Add your feedback on energy supplier Iresa

ASavvyBuyer

As predicted, Iresa have already confirmed the closing reading for our electric, as the account will be in debit when they produce the final bill. (It was in credit when we iniated the switch)

However, for the older relative we help, who switched about a week before us, she is still waiting for the confirmation that Iresa have received the closing reading, as her account is in credit.

Suspect the demand for final payment will be quick for us, but very slow for her to get her refund of excess credit.

Boxman

Update on previous postings - I switched from Iresa to a new supplier, effective date 5th October. Without wishing to repeat all the details from mid December on I badgered them for a final bill and refund of my outstanding credit balance. All requests ignored. Eventually via the Ombudsman it was agreed that within 28 days from 22nd February Iresa would issue a correct final bill, refund the credit balance of £170 or so plus a goodwill payment of £30 for the inconvenience and a letter of apology for the poor service.

We are 23 weeks from switch date, I have now received the final statement and the £170 has been paid into my bank account. No sign of the goodwill payment though or promised letter of apology. Will report this to the Ombudsman today.

Merlin139

Hengus wrote: »

The fact that a supplier has the verified meter reading doesn't mean (sadly) that they will immediately leap into action and raise a Final Bill. i switched late last month; my electricity meter reading has been validated but there is no sign of a Final bill. i am not talking about Iresa. Cashflow matters to these small suppliers.

I don't expect to see the balance of my accounts for maybe 3 months. As I said when I started my switch I am logging when and everything happens to send my case to OFGEM. Iresa have said I cannot escalate until 4 weeks from switch date. So another 8 weeks from then will get the ball rolling. Not in any hurry for the money. I am sure I have had to chase every company that I have switched from in the last 16 years so this will be no different!

Both my Gas and Electric show the charges to my switch date and I am not going to provide any further readings, so I presume my credit of £3.55 Electric and £38.43 Gas will find the way home at some point. :rotfl:

JDRutland

I have been with them of a year on a competitive rate. After 1 year i reviewed their charges and found TONIK cheaper. Changeover to TONIK happened on 6 Feb 18. IRESA informed me on 16 Feb that Elec Reading had been received and they hoped to generate a final bill within 10 days (26 Feb). Worked out that IRESA owe me £230 in refunds.
10:15 this morning tried to phone them on 01157270982 – we are experiencing high volume of customer calls, you are number 43 in the queue. This is not the first time I have tried to contact them and found i was 30-40 in a queue - IMO they are great to attract new customers but if you want something out of them, like a query on a bill or to change supplier :eek:they are absolutely appalling.

poppellerant

Boxman wrote: »

Update on previous postings - I switched from Iresa to a new supplier, effective date 5th October. Without wishing to repeat all the details from mid December on I badgered them for a final bill and refund of my outstanding credit balance. All requests ignored. Eventually via the Ombudsman it was agreed that within 28 days from 22nd February Iresa would issue a correct final bill, refund the credit balance of £170 or so plus a goodwill payment of £30 for the inconvenience and a letter of apology for the poor service.

We are 23 weeks from switch date, I have now received the final statement and the £170 has been paid into my bank account. No sign of the goodwill payment though or promised letter of apology. Will report this to the Ombudsman today.

Ouch, that isn't what I wanted to read. Particularly when the balance owed to me is the value of a direct debit plus 50%.

poppellerant

miniemma wrote: »

That's it, I've reached my limit, they've totally broken me.

My account is at zero since I rang them and paid a one of DD last month and they are still continuously objecting to my switch. Latest attempt the Ombudsman told me to apply for a switch and then ring Iresa and ask them to remove the block so I did this on Friday and wouldn't put the phone down until they emailed me confirming the block was lifted, which they did.

Switch objected again today. I cried.

In your position I would pay a bit more just to make sure that the account is in credit. Also take into account your usage in the time it will take for them to start the switch, plus a little extra to cover yourself. I won't even defend Iresa for this as you shouldn't have to keep throwing money at them just so you can switch - but needs must.

matelodave

poppellerant wrote: »

In your position I would pay a bit more just to make sure that the account is in credit. Also take into account your usage in the time it will take for them to start the switch, plus a little extra to cover yourself. I won't even defend Iresa for this as you shouldn't have to keep throwing money at them just so you can switch - but needs must.

How do you pay them a bit more - AFAIK they only take Direct Debits so you'd have to let them take another one and to make sure that you used less energy so that you'd be in credit.

You'd really have to wonder what OFGEM or the Ombudsman are up to when there's this amount of shambles going on

poppellerant

matelodave wrote: »

How do you pay them a bit more - AFAIK they only take Direct Debits so you'd have to let them take another one and to make sure that you used less energy so that you'd be in credit.

You'd really have to wonder what OFGEM or the Ombudsman are up to when there's this amount of shambles going on

Well you can ask them to take an additional, one-off direct debit of a set amount. At least that's what I was told by Iresa during my call around a few weeks ago.

I agree with you regarding Ofgem. How bad does an energy company have to be to make them do any work?

System

poppellerant wrote: »

I agree with you regarding Ofgem. How bad does an energy company have to be to make them do any work?

I sense that Ofgem may well be struggling. It has come under criticism from Which and Citizens Advice for the lack of any business/financial due diligence before issuing a Supply Licence. It tried to stem the criticism by saying that it would review its procedures but, recently, admitted that no review had actually taken place. They were told that Iresa was struggling over a year ago, and they took a softly- softly approach. If they revoke Iresa's supply licences they will be faced with another bailout which consumers will have to pay for. Further justified criticism of Ofgem will undoubtedly follow. Ofgem has never been an OF Regulator that has had domestic consumers at the forefront of its thinking. This is its latest scheme to increase innovation in the sector, and they wonder why consumers are reluctant to switch:

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications-and-updates/ofgem-appoints-energy-saving-trust-distribute-payments-rule-breaking-energy-companies-charities

donerkebab

Hmmm apparently I am in credit after the extra they took this month yet they didn't use my gas reading or make up their own estimate. Gonna try another move out whats the worst that can happen.