Small supplier Eversmart Energy stops trading - MSE News

JohnB47

Stratus wrote: »

Like you, my final bill from Eversmart was dated 6th September. I believe they continued operating until 11th September. I was regularly checking on my network operator's website during this period and I continued to be reported as being an Eversmart customer up until 18th September. On the 19th it was showing Utilita.

I have an email from Utilita dated 19th September 2019 that states the following:



The same email also said:



This hasn't happened even though I've provided all the information required for them to do this. I mentioned further up the thread, one factor that may be influencing them is that they promised OFGEM not to draw upon the industry levy in honouring Eversmart customer's credit balances.

What is particularly frustrating is
1. The incorrect billing
2. Ignoring the Eversmart credit balance
3. Refusing (so far) to respond to my emails.

I'm quite experienced now with going through energy company failures and SOLRs from the consumer perspective and this has been the slowest and the worst.

Thanks. Looks like we are all in for a battle.

I've estimated that I am actually owed around £9, when my credit balance with Eversmart is taken into account. But I suspect that, like you, I will receive a bill for my energy use with Utilita, without any mention of my Eversmart credit.

Do they really expect me to give them money first, then hound them endlessly for my refund?

I'm planning to fire off a complaint to Ofgem as soon as this nonsence starts for real with me. So far, haven't heard a dicky bird.

tomthered

Utilita on Facebook is a joke. All I originally wanted to do was give them correct readings, but they kicked off into repel mode. When I spoke to them they said they had a backlog, and Facebook says the correspondence can be delayed and speak to the team on the number they previously gave.

Laughable really, thought they enjoyed a good service rating? My bill ran from 18 th September to 30th September and 1st October to 16th October. October bill seemed okay, but Septembers was way out. They had reckoned on me using far more at their dearer rates than Eversmarts rates.

I know I would be virtually straight with Eversmart as I downloaded bills, as I do with them all.

Will see what their replacement bill is, at this rate in a few months������

JohnB47

Can anyone tell me what the Utilita rates were after 1st Oct. for us ex Eversmart customers?

My emails say that I will be told this in my new 'welcome book' but I never received one.

I know what the rates are between 18th Sept and 30th Sept. I just want to be able to check their sums when I eventually receive my Utilita bill(s).

Ta.

Stratus

JohnB47 wrote: »

Can anyone tell me what the Utilita rates were after 1st Oct. for us ex Eversmart customers?
Ta.

Rates typically vary depending on what region you live in.

For the record, the Smart Energy tariff rates charged for me in the Northern Powergrid region were as follows:

Before 1st October - Initial 2kWh each day 28.757p. Subsequent 17.212p +VAT @5%
From 1st October - Initial 2kWh each day 28.138p. Subsequent 16.546p +VAT @5%

Despite the tariff name, I didn't have a smart meter.

dogshome

Pre October 23.09 pence a day - Post October 23.184 pence a day


These figures seem to be the Daily Standing Charge, but it's being calculated on the basis of the ancient No Standing Charge tariffs that as far as my memory serves, Ofgem outlawed several years ago.

JohnB47

Stratus wrote: »

Rates typically vary depending on what region you live in.

For the record, the Smart Energy tariff rates charged for me in the Northern Powergrid region were as follows:

Before 1st October - Initial 2kWh each day 28.757p. Subsequent 17.212p +VAT @5%
From 1st October - Initial 2kWh each day 28.138p. Subsequent 16.546p +VAT @5%

Despite the tariff name, I didn't have a smart meter.

Thanks. So the tariff, post 1st Oct is called Smart Energy. I can look up the tariff details for my area.

jukber

jukber wrote: »

I was a sucker joining their loyal family scheme last December. I switched to another supplier in June this year because of their poor service and had been trying to get credit balance over £800 back since then. I was about to file a small claim because they had promised in several emails to refund me the amount but never fulfilled. Now they've gone burst, and ofgem ombudsmen won't take new cases relating to eversmart. I felt like a complete idiot.


What should I do now? Any advice, please?

I have a pleasure to give an update on my case. I finally received a cheque with the correct amount of the refund today! I'm on the way to the bank now. :j:T:rotfl:

JohnB47

jukber wrote: »

I have a pleasure to give an update on my case. I finally received a cheque with the correct amount of the refund today! I'm on the way to the bank now. :j:T:rotfl:

Excellent news.

Strange how some people can get to your stage but others, like me, still haven't heard anything from Utilita apart from the 'Sorry you're leaving ....' email.

matelodave

Perhaps they need a motivational prod - send them a letter (recorded delivery) marked complaint. Requesting that they sort it out now or give you a deadlock letter so you can go straight to the ombudsman to see if they can get the ball rolling.

I did that a week before Christmas - sent an email on the Sunday, posted the same by lettter on the Monday, reply with up to date (and correct bill on Tuesday), cheque for £135 arrived on Thursday.

So it can be done, they just seem to need motivation to get on with it and I guess that an avalanche of complaints (or even threats of complaints) to the Ombudsman might just do it.

JohnB47

matelodave wrote: »

Perhaps they need a motivational prod - send them a letter (recorded delivery) marked complaint. Requesting that they sort it out now or give you a deadlock letter so you can go straight to the ombudsman to see if they can get the ball rolling.

I did that a week before Christmas - sent an email on the Sunday, posted the same by lettter on the Monday, reply with up to date (and correct bill on Tuesday), cheque for £135 arrived on Thursday.

So it can be done, they just seem to need motivation to get on with it and I guess that an avalanche of complaints (or even threats of complaints) to the Ombudsman might just do it.

Thanks. While pondering what to do, two Utilita bills arrived in the post this morning.

After careful checking against my spreadsheet, I find that they are asking for slightly less than my estimate of what I owe them, so that bit is OK.

The problem, as others have found out, is that they haven't included my credit balance from Eversmart, so they want me to pay them £77.54 but they actually owe me the Eversmart balance of £113.64 minus £77.54 = £36.10

I've just sent an email to their complaints department, attaching my last Eversmart bill showing the credit and asking for a revised bill and a check for £36.10

Lets see how that goes.