howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#21
the last time i changed the new gas seller showed a deal about 15% less than i was paying.
it took 3 months to through by which time they had put their prices up 20%.
the industry is as near to a cartel as it can get, they don't need to make anything official.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
#22
It is far from a cartel. It is regulated to ensure it does not become so and if there was such a problem then the Competition Commission could intervene on a referral from the regulator. Prices do change frequently, up and down, across all companies in a competitive market if they did not then you may well have room to complain about a cartel.
Guest 716- Registered: 9 Jun 2011
- Posts: 4,010
#23
# 21. Spot on.Latent cartels shuffle the prices regularly to confuse the market/customers.
They have complete control of the cost we pay.Flashman`s meeting is a good Headline.................again.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#24
they don't need a proper cartel, each knows what the other is charging and they just take turns every now and again to be a little cheaper.
if it was a truly competitive market one of the companies would have either gone to the wall or be having difficulties, none are.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
#25
Howard - I am afraid that is complete rubbish. Prices change due to a competitive market and you do not have to use the 'big six' as I do not. You did raise one good point in a way though, it can be too complex and time consuming changing supplier. The answer is in making that easier and quicker and this is what the government is planning to do.
Be thankful that we do not have some dreadful state monopoly then we really would be paying through the nose.
Guest 716- Registered: 9 Jun 2011
- Posts: 4,010
#26
# 24 Agreed............Customers/business people are aware of the economics.
Investment Johnies are blinkered and use gobbledegook to confuse a simple situation.Such is life!!!
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
#27
When Ofgem was established under Maggie's government, its remit included price controls. An act passed in 2000 by The Blair Government removed that part of its responsibilities.
Reg, I suggest you submit your evidence of a cartel to the European Commission. They have the power to fine cartel members up to 10% of annual turnover.
I have spent almost half my life working at the sharp end of the various financial markets, (foreign exchange, money markets, bonds, metals and equities as well the derivative markets of all those products) and I have to say that Barry's analyses both on the main forum and on his blog are pretty close to my understanding of reality. So I think your off the cuff comment about 'investment johnnies' is bang out of order.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
DT1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 15 Apr 2008
- Posts: 1,116
#28
Is that the same Ofgem that last year suggested supplies should come from energy suppliers via a state controlled system? Because the 'free market' surrounding suppliers is not sustainable and ultimately crippling for the consumer? This is half the reason Mr Cameron is going to 'have a word' to the big suppliers. Funny really how our elected leaders are ultimately at the mercy of those with the true power, a reality that dilutes our supposed democracy.
As Mrs T said, 'New Labour were one of her biggest successes'. And it is ridiculous that this regulation was removed.
Let's get some control back.
Guest 725- Registered: 7 Oct 2011
- Posts: 1,418
#29
Regardless of how much the energy firms charge us I suggest everyone get out to the shops asap and prepare for another horrible winter. La nina is set to cause temperatures to plummet again this year and with the sun going through a prolonged period of low activity it's gonna get pretty bleak.
But hey fear not there's bound to be power generated by renewables........or maybe not.
While people are talking about the high profits energy companies charge us all they fail to consider how the last government skewed energy policy and how this present government is set to skew it even more resulting in power shortages in the future.
You think I'm making this stuff up? Check out how many power stations are set to close over the next few years to stop polar bears from shrinking (I kid you not it's the latest research don't you know) and what will replace these power sources.........erm not much really 'cept a few hawk slicing wind turbines.
Don't forget to stock up on newspaper - it comes in very useful when stuffed down one's trousers to help keep the warm in.
DT1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 15 Apr 2008
- Posts: 1,116
#30
Much as I think the government (as are many) are using the climate concern as a way of generating income. It is also feasible that changes in our climate may not be as manmade as some would suggest.
Whatever the cause, the outcome has still got human implications and to ignor something on the grounds "well it wasn't our fault" will all seem a little purile if predictions are correct.
Back to energy...surely we should be finding other ways of generating power. Don't get me wrong, we are making a pretty poor attempt so far, but we really must try. Non renewable sources will run out, maybe not in our life time or the next, but they will (The giveaway being in the name). I'm fine with nuclear, but that all seems to be the 'next quick fix' until we have the fun of decommissioning.
If we don't move away from non renewable sources, someone at sometime, will really have us screwed financially...possibly Russia.
Guest 716- Registered: 9 Jun 2011
- Posts: 4,010
#31
Cameron`s meeting with `Big Six`proves non-productive.Little hope for improvement.
Ofgem accuse `Big Six`of profiteering.
Surprise Surprise!!
Guest 716- Registered: 9 Jun 2011
- Posts: 4,010
#32
5.5 million now in Fuel poverty.....................This year there will be more
2,700 deaths through Fuel Poverty................This year there will be more.
The `Big Six` year on year make obscene profits and our Government is helpless?
Now tell me we are all in this together...........................Please don`t try.
Guest 725- Registered: 7 Oct 2011
- Posts: 1,418
#33
.........But the planet is dying and something must be done.
We are committing ecocide by burning fossil fuels and I hear the Earth cry and feel the warm, wet tears running down her face.
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
#34
phillip,well turn the heating down and youre roof fixed.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#35
very poetic philip the message is sadly true though.
the up and coming economies will continue to pollute the atmosphere with their heavy industries and many more in africa and south america will follow suit when china and india falter.
so they should they have been poor for so long whilst we grew rich doing what they do now.
our high and mighty leaders are quite willing to drag the country to its knees and the poor to early graves shivering whilst making a tiny bit of difference in the worlds emissions.
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
#36
and not forgetting america,china and india.
Guest 725- Registered: 7 Oct 2011
- Posts: 1,418
#37
I've posted this link before but there appeared to be no feedback. I urge you to read it. Turn off the telly (tonight's BBC is more like CBBC anyhow with some ridiculous programme about three luvvies getting lost in the "wilderness" of the UK, this stuff passes for entertainment nowadays).
It ain't pretty but gives a perspective of where we stand:
url[http://www.tullettprebon.com/Documents/strategyinsights/Tim_Morgan_Report_007.pdfurl]
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#38
tried to make it live, didn't work.
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
#39
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson