Why does that cause you a problem?In any event, it doesn't alter my feelings about the bizarre situation we have (and with far more than just energy) which allows one to choose who one pays for the same product!
Kind Regards, John
Why does that cause you a problem?In any event, it doesn't alter my feelings about the bizarre situation we have (and with far more than just energy) which allows one to choose who one pays for the same product!
Kind Regards, John
... because it seems (to me) to be just plain daftWhy does that cause you a problem?
Exactly my point even to the choice of product.Isn’t the same of being able to choose where to buy, say for example, a tin of Heinz baked beans or just about any other product.
Not quite. It's more like having a case of Heinz baked beans delivered to one's door directly from the Heinz factory, via a 'distribution network' provided (or contracted by) Heinz (or some third party with whom one had no dealings), and then being able to choose whether one wanted to pay Tesco, Sainsburys, Waitrose or whoever for those beans. Would that be sensible?Isn’t the same of being able to choose where to buy, say for example, a tin of Heinz baked beans or just about any other product.
UKPN generate (or more accurately collate) the energy and deliver it to a distribution system, somebody (let's create a ficticious name - Edwer) purchases it at wholesale price, UKPN deliver it to your door.Not quite. It's more like having a case of Heinz baked beans delivered to one's door directly from the Heinz factory, via a 'distribution network' provided (or contracted by) Heinz (or some third party with whom one had no dealings), and then being able to choose whether one wanted to pay Tesco, Sainsburys, Waitrose or whoever for those beans. Would that be sensible?
The main difference is that, unlike the various people in the supply chain of baked beans, an electricity supplier has never had any involvement with the product they are selling or its distribution/delivery. It has never 'been on their shelves', or in their warehouse, and nor have they 'handled' it in any way. All the supplier does is to pass on consumer's money to the generators and distributors of the electricity (after removing some for themselves), which also requires them to provide and maintain metering equipment, so they know how much to bill each customer.No I don't see the difference...
... because it seems (to me) to be just plain daft
"We" seem to have come to accept this bizarre concept in relation to utilities and certain services, whereas I doubt that we could get our head around it in relation to any other 'purchases'!
Kind Regards, John
I'll try another thought:The main difference is that, unlike the various people in the supply chain of baked beans, an electricity supplier has never had any involvement with the product they are selling or its distribution/delivery. It has never 'been on their shelves', or in their warehouse, and nor have they 'handled' it in any way. All the supplier does is to pass on consumer's money to the generators and distributors of the electricity (after removing some for themselves), which also requires them to provide and maintain metering equipment, so they know how much to bill each customer.
Kind Regards, John
The manufacturer delivers the product in all cases but the manufacturer receives less money for it than if they had sold it themselves.
That's not the same because for electricity there is no TNT or DPD choice.
The manufacturer delivers the product in all cases but the manufacturer receives less money for it than if they had sold it themselves.
But there are meter companies who contract to the 'suppliers'.It's more the generator and DNO combination that actually makes and delivers the goods and this doesn't change.
Indeed - as you imply, that is "Capitalism 101" and applies to most 'tangible products', and even to many services.There is nothing bizarre about it - you go to one supermarket and can buy a packet of cornflakes for one price, go to the one next door and they might sell the same packet 10p cheaper - it is called a free market and competition for your business. One supermarket might get a slightly better deal from the cornflake manufacturer, so they can offer them a bit cheaper, or they may simply sell at a smaller profit margin to attract customers.
As I see it, the only real scope for differences between 'suppliers', hence the only real basis on which they can advertise, 'sell themselves' and thereby attempt to attract customers, is in relation to the extent to which they add on a 'surcharge' to what the 'manufacturer' charges for the electricity/gas.
What 'services' do you think that a 'supplier' provides beyond the issuing and administration of bills (and installation of meters to facilitate that)? In virtually any other buying/selling context, I think we would probably take a dim view of a situation in which a substantial percentage (not merely a 'fixed admin charge') was added onto the bill "for issuing a bill", wouldn't we?
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