Staywarm

I have had all my power from Staywarm for years now. I have always been
encouraged by the doorstep salesmen turning white and departing when I have
told them this.
However I haven't compared prices, because I don't keep a record of my meter
readings.
Has anyone here done any comparisons recently?

aa...

Apparently not, according to Money Saving Expert (Martin Lewis)
Staywarm, presumably because Powergen aren't prepared to pay them a cut for
any customers they might convert over.

Flyiñg Ñuñ 2°°6 +...

Oh dear - that sounds like a very profiteering outfit, or perhaps they know
that the uswitch site would never select them as a better buy. :(

aa...

Neither really, I'd guess it was just a matter of economics. Presumably,
Powergen (who operate the Staywarm scheme) have cut prices as low as they
can and therefore there's no money in the pot to pay a commission to Uswitch
etc. For their part, Uswitch etc. are in business to make money and aren't
going to feature a product that doesn't pay them a cut.

Flyiñg Ñuñ 2°°6 +...

But if they only pay the commission on switches made to them through Uswitch
doesn't that imply they don't want more customers? If they get more

aa...

Guess you meant to say if they *don't* pay commission. Don't know, you'd
have to ask Powergen but perhaps they only want (ie. can only afford to
allow) a certain percentage of customers onto the 'cheaper' Staywarm tariff,
so don't need to market via Uswitch and the like?

Flyiñg Ñuñ 2°°6 +...

So you reckon that they offer Staywarm, even if only a few are allowed to
take it up, 'cos they think it's a good marketing ploy that will attract
more customers , albeit to different more expensive tariffs. Doesn't seem
likely, 'cos it wouldn't w*rk like loss leader strategy would it?

aa...

Like I said, I don't know, but Money Saving Expert claims "StayWarm's an
excellent idea but don't assume it's always cheapest. Compare its cost to
the comparison service's best result. Due to the 'peace of mind' bonus
though, I'd plump for Staywarm unless it's over 10% more expensive."

Powergen *may* be relying on customer reluctance to change tariffs once
they're on board what *may* appear to be an attractive scheme. The OP (Jim)
*could* well be a customer who'll *stay* with them because, as he admits,
he hasn't kept records of his meter readings and may ultimately be
disinclined to check with his supplier what those readings have been? May
be a good idea for him *to* obtain the details though and then check the
comparison sites to see if he's actually benefitting from the best deal?

customers they'll get more money in the pot - unless they are making either
a loss or zero profit on new business. Funny is that.

Flyiñg Ñuñ 2°°6 +...

Couldn't you check them out on http://www.uswitch.com/

Wally...

I haven't used them Jim but we did apply to them for a price a couple
of months back, they carefully checked all our details and came back
with a price of £95 per month for gas and electric.
At the moment we are paying £34 pm gas and £32 pm electric.
Needless to say they didn't get our business.

Old Grizzly...

That sounds about the same as me. I was with Staywarm and they put up
the prices of gas and Electric again and again by large amounts and i
changed back to British Gas and reduced what i was paying Staywarm by a
hell of a lot but i cant remeber how much but it was something like
Wally has mentioned