The Energy Advice Line has urged SMEs to consider switching to independent energy suppliers following a report showing they enjoy higher customer satisfaction ratings than the Big Six.
Julian Morgan, managing director of the price comparison, switching and advice service, said Datamonitor’s B2B Energy Buyer Customer Satisfaction survey showed small firms continued to be unhappy with the major suppliers.
“The findings reflect what many of our customers are telling us: switching to a smaller, independent supplier can be a sound business decision,” Mr Morgan said.
“Small suppliers won’t necessarily suit every business, but these findings should encourage firms that haven’t considered switching to them should do so.
“Although the UK energy market is not as competitive as it should be, recent initiatives to loosen the stranglehold of the Big Six suppliers is seeing smaller players improve their game in order to gain a foothold in the market.
“Many of our customers find they are financially better off, and benefit from better customer service, with a small supplier.”
The report showed that independent operators Opus Energy and Haven power took out first and second spots respectively in terms of SME satisfaction.
Both suppliers enjoyed a modest improvement in their customer satisfaction score, up by 0.34 and 0.37 points respectively between 2013 and the first half of 2014. Meanwhile, satisfaction with all Big Six suppliers fell, except E.ON, which secured the third-highest spot and was up 0.17 points.
However, the report showed that on average, SMEs are now less satisfied with suppliers across the board than they were in 2013.
“The findings send a very clear message to the big suppliers that they need to up their game and could do worse than look to the smaller independents as role models,” Mr Morgan said.
“Business energy consumers are fed up with poor customer service and the uncompetitive tariffs sometimes offered by the Big Six and are voting with their feet.
“Not only is it essential for SMEs to shop around, but it’s vital to consider switching to one of the new players in the market.”
The Energy Advice Line is one of the UK's leading price comparison and switching services for business and domestic energy customers. It is also an advocate for energy market reform and has campaigned for a better deal for energy users, including calling for a ban on cold calling and changes to regulations to make it easier for all consumers to switch suppliers.
The service is completely independent and free. Consumers can quickly and simply search the market for the best available energy deals from an extensive panel of small and large energy suppliers. The service also offers a free advice service for business energy customers throughout the to of their energy contracts.
For further information visit www.energyadviceline.org.uk