Power companies?

[The Lone Rider]

Right, moving into my new house 2morrow.

For me it seems like a company that has a plan where you have cheap night rates for the hot water cylinder and heaters would be best.

I'm really clueless on what to look at.

What power company do you use and why do you like it?

[Jantar]

To get cheap night rates depends on the type of metering you have. However all the companies that service Christchurch do have a night rate option. I would recommend either Meridian or Contact as being the best ones to deal with, and Trustpower as being the worst.

I will declare a conflict of interest; I work for one of the companies I recommend and purchase my power from the other one.

[Drum]

Go with Meridian mate. Our performance bonus round is coming up.

Much appreciated.

[Karma]

Tell them you're an islander and need an oxygen mask... they'll never cut you off and you'll never have to pay

[oldrider]

Tell them you're an islander and need an oxygen mask... they'll never cut you off and you'll never have to pay

And you will get a photo opportunity when Helen visits!

[Beemer]

If they were the cheapest, I'd go for Mercury just because they need all the support they can get! (Oh, and if you die, they give you $10,000 to spend - woo hoo!)

Check out Consumer's power switch site - go to www.consumer.org.nz and there is a link there. We ended up saving $120 a year by switching to another company.

[The Lone Rider]

If they were the cheapest, I'd go for Mercury just because they need all the support they can get! (Oh, and if you die, they give you $10,000 to spend - woo hoo!)

Check out Consumer's power switch site - go to www.consumer.org.nz and there is a link there. We ended up saving $120 a year by switching to another company.

Cool! Says for me that Meridian on Low User Anytime with Night Rate is cheapest for me.

[Highlander]

... I would recommend either Meridian or Contact as being the best ones to deal with, and Trustpower as being the worst.

I will declare a conflict of interest; I work for one of the companies I recommend and purchase my power from the other one.

I've worked for all three in one form or other, and recommend the consumer site listed above. Either that or gas and candles.

[Colapop]

The prices these power companies charge - it leaves you breathless!!

[Highlander]

The prices these power companies charge - it leaves you breathless!!

That's before they turn it off.

[Mully]

Is it bad that I want to change from Mercury because they handed over the $10K cheque??

Not for any other reason.

[ynot slow]

pre pay way to go,no bills to worry about and if u forget to top up it stays on till local outlet opens,also if you run out after 7pm friday you have till monday to top up,can even get emergency top up of $10 which is paid back when you buy more credit,can't fault it for ease,also saves having to make sure house alarm not set when readers come around,and or tieing up the dog.

[Beemer]

pre pay way to go,no bills to worry about and if u forget to top up it stays on till local outlet opens,also if you run out after 7pm friday you have till monday to top up,can even get emergency top up of $10 which is paid back when you buy more credit,can't fault it for ease,also saves having to make sure house alarm not set when readers come around,and or tieing up the dog.

Unfortunately it works out a lot more expensive than post-pay. Best to try and budget (even pay some each week) and get it billed. Our meter box is outside thankfully, I must confess I don't like the idea of anyone being in my house when I am not home!

[shcabbeh]

I can't help you on plans, sorry but I can tell you that Contact has excellent customer service and support. Haven't had a single problem with them, I barely remember they exist but for their monthly bill.

[Beemer]

I can't help you on plans, sorry but I can tell you that Contact has excellent customer service and support. Haven't had a single problem with them, I barely remember they exist but for their monthly bill.

You're bloody lucky then! I used to work for them and the number of complaints we received (and looking at some of the morons I worked with...) was about the same as the other companies - except perhaps Empower, which is a company Contact Energy owns - they had squillions! We had no problems with Meridian, but changed to Genesis as they were cheaper - no problems there so far either. And I've been able to get through if I ring within a minute or two, which is always a bonus.