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Original poster

Anyone with Utility Warehouse?

33 replies

Geezeoh · 23/08/2023 18:47

Just switched to them after moving home.

I've always been on top up meters and am a bit worried about an end of month bill.

Is there a way to check your usage to try and get an idea of what my bill might be?

I'm used to topping up every few days.

Also on my top up meters I used about £140 per month gas and electric and UW estimated I would use £280 here (it has 2 more rooms than last place)

OP posts:
Original poster
Geezeoh · 23/08/2023 20:07

.

OP posts:
dahliadazed · 23/08/2023 20:10

Did you get any other quotes? 100% increase doesn’t seem right for two extra rooms particularly as you are moving from pre-payment to bills.

dementedpixie · 23/08/2023 20:11

Is it UW that requires you to have other products to get a lower gas/electricity price?

Do they have an app for inputting meter readings?

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User63847439572 · 23/08/2023 20:12

Isn’t that the MLM type one? That really puts me off it

Original poster
Geezeoh · 23/08/2023 20:13

dahliadazed · 23/08/2023 20:10

Did you get any other quotes? 100% increase doesn’t seem right for two extra rooms particularly as you are moving from pre-payment to bills.

No,

I did a house exchange and that is who the last tenant was with.

I called and they said based on the number of people and bedrooms they would expect my G&E usage to be 280 a month. I can either set up a DD for that or the smart meter will submit readings and I pay for accurate usage, which I opted for.

So it might not be 280?

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 23/08/2023 20:14

What are the prices they have offered (price per kwh and standing charge? Is it a fixed rate?)

Original poster
Geezeoh · 23/08/2023 20:14

dementedpixie · 23/08/2023 20:11

Is it UW that requires you to have other products to get a lower gas/electricity price?

Do they have an app for inputting meter readings?

Yes, they tried to get me to switch everything Iver. Sim cards etc. I told them I have MH issues and I don't want to deal with all that, I just wnated my G&E. This whole move has been really distressing tbh. Ive had a really set routine for years and I've had to change so much :(

OP posts:
Blushingm · 23/08/2023 20:17

I was. You can give them readings but they don't bill you to the readings you give them.

4 years after leaving I had a debt letter for £117 but they couldn't explain what it was for - total nightmare!

dementedpixie · 23/08/2023 20:20

Maybe when you feel ready you can switch from them. Some companies offer rewards for switching e.g I'm with Octopus and they give a referral code for £50 off your bill (the person giving the referral link also gets £50).

Our last months usage for a 4 bed detached was £30 gas and £140 electricity for 2 adults and 2 teens

MyBrownEyedHandsomeBoy · 23/08/2023 21:10

Hi all I've had my UW for 12 months now (just been billed for my 12th month)
I am £1985 in credit, does this mean they will refund this automatically and if continues at the same rate I've been paying or do they divide that over 12 months and deduct it off the next 12 months direct debits??

VisionsOfSplendour · 23/08/2023 21:16

UW have a very poor reputation, you might want to think about moving to a traditional supplier that doesn't work on an MLM model

If you have a smart meter do you also have a display gadget that shows your usage?

dementedpixie · 23/08/2023 21:17

MyBrownEyedHandsomeBoy · 23/08/2023 21:10

Hi all I've had my UW for 12 months now (just been billed for my 12th month)
I am £1985 in credit, does this mean they will refund this automatically and if continues at the same rate I've been paying or do they divide that over 12 months and deduct it off the next 12 months direct debits??

I'd contact them as they all work differently regarding credit balances. You can maybe either get some refunded or reduce your direct debit to gradually bring the balance down.

Phos · 23/08/2023 21:18

No. They might save me money on my bills but I’m not supporting an MLM or the people who sign up to one then start putting twee little messages on social media.

RandomMess · 23/08/2023 21:22

Been with them for years never had an issue.

Give them regular meter readings, just automatically given a credit build up refund. Pretty sure you can ask for it back/get payments reduced if you are building up excessive credit.

With a £10 sign up fee if you want to be a consultant (or whatever) it's hardly in the the same league as a MLM. You can also just self refer others direct and you both get £50 credit.

BarbaraofSeville · 23/08/2023 21:22

They don't save money on your bills unless you take another two poor value products and/or pester your friends and family to sign up too.

OP your bill will depend on your usage, so if you use it more than your old place it will cost more.

MyBrownEyedHandsomeBoy · 23/08/2023 21:25

Thank you @dementedpixie

Also, when I took the plan, I was told it works out cheaper if we sign up to 3 services so I chose G&E, broadband and boiler cover.

If I cancel the auto renew for the boiler cover, does this mean I've come out of the bundle, therefore won't get the cheaper G&E tariffs? I'm confused 🤷‍♀️

PickUpTheDogAndBone · 23/08/2023 21:31

My best friend joined UW as a distributor (to my horror!). She literally sounded like she'd joined a cult. They all have stock phrases to sell the lifestyle. I've seen them brazenly prey on people on FB groups who are in a vulnerable people...they were called 'vultures' by others on the post, but didn't care.

Avoid avoid avoid!!

SquashPenguin · 23/08/2023 21:35

You need to switch ASAP. They were supplying my house when we bought it and it caused no end of of shit!!! Couldn’t get away from them fast enough. They are a law unto themselves. They magic up bills out of thin air, and good luck EVER getting them on the phone

Oh and they’re an MLM, which by itself is reason to run far, far away!

sanityisamyth · 23/08/2023 21:39

Some people I know work for UW and tried to convince me to swap all my bills and get involved to earn some extra money. I didn't appreciate the pressure and sales technique so refused to engage. I'd rather not be pushed into it, even if it does save money.

whiteroseredrose · 23/08/2023 21:45

I don't understand the Utility Warehouse hate in here.

We've been with them for about 20 years and are very happy with them. We do have the complete package (including cashback card). DH does his research every two years and they are still good value.

If you check Which? they are recommended, 3rd on the list. We have always had excellent customer service.

PickUpTheDogAndBone · 23/08/2023 22:00

whiteroseredrose · 23/08/2023 21:45

I don't understand the Utility Warehouse hate in here.

We've been with them for about 20 years and are very happy with them. We do have the complete package (including cashback card). DH does his research every two years and they are still good value.

If you check Which? they are recommended, 3rd on the list. We have always had excellent customer service.

Oh hi there, UW distributor!

RandomMess · 23/08/2023 22:08

@whiteroseredrose that's my experience too and no I'm not a distributor. Left for a couple of years when could get a better deal then went back when they were offering me the best deal 🤷🏽‍♀️

FlamingYam · 23/08/2023 22:15

Away from being MLM they are also absolute cunts. They force fitted a meter to my house when I was a part time student and part time worker earning £170 a week with a meter that took £25 a week before the lights even turned on without telling me it would do that and then when I said it was too much they said oh well. I was young and would know what to do now but I didn't then. I only had debt because they didn't fix the meter. I've heard nothing but bad about them. No way they are 3rd best.

I'm with octopus who are outstanding.

FlamingYam · 23/08/2023 22:16

*when I found out and said it was too much they said oh well. Was a long time ago but I'll never forget the upset.

Leave and don't look back.

Snippit · 23/08/2023 22:23

I’m with UW and have a smart meter so I only pay for what I use. I find the smart meter invaluable, monitored it like a hawk during the winter, it really helped. We had a daily budget, we also bought some heated throws, they cost approximately 4p an hour to use, the dogs love them, little sods.

I took out their broadband, bloody expensive. As soon as I could I got rid of it. I now have Vodafone’s social tariff as I get PIP. So easy, costs less than £13 a month for a year, they’ve never even asked for proof of my benefit, and it’s reliable.

What I like about it is the call centre is in the UK . A local agent signed me up so if I have a problem I contact her and she sorts it out. After being with EON their call centres are all over the world, mainly Africa and the Philippines, they were horrendous.

I don’t have any of their other products as they’re not very competitive, I shop around for Insurance, mobile phone etc.

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