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Making a complaint about an energy company

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lee8040
lee8040 Posts: 554 Forumite
If you need to make a complaint about a problem with an energy company who would you speak to? I have had an issue with co op energy group for almost 2 years which they always say they will fix but don't. I'm sick of phoning and the issue not getting resolved so want to take it further

Thanks

Comments

  • google energy ombudsman. They tell you how to complain on their site. good luck!
  • Boznap
    Boznap Posts: 13 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10 Posts Combo Breaker
    edited 28 January 2016 at 11:38AM
    Please be advised, the energy ombudsman (run by Ombudsman Services) is a toothless tiger. I received my decision today and was told my complaint, which took Scottish Power a year and a half to resolve and which was upheld on all levels, was worthy only of a £100 good will gesture, despite the time/effort/distress/inconvenience I encountered.

    £100 is the maximum you might expect to receive. They are HIGHLY unlikely to pay any more and indeed I have wasted a large amount of time pursuing my complaint. I was offered £50 by Scottish Power. I should have taken it and saved myself a whole lot of hassle. In my own experience, it was a complete and utter waste of time and their approach, again in my experience, tarnishes the whole Ombudsman sector.
  • macman
    macman Posts: 53,129 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Ombudsman will not consider a complaint until you have been through the supplier's own complaints procedure and either waited 8 weeks without resolution/response, or received a deadlock letter. To make a complaint you need to write (not phone, email, text or post on Facebook) headed 'complaint'. That starts the clock ticking with the ball in their court, if you'll forgive the mixed metaphors.
    No free lunch, and no free laptop ;)
  • FOREVER21
    FOREVER21 Posts: 1,729 Forumite
    Energy Saving Champion I've been Money Tipped!
    macman wrote: »
    Ombudsman will not consider a complaint until you have been through the supplier's own complaints procedure and either waited 8 weeks without resolution/response, or received a deadlock letter. To make a complaint you need to write (not phone, email, text or post on Facebook) headed 'complaint'. That starts the clock ticking with the ball in their court, if you'll forgive the mixed metaphors.


    Agree with above but,
    A complaint can be made to your supplier bye-mail and if no response after 8 weeks the Ombudsman will accept your complaint and ask for a copy of your e-mail.


    They are in the process of dealing with my complaint following an e-mail to my supplier.
  • footyguy
    footyguy Posts: 4,157 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    lee8040 wrote: »
    If you need to make a complaint about a problem with an energy company who would you speak to? I have had an issue with co op energy group for almost 2 years which they always say they will fix but don't. I'm sick of phoning and the issue not getting resolved so want to take it further

    Thanks

    All explained here:
    https://www.cooperativeenergy.coop/customer-service/making-a-complaint/
  • FOREVER21
    FOREVER21 Posts: 1,729 Forumite
    Energy Saving Champion I've been Money Tipped!
    footyguy wrote: »

    You obviously have not had dealings with the co-op energy.

    Their web site along with their advertising says all the right things, but trying to get any positive action from them is another matter.
    In my case after a year, numerous problems I was only too pleased to leave them, and now after 5 months I still have not had a final bill despite many requests.

    Don't take my word for it go to the forum Feedback Co-op Energy.
  • footyguy
    footyguy Posts: 4,157 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    edited 28 January 2016 at 8:39PM
    FOREVER21 wrote: »
    You obviously have not had dealings with the co-op energy.

    Their web site along with their advertising says all the right things, but trying to get any positive action from them is another matter.
    In my case after a year, numerous problems I was only too pleased to leave them, and now after 5 months I still have not had a final bill despite many requests.

    Don't take my word for it go to the forum Feedback Co-op Energy.

    You have to follow that procedure - it tells you how you can ask the independent ombudsman to assist you ... but only after you have given the supplier the opportunity to resolve the complaint first.

    This is common no matter which energy supplier you use.

    However, as it appears the OP may have failed to follow this procedure, then they may not be able to take advantage of the ombudsman service as I fear they may now be timed out.
  • Boznap
    Boznap Posts: 13 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10 Posts Combo Breaker
    footyguy wrote: »
    ...they may not be able to take advantage of the ombudsman service .

    There seriously is not much advantage to be had by taking your complaint to the Ombudsman Lee, but good luck if you do and let us know what result you get!
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