed to act now!

Energywatch is pressing the energy regulator Ofgem to increase protection to small businesses and representation of the rights of this consumer group.

“In the meantime”, advises Paul Savage, “small businesses should be very wary of win back calls. They might ask themselves why their old supplier didn’t offer them such a good deal while they were still in contract with them. The deal may not be so good if they factor in the extra costs of terminating their new contract”.

If you would like any further information or advice regarding supplier win-back tactics, please do not hesitate to contact the Energy Advice Line on 0845 094 2518.

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Switch Business Electricity Supplier with Confidence

11 January 2009

With electricity and gas price rises very much a focus of attention at present, small and medium-sized businesses need to know what options and alternatives are available before they can confidently switch to a new supplier and realise what can be a significant annual saving.

A new service to help businesses in the UK…

The Energy Advice Line is a new online electricity price comparison and switching service dedicated exclusively to the needs of small and medium-sized businesses in the UK.

Being entirely independent of any particular energy supplier, the Energy Advice Line is uniquely placed to provide impartial advice focussed on the specific requirements of a customer. The process of assessment of need through to switching of supplier is seamless and, critically for the customer, the service is provided at no cost.

Co-founder Julian Morgan says: “Since the gas and electricity markets de-regulated, the number of options available to business customers has increased enormously and although many people are aware that there are potential savings to be made in switching suppliers, the sheer volume of paperwork associated with switching can appear daunting. The Energy Advice Line will do all the legwork for customers, providing an impartial online price comparison service in which the customer can view and evaluate the most competitive offers on the market.”

Read the small print and make a more informed decision…

We have developed a “Star Rating” system based on our monitoring of all of the offers available. We check the suppliers terms and conditions and present the information in an easy-to-read, bite-size format. It need only take three or four minutes for customers to begin to make the switch and start saving money.

No pressure – do it online in your own time…

Online domestic energy price comparison and switching services have been a great success, allowing customers to compare supply options, make an impartial decision and often save themselves a significant amount of money. Given the apparently inexorable rise in energy prices it is no less important for businesses generally to address these costs.

The Energy Advice Line offers small and medium sized business customers the option of being able to easily asses their energy needs, view and compare alternative electricity supply options and switch supplier. Importantly, all of this can be done in their own time without a salesperson at the other end of the telephone trying to pressurise them into making what could be the wrong decision.

Beware of cold callers adopting these sales tactics – click here to find out more information.

The Energy Advice Line is the first online electricity price comparison service in the UK which is dedicated to the needs of the small and medium-sized business customer.

Please do not hesitate to contact the Energy Advice Line on 0845 094 2516 (local rate) if you require any further information or advice about switching business electricity of gas supplier.

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