NCA urges consumers to shop around for better value

The National Consumer Agency is urging homeowners to shop around for better value on their household goods and bills.

NCA urges consumers to shop around for better value

The National Consumer Agency is urging homeowners to shop around for better value on their household goods and bills.

According to the latest consumer switching research report it shows that 26% of consumers have changed supermarkets in order to make savings.

Some 16% of homeowners transferred both their electricity and gas providers with 14% of those seeking broadband services moving companies - all in an effort to save money.

"More consumers are aware that shopping around and switching providers can save them money," said NCA Chief Executive Karen O’Leary.

"However there is still a large level of inertia amongst consumers with large numbers of consumers sticking with the same provider.

"This is surprising, given the pressures on people’s income and the fact that the majority of those who switched did, in fact, save money.”

The NCA said a significant number of those who have not switched have never checked to see if a better deal is available, for example 48% of those who have not switched gas provider had never checked to see if a better deal was on offer.

The corresponding figures for electricity and fixed landline provider were 45% and 41% respectively.

“Switching may not be as difficult as you think," Ms O'Leary added.

"In recent years it has become a much simpler process in many sectors so it shouldn’t take long to see if you can get a better deal and switch if it’s worth your while. Staying with the same provider is not in itself a bad thing, providing you make the decision on an informed basis.”

The National Consumer Agency is the statutory body responsible for consumer protection and enforcement of consumer law under the Consumer Protection Act 2007 and various EU legislative enactments.

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