Time to give electricity the flick?

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Time to give electricity the flick?

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Reply # 1821957 13-Jul-2017 15:16

easycloud:

enfield:

Got this message on the electric kiwi website when trying to signup "Thanks for your interest in joining Electric Kiwi. Due to the current high volume of customers joining Electric Kiwi, in order to keep delivering our award-winning customer service, we are temporarily limiting new customers in some areas at this time. Check back soon as we expect to be on top of demand before too long."

I get the same, but when I try the address of our two next-door neighbours (non-Flick customers), they are both accepted. I guess it's clear, EK is rejecting only Flick customers at the moment. They are making an incorrect assumption that people will jump ship (back to Flick) when spot prices stabilise. Not impressed

I feel the assumption is quite reasonable that many will jump back from Flick. Flick customers are more switched on, excuse the pun, and I'd say the churn will spike due so that. EK will be hammered with existing and new customers, and Flick ones are more likely to jump. They could have a 6 month contract for winter joins perhaps?

easycloud

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Reply # 1821958 13-Jul-2017 15:16

Amosnz:

I can't blame EK really, I wouldn't want to accept immediate loss-leading customers who are more likely to be continuously looking for the cheapest rate, and potentially will jump ship when the peaks are over.

Not sure I agree, the first batch of people that left Flick for EK a few weeks ago are the ones that are most likely to change providers at the drop of a hat. Those are already with EK now (as they mentioned a few pages ago). I say this because they were comfortable switching providers when prices began to rise back in June.

What about those who genuinely gave the Flick model a try and discovered it wasn't suitable for them, and they are looking for a more suitable plan that fits their lifestyle? I reckon once they find what they're looking for, they'll stay put. This would have been a good opportunity for EK to onboard open-minded customers who might stick around in the long-run.

I'm struggling to understand why EK chose to single out Flick customers. You'd think if EK is over-subscribed then this would hold true for all new customers. Perhaps this is more relating to the guarantee they offer about savings in the first 12 months, and whether that's profitable for them to honor that deal for ex-Flicksters?

Wiggum

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Reply # 1821975 13-Jul-2017 15:30

Its disgraceful of EK actually. Out of sure principle I will now not signup even if I could.

Their website says, "No contracts, no signup fees, no breakup fees, no catches".

Maybe they should rephrase that, "no catches unless you a Flick customer".

Wiggum

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Reply # 1821977 13-Jul-2017 15:32

michaelmurfy:

Well in EK's defense it holds true as I know many people who have switched to EK who will likely switch back so I can see why they're doing this.

It should not matter to them, and there should be nothing wrong with switching anytime a customer wants. They advertising a "no contract" service.

Castle

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Reply # 1821978 13-Jul-2017 15:32

easycloud:

I'm struggling to understand why EK chose to single out Flick customers. You'd think if EK is over-subscribed then this would hold true for all new customers. Perhaps this is more relating to the guarantee they offer about savings in the first 12 months, and whether that's profitable for them to honor that deal for ex-Flicksters?

That could be it. Otherwise it's just discrimination based on assumptions. Which I find annoying. I think if they want to not take on possible loss making customers (those who will stick with them only until the spot price comes back down) they should institute a contract.

tdgeek

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Reply # 1822001 13-Jul-2017 15:55

michaelmurfy:

Well in EK's defense it holds true as I know many people who have switched to EK who will likely switch back so I can see why they're doing this. I am going to stay with EK as they're pretty good to deal with + having a constant price is more important for me due to who lives with me. For example, it was almost $1 per unit during my hour of free power last night and yet I had the heatpump, heaters, dryer, dishwasher, washing machine all on as well as hot water heating - total draw was around 40a and yet I would say would have cost EK a bit.

Doesn't make business sense to allow customers who won't stick around.

@drewchad Powershop is pretty expensive if you don't prepay everything.

It would have, and its costing every provider a bit too.But what they have done is encouraged you to move kWh from spot price peak to spot price off peak, which has helped them out costwise. And that free hour does that all the time as well, not just in the current situation. Its very innovative.

tdgeek

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Reply # 1822004 13-Jul-2017 15:59

easycloud:

Amosnz:

I can't blame EK really, I wouldn't want to accept immediate loss-leading customers who are more likely to be continuously looking for the cheapest rate, and potentially will jump ship when the peaks are over.

Not sure I agree, the first batch of people that left Flick for EK a few weeks ago are the ones that are most likely to change providers at the drop of a hat. Those are already with EK now (as they mentioned a few pages ago). I say this because they were comfortable switching providers when prices began to rise back in June.

What about those who genuinely gave the Flick model a try and discovered it wasn't suitable for them, and they are looking for a more suitable plan that fits their lifestyle? I reckon once they find what they're looking for, they'll stay put. This would have been a good opportunity for EK to onboard open-minded customers who might stick around in the long-run.

I'm struggling to understand why EK chose to single out Flick customers. You'd think if EK is over-subscribed then this would hold true for all new customers. Perhaps this is more relating to the guarantee they offer about savings in the first 12 months, and whether that's profitable for them to honor that deal for ex-Flicksters?

What I bolded can easily mean for some customers, that they took the cheapest option, and now want to opt out, rather than stay put, take the highs and lows and let everything average out. Its really having the cake and eating it too.

Coon

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Reply # 1822043 13-Jul-2017 16:58

drewchad: What's the attraction with EK?

If short term, why not go to Powershop? Cheaper rates, at least in CHCH for low users, & $50/mth discount across first 3 months, all with no contract.

Also interestingly, I jumped ship from Flick a few weeks back & EK wouldn't accept me at the time, but I am now allowed to move to EK from Powershop.

Powershop is too confusing since they moved away from price per kwh to price per day

Aredwood

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Reply # 1822051 13-Jul-2017 17:13

For those who want to switch away from Flick. Have a look at Pulse Energy. Last time I checked they were cheaper than EK. But no free hour of power. And bonus that they are not 1 of the big 4 who are being greedy on the wholesale market at the moment.

easycloud

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Reply # 1822053 13-Jul-2017 17:15

tdgeek:

easycloud:

What about those who genuinely gave the Flick model a try and discovered it wasn't suitable for them,

What I bolded can easily mean for some customers, that they took the cheapest option, and now want to opt out, rather than stay put, take the highs and lows and let everything average out. Its really having the cake and eating it too.

I was referring to the people that aren't interested in price shopping every couple of months but rather want to find a billing model that works for them. These tough times are a good way for people to find out if they can stomach the good & the bad, or whether they prefer some stability in exchange for higher overall electric bills.

This excerpt from Flick's news page recognises this class of people exist:

Can I leave Flick?

You sure can. Obviously we hope that you won’t want to, but we completely understand that our model doesn’t work for everyone all of the time. Here at Flick, we think it’s important that Kiwis find the best power deal for them and their area, so we don’t lock you into fixed-term contracts and we don’t charge you break fees. That means you’re free to leave whenever you choose.

tdgeek

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Reply # 1822065 13-Jul-2017 17:34

easycloud:

tdgeek:

easycloud:

What about those who genuinely gave the Flick model a try and discovered it wasn't suitable for them,

What I bolded can easily mean for some customers, that they took the cheapest option, and now want to opt out, rather than stay put, take the highs and lows and let everything average out. Its really having the cake and eating it too.

I was referring to the people that aren't interested in price shopping every couple of months but rather want to find a billing model that works for them. These tough times are a good way for people to find out if they can stomach the good & the bad, or whether they prefer some stability in exchange for higher overall electric bills.

This excerpt from Flick's news page recognises this class of people exist:

Can I leave Flick?

You sure can. Obviously we hope that you won’t want to, but we completely understand that our model doesn’t work for everyone all of the time. Here at Flick, we think it’s important that Kiwis find the best power deal for them and their area, so we don’t lock you into fixed-term contracts and we don’t charge you break fees. That means you’re free to leave whenever you choose.

I realise that, but winter is winter. This cold blast doesnt help but it happens in winter. I just feel that the ratio of long haul, accept it, and I want cheap every day isn't favourable to quite a few, but that was no secret that spot prices would go up in winter. Or when lake levels drop. If people are leaving Flick in droves, its for the spot price reason, then they will mostly go back when it suits. EK is merely doing the same in return. Use Flick when spot is low and use EK when its high isn't a good model for both. So EK doesnt want to assist that model, and Flick is no doubt happy with that too, as while they arent affected by spot prices as they pass them on, losing many customers takes away the fixed margin they have.

Wiggum

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Reply # 1822068 13-Jul-2017 17:40

$1.20 a unit now and still climbing.

I always knew there would be spikes, but I never expected this. This price looks like its going to continue to climb well into the night. In my history with Flick, this is really the worst.

enfield

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Reply # 1822096 13-Jul-2017 19:28

Switching back to mercury now from flick - Daily charge:$0.3322 Easy discount:12% Inclusive:$0.2659 (south auckland).Looks like electrickiwi does not want flick customers as when I put in my next door neighbours address I have the option of signing but when I put my address it get "Thanks for your interest in joining Electric Kiwi. Due to the current high volume of customers joining Electric Kiwi, in order to keep delivering our award-winning customer service, we are temporarily limiting new customers in some areas at this time. Check back soon as we expect to be on top of demand before too long." I emailed them about this and got the same generic response.

timmmay

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Reply # 1822099 13-Jul-2017 19:36

4 people support this post

The reason I moved a few weeks back was risk - I didn't know how bad things were going to get. I saved money with Flick, but they're a company reselling a commodity not a cause, if there are advantages to another company I'll move. I'll reassess in a few months, if there are advantages to move back, I will. With Flick it's not just price, it having to watch the price that gets to you after a while.

These are just billing companies, the generators and lines companies do all the actual hard work.

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Wiggum

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Reply # 1822169 13-Jul-2017 22:22

Now it seems to be letting fliksters signup. They must have changed something

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