NCA research shows switching decrease
- Overall level of switching on the decrease, according to latest NCA report
- NCA chief warns consumers not to become lackadaisical and to shop around for best value from service providers
24 February 2010
A survey commissioned by the National Consumer Agency and carried out by Amárach Research shows that overall, across a wide range of key expenditure sectors, switching of service providers has decreased by 8% in the past six months.
Ann Fitzgerald, Chief Executive of the NCA said: "According to the survey, over the next year 16% of consumers intend switching car insurance provider and one in 10 consumers intend switching provider in the mobile phone and electricity supply sectors.
"We would advise people not to be lackadaisical about switching and to examine their household bills to compare the alternative options on a regular basis. Don't put off what you can do today if you can make savings now.
"In the current economic climate, many service providers have become more competitive and we are urging Irish consumers to vote with their feet by switching to get the best bang for your euro. There is value out there for quality services and savvy consumers will reap the benefits.
"The number of people who found the switching process difficult is down again on the last wave of research to only 3%, with almost four in five saying it was an easy process. This indicates that service providers are striving to make the process of switching as easy as possible and this is good news for consumers," Ms Fitzgerald said.
Although overall switching is down on the last wave of research, there has been an increase in the number of consumers switching their electricity service provider.
Consumers continue to be most likely to have switched mobile phone provider (21%), car insurance provider (21%) or where they do their main grocery shop (15%).
Getting a better deal is the driving factor for 75% of consumers who have switched provider and four out of five (79%) consumers believe they are receiving a similar or better service since switching.
The NCA will shortly launch a tool which will allow consumers to measure their household spending behaviour against the national average and access advice on how to cut costs which includes switching suppliers.
Learn more
Download a report of the market research findings (MS Word, 424KB)
View Amárach's presentation of the key findings (PowerPoint, 652KB)
Read our "Switch and Save" guides