Contract with Mercury Energy?

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sonyxperiageek

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#170918 30-Mar-2015 21:28

I wonder if it's still a good idea to sign up to another two year contract with my current electricity provider: Mercury Energy?

I mean, for those industry experts, do you think electricity rates will increase a lot for a justification to sign another two year contract? We've already signed a three year one. We are on their anytime: low user plan.

Sony

khull

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#1273828 30-Mar-2015 22:25

Crystal ball gazing here. Try and put things to perspective, especially those who get locked into 24 month contracts just to get the latest smartphone - most jobs and relationships don't last that long and some governments last a little over that period. Same applies to power companies. If you can stomach that thought and commitment, then go ahead

eXDee

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#1273843 30-Mar-2015 22:36

We originally entered a contract when we joined up with them but its run out.

Now mercury salespeople come to our door asking if we want to sign up with their special offers. We explain we're already mercury customers, but look at their deal anyway, which is the same plan but somehow worse value than the one we currently have, by quite a large margin. I don't know why.
As is every other electricity provider who calls up or coming to the door.

Odd, but in our favour i suppose.

Hammerer

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#1273871 31-Mar-2015 01:41

eXDee: We originally entered a contract when we joined up with them but its run out.

Now mercury salespeople come to our door asking if we want to sign up with their special offers. We explain we're already mercury customers, but look at their deal anyway, which is the same plan but somehow worse value than the one we currently have, by quite a large margin. I don't know why.
As is every other electricity provider who calls up or coming to the door.

Odd, but in our favour i suppose.

They usually send a letter saying "your special rates are due to end" and tell you the new rates. Did you get a letter at the end of the contract period? If not, then are you certain that the contract period has ended?

eXDee

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#1273983 31-Mar-2015 09:50

It was a two year contract period, and our rates have definitely gone up since we joined years ago.

mattbush

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#1274289 31-Mar-2015 12:49

Would have to be a very special deal for me to sign for 2 years.

sonyxperiageek

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#1274645 31-Mar-2015 17:22

They said for the same rate:

Daily Charge Electricity: 33.33 cents per day
Variable Inclusive Electricity: 26.35 cents per kWh.

Is anybody getting better deals? If so, what provider? We may switch to them instead!

Sony

LennonNZ

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#1274657 31-Mar-2015 17:41

I was with Mercury and contract had ended... Another Provider came to be and I said yes to moving to them (as they where better than Mercury). Mercury then called me and offered me a much better deal and large credit on my bill so I took it.

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sonyxperiageek

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#1274740 31-Mar-2015 20:10

What provider was that?

Sony

LennonNZ

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#1274783 31-Mar-2015 20:27

Genesis I think

The Prices quoted online are not usually the best ones a company can give you.
If a company wants you they will offer you a better price/deal than advertised.

Loismustdye

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#1274817 31-Mar-2015 21:51

We are currently shopping around as well.
Currently with meridian who sent the letter stating our fixed term was up, but get this, they were going to automatically move us onto their new fixed term rates, and bind us in that contract for 2 1/2 years with penalty fees if we moved elsewhere. Needless to say i sent a response saying move us onto their variable rates whilst i looked for a new provider.
Apparently it is perfectly legal to automatically fix your customers into a contract without their express permission!
Way to go meridian!

sonyxperiageek

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#1274819 31-Mar-2015 21:55

I guess I will not sign the contract (which is due by tomorrow). Really don't want to bind into another contract if I don't have to.

Sony

russelo

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#1275026 1-Apr-2015 10:28

I got a call last week from Mercury offering to a new 2-year contract with them as my current 3-year contract is expiring.
I was offered a lower daily rate of 33 cents from my current 110 cents with a small increase in the variable rate from 21 to 25 cents.
The rep was always emphasizing the immediate savings of $22/month from that and doesn't want to discuss the change in variable rate.

Putting it in excel shows that I would actually pay $15 more per month with their new offer.
I can imagine some people can easily fall for that without computing the total cost. I know my wife will.

sonyxperiageek

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#1275547 1-Apr-2015 17:25

russelo: I got a call last week from Mercury offering to a new 2-year contract with them as my current 3-year contract is expiring.
I was offered a lower daily rate of 33 cents from my current 110 cents with a small increase in the variable rate from 21 to 25 cents.
The rep was always emphasizing the immediate savings of $22/month from that and doesn't want to discuss the change in variable rate.

Putting it in excel shows that I would actually pay $15 more per month with their new offer.
I can imagine some people can easily fall for that without computing the total cost. I know my wife will.

I expect you probably got the same one as me. Yeah, a rep from Mercury kept calling, but we kept holding them back. Glad I decided not to sign up to the contract!

Sony