Co-operative Energy reviews: Give your feedback

FOREVER21

Switched to Co-op energy in September 2014 best fixed rate at the time, minor problems with switch but quickly sorted.

Fast forward to end of December,I had supplied monthly readings, but no bill, so e-mailed them about lack of Bill.

They replied yesterday apologised for lack of billing and enclosed a bill.

Boy oh boy what a bill the billing period is shown as29 Sept 2014. To 29 Dec 2015, with a standing charge of 465 days.

On telehone waiting for 15 mins( we are experiencing high volume of calls) ,gave up to date readings new bill to be produced in 7- 10 days.
Wish I had never switched.

Consumerist

Been with Co-op since Feb 2014 when the switch took ages longer than it should have. But got there eventually, after some email prompting. I agree their customer service is not the brightest in the pack but generally adequate.

Their recent Fair & Square 2016 deals are market leaders (if you bypass Extra Energy with its current "teething problems") and I think it likely they are having trouble coping with demand.

I think I might apply tomorrow but know I'll need to keep them on the ball. I doubt they will be able to comply with the new 17-day switching rule and I will probably will need to remind them after the 14-day cooling-off period.

At the prices on offer, I am likely to save around £100 on last year so worth the hassle.

If you apply to switch, I would suggest you keep your eye on the ball.

Pington

I've just reluctantly made the application to switch from Ovo, who have been fantastic for the past few years but sadly cannot now compete with Coop's prices.

Looking at recent feedback I'm wondering if their customer services may have fallen victim to their own success; I guess only time will tell.

However I can't imagine they could be as bad as my past experience with nPower, who overcharged me for about five years because they refused to believe I didn't have an Economy 7 meter and so charged me all my electricity at the E7 day rate.

Consumerist

Pington wrote: »

I've just reluctantly made the application to switch from Ovo, who have been fantastic for the past few years but sadly cannot now compete with Coop's prices.

Apologies for being slightly off-topic but I was with Ovo for a few years and their service was excellent whilst with them. I did have a problem when I switched away from them, however. They tried to overcharge me and steadfastly refused to acknowledge the overcharge until I made a formal (written) complaint.

Be aware that they used to insist that you apply for any refund you might be due and that might still be the case. My advice would be to apply for any refund of overpayments as soon as you get their final bill.

FOREVER21

Further to my post No 72

Got a revised bill showing actual useage for the 3 months at the correct rate, but the carry forward total from the first incorrect bill has not been cancelled, and shows me in debit to the tune of £1482 when in fact I am £75 in credit.

Then follows an e-mail about my DD review asI am in debt by £ 1482 my DD are to increased from £88 to £160.

The computer system of this company seems to work independently of its customer services as I have now been promised on 3 occasions that it will be corrected.
Switch to them at your peril!

ward1958

Please see my response to a complaint by another forum member, who is also an existing Co Op Energy customer -

Dreadful Co Op Energy customer service
Just to echo Northern Harry's comments, I am also an existing customer of Co Op Energy and am disgusted at the way they are handling (or rather NOT! handling) my attempt to switch tariffs.
I also failed to switch online, due to their broken website, so I had to phone instead.
It is now NINE days since I left my details with someone who answered an "overflow" line, as no calls were being connected to the sales dept.
After my fourth phone call today, I was given an email address to write to. I have sent a scathing email regarding the appalling way they have mis-handled the inevitable deluge of interest in their latest tariff. I am not hopeful of a response, in light of Harry's experience that emails are not answered.
If this is the way that Co Op Energy treats their existing customers, they clearly do not value them and have no loyalty towards them.
I have had a few minor issues with Co Op Energy to date, and have let these slide, but if they fail to switch me to the cheapest tariff in the very near future, they can stick their products and I will walk!

Good_service_required

Hi,
We are in the process of switching to the Coop on a dual fuel deal for us and the mother-in-law.

After going to great lengths to get their quotes based on our accurate usage figures they have issued the direct debits for both applications based only on national averages!

This means the direct debits are approximately two thirds what the true costs should be!

The main issue here is that many people may not realise the implications and think they have an even better deal than first thought but as time goes on they are going to have the very nasty shock of massively increased monthly payments to cover the shortfall which will be generated by any under valued direct debits.:eek:

Please be aware of this issue and double check that the basis of the direct debit value indicated in the welcome pack is that of your usage and not a national average!:)

Pington

As Ovo have now reduced their prices and are now comparable with Co Op, I have cancelled my switch and will stick with Ovo. Given how long it took to get through to someone on the phone at the Co Op today I'm quite glad! I just hope the cancellation gets registered properly.

Consumerist

Pington wrote: »

As Ovo have now reduced their prices and are now comparable with Co Op, I have cancelled my switch and will stick with Ovo. Given how long it took to get through to someone on the phone at the Co Op today I'm quite glad! I just hope the cancellation gets registered properly.

It might be a good idea to confirm your cancellation by email. You should get an automatic response straight-away so you have documentation of your request.

BobVGatLP

Requested switch 17/12/14.
Had an email yesterday requesting meter readings. Logged in to Coop today, but would only let me enter reading for elec.
Hopefully the one for gas is on its way