Symbio Energy feedback

Tallerdave

Mister_G said:

Yep, mine's up 12% but it's still cheap electric and over a year I do actually end up paying for what I've used.

Agreed.  And although I find them very irritating I have come to their defence many times when they've been accused of over-charging/repeatedly "borrowing" cash from customers.  The over-estimates are reconciled every month and they have to repay their interest free loan either in summer or when people leave.  I guess the ramp up of everyone's EACs is a subtle way of increasing their interest free loan by 10-12%?  Assuming that they actually bother to use EAC at all in their calculations.

There is one part of the Symbio IT mess that seems to work, and that's the task that sends out tariff renewal emails.  I have always found that the EACs in those renewal offers are spot on, but Symbio will refuse to use it if you ask them to!

UnclaimedEnergy

I wouldn't really use the word 'accused' as it's less an accusation and more of a fact that they're doing it to stay afloat. You can defend them for being cheap and below cost, that's fair... just don't try to defend them for overestimating consumption and taking double direct debits. If a Large supplier did this to all of their customers there would be an outcry.

As long as people are able to get their credit back in a timely manner once they do leave then it shouldn't be an issue though... which also doesn't seem to be the case (trustpilot reviews).

rp1974

Just a thought,wouldn't it be interesting if someone was to start legal proceedings against Symbio for their cyber-bullying accusations?. .

Tallerdave

UnclaimedEnergy said:

I wouldn't really use the word 'accused' as it's less an accusation and more of a fact that they're doing it to stay afloat. You can defend them for being cheap and below cost, that's fair... just don't try to defend them for overestimating consumption and taking double direct debits. If a Large supplier did this to all of their customers there would be an outcry.

As long as people are able to get their credit back in a timely manner once they do leave then it shouldn't be an issue though... which also doesn't seem to be the case (trustpilot reviews).

Yes, to be very clear I only defend them against the accusation that they are somehow grabbing extra money from customers month after month.  Their behaviour/business practice is incredibly dodgy.  BUT, as a means of accessing the cheapest prices on the market for a high user, I accept that I have to lend them somewhere between 50-85% of a month's payment for about half the year

[Deleted User]

Well I'm regretting joining Symbio.
Been live for a whole 7 days and they are now saying that they will take a third monthly direct debit is a few days. Yep they have taken 2 months money in the first 5 days and want more. And they are only showing one of the DDs on my account which they have totally ignored when creating a monthly bill (or guesstimate) for March.
So in a few days they will have taken 3 months money, god knows if all 3 payments will appear on my account, issued 2 bills ignoring any funds on account and oh yes, ignored all the meter readings sent to date.
And the customer service is laughable. They make you hang on the phone for 15 minutes in a queue then say "sorry all you can do is leave a message". But I phoned to talk to a human to see what was going on. Emails aren't acknowledged either so I've no idea if they are even looking into my issues hence the need to talk to some one. Ha.
As you can tell, not a happy camper with this company.

niktheguru

gsmlnx said:

Well I'm regretting joining Symbio.
Been live for a whole 7 days and they are now saying that they will take a third monthly direct debit is a few days. Yep they have taken 2 months money in the first 5 days and want more. And they are only showing one of the DDs on my account which they have totally ignored when creating a monthly bill (or guesstimate) for March.
So in a few days they will have taken 3 months money, god knows if all 3 payments will appear on my account, issued 2 bills ignoring any funds on account and oh yes, ignored all the meter readings sent to date.
And the customer service is laughable. They make you hang on the phone for 15 minutes in a queue then say "sorry all you can do is leave a message". But I phoned to talk to a human to see what was going on. Emails aren't acknowledged either so I've no idea if they are even looking into my issues hence the need to talk to some one. Ha.
As you can tell, not a happy camper with this company.

Make sure you use the direct debit guarantee at your bank and reverse the 2 extra payments. Don't give symbio any more money than you should be paying (as stated on bill or direct debit email) If they have a problem with it, they will reach out and contact you.

UnclaimedEnergy

rp1974 said:

Just a thought,wouldn't it be interesting if someone was to start legal proceedings against Symbio for their cyber-bullying accusations?. .

I would think they would have a stronger case against Symbio threatening to sue on every 1 star review now.

CRISPIANNE3

So Symbio think in March my usage per day will be 18.25 units per day. When infact we only use on average 11.5 per day. I have tried phoning but after 20 mins you are requested to leave a message. 

niktheguru

UnclaimedEnergy said:

rp1974 said:

Just a thought,wouldn't it be interesting if someone was to start legal proceedings against Symbio for their cyber-bullying accusations?. .

I would think they would have a stronger case against Symbio threatening to sue on every 1 star review now.

I haven't seen anything but 1 star reviews for them on trust pilot.....their responses are laughable. They shouldn't even bother. Its obvious they just use the persons name, then paste their usual response, regardless of the context. Not even any attempt at rectifying the problem.

niktheguru

CRISPIANNE3 said:

So Symbio think in March my usage per day will be 18.25 units per day. When infact we only use on average 11.5 per day. I have tried phoning but after 20 mins you are requested to leave a message. 

If its any consolation, in my first month they estimated my use at 2500kwh (for the month)....and subsequently took a direct debit of 280 quid, when my EAC is 5000!