Utility Warehouse (Telecom Plus) Discussion

janninew

Cardew wrote: »

We are at cross-purposes and down to semantics.

You stated UW were 5th in one post and "in the top 10" in another post.

That to me is 'at the top' of a list of 70+ tariffs. I would have said 'cheapest' or 'at the very top' if you had claimed first position.

As you say you admitted that you had not entered the correct data to get the correct position - which was at the bottom of the list of tariffs(please note in line with my practice, I mean near the bottom not the very bottom;))

I am aware your situation changed re phones, and also that you would be using more gas and electricity with having to stay at home more. So the extra you were paying UW would increase considerably in line with your increased consumption.

I was under the very clear impression that was why you ditched UW and went to EDF for gas and electricity; namely that UW would cost you a lot more money than EDF.

On the question of customer support, I try not to get involved. As you rightly say, every utility company is slammed on this Board.

Much as you have had no problems with UW customer service, There are doubtless millions of customers of BG/Eon/EDF/Npower etc that have also had faultless service.

Bearing in mind that UW have a tiny customer base(in comparison to the Big 6) there is sufficient evidence on MSE and other forums to suggest that they have their share of problems with customer service - despite the impression that UW IDs love to give.

Clearly 'at the top' means different to us both! Lets agree on that! And yes you are correct, I could quite easily justify paying 9.00 per month for a service I could rely upon, as I am now at home more, this would of obviously increase further, hence the change of supplier to EDF (who are no longer the cheapest for me :mad:). I still make full use of my cashback card with UW, which pays for my calls and line rental and gives me some cash in the bank every month too!

I have to disagree with you slightly regarding there being sufficient evidence on this forum that UW have their share of bad customer service. I don't recall seeing anywhere near the same amount of complaints regarding botched payments, dodgy readings etc that I see regarding the big 6. I don't deny they probably have their fair share of problems, just don't recall seeing many complaints on here! In fact I think I seem to be the only customer of UW who posts on here!! Everybody is either a rep, a anti UW or a disgruntled (maybe!) ex rep or 2!!

On a completely different, subject does anybody have any idea how long it takes for comparision web-sites to pay money for switching? I switched at the end of Oct, beginning of Nov and haven't heard or received anything?

And finally I hope you all have a wonderful New Year, think of me when your getting merry and I'm sat with my swollen ankles up, drinking lemonade!!! :rotfl:

Plushchris

janninew wrote: »

On a completely different, subject does anybody have any idea how long it takes for comparision web-sites to pay money for switching? I switched at the end of Oct, beginning of Nov and haven't heard or received anything?

Some can take 2 to3 months to payout the cashback, which site did you use?

cjb02

janninew wrote: »

[/B]Are you joking with that comment?? Have you read the large number of threads started daily on this board regarding bad experiences with all utility companies? There is always going to people who have had bad experiences with utility companies, I don't think you can judge a company solely on that though.

no joke I am afraid. not for the people involved thats for sure. In relation to reading other bad experiences, yes I have read however this thread relates to utility warehouse, so it would make sense to reference issues about Utility Warehouse or did I miss some thing there. You can also solely judge a company on the amount of complaints they receive. For a small company that gets an excessively large amount of negative posts then I would stay clear however cheap their reps claim them to be. Not that I am suggesting Utility Warehouse is a small company or gets a large amount of complaints.

janninew

cjb02 wrote: »

no joke I am afraid. not for the people involved thats for sure. In relation to reading other bad experiences, yes I have read however this thread relates to utility warehouse, so it would make sense to reference issues about Utility Warehouse or did I miss some thing there. You can also solely judge a company on the amount of complaints they receive. For a small company that gets an excessively large amount of negative posts then I would stay clear however cheap their reps claim them to be. Not that I am suggesting Utility Warehouse is a small company or gets a large amount of complaints.

So you judge a company solely on how many complaints they get? Not on how they resolve said complaints? Any yes this is a thread about UW so why have you put at the bottom that your not suggesting UW is a small company or that they get a large number of complaints, or am I missing something? Who are you talking about if not UW?

janninew

Plushchris wrote: »

Some can take 2 to3 months to payout the cashback, which site did you use?

I used Moneysupermarket. I have just checked the e-mail they sent me when I switched and it does say in small print at the bottom that it normally takes 2-3 months but can in some cases take up to 6 months!!

cjb02

janninew wrote: »

So you judge a company solely on how many complaints they get? Not on how they resolve said complaints? Any yes this is a thread about UW so why have you put at the bottom that your not suggesting UW is a small company or that they get a large number of complaints, or am I missing something? Who are you talking about if not UW?

Quite clearly you are missing some thing.

You asked whether I could judge a company purely on complaints (I am not just refering to Utility Warehouse now or then) and my answer was yes I can. I am not necessarily interested in how an issue is dealt with, the very fact a problem has arisen can put me off from using a company. It depends on the problem.

So size of company and what the problems are can put me off using that company. So no I was not just refering to Utility Warehouse. You were right, you did miss something.

Cardew

The problem with complaints about customer service is they are totally subjective.

In the same was as UW reps spam and use 'marketing tactics' to bolster UW's image, so a couple of voiciferous upset UW ex-customers(or even non customers) can plaster adverse comments all over the internet - using different names(I haven't - honest!!).

The point I was making earlier is that UW have a tiny customer base - BG have about 40 times the accounts - and there is evidence enough even on MSE let alone other forums, to suggest that UW have their share of customer service problems. Don't forget that just 1% of UW customers getting poor service means 3,000 people that are upset.

So the carefully fostered image on this thread of 'great customer service' is at least questionable.

One thing is certain. If you took seriously all of the complaints against the various Utility companies on MSE, you would never have any electricity, or gas, or a phone, or a mobile, or the internet!!

kippen_noedel

1973safc wrote: »

Hi. I'm new on board. This is one of the most active sections of MSE and is interesting from the point of view of the neutral. The argument seems very polarised here. Obviously the pro camp are either Utility Warehouse/Telecom Plus associates or customers, but what about the antis? How are they qualified to comment? Do we have energy consultants amongst the prominent posters here?

Interesting wording for your first post.

What qualifications do energy consultants need to have to be on your approved list ? do they just need to have handed over their £200 to register or is there an HND or some other independant certification body ?

kippen_noedel

TWills wrote: »

my electricity is with Southern *2650kwh 30pm and gas with BG *17300 60pm.
The offer from Utility club was a bit confusing but they wanted me to keep paying the same amount each month but I would guarantee savings to get back at the end of the year.
Now after googling and reading the links to comparison sites I think I can save over 200pa going onto BG Websaver 5 and keep my Virgin service just the way it is.

It seems you are on the right track, just be aware if you want to leave the BG tariff there are exit fees to pay

TWills wrote: »

My neighbour who is the one that introduced the Utility man to us used in the past year used more gas than us at 26500kwh and a little less electricity at 2600kwh and has their telephone service 2440 evening minutes and 135 day minutes received 191.17p discount with the card scheme.
So, if she moves gas and electric to Scottish Power saving 290, keeps the telephone with Utility Club and still gets the discount I think this means she gets her phone and calls for free.
Can anyone confirm if my figures are right ??

Difficult to say exactly, when I look at their call charges it appears that this would be the cheapest option by a significant margin, even if you have the call usage figures underestimateed the £290 reduction in energy bills will allow her to make a LOT of extra calls.

TWills wrote: »

why do companies make it so hard to see what is the best value. Grrrrrr.

That would mean a level playing field where the customer would be able to compare on a like for like basis, not in the interest of big business.

Good luck and welcome to the forum

janninew

I do find it interesting how new people who post on here get questioned! If they come on guns blazing, slagging UW off, its thanks all round and no questions asked! If they ask a question or appear to be neutral their posts are picked apart word by word! No wonder we don't get many new posters on here, there probably all to scared to ask questions for fear of accusation or intimidation!!