Spark energy, very irritating

peter12345678910

Has anybody had any experience with this company. They appear to lie, gave them 2 readings and they say they will amend my bill, after 1 week they are  drawing money from my account by direct debit or else they use a money collection company. Even tried to install a smart meter  but the engineer did not turn up.  The flat has been empty since last October. The reading I took was lower than the one I took last October as that was an estimate. 

matelodave

Why are you with Spark Energy - they must be one of the most expensive suppliers out there as they give a backhander to the LL or letting agent.
I've never seen a good word said about them. You should change suppliers as soon as you possibly can.

dogshome

As matelodave   Spark are possibly the worst supplier in the UK

They get their customers by paying a bung to Letting Agents to transfer the Energy account to them when a rental is in limbo between tenants - There is anecdotal evidence, so not proven, that the LA gets a continued bung from every bill that's issued.

Apart from the costs, the stream of angry posts show that they have a policy of billing late so that a customer builds up a debt that prevents them changing supplier without first forking out a big lump sum.

This OP is fortunate that the flat has been empty, so the debt will be small enough to clear immediately so he can move away

brewerdave

Are Spark still "behaving badly" even tho' they have been taken over by OVO ??

peter12345678910

The last tenant left last October than sdl bigwood changed supplier to them without telling me. 

Then some extremely polite phone
operator when I explain flat is empty
recommends a smart engineer who did not turn up, we just recently got the electricity working but there has been no electricity working for 3 months. 

Also this very polite man contacted engage a debt company who knock people's doors and threatren them. With out telling me, but I did see a letter posted to the flat
.... so I went on direct debit to stop these people knocking on an empty flat. 

First they said they wanted a picture
of the reading when I have it they do not seem to want it. 

I would not call their service actually service but criminal. 

peter12345678910

Dear dogs home, 

I believe it was the flat management company that switched to them called SDL they have auctions on the series homes under the hammar. 

Though the flat is empty there are very zealous with fines of estimates when I questioned there operator they said it was not there responsibility and I should find out the true meter reading in October. 

Anyway ringing them soon again

badmemory

Don't ring them write to them.  They bank on people ringing so that they can ignore it or deny what was said.

peter12345678910

I got the bill reduced from 500 to 360 due to nobody living in flat. The 360 is due to fines the operator said he will talk to management about the bill to get another amendment. 

What is the best way to switch away from them? USwitch. Or  can anybody recommend another supplier? 

dogshome

WRITE a letter headed Complaint and post it by Royal Mail and get a FREE certificate of posting

Set out the history of this saga, pointing out that you totally reject application of 'Fines' added to bills which were in themselves incorrect as the flat was empty

Can't work out from your posts if the flat has been empty since October till now, but if that is the position then the only money you owe to Spark is the Daily Standing Charge - Say this is an exorbitant 30pence, then your debt to Spark is in the region of only £90

But also added to the equation is the 'No Show' of the crew to fit a Smart meter - For this Spark owe you £30

As for a new supplier - Start your search with the Citizen Advice comparison site, and as this appears to be an all Electric flat list your annual consumption as 13,000 Kwh - When you find a Supplier/Price you like, it's important that you read up on the customer feed back for that supplier

Gerry1

peter12345678910 said:

What is the best way to switch away from them? USwitch. Or  can anybody recommend another supplier? 

Also try 'Switch with Which?'.  Ignore all projections and claims, just compare total annual costs.  Don't forget to try separate suppliers if you have gas. You may find some sites offer cashback, and you could look at the Referrers board here, but the best deals seldom offer such freebies.

peter12345678910

Thanks for the advice though starting work soon. I will start the letter now, probably better if I use a laptop rather than my own handwriting.