Add your feedback on energy supplier Usio Energy

superbigal36

Why did Usio not just put prices up ?
Everyone was on variable tarrifs were they not ?

BigTezza

I joined them a few months ago. My first time away from the Big 6. "Nothing ventured, nothing er....b*gger."

I was with Scottish Power before that and had to waste a day's leave waiting for someone to come and remove SP's thick meter and put in the one for Usio usage. I guess I'll have to go through that fuss again! I don't want one of the damned things anyway as they are more trouble than they are worth. For a single person, those natty little LCD units showing me how much energy I'm using are pointless. What am I supposed to do if I think the usage is too high? Switch off the freezer? Eat only salads and barricade the cooker? They lied to me in school. They said that technology would come along which would make our lives easier and life would be fun - and we would have lots of free time to ride around using our hover boots.........I digress.....meds wearing off....

Until a new supplier is appointed, whose tariff am I on for duel fuel and when will that bill hit me? As of my latest comparison I'm already £160pa worse off and prices are on the up. I hope Ofgem pull their finger out!

gadgetmind

According to The Times a few days ago USIO were "threatened with a substantial damages claim by one of its former service providers."

gadgetmind

BigTezza wrote: »

I was with Scottish Power before that and had to waste a day's leave waiting for someone to come and remove SP's thick meter and put in the one for Usio usage.

What make of meter did you have fitted? Nearly all SMETS1 meters are being moved to the DCC over the next few months, which means that almost all suppliers (other than the very smallest) will be able to get readings from your meter remotely.

You might then be able to choose a tariff that's cheaper if you run large electricity consumption appliances outside of peak periods.

BigTezza

To be honest I don't know. When Scottish Power put it in I assumed that it was a kind of standard unit that could be re-used. It wasn't until I went to Usio that they told me it couldn't be used and I'd need to have it replaced.

With both SP and Usio I still had estimated readings so I really don't see the point of them.

gadgetmind

Usio didn't have to replace your meter it was just their policy. And there was no comms standardisation on SMETS1 and the Big 6 used to try and use this to gain "stickyness" so people wouldn't switch. This is slowly, and after a massive delay, getting fixed.

Shelley84

Edited to add - I thought I was replying to another comment! Ooops!

I started the process on 27th Sept via Money Supermarket. They then emailed me from 2nd October onwards regarding direct debits, getting a smart meter fitted, and when they take over etc. They start supplying me on 29th Oct.
It doesn't look like there is anyone I can contact to cancel.
Unless I can get my current energy provider to try and block the switch maybe?

wavelets

Shelley84 wrote: »

I understand the advice to current customers, however I am mid switch from Eon to Usio. I started the process at the end of September and my first DD is due on the 29th Oct. I think they officially start being my supplier on that day.
I'm not technically a customer of theirs yet. Will the new supplier still carry on switching me over to them? Or do I look for another provider?

Shelley84 wrote: »

Edited to add - I thought I was replying to another comment! Ooops!

I started the process on 27th Sept via Money Supermarket. They then emailed me from 2nd October onwards regarding direct debits, getting a smart meter fitted, and when they take over etc. They start supplying me on 29th Oct.
It doesn't look like there is anyone I can contact to cancel.
Unless I can get my current energy provider to try and block the switch maybe?

Unfortunately, the energy supplier you applied to has since ceased trading.

You need to await the Ofgem decision as to who they will elect as supplier of last resort. As in that notice, it will state when the supplier of last resort will take over the supplies of the former supplier, Usio

The supplier of last resort will only take over the supplies of Usio customers on that date. If you were not a customer of Usio on that date, you will not be switched, sorry.

I strongly suspect a supplier of last resort will be appointed, and hence take over the Usio customer's supply, before 29 Oct.

Therefore there is no one available to enable the switch.

You do not need to cancel your application. You cannot cancel your application as the supplier has ceased trading.

In the circumstances, I would urge you to wait until Ofgem give notice and be prepared to consult a comparison site and find the best deal for you. If you fail to make an application to switch supplier, or request a new tariff from Eon, you will be charged by Eon on their deeemed, most expensive tariff once any fixed tariff expires.

theyiddo

superbigal36 wrote: »

Why did Usio not just put prices up ?
Everyone was on variable tarrifs were they not ?

No, I was on a fixed tariff.

Posiden

Ive just received this e mail:-
Welcome @@@@@@:mad:
We’re First Utility and we’ve been appointed by Ofgem to manage your energy supply from Friday 19 October following the closure of Usio.
We understand that you may be feeling concerned after learning about Usio’s situation, but please be assured that you won’t be left without energy at any point. We’re working closely with Ofgem to make the switch as smooth as possible for you, and we look forward to welcoming you on board.
First, we should introduce ourselves. We’re one of the largest energy and broadband providers in the UK, with more than ten years of history and around 800,000 satisfied customers taking our gas, electricity and broadband services.
As of March this year we became a proud part of Shell in its ‘New Energies’ division, which focuses on lower carbon solutions. This means we now have one of the world’s biggest companies behind us.
If you had any credit on your Usio account, we’ll apply it to your First Utility account, so you won’t lose any money.
Please make a note of your meter reading(s) and keep them somewhere safe. We’ll be requesting these at a later stage.
We’ll be in touch with you within seven days.
If you have any questions take a look at our ‘What you need to know’ page on our website.
How to contact us
You can call us on 02476 937 724. This is a dedicated number for Usio customers and our team of specialists will be able to answer your queries. Our team is available 8am to 8pm weekdays and 9am to 4pm on Saturdays. You can also get in touch via email at usio@first-utility.com.
Thanks,
The First Utility Team