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Original poster

Energy companies

31 replies

Graphista · 07/04/2022 15:07

Just moved house, I'm with the energy provider that was already in place - for now.

Initially they seemed ok or no worse than most at the time but I am on my 2nd call of the day trying to get information after submitting a meter reading last week on a number of matters not just that issue.

I get it's busy at the moment I expected to be on hold a while, what's annoying is when I did get through the customer service is pretty poor.

Anyone have any inkling as to when things are likely to be calmer for me to be able to shop around not only for better prices but also better customer service and do any of you have recommendations on the customer service side of things?

I've looked at comparison sites scorings on this and unfortunately also the companies with the better customer service seem to be those newer companies more likely to go bust! Which I am not really fancying trying either.

Drives me nuts (as I'm sure it does many customers!) that the govt watchdogs for such things are so bloody useless and don't make these companies provide clear info and decent customer service!

So recommendations - and who to avoid like the plague please?

OP posts:

Original poster

Graphista · 07/04/2022 15:09

Was on hold and now been cut off so call no 3!

OP posts:

LizzieMacQueen · 07/04/2022 15:13

Have you tried twitter - it's the only reason I have a twitter account - customer services at E.on have been ok, not instant, but they do answer.

gamerchick · 07/04/2022 15:14

I've stayed with EDF for just their customer service and I've told them that. Obviously it's been a while since I've contacted them so don't know what it's like atm.

Sadly I think shopping around will be on the back burner for the minute for quite a while

TheFoldOx · 07/04/2022 15:18

I've ended up with Octopus by default, moving to them when Avro went south last year. But so far, I've been impressed with them; their customer service has been good, their website is very easy to use, including or meter readings (I can't have a smart meter for my gas supply, so have to provide manual readings). 100% renewable sources for electricity, and when I moved to a news, more expensive fixed rate a few months ago (to mitigate the big future rises that were coming), Octopus recongised that my account was in credit and didn't increase my direct debit.

If you are interested in moving to Octopus, you can sign up through an existing customer to receive £50 credit. My personal link is share.octopus.energy/melon-mouse-920 - if you use this, I would also receive £50 credited to my account.

gamerchick · 07/04/2022 15:24

Was just waiting for one of those referral codes. Wish they would get banned on here.

It's a bit of a pisstake still offering those 50 quids tbh. Not that short of cash are they?

TheFoldOx · 07/04/2022 15:27

@gamerchick

Was just waiting for one of those referral codes. Wish they would get banned on here.

It's a bit of a pisstake still offering those 50 quids tbh. Not that short of cash are they?

What's the problem, @gamerchick? The OP asked for recommendations; I gave my experience of Octopus and offered a way for the OP to get some free credit, if they want to. If they don't, that's fine and no harm done, surely?

dementedpixie · 07/04/2022 15:28

I dont think Octopus are taking on new customers. They seem to be advising to stay where you are as there are no cheap deals around. If you really really want to swap to them I think you need to ring them

dementedpixie · 07/04/2022 15:30

This is what you get if you try to switch to Octopus

dementedpixie · 07/04/2022 15:30

P.s. I am with Octopus too

gamerchick · 07/04/2022 15:32

What's the problem, @gamerchick? The OP asked for recommendations; I gave my experience of Octopus and offered a way for the OP to get some free credit, if they want to. If they don't, that's fine and no harm done, surely?

No problem here hinny. Just a game I play with meesel.

TheFoldOx · 07/04/2022 15:33

I think they will take new customers, but as you say, you have to call rather than switch online. Nearly all people are better off staying where they are right now, but there are some circumstances were moving supplier is still a good idea. It all depends on what mix of elements you value most - purely cost, or other factors such as renewable sources, customer service, size of supplier, length of any fixed rate, etc. For example, I moved to a different Octopus deal a few months ago, almost certain that my kWh rate for both gas and electricity would be higher than the April price cap. But the length of the fixed rate meant that I was basically hedging against an October 2022 price cap increase, and I was willing to pay more over the summer to likely pay less over winter 2022-23.

MMAMPWGHAP · 07/04/2022 15:34

I’ve had a forced switch to Octopus and think their website and billing is the worst I’ve encountered. It shows a recent payment they’ve taken with no data to back up.

dementedpixie · 07/04/2022 15:37

Really? I find Octopus has been the best with regards to their app and being able to submit readings and see almost immediately what you've used and how much it has cost. You can change your direct debit up and down and request a credit balance to be returned to you easily

dementedpixie · 07/04/2022 15:38

@MMAMPWGHAP

I’ve had a forced switch to Octopus and think their website and billing is the worst I’ve encountered. It shows a recent payment they’ve taken with no data to back up.

What sort of payment and what data are you looking for?

TellMeItIsntTrue · 07/04/2022 15:40

What did you need to find out from them?

TheFoldOx · 07/04/2022 15:42

@dementedpixie

I agree, @dementedpixie - there's even a "show workings" button that explains how your current balance has been calculated. Octopus are also very keen to give me over £200 back from my credit balance.

AnneShirleysNewDress · 07/04/2022 15:46

I'm with Octopus and find their customer service really good.

VanGoghsDog · 07/04/2022 16:02

@gamerchick

Was just waiting for one of those referral codes. Wish they would get banned on here.

It's a bit of a pisstake still offering those 50 quids tbh. Not that short of cash are they?

It's odd because actually their website says they're not taking any transfers in anyway.

TheFoldOx · 07/04/2022 16:13

That's not quite right, @VanGoghsDog. They are clear that for most people, remaining on their current deal or with their current supplier is best. But there are still circumstances were people may wish to move, and in that case Octopus will offer assistance via their call centre.

GeneLovesJezebel · 07/04/2022 16:15

I used messenger, in desperation , to get hold of Scottish Power and it worked.

TheSnowyOwl · 07/04/2022 16:21

I think if you opt for an energy company that’s not one of the big ones, expect them to go bust especially now prices have gone up. Unfortunately that’s also why the ones who will be staying in business are so busy, because people whose previous supplier went into administration are now with them and trying to sort things out and existing customers are jumping on the meter reading bandwagon and trying to submit one still.

BlueThursday · 07/04/2022 16:30

This is what I got when I tried contacting British Gas

BlueThursday · 07/04/2022 16:30

2nd attempt!

VanGoghsDog · 07/04/2022 18:18

@TheFoldOx

That's not quite right, *@VanGoghsDog*. They are clear that for most people, remaining on their current deal or with their current supplier is best. But there are still circumstances were people may wish to move, and in that case Octopus will offer assistance via their call centre.

That's not what happened when I tried. They put me on a waiting list to get an email when they were ready to look at taking new customers.

TheFoldOx · 07/04/2022 18:20

Hopefully you'll get the email you need soon, @VanGoghsDog. When did you contact them?

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