Avro Energy reviews: Give your feedback

Mervynj

Filled in forms on line, got confirmation emails from both companies. One further email about meter readings and the switch has gone seamlessly. Full marks to both companies.
Only gripe is that the Ovo smart meters are now pointless and this fact has meant I have delayed switching, so the smart meter has cost me money, not saved. My own fault I know but what a stupid system

HonourlessWeasel

I switched to Avro last month (from Flow) and have paid two direct debits so far, but from my online account have not been issued with a bill, apparently nothing has been taken off my balance which seems a bit odd considering I have submitted meter readings since switching.


They're a lot quicker at answering email than Flow ever were, and they actually give me an answer unlike Flow. They were able to give me a DD amount to sign up to which Flow couldn't and it's at a lower annual rate than Flow, so I was sold. I like just how simple it is online - that said, it actually seems to give some kind of breakdown, even if what is being said here indicates it's not accurate, Flow's online area had nothing like that, it required you looking at every single bill and getting a calculator out.

nosliwoj

I switched to Avro Energy in October last year and was amazed that they only estimated £48 monthly for dual fuel for my flat (2 occupants) despite my giving full information on previous usage and bills. I dutifully posted my meter readings monthly believing they would even out payments as it was approaching winter; then in May I received an email putting my DD up to £144 which I paid for 3 months and need to continue to pay. I was bewildered that having given meter readings and expecting a regular reasonable payment I ended up paying a much larger amount over the Summer and would need to continue over this Winter. There is no way currently to make a payment online and phoning I kept getting told there were at least 33 calls ahead of me each time. I'm now moving to Octopus which guarantees this sort of thing will not happen, is much the same annual pricing, but also has a customer loyalty reward system. I still now have to negotiate the 33+ call waiting queue to pay my last bill as they do not send a final bill; you have to phone up and pay. What a pallaver!!!

Consumerist

In this situation you may need to be a bit canny if you want to switch.

From earlier posts on here you could finish up in an endless loop of switch rejections because you might owe them money for energy used between the date they tell you how much you owe and the date of the switch. My advice would be to increase your additional payment to cover your likely use up until the switch date allowing for DDs paid during the switching process.


Good luck !

boatman

Just left Avro, had no problems, but they took an extra direct debit 2 week after they received the final readings, over a month later and still trying to get it back.

arjar

Very long phone queue trying to contact Avro yesterday - gave up. Tried again today and received a message saying their system is unavailable because of an upgrade. Any one else having problems? Can't believe they've shut down for an upgrade on a Tuesday. Ominous?

TickersPlaysPop

I always look into companies house, it shows directors and what other companies they are involved in.

The director of Avro is 24 years old with a law degree.

This time last year I steered clear from Irresa due to details found on companies house. It seems anybody with the money behind them can start an energy company.

There seems to be no criteria, surely there should be a requirements for certain qualified people (I.T., HR), with facilities?

Sapphire

I've had similar issues with this company. My tariff runs out in September, which they've notified me about by email. They linked me to an apparent way to renew the tariff online according to the quote supplied, but when I tried to do so on Sunday the 'renew button' didn't work.

I then sent them two emails, which they haven't bothered to reply to, so I phoned them today. After a 15-minute wait on the phone (!), I was put through to someone, who then said that I would have to speak to someone else about a renewal (despite the fact that I used the number given for renewals). They said someone would call me back, but that hasn't happened so far.

That certainly isn't much of an incentive to use this company again.

Sapphire

Sapphire wrote: »

I've had similar issues with this company. My tariff runs out in September, which they've notified me about by email. They linked me to an apparent way to renew the tariff online according to the quote supplied, but when I tried to do so on Sunday the 'renew button' didn't work.

I then sent them two emails, which they haven't bothered to reply to, so I phoned them today. After a 15-minute wait on the phone (!), I was put through to someone, who then said that I would have to speak to someone else about a renewal (despite the fact that I used the number given for renewals). They said someone would call me back, but that hasn't happened so far.

That certainly isn't much of an incentive to use this company again.

Update: I've received no communication from this company, despite the above. I logged on to the suggested 'renew' page again, just in case, and saw that the amount quoted was now £65 p.m. (not £62, as per the quote on Sunday). This time the 'renew' button did work, so I've renewed the fixed tariff with them, despite my reservations about the company due to the poor customer service. I then received an instant (automatic?) confirmation email stating that the tariff had been rolled over for another year.

I've already been with Avro for a year, and had no problems until these last few days. I did phone them a couple of times last year, and did not experience the problems with communication that I've had over the last few days. They clearly need to do something about their customer services system, since it is very off-putting to experience scenarios such as the above.

cranford

Just to confirm that the renewals button was not working when I tried on the 31st July. So I reported the fault and made a renewal request by email on that date. The confirmation came back 7 days later from a renewals dept.