Co-operative Energy reviews: Give your feedback

modsandmockers

johnbhoy10 wrote: »

I tried to cancel the direct debit but the bank can't do anything as they've yet to take the first one

When the first payment is taken, it will be easy to reclaim it, and then you will be able to cancel the direct debit.

miniemma

englishrob wrote: »

Started the switch to Coop from Ovo using MSE just before my deal was about to expire. This was over a month or so ago and all I've had is one letter and one email.
They requested meter readings a week ago but to enrol, I need a password which should have been sent by email. It hasn't.
I tried to phone (1 hour waiting and then it just cut off) and sent an email (no reply)
I have just had another 1 hour phone call in which I was passed from pillar to post and eventually was put through to Customer care, who couldn't help me with the password anyway!
So I told them to cancel the switch and I'll go with someone else.
What a shambles!

I had a similar problem when requesting password reminder, I eventually found lots of co-op emails in my spam folder.

eddystone_2

Have been with the coop for 2/3 years and all was well until they decided to change the website,tried a month ago and could not see bills or any other data but could supply meter readings so phoned them and was told we are in credit,tried to do the same today and the website is still not working and when phoning i am getting engaged or a message about heavy call volumes blah blah blah and to go online!
for a large Co to have a !!!! up of this size is unreal and would guess they have got too big too soon but the thing that Pss me off is i can no longer find out either by phone or online if we are in credit or debit so if they hit us with a massive bill they can wait for payment,muppetts.

Consumerist

eddystone wrote: »

. . . i can no longer find out either by phone or online if we are in credit or debit so if they hit us with a massive bill they can wait for payment,muppetts.

I agree that not being able to properly monitor your account is, to say the least, frustrating.

If it's any help, because we are now into the summer, when consumption is relatively low, you are not likely to get into debt providing the monthly DD is roughly correct.

You could take your own readings at, say, monthly intervals and work out roughly what your statements would show. That should give you a heads-up in the unlikely event you are getting into serious debit. If you're not sure how to draw up a home-made statement then ask on the forum.

eddystone_2

Consumerist,
Thanks for the reply and i see where your coming from but we are in a position to pay any excess off the but reason for the post was more aimed at folks who may not be and why should we have to work it all out when if there system was any good it is visible with a few mouse clicks.
Have spent an hour waiting to get through and lo and behold they assure me the login problem(for us at least)will be resolved by Friday and they will email a statement to also arrive by Friday,if so they have got serious problems,as an aside i managed to coax out of them that they are not seriously chasing people for payment who have experienced this problem and that customer retention is falling like a lead balloon,good,serves them right.

Consumerist

eddystone wrote: »

. . we are in a position to pay any excess off the but reason for the post was more aimed at folks who may not be . . .

As you suggest, you are not alone having these problems with the Co-op so the reply was also intended for the benefit of those folks who are worried about accumulating debt.

Consumerist

MSE's Dan L has posted, on another thread, arrangements it has made for Co-op customers who are having switching problems and want to <move away from the Co-op free of exit charges>.

modsandmockers

Unless you are in the unfortunate position of being owed money by Co-op Energy, then I think it is worth considering sticking with them for a little while longer. If they have lost their customer records, and then go bust, then presumably they will be unable to chase their unknown customers for money. If they don’t go bust, it is entirely possible that they will be offering all sorts of deals and incentives in order to rebuild their customer base.

Unless you are on a historic 2-tier tariff, it is very easy to calculate your ongoing energy costs. The prices are simple to understand - just make sure that you always owe them something. Here is link to convert your gas meter readings into kWhours - http://www.energylinx.co.uk/gas_meter_conversion.html

fat-pudding

I've just had a further email from co-op today. They now claim they are taking the supply over from 14th June (for a switch initiated on the 10th of January!) that I told them not to do if they had not completed the switch in April (they claimed they were my supplier from 4th April).

They are now saying that they will send it back to the original supplier as an erroneous transfer as I'm not happy.

I have now pointed out that as a result of their screw up I've spent several hours dealing with this and lost £40-£50 in increased energy costs so want to know how they will compensate me. I have also pointed out that I can go to the ombudsman before they can switch me back, so at least I don't have to deal with these muppets any longer. Does anyone have an idea on how much I can get from them as compensation for this, I'm thinking somewhere around £100 would suffice *if* they don't screw anything up further.

docj

modsandmockers wrote: »

And, presumably, no bills and no direct debit payments? Keep a record of your meter readings and energy consumption, and put the money into a dedicated savings account. If and when Co-op Energy ask for payment, then you will be prepared. Are Scottish Power still asking you for money?

Oh yes, they've managed to set up the direct debit and take a payment. Scottish Power have stopped taking money but I haven't found out whether I'm in credit or not. I've switched a few times and this is by far the worst.

Sainsbury's have sent me the new paperwork already, so fingers crossed for a better service from them.....