The big six energy companies have dominated the UK for decades.
However, when it comes to customer satisfaction, there is a different story to be told.
According to the 2021 Which? customer satisfaction survey, out of 25 companies listed, how many of the big six featured in the top 17 suppliers? Take a guess…
0. That’s right, the highest placed ‘big’ energy supplier ranked joint 18th. The rest of the group took places 20th-25th.
In the same survey, small energy firms made up the top 5 of the UK’s best energy companies.
But many people are still wary of small suppliers, even though they often offer better deals along with proven customer service. So, can we trust smaller suppliers? This article will help to answer the question.
Are Small Suppliers Safe?
Many people think using a small supplier isn’t safe and that using a bigger energy company is better.
But small suppliers are safe. More importantly, Niccolo is backed by CNG. In the event of the company failing, CNG would take over all contracts at the currently agreed prices immediately. CNG are a large supplier, turning over more than £1B last year.
Are Small Supplier Customers Happier?
The short answer is yes.
We all want to be happy with our energy provider, right?
The big six energy suppliers’ customers are clearly unhappy when we compare them to small and medium-sized providers.
Consistently, bigger energy firms come out worse in customer satisfaction surveys. According to the Which? results, small energy firms make up the top 5 of the UK’s best energy companies.
In comparison, five (yes five!) of the country’s biggest suppliers are in the bottom five positions.
So, do you want to be happier when it comes to energy? If so, contact the team at Niccolo and see how you could not only save money but receive unbeatable customer service.
What Are The Advantages Of Small Energy Providers?
So, what sort of advantages do small energy providers have?
- Lower costs for customers – with lower overheads, the supplier can offer competitive rates in comparison to bigger energy providers.
- Better deals – smaller energy providers usually offer their best deal, with a 2019 survey showing small energy customers were more confident their provider offered the cheapest deal.
- More variation – more competition in the market has shown lots of creativity in smaller energy companies, with variety, benefits, tariff innovation and lower prices.
What are you waiting for? Get in touch with Niccolo and speak to the team of experts who would be happy to help you save money.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Switching To A Small Supplier?
Surely there must be one disadvantage?
Well, according to money experts MoneySupermarket, they state ‘there are generally no disadvantages to switching to a smaller supplier.’
Am I Protected If My Independent Energy Supplier Goes Bust?
With more small energy companies entering the market, as well as some going bust, you may be worried that you’ll be protected if your energy supplier goes bust.
Ofgem has introduced measures which will protect customers if your energy company goes bust, so you should be reassured that you won’t be at risk of being cut off.
Are Small Energy Companies Reliable?
In terms of customer service and making sure you’re looked after; small energy companies are shown to offer a better experience with superior complaint handling compared to bigger suppliers.
How Are New Energy Suppliers Regulated?
Ofgem has created more stringent checks, which has made the process of new suppliers wanting to enter the energy market a lot tougher.