Symbio Energy feedback

rp1974

m0bov said:
In fact they haven't, they've sent me a reminder, its the first I've heard of it.

According to Ofgem thats sufficient notice,in brief see here:https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/gas/retail-market/market-review-and-reform/notification-price-changes.
In this case anybody contacted before,perhaps on(?) Tuesday 1st of December has been given the appropriate notice.
Basically any supplier can change or remove a variable tariff at any time and frequency they see fit,providing the 30 days minimum notice period is given.
As it's a rise I can't say I'm happy about it,that's the gamble I took signing up to a variable deal instead of a fixed one.

Mr_K

rp1974 said:

m0bov said:
In fact they haven't, they've sent me a reminder, its the first I've heard of it.

According to Ofgem thats sufficient notice,in brief see here:https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/gas/retail-market/market-review-and-reform/notification-price-changes.
In this case anybody contacted before,perhaps on(?) Tuesday 1st of December has been given the appropriate notice.
Basically any supplier can change or remove a variable tariff at any time and frequency they see fit,providing the 30 days minimum notice period is given.
As it's a rise I can't say I'm happy about it,that's the gamble I took signing up to a variable deal instead of a fixed one.

Its the wording of the subject in the email that is the problem. Withdrawing or increasing a variable rate tariff is fair enough but that's not what it says in the subject or the mail. It says 'Reminder ' suggesting this is something you've been told before which we haven't. Either designed to confuse or incompetence. I guess they hope many might miss the email or not understand the meaning so they get rolled on to an expensive tariff. A bit naughty which could backfire when folks realise and decide to wave goodbye.  Nothing to stop them trying this tactic every couple of months. 

Kayster

 Either designed to confuse or incompetence. I guess they hope many might miss the email or not understand the meaning so they get rolled on to an expensive tariff. A bit naughty which could backfire when folks realise and decide to wave goodbye.  Nothing to stop them trying this tactic every couple of months. 

My 12 months is up on 19th December. I had heard nothing from them so i have sent 2 email requests for them to give me the options. Over a week has gone by and i have heard nothing so I am leaving - its just too much uncertainty combined with the billing system quirks. 

Talldave

It's weird, they try to tell me I should pay almost 50% more per unit. But they have other tariffs which are cheaper than the one I'm on, so the end result is I'll probably stay and pay them less for the same amount of electricity! 

m0bov

I tried the link, it only shows me dual rate, although I have an E7 meter, I am on a standard flat rate.

rp1974

Mr_K said:
Its the wording of the subject in the email that is the problem. Withdrawing or increasing a variable rate tariff is fair enough but that's not what it says in the subject or the mail. It says 'Reminder ' suggesting this is something you've been told before which we haven't. Either designed to confuse or incompetence. I guess they hope many might miss the email or not understand the meaning so they get rolled on to an expensive tariff. A bit naughty which could backfire when folks realise and decide to wave goodbye. 

Semantics aside it's giving the required notice.
Poorly worded communications from Symbio is hardly uncommon.
They do have an uncanny knack of shooting themselves in the foot and alienating their customers.
Lets be realistic,no one uses Symbio because their good,they use them because their cheap.
They were previously the cheapest by a fair amount,for me at my renewal they weren't the very cheapest but not far off,as and when that ceases to be the case another suppliers only a few clicks away.

matelodave

We've got our £20 back so I'm not going bother with the £30 penalty for being late.

I know I really should jump all over them because they need to be motivated to get themselves in order but life is too short. I usually enjoy a bit of sport but it does rely on some participation from your opponent and sending e-mails into a black hole just isn't ever so satisfying and I cant be bothered to drive four miles to the post office to send a paper one.

Good luck to those who still want to persevere

Talldave

matelodave said:

Good luck to those who still want to persevere

10.7p beckons - down from 10.9p, what's not to like?!

Mr_K

Talldave said:

matelodave said:

Good luck to those who still want to persevere

10.7p beckons - down from 10.9p, what's not to like?!

The increased standing charge....
 It all works out about the same for me, slightly cheaper if anything on their latest varuable tariff.  However their communication is appalling. 

violetta

I haven't had any emails from them at all, not even the ones asking me to give a meter read this month