BES Utilities - anyone else had problems with this cheating, unprofessional business

GillyFoulds

I have a business account with BES utilities, this is a 4 year fixed, but BES broke the contract by putting me onto a different tariff.  I pointed this out to them and the sent me a recording of my conversation agreeing to the 4 year fixed tariff.   After many phone calls and several weeks they agreed to rework the invoices and refund me the £2.3 I had been over charged, this took at least 10 days to hit my account and they had already deducted the payment for the month which was not due for another 5 days.  Its easier to speak to the Queen than anyone is BES, they cut you off if you ask a slightly difficult question.  I eventally spoke to James Kacperek, head of customer complaints who was very pleasant to begin with.  They offered my £450 compensation and release from the contact - which they had broken.  the next I knew he had withdrawn that offer and sent deadlock letter.  I have not deal with the Ombudsman before so didn't know the routine which BES obviously do.  To cut the story short they offered me £200 compensation and letter of apology to which I had to agree on the 13th December, in a previous email I had informed Stella Anderson (Ombudsman's office) that I was away from the 7th - 13th December so would not be checking emails, so the case has been closed.  The whole sage has now come to a grinding halt because BES refuse to open the case again.  So in short it is OK for BES to overcharge me and hence broke the contract, but I am not allowed to break the contract unless I pay around £5K to get out of it.  The contract finishes in July 2021. I feel I have been treated extremely badly by BES

JJ_Egan

This is essentially a consumer forum .

You have a business contract and really need the advice of a solicitor .

GillyFoulds

I'm trying to see if others have had problems as I cannot afford a solicitor

Robin9

|Have you got a quote from another supplier ?
It may be that BES is cheaper and worth while gritting your teeth and seeing the contract out.

Biscuit_Tin

GillyFoulds said:

I'm trying to see if others have had problems as I cannot afford a solicitor

Welcome to the MSE forum.
This site allegedly has an even bigger and better search function that the old site had.
The search function can be found here:
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/search?adv=1

Here are a few of the threads from the past that popped up about BES Utilities:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5614654/bes-business-energy

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5555235/bes-utilities-supplying-electricity-from-renewable-sources

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5102114/formal-notice-of-bes-group-action

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5444633/bes-utilities

But try it for yourself and see what you can uncover

SueTolley1964

Hi, I am having issues with BES Utilities, my account was bought up to date April 2020 as they
overcharged and had to refund me over £1300+.
Due to lockdown my salon was closed but I received a bill in August 2020 stating I owed over £2000+ which was not the case, I have spoken with several people from their company and was told by Kelly not to deal with anyone else as she would look into the problem and that I should disregard any emails or texts and that she would put notes in my account, I also had to send her emails with updated meter readings that she confirmed she had received and that she was going to send through to the meter department, this obviously didn’t happen as they continued to estimate the readings.
in January 2021 I personally again worked out the units used from May 2020 through to 11th January 2021 and paid what I believe was correct, they have now stated they will disconnect my supply and take me to court even though they have confirmed there is an issue with the meter itself.
Also my paperwork states my contract finishes March 2021 but they have now stated I requested to renew my contract for 5 years last March 2020
I have also charges on my account that was never discussed like climate levy charge, and that VAT is now 20% when it should be 5%
I have reported to the ombudsman and awaiting their response 
This company is a nightmare.

JJ_Egan

Business vat is 20% unless under the threshold .

See post above yours .

Robin9

Climate Levy Charge is standard just like the 20% VAT.
Stick to your guns - did you get the £10,000 COVID support -? Use it for a solicitors letter if necessary