Symbio Energy feedback

carpy

violetta said:

I had one of their 'final demand' requests for a meter reading today, but this time it said in bold lettering that if a meter reading was not provided today, then the reading would not be counted for this month's bill but held in abeyance until next month, so maybe this is their solution for avoiding giving a day's free electricity now that they know what we are up to as I don't think I have seen that message before.
Like Talldave's 'day late' reading at the end of April, they also ignored my 'day late' reading last month. 

yeah i had that too

Talldave

violetta said:

I had one of their 'final demand' requests for a meter reading today, but this time it said in bold lettering that if a meter reading was not provided today, then the reading would not be counted for this month's bill but held in abeyance until next month, so maybe this is their solution for avoiding giving a day's free electricity now that they know what we are up to as I don't think I have seen that message before.
Like Talldave's 'day late' reading at the end of April, they also ignored my 'day late' reading last month. 

Although the "final reminder" emails are new, that same bold wording has been in the meter read email for months.  So have they fixed the algorithm, or just added an extra email?

Let's see what happens this month, the bill should be interesting anyway because after two months of ludicrous estimates, their May 31 estimated reading  won't actually be achieved in reality until mid-July.

greenguppie

Talldave said:
...

Let's see what happens this month, the bill should be interesting anyway because after two months of ludicrous estimates, their May 31 estimated reading  won't actually be achieved in reality until mid-July.

Surely you have worked out what will happen by now?

e.g. If you usually use say £65 of electric per month, but you only used £50 last month, yet Symbio charged you £125 last month, then they will refund you the £75 overcharge.
But they will estimate you will use say £175 this month, so they will take another £100 from your bank account this month.

CRISPIANNE3

I have transferred from their V4 variable rate to their 13 month fixed one. 10.57 KW and 24.50 p a day. All I have to do now is make sure they they put me on this rate. 

Talldave

greenguppie said:

Talldave said:
...

Let's see what happens this month, the bill should be interesting anyway because after two months of ludicrous estimates, their May 31 estimated reading  won't actually be achieved in reality until mid-July.

Surely you have worked out what will happen by now?

e.g. If you usually use say £65 of electric per month, but you only used £50 last month, yet Symbio charged you £125 last month, then they will refund you the £75 overcharge.
But they will estimate you will use say £175 this month, so they will take another £100 from your bank account this month.

Of course, but with their over estimates getting nearly 2 months ahead we're nearing the point where they will owe me money even with a ludicrous estimate!

The two "we've got your reading" emails came in very quick succession today, which bodes well in the prompt bill/free units stakes!!

zantos

Are Symbio REALLY that cheap?
Consider the "Big Six" charge for their electricity between one and three months in arrears (depending on whether monthly or quarterly) and DON'T charge a month in advance like Symbio. They "can" install smart meters so people are only charged for what they use. Symbio charge a month in advance on their "estimated" usage which is nearly always an overestimate and are resisting the change to smart meters. They may or may not buy their electricity in advance BUT they have already covered the reduced cost to them by overcharging all of their customers with their billing - giving Symbio an interest free loan; if they adjust the charge each month they still overcharge the following month basically giving with one hand and taking with the other. All Symbio customers are looking at things as they will be "getting money back" rather than thinking they are "loaning" money without interest. I am sure that the so called comparison sites don't take into account the "month in hand" payment when comparing the costs between suppliers and overestimating as if you were to take this into account the actual savings over a year that are quoted would be less, although this difference would reduce in subsequent years. 
Just my thoughts! Anybody want to lend me the money instead at zero interest?

carpy

Talldave said:

The two "we've got your reading" emails came in very quick succession today, which bodes well in the prompt bill/free units stakes!!

@Talldave do you think you have to submit the reading early today to (potentially) benefit? As I haven't done mine yet...

MWT

I see no problem with paying in advance, but... it has to be against a reasonable estimate of usage and it seems from all the reports that Symbio may have a very worrying problem with their cash-flow, if they need to dramatically increase the estimates each month in the way they are reported to be doing.

Once a company starts doing that it is very difficult to stop as the net cash outflow from correcting the system may be unsustainable...

Talldave

And how much interest would I earn putting £20 in a bank for a month? Probably not even 1p. Lending it to Symbio gives me access to the cheapest electricity available and they've given me 154kWh free so far. So, yes, they really are that cheap.

And Symbio only charge for what you use, just a month in arrears, combined with their bonkers estimate for the month ahead. So you're only ever (over estimate less EAC/12) ahead. A small inconvenience for the UK's cheapest electricity. 

You might see comments on here complaining or poking fun at Symbio's sheer incompetence, but I don't think anyone is complaining that they are not the cheapest?  And that's what this site is all about - saving money.

MWT

Talldave said:

You might see comments on here complaining or poking fun at Symbio's sheer incompetence, but I don't think anyone is complaining that they are not the cheapest?  And that's what this site is all about - saving money.

They aren't the cheapest for everyone though.

If you are not allergic to smart meters there are better options for many people out there.