Should I switch to Simply Energy?

mysticturtle on 14/10/2013 - 21:05

My family is currently with Australian Power and Gas, Smart Saver 12 with a little under a year left for the contract. Our family has little experience with energy rates etc. A representative came knocking and convinced my mother to put her name down for their company. They persuaded her saying their rates was 24c while APG was 26c (no idea what they were referring to) and a 20% discount if she paid her bills on time. They also gave her a $50 gift card that will be activated after the cooling period. I did a little research and there seems to be some negative reviews claiming late arriving bills, incorrect reading etc… So we decided to save that trouble and cancel our sign up. The lady at the end of the line gave us a further offer of 28% that will last for the whole 2 year contract. It will cost us about $40 to cancel our current contracts.

Am I being blinded by the large discount rate and $50 offer? What are your opinions and advice. Should I be looking at other companies as well? We have very little experience with these things. We live in south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne.

General Discussion

Related Stores

ENGIE (Previously Simply Energy)
ENGIE (Previously Simply Energy)

Comments

  • KBZ on 14/10/2013 - 22:18
    +1

    I'm not in VIC but you should check out
    http://yourchoice.vic.gov.au/

    EDIT
    Read Simply as Click for some reason.

    I did a quick input of a random VIC post code and assumed you are being charged a flat rate and the rep is being very sneaky, she pulled the same trick as when a Red Energy Rep came to my door.

    1. APG charges 26.8600 ¢/kWh (exc gst and EXC discount) all hours So she/he is correct

    2. HOWEVER I saw on the site that Simply charges First 1020 kWh 29.5300 ¢/kWh and all other at 30.8500 ¢/kWh, so where did the rep get 24 from?!?!
      The rep calculated the 24c rate by already including the discount into the rate to **make you think* you got a better deal same as what a rep did to me.

    29.53 X 0.80 = 23.624c

    Also after you use the first 1020 kWh you get charged a higher rate.

    Supply charge is 100.53c vs APGs 95.34c a day so you pay more as well.

    The $50 rebate may seem tempting at first but in the long run it probably will cost you more, the first Quarter you'll save due to the rebate then there after you will pay more hence cancelling out the benefit.

    The 28% discount the person offered makes the deal slightly better though I have to say
    29.5 X 0.72 = 21.2616
    After 1020
    30.8500 X 0.72= 22.212

    BUT it come down to how much energy you use, as if you don't use a lot you could be ahead with Simply or if you use a lot you will marginally be better off with another supplier.

    • mysticturtle on 15/10/2013 - 00:55

      Thanks kangaberries.

      I did some calculations for my previous bill for the first time and I think APG haven't been giving me the whole 12% discount rate… My current balance was $419.18 and they gave me a discount of $40.34Cr + GST credit $4.03Cr. Which brings the bill down to $374.81 when it should be $368.88 (can I do something about this? I already paid the bill). APG's supply charge is actually 0.8288c according to my bill.

      I think the rep was referring to <a href="http://simplyenergy.com.au/pdf/Resources/VIC/PriceFactSheets/MarketOfferRates(MOR)/Residential/PFS-VR-MO2-MOe-Residential.pdfURL">this sheet.</a> What would be the difference? And where can I find out what they charge after the 1020kWh?

      My last bill usage cost was $413.24 made up of 1285kWh at 26.1c + &77.08 supply fee over the period of 93 days.

      • Smulder on 15/10/2013 - 08:23

        Usually (but not always) the discount is only on the electricity usage portion of the bill, not the supply charge portion. That is likely why you did not get a full 12% discount off the bill total.

  • pyramid on 15/10/2013 - 09:34

    I know you asked for Simply but i checked their rates and details before moving to RED energy. So you may consider that.

  • grovesy15 on 10/12/2013 - 16:26

    Again, not in Vic, but to give you an idea of maybe how to organise your thoughts and comparisons, check out my NSW spreadsheet.

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/126223

  • dax on 14/08/2014 - 18:35

    Maybe, IT depends really. we are a current simply energy customer, and they were willing to offer us 30% off if we stay BUT the per KW rates and service charges have gone up since we joined.
    Comparing Simply to powershop - Based on Peak/off peak average of 4 4K/whrs a day for 90 days. Powershop = 222.57, Simply = 248.66 It's NOT that much difference per bill but if your parents are not online savvy or not likely to go to powershop's website to "buy" packs each month then I'd say the deal from simply is OK. (Based on postcode 3029).

    Edit
    Working: http://i61.tinypic.com/2ynjifd.png
    Also Edit - Second choice as fall-back was Energy Australia for both Elec and Gas based on deals on their websites (not the 30% retention discount).

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