Symbio Energy. The worst electric company I've ever dealt with

ManGoonian

Hi apologies for the new thread on this but I wanted to share my experiences with Symbio.

I recently switched to Symbio after MSE tips recommended it. I gave them my annual electric usage and was quoted £65 a month. I live in a flat and this seemed about right given previous electric company prices and results from the comparisons I had done.

Since joining theyve been appalling! Terrible or non existent customer service and the priced have gone up each month! They're currently trying to charge me double (£120!). I've tried contacting them via phone and emails and still I've had no help or explanation.

I was told by them I can leave after I've paid up!


I'd be interested to know if anyone had more positive experiences?

Thanks 

Rodders53

Symbio need meter readings on the last day of each month.  You are giving them the readings in time and not allowing them to estimate the numbers?

They currently take a DD on the first of each month and my DD warning / sum arrived by e-mail just now.

They then do a bill early in the month, reconciling last month's use against the meter reading you give and an (over)estimate of the use for next month.  You do get and read (and save) those bills?

IF they keep increasing your monthly payments and you are supplying meter reads on time then you must be using a lot of electricity,  Or are they are estimating use as they don't have accurate meter reads?

Post your meter readings and dates taken since joining and the tariff prices - someone will then work out if Symbio are charging right or not.

tim_p

They do seem to just keep taking money, usually larger amounts than initially’quoted’ despite giving regular, last day of month readings. Currently remaining with them but I don’t trust them further than I could throw them. 

Tallerdave

Thread title is spot on. But as others have said, submit meter readings on the last day of the month to ensure they consolidate their ludicrous over-estimates each month. Once you're past their peak over-estimate (I think my peak was 87% over) the payments will come down, potentially getting as low as zero during summer before nudging up again in autumn/winter.

Any payments graph they showed you at sign up is a work of fiction. But despite all the silliness you only pay for what you use, whilst lending them up to 80-90% of your monthly payment over winter.

ManGoonian

Rodders53 said:3

Symbio need meter readings on the last day of each month.  You are giving them the readings in time and not allowing them to estimate the numbers?

They currently take a DD on the first of each month and my DD warning / sum arrived by e-mail just now.

They then do a bill early in the month, reconciling last month's use against the meter reading you give and an (over)estimate of the use for next month.  You do get and read (and save) those bills?

IF they keep increasing your monthly payments and you are supplying meter reads on time then you must be using a lot of electricity,  Or are they are estimating use as they don't have accurate meter reads?

Post your meter readings and dates taken since joining and the tariff prices - someone will then work out if Symbio are charging right or not.

Thanks for the response.

I've sent readings in time and theres no way my electricity consumption has doubled! 

As I said, between 60 and 70 pounds should more than cover costs. Plus it's not just the charges, it's the total lack of customer service.

Ta 

ManGoonian

Tallerdave said:

Thread title is spot on. But as others have said, submit meter readings on the last day of the month to ensure they consolidate their ludicrous over-estimates each month. Once you're past their peak over-estimate (I think my peak was 87% over) the payments will come down, potentially getting as low as zero during summer before nudging up again in autumn/winter.

Any payments graph they showed you at sign up is a work of fiction. But despite all the silliness you only pay for what you use, whilst lending them up to 80-90% of your monthly payment over winter.

Thanks! This is really helpful!! I'll look at diung this. 

Hasbeen

ManGoonian said:

Hi apologies for the new thread on this but I wanted to share my experiences with Symbio.

I assume by posting a new thread you did not find the experiences of the 2600 responses helpful?  

In the existing thread?  Symbio Energy feedback - Page 258 — MoneySavingExpert Forum

Rodders53

ManGoonian said:

I've sent readings in time and theres no way my electricity consumption has doubled! 

Details of your meter readings, payments made, and tariff would allow calculations of electric used / cost and payment made to balance or be stupidly excessive?

ManGoonian said:

Tallerdave said:

 But as others have said, submit meter readings on the last day of the month to ensure they consolidate their ludicrous over-estimates each month. Once you're past their peak over-estimate (I think my peak was 87% over) the payments will come down, potentially getting as low as zero during summer before nudging up again in autumn/winter.

Thanks! This is really helpful!! I'll look at diung this. 

Doing what? Submit meter readings on the last day of month as I suggested earlier?

CRISPIANNE3

ManGoonian said:

Hi apologies for the new thread on this but I wanted to share my experiences with Symbio.

This is why we have the Symbio Energy feedback thread!