Feedback on Utility Point

Streaky_Bacon

I've just received my renewal quote (I'm just under 50 days from the end of my fixed term).

I'm currently on Up Energy Saver - Electric 11.81p (16.05p SC) - Gas 3.42p (11.85p SC)

They've offered me Just Up 19 Autumn Renewal - Electric 14.67p (15.55p SC) - Gas 3.02p (11.69p SC)

That renewal tariff is fixed for 12 months, with a £36 exit fee per fuel

If I do nothing, I go onto their cheapest variable tariff which they say is -

Quartz - Electric 15.53p (17.03p SC) - Gas 3.59p (21.27p SC)

It's likely that I will switch the Electric away (possibly giving Symbio a try). I'll either keep the gas with UP (Just Up 19 Wk 41 tariff) or switch to So Energy.

So are about £25 more expensive, but their exit fee is £5 per fuel and I may get cashback on the switch (but no guarantees of course).

I thought it might be useful to post my renewal quote, because I have been unclear on what renewal tariff I would actually be offered (CEC quotes a different one).

I originally moved to UP because they had by far the cheapest electricity tariff but that is no longer the case (although they do now have the cheapest gas tariff I can find).

grumpycrab

Streaky_Bacon wrote: »

I've just received my renewal quote

Does the quote say how they will take the money? 12 equal payments or higher for the first 6 months?

Streaky_Bacon

grumpycrab wrote: »

Does the quote say how they will take the money? 12 equal payments or higher for the first 6 months?

My original tariff was higher for the first 6 months, the renewal documentation makes no explicit mention of a payment schedule.

It does say (I've rounded the figures)

Based on your estimated annual consumption the annual cost of this tariff is Dual £1800 or £150 a month.

but it may just be that they provide that estimated monthly figure for clarity (rather than as an indication of a constant DD amount).

andrewjoh

Recently moved away from Utility Point. It wasn't a great experience. They kept wanting to put up the direct debit and although I managed to put them off I still ended up with a large credit balance when I left. Switching from them was painful and I had to keep fighting to get my credit balance paid back to me. Emails were not answered in the advertised time and it was impossible to get through on the phone. The only way to get through to them was to send a complaint to the complaint email address or put a negative review on Trustpilot. Avoid.

Why can't these companies just send you a bill for the gas and electricity you have actually used at the end of each quarter instead of these dreadful monthly budget plans which always end up with you overpaying? I'm not there to provide them with credit and working capital.

Gerry1

andrewjoh wrote: »

Why can't these companies just send you a bill for the gas and electricity you have actually used at the end of each quarter instead of these dreadful monthly budget plans which always end up with you overpaying? I'm not there to provide them with credit and working capital.

Some do offer Variable Direct Debit, including E.On. Symbio offers something similar.

Swipe

andrewjoh wrote: »

Recently moved away from Utility Point. It wasn't a great experience. They kept wanting to put up the direct debit and although I managed to put them off I still ended up with a large credit balance when I left. Switching from them was painful and I had to keep fighting to get my credit balance paid back to me. Emails were not answered in the advertised time and it was impossible to get through on the phone. The only way to get through to them was to send a complaint to the complaint email address or put a negative review on Trustpilot. Avoid.

Why can't these companies just send you a bill for the gas and electricity you have actually used at the end of each quarter instead of these dreadful monthly budget plans which always end up with you overpaying? I'm not there to provide them with credit and working capital.

I had the exact same moving away experience and now I'm fighting to get my "automatic" late refund compensation even though they've acknowledged I am rightfully owed it.

boliston

just had my renewal quote from up and seemed quite a big increase so have moved to green (outfox was cheaper but loaded the dd payments for the initial months but green offer even dd payments) - had a call from up today to confirm i want to move and will be cancelling dd as now a good 3 months in credit due to up's upfront dd loading policy

[Deleted User]

I have lost patience with Utility Point Energy following repeated requests for them to stop taking DD payments, the account was closed over two months ago, and requesting my IN CREDIT money be returned to me (£190) and I will not accept further delaying tactics from them.
On Monday 25th Nov. I will hand over all information to the Offgem/Energy Ombudsman and let them deal with it.
I would strongly advise any existing or potential customer to beware of the extremely poor service when trying to leave this lot. On checking various review sites I have joined a growing list of complainants with the same issue. All the good reviews are based on joining them not when they want to leave or have a complaint. Be very Aware. I have been with them for two years and find this very disturbing and ominous.
P.S. following my Trustpilot review earlier today, UP contacted me to say money will be transferred today!!!! The reason for delay apparently, insufficient staff to deal with account closure/refunds on renewall date.

grumpycrab

boliston wrote: »

just had my renewal quote from up

How many days before end of contract did you get a renewal quote? I've 48 days to go...thinking of jumping ship... and I assume nobody's had an issue jumping ship early?

poppellerant

DCSNR wrote: »

P.S. following my Trustpilot review earlier today, UP contacted me to say money will be transferred today!!!! The reason for delay apparently, insufficient staff to deal with account closure/refunds on renewall date.

I hope this isn't going to be a repeat of Iresa all over again - they not only had issues with lack of staff, but very long queue times on the phone.