Feedback on Utility Point

Dizzee_Rebel

Just started my journey with them tonight (electric only), after being with Ebico for the last 8 years. I must say the sign up process on the website was quick & straight forward.

Been researching them for the last month or so through Facebook, Trustpilot (which I don't trust), general Google searches and this thread.

Few things concerned me i.e the increase of direct debits while being significantly in credit, also the problems experienced when trying to contact them.

But seeing as I will be saving a massive £420 - over the next 12 months on the "UP Energy Saver" tariff, I just had to take the chance.

Will keep the thread updated.

ciku

We just joined UP too. A bit nervous about it after all these feedback

M1ller

Spin_Doctor wrote: »

I'm switching to Utility Point's Energy Saver package. Beware - the information screen on their Energy Saver page describes how their prices are 25% higher than your average monthly payment from January to June, and 25% less than your average in July to December, depending on tariff. This is misleading, as this information page only concerns the Energy Saver tariff.

However, the +/- % does vary depending on which energy supply company area you're in, which isn't mentioned on the information page. In my case, its 33% above my average monthly payment in January-June and 33% below average in July-December. UP customer help have accepted that their information is misleading and have fed this back up the line to their senior management.

I've been looking at UP to possible be my next supplier and just wanted to confirm the above that for myself in the SWEB region the Energy Saver tariff shows as a 33% increased DD for the first six months rather then the 25% their info page states.

grumpycrab

M1ller wrote: »

I've been looking at UP to possibly be my next supplier and just wanted to confirm the above that for myself in the SWEB region the Energy Saver tariff shows as a 33% increased DD for the first six months rather then the 25% their info page stats.

Same here (Hampshire). This does make the first 6 months pretty hard but I'll have a large credit to be returned from Tonik to help. And the 12 month cost is much lower than all other fixes. The only other option for us was Powershop TopShopper but sounded like too much manual management.

bxboards

bxboards wrote: »

I've been with UP for a while but today is the first time I've needed to contact them by phone, to request a refund of some credit which had build up on my account over the last few months.

I phoned at 9am this morning, the phone was answered in 3 to 4 rings and I got straight them to somone who generated a new bill to figure out my credit and them offered either a full or partial refund. No hassles, and no attempts to hold onto the excess credit.

I was quite surprised as I read upthread the customer service has been outsourced, but I'm certain the call was taken in the UK due to slight west country accent. All very efficient so far, I am supposed to get the excess back within 28 days.

Just to quote myself for context, the credit refund I requested was in my account yesterday, so it's a month from the request to it going into my account.

Streaky_Bacon

bxboards wrote: »

Just to quote myself for context, the credit refund I requested was in my account yesterday, so it's a month from the request to it going into my account.

I'm currently in the process of switching to them, and should be live in the next few days.

It's a bit disappointing to hear that it takes a full month to get your money from them. Even if they say 28 days, it could be, and really should be, much sooner than that.

Hopefully I won't build up too much credit with them, for now, because I reckon that my initial DD is only slightly more than I use at this time of the year.

PennineAcute

bxboards wrote: »

Just to quote myself for context, the credit refund I requested was in my account yesterday, so it's a month from the request to it going into my account.

I reckon you can knock a week off that, for this time of year.

bxboards

Streaky_Bacon wrote: »

I'm currently in the process of switching to them, and should be live in the next few days.

It's a bit disappointing to hear that it takes a full month to get your money from them. Even if they say 28 days, it could be, and really should be, much sooner than that.

Hopefully I won't build up too much credit with them, for now, because I reckon that my initial DD is only slightly more than I use at this time of the year.

My usage has always been lower than my direct debit, and I also got my DD increased a month or two ago, albeit by only 4.00 a month.

I don't really mind if they take more than they need to, I get cashback on my direct debit via Santander 123 which I think is 2% from memory and it can be got back with a phone call if needed.

I'm happy with the 28-ish days personally because that was the expectation I had after the phone call.

MoneySavingUser

MSE Cheap Energy Club says that UP's "UP Energy Saver" and Lumo are the cheapest for my parents (same price).


1) Seems people have issues with communication with them in this thread!
2) Cheap Energy Club does indeed have a warning which matches some of the comments here "IMPORTANT: Utility Point sets significantly higher direct debit payments for the first six months of this tariff. The payments are then reduced for the remaining six months. For example, if your annual bill is £900, you’ll pay roughly £600 over the first six months and £300 over the last six. "


The website (https://www.utilitypoint.co.uk/) says "
Registered Company Number 10610614 registered in England & Wales" which is: https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/10610614
which shows:


08 Oct 2018 Accounts for a dormant company made up to 31 December 2017 View PDF Accounts for a dormant company made up to 31 December 2017 - link opens in a new window - 6 pages (6 pages)


Dormant? The accounts don't actually seem to be dormant but they don't seem to have any income/expenses? Who are you actually getting your bills from because this company has no income?



The director who has resigned is linked to various energy companies: https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/officers/g7cVk9hfY9d_dx5sneMLJ35Enhs/appointments



Is one of these companies the real supplier?

savemoney

They were cheapest for me by £98 based on a years actual usage and using mse energy club. Of course that may not be for you depending on your area.


Of course on tariff I have switched to I have to pay a bit more per month from Jan and cheaper in Summer but I can live with that. I have some credit due to me anyway from my old supplier. I haven't yet switched I wont until 10th Jan