Budget energy

Golden_Anemone

I just spoke to Budget and was put through to someone in their Finance dept. She explained that the letter sent to my home address was the only notification sent to me and I pointed out that this only told me about the new unit rate but did not mention an increase in the DD.

She agreed and said this was a result of an executive decision but that becasue of recent customer feedback they would be changing procedure in future and would always notify customers in advance.

She also said they would refund any bank charges incurred by anyone who did not have enough money in their account to cover the extra amount this time which is good to know.

It very much sounds as if they're learning! :T

Oh and very strangely although they acknowledged my request to change by e-mail she said they did nopt have my e-mail address on account so she updated it!

RTNI

Well I just spoke to the same person as you, a lovely lady who explained that they felt it was sufficient to inform us of just in new tariff rate. I explained that I did not agree with this as under the DD guarantee I need to know explicitly how much they would be taking from me. She explained that it was "difficult" to send an individual letter/email to each customer stating their new price due to costs for postal being a new business and their "systems."

The lady mentioned that she had raised this query and was waiting a reply back from others and there had only been one other customer (GA!) who called to ask about this issue.

I also directed her to this forum and said that it might be an idea if they have a look at this forum.

Golden_Anemone

Thanks Robin. That contradicts what I was told a little - ie that because of having received feedback from customers they would now be writing to advise people of changes, though she did say she hoped that any further changes would be decreases rather than increases. I share that hope but won't be holding my breath!

hazelc56

Golden_Anemone wrote: »

I just spoke to Budget and was put through to someone in their Finance dept. She explained that the letter sent to my home address was the only notification sent to me and I pointed out that this only told me about the new unit rate but did not mention an increase in the DD.

She agreed and said this was a result of an executive decision but that becasue of recent customer feedback they would be changing procedure in future and would always notify customers in advance.

She also said they would refund any bank charges incurred by anyone who did not have enough money in their account to cover the extra amount this time which is good to know.

It very much sounds as if they're learning! :T

Oh and very strangely although they acknowledged my request to change by e-mail she said they did nopt have my e-mail address on account so she updated it!

Good for you goldie.They are learning as you say.Thats good of them to refund the bank charges.Not many would do that.

hazelc56

RTNI wrote: »

Well I just spoke to the same person as you, a lovely lady who explained that they felt it was sufficient to inform us of just in new tariff rate. I explained that I did not agree with this as under the DD guarantee I need to know explicitly how much they would be taking from me. She explained that it was "difficult" to send an individual letter/email to each customer stating their new price due to costs for postal being a new business and their "systems."

The lady mentioned that she had raised this query and was waiting a reply back from others and there had only been one other customer (GA!) who called to ask about this issue.

I also directed her to this forum and said that it might be an idea if they have a look at this forum.

I dont understand how postage has anything to do with it...I mean if they are sending out info re.tariffs surely they can add the DD increase as well.I think its more important or just as important for people to know when their Bank account has been changed ie DD payments and if as they say they will refund anyone who incurs bank charges then this would only add to their "price costs".Prevention would be better than cure in this instance.
I think they would leave themselves open for abuse if anyone tried to take advantage of the bank charges by perhaps saying they have incurred a charge when they hadnt.
Apart from all this I think they are doing extremely well being such a small and new company.At least we are getting a few savings.This little company doesnt seem to be greedy.

Artofdookie

Did the switch when this was first posted have a keypad meter and must be saving £3 a week, was a nice surprise the first week after change over when i checked the meter

Old_Git

I pay by direct debit .I received a letter to say the first DD will be double because I have to pay in advance .I have never heard off paying for electric in advance .

Jo4

Old_Git wrote: »

I pay by direct debit .I received a letter to say the first DD will be double because I have to pay in advance .I have never heard off paying for electric in advance .

We got a letter to say we would have to pay double too, see post 179! I didn't know what to think about it either but since no one made any comment I thought this must be standard procedure for them.

Dunwunderin

My first monthly payment is also double as you have to pay your "arrears" and one month in advance.

I think this must be standard for new customers. I hope it is in their T& C's !

Chickabee

Now that i've finally got changed over to Budget Energy i hope to see a little saving on my meter. I notice Airtricity are really doing the sales push being camped at the exits of B&Q and Homebase over the last week or so. I told them i had just switched to Budget Energy pre-pay meter and they conceded that it was cheaper than Airtricity at the moment but that Budget were due to put their prices up again at Christmas. Anyone else heard this?