To ask for a utility company that is not a twat?

[PerkingFaintly]

I suspect I may be.

I'm definitely dumping Ecotricity. I was willing to pay a bit more because they seemed mildly competent. But no, now they're randomly losing my readings, and frankly if I'm going to have hassle I could get it cheaper.

So. Your recommendations please!

I've previously binned EDF.

Scottish Power have been in the headlines for years for all the wrong reasons.

Bulb? Seen promotions on here – anyone had good/bad experiences?

Any others?

If anyone wants to use my code, I wouldn't complain. You'll get £50 into your energy account

Steer clear of Scottish Power - Worst customer service I have ever encountered!!

Do NOT go with Acro, they overcharged us, lost readings and were generally rubbish.
Bulb have been brilliant so far.

join.bulb.co.uk/?utm_source=Marketing&utm_campaign=6113a85fda-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_09_27_09_17_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_efbfd3a8bc-6113a85fda-292866835&referral=kathrynm7375

*Avro, not Acro.

My referral link above should anyone wish to share £50 each for swapping. It was very easy to swap over to them.

Another vote for People's Energy, I'm very happy with it so far. Great ethical company and uses 100% renewable energy.

We are very happy with Ovo.

They are all twats.

We've been very happy with Bulb - they keep you updated and communicate with you like a valued customer rather than trying to browbeat and patronise you - and their online dashboard is very user-friendly and helps you to keep in control of your own account. I'm most impressed with their having just one tariff and not deliberately keeping loyal customers on rip-off deals to penalise the vulnerable and non-internet-savvy people like the big companies do.

I won't post a referral link, though, as others have already got that covered!

Bulk vote from me! You get £50 if someone recommends you so you start with a credit balance. I've had lots of companies try to beat their rates including Utilities Warehouse but no one can. So way to manage my account, change my payment etc. They communicate very well and advise you a few days before your payment is being taken so you can change the amount if needed - very helpful. I've built up credit to see me through the winter, they advise you how to manage your payments to remain in credit to use if needed. I have been very happy with them.

Typo Bulb not bulk!

My mum uses Bulb and has no problem with them. I'd steer extremely clear of Octopus - I have a friend who worked for them and when you see it from the inside it's a complete shit show. I use SSE cause I'm happy to pay a bit more for a decent service.
I think a lot of it comes down to the fact that if you never have an issue that needs resolved, any company will do...but it's the customer service factor that you don't find out about until it's too late!

I use SSE cause I'm happy to pay a bit more for a decent service.

What better service do you believe you get from them for paying a higher price? Genuine question. I take that same attaitude entirely when it comes to broadband - we use a top-rated British-based minnow that runs rings around the big names when it comes to reliability, competence and customer service. It costs a bit more and we get salespeople telling us that they could save us money - which I'm sure they could, but I chose an ISP based on a number of factors and not just whoever was the absolute cheapest.

But is there such a difference when it comes to whom you pay for the same gas and electricity in the same pipes and wires, as long as their prices are clear and acceptable and customer service acceptable? We've been with most of the Big 6 over the years, and I've never personally felt that any of them are run in such a way as to justify the higher price. I'd be interested to hear of others' views/experiences on this, though.

I haven't been with Octopus for long but they have excellent customer reviews, so I am optimistic. The consumer association Which? rates them highly.

See all these recommendations for Bulb and I’m looking to move away from them. Purely because when I joined, they made the usual promise of being able to save us ££, but once the promotion ran out, and a price hike during that time too, I’m paying more than I was previously with little or no usage increase. I’ll have a look at Octopus

does anyone have an octopus referral code they would like to share?

Also saying Octopus! We've been with them a couple of years now and no complaints at all, plus really easy to contact and good website.

share.octopus.energy/aqua-mist-136

Here's our referral code, if anyone wants to switch! You/we both get £50 :)

@WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll

I use SSE cause I'm happy to pay a bit more for a decent service.

What better service do you believe you get from them for paying a higher price? Genuine question. I take that same attaitude entirely when it comes to broadband - we use a top-rated British-based minnow that runs rings around the big names when it comes to reliability, competence and customer service. It costs a bit more and we get salespeople telling us that they could save us money - which I'm sure they could, but I chose an ISP based on a number of factors and not just whoever was the absolute cheapest.

But is there such a difference when it comes to whom you pay for the same gas and electricity in the same pipes and wires, as long as their prices are clear and acceptable and customer service acceptable? We've been with most of the Big 6 over the years, and I've never personally felt that any of them are run in such a way as to justify the higher price. I'd be interested to hear of others' views/experiences on this, though.

It’s the customer service factor. I have been with SSE for 10 years (since I moved out my parents!) and every query, moving home, setting up and organising accounts has been handled smoothly. The small companies save money by farming out chunks of customer service work to 3rd party agencies. These 3rd party agencies don’t have proper training...often none at all. So the can’t actually help you out even if they wanted to. Different branches have different ideas of what can and can’t be done. Basically, if you never have an issue and never need to contact customer services, you’re fine, but as soon as you get issues and try to resolve them you’re on a slippery slope.

Bulb can be twats

I'm with Octopus, having moved from SSE, and so far so good.

I wouldn't recommend SSE to my worst enemy. Or maybe I would, as a particularly cruel and vicious form of revenge. When everything was going fine, all was well. Once there's a problem like, say, being overbilled, they are absolutely pigheaded in their view that The System is right, even in the face of evidence to the contrary. Despite it being with the Ombudsman, who've told SSE to put the account on hold while it's investigated, SSE continue to chase and threaten me with debt collectors. As well as the Ombudsman, I've been down the social media route AND written to their MD who clearly couldn't give one shiny shit that he runs a company so utterly intractable.

My complaint with them is heading into its third year. Might send them an anniversary card to mark the occasion...

One piece of advice I would give, whatever company you're with, is to take regular photos of your meter. I give a meter reading every month and take a picture of the meter at the time and it means that, in the event of a complaint, there's no arguing. Well, there is arguing anyway if you're SSE but that's because they're cunts.

I had not heard of Octopus, but I am now with them as I was with the Coop and they moved all their customers to them.

I've also heard good things about Bulb.

I would have also recommended Ecotricity, but clearly they've not been good to you - you could also look at Good Energy. I was with them many years ago and when you rang they picked straight up - no "press button one for this and button two for that" IVR nonsense.

It might also be worth looking at Utility Warehouse.