FirstUtility cheap ... but bad reviews

WLM21

My current gas / electric supplier is Scottish Power, but the deal I am on will finish at the end of this month. I was going to switch a few weeks ago, but thought better just to wait until June 1st.

Today I received an email from the MSE site, a site I have always trusted above any other site.

However, when I did a quick search for reviews for First Utility, a company I had never heard of before, it seems their rating is pretty poor.

Now I am in a quandary ... go with the cheap firm recommended by MSE and ignore the many poor reviews ... or go elsewhere.

Any help would be appreciated.

thanks !

lstar337

I guess the choice is really up to you, though i will tell you that I avoided First Utility, Spark, & NPower which were the three cheapest when I last did a comparison. I wasn't willing to risk a potential disaster to save a few pounds.

I guess you have to think about how you feel about the potential risk, and whether that matters to you.

[Deleted User]

WLM21 wrote: »

My current gas / electric supplier is Scottish Power, but the deal I am on will finish at the end of this month. I was going to switch a few weeks ago, but thought better just to wait until June 1st.

Today I received an email from the MSE site, a site I have always trusted above any other site.

However, when I did a quick search for reviews for First Utility, a company I had never heard of before, it seems their rating is pretty poor.

Now I am in a quandary ... go with the cheap firm recommended by MSE and ignore the many poor reviews ... or go elsewhere.

Any help would be appreciated.



thanks !

I switched to FU a month ago and it's been very positive. I got through quickly on the phone and I find the online account easy to manage. I'm saving quite a bit. I've been able to give readings through the phone app that have appeared on my account straight away. Can't fault them so far and I can only assume that the early teething troubles of a new company are improving.

millie

I think most of the bad reviews were a couple of months ago. I have had no problems with my switch that was early April.

kentonpercy

We switched in November 2013 to First Utility. DD taken each month but First Utility unable to provide me with a bill (website is blank in billing section for me). This week I again spoke to their contact centre and was for the first time told that they had a problem with some bills. He gave me a verbal bill based on meter readings I supplied and was very good to deal with although he could not answer a simple question (not his fault) when will a bill be issued. Previously other agents gave me the impression that they thought I had lost my marbles when I told them that I have not received a single bill. Is it legal to take my money and not supply me with a bill? Spoke to ombudsman. It appears they take months to investigate. Certainly not heard from them since I filled in their forms (over a month ago)

matelodave

I've been with them since November and had billing problems (not been able to input my meter reads) however it has been faithfully recording my direct debits.
It hasn't caused me any problems so far except the irritation of not being able to see my bills to check that they are recording it all properly. I keep my own records anyway so I know within a Kwh or £ what I've used.
I've complained on several occasions and finally today got a phone call from them acknowledging that they have been unable to resolve my specific entry on their system and will be allocating me a new account number and transferring all the info over.
Hopefully they'll have it sorted out within the next week or so and it will all be working properly

girlsmum

I have the same problem with FU not had a bill since Sept 2013 despite asking, they just ignore my email, they have changed my DD date twice, and for 3 months (Nov13 -Jan14) took no DD...
I have no idea how much i owe them, I can only give them Gas readings unable to provide Electric one, i have a note of my useage each month. I understand that they might have an issue with billing, but why ignore me, all they have to do is keep their customers advised

Soldado

I just tried to switch to First Utility through USwitch but they never replied to any of emails after the initial welcome email. After 3 weeks of chasing I emailed to cancel and they replied within hours to say sorry you're leaving, we've cancelled your application. Amazing. No response until I say I'm leaving. They seemed grateful to be getting one off the caseload. Not a good sign. Let's see how I get on elsewhere...

makemesumdosh

Been with them over 2 years yes prices are low but customer service is poor, they gave me £10 last year when despite submitting meter readings every month only got estimated bills for 3 months. this was after I complained.
I'm now £150 in credit and they only want to reduce my bills by £20 a month until December when they will review my account. I said I would prefer a refund to which they replied we can only refund you up to £100,
this was on 22nd of May and despite 2 calls off around 20 minutes in a queue its been actioned and i've now been put at front of the queue






















my direct debit goes out again on Friday so I've rang my bank and reduced it to £1.
it will stay like that until I'm out of contract in December then i'll move elsewhere and settle the bill

legoman62

I've been with them since last Oct with no problems.

Sent all my readings by email to their website.

Have spoken on the phone....had a short wait, but no different to others.

Definitely one of the cheapest, with lower S/C than any I could find, given my usage.

I've also been offered a fixed deal til 2017 for a slight increase in monthly payments (mine's 2015):D

Janna

kentonpercy wrote: »

We switched in November 2013 to First Utility. DD taken each month but First Utility unable to provide me with a bill (website is blank in billing section for me). This week I again spoke to their contact centre and was for the first time told that they had a problem with some bills. He gave me a verbal bill based on meter readings I supplied and was very good to deal with although he could not answer a simple question (not his fault) when will a bill be issued. Previously other agents gave me the impression that they thought I had lost my marbles when I told them that I have not received a single bill. Is it legal to take my money and not supply me with a bill? Spoke to ombudsman. It appears they take months to investigate. Certainly not heard from them since I filled in their forms (over a month ago)

We moved into our new property in February 14 and decided to stay with the current suppliers, First Utility. We have emailed them and called them several times to set up a direct debit. We are still waiting to be contacted by them. I hate to think what the bill will be when it arrives. I'm at a loss to know just what to do anymore. The previous tenants (we rent) left owing over £200 and I'm nervous that we'll be left with the bill