First Utility Concerns

thanku1

Hi,

For the first time in my life I had look at utility option.
It seems like First Utility are coming the cheapest for me, but I am horrified with the customer reviews here
http://www.trustpilot.co.uk/review/www.first-utility.com

2nd in line for discount is NPower so not sure what to do .

The difference in estimated saving between NPower and First utility is is £60 pa

Anybody here have any any experience of either of these two companies or any feedback to help me make up my mind.

Kind regards

Cardew

If you do a search you will find there are several threads in this section about First Utility; and almost without exception the posts are critical of the company.

MillicentBystander

Both these companies use an imo sneaky way of getting to the top of the switching sites - an annual discount paid in arrears. The figure shown is including that annual discount so should you decide to leave/miss a DD etc within 12 months you don't get it. Simples. There are better options out there, believe me. Post your last 12 months consumption figures and energy area up here and we will have a butchers for you. It really can be a minefield out there.

thanku1

Many Thanks I will get the figures out

dean2230

I am just looking round for the best deal in preperation for when I can switch, I am with EDF until 30 Sept on the Standard (variable) fixed S@ver 2 there are penalties of £25 per fuel if I move prior to this date, I have seen First Utility and it comes out as best for me but having read the last post i am not sure.

My annual use is

Gas 17,208 (working out at £576.98)
Elec 3919 (working out at £480.08)

Any ideas if there is a better rate.

HappyMJ

dean2230 wrote: »

I am just looking round for the best deal in preperation for when I can switch, I am with EDF until 30 Sept on the Standard (variable) fixed S@ver 2 there are penalties of £25 per fuel if I move prior to this date, I have seen First Utility and it comes out as best for me but having read the last post i am not sure.

My annual use is

Gas 17,208 (working out at £576.98)
Elec 3919 (working out at £480.08)

Any ideas if there is a better rate.

Probably but why don't you post on your own new thread. First:Utility has a large cash back offered after 12 months. If you leave or miss a payment however inadvertently you lose the cash back and it then becomes the most expensive supplier.

Michael_Rennie

DON'T under ANY circumstances sign up with First Utility. After a 15 month dispute with them, entirely of their own making the Ombudsman found in my favour regarding my complaint about their apalling customer service - wildly estimated bills, smart meters which never worked, ignoring the meter readings I submitted etc ....Unsurprisingly they ignored most of the ruling. They think that they are bigger than the regulator. They are now attempting to pursue me for money which I can prove they know I do not owe. Armed with all the evidence I have, I will see them in court. THEY ARE DISGUSTING. You may aswell phone the zoo and ask for the duty chimp as expect them to deal ethically with you..........As soon as these clowns can work out what I owe them (and I have told them what my meters say time after time again) I will ditch them and never go back. Be warned.

Terrylw1

Michael_Rennie wrote: »

DON'T under ANY circumstances sign up with First Utility. After a 15 month dispute with them, entirely of their own making the Ombudsman found in my favour regarding my complaint about their apalling customer service - wildly estimated bills, smart meters which never worked, ignoring the meter readings I submitted etc ....Unsurprisingly they ignored most of the ruling. They think that they are bigger than the regulator. They are now attempting to pursue me for money which I can prove they know I do not owe. Armed with all the evidence I have, I will see them in court. THEY ARE DISGUSTING. You may aswell phone the zoo and ask for the duty chimp as expect them to deal ethically with you..........As soon as these clowns can work out what I owe them (and I have told them what my meters say time after time again) I will ditch them and never go back. Be warned.

Glad to hear the ombudsman agreed with you, I remember your thread.

Are the ombudsman forcing them or escalating them into Ofgem?

thanku1

Thanks guys I have just cancel the registration process

Michael_Rennie

The Ombudsman found in my favour on 28/03/12 and First Utility have done only part of what they were instructed to do which is compounding the problem. I have written to both FU and the Ombudsman again this morning. . . . So we'll see what happens next.

Dave_save

I've had almost 12 months with NPower with no problems at all. I'm looking to switch at end of July and First Utility is coming at the top. However, I notice that their v10 tariff, although marked as 'fixed', is only guaranteeing 'no increase for 3 months'. Their website also is confusing about which tariff they are offering. That looks like an underhand way of attracting customers and I'll probably steer clear.