Npower? Why Are They So Bad?

SALOPMAN

Is it me ? or whenever I listen to a consumer programme on the radio why is it that NPOWER always seem to come off worse?? I listened to Radio Shropshire last week and all the calls were about Npower and their seemingly bully tactic ways of getting large amounts of money off people, I had a spat once with them about 4 years ago, saying I owed more than I did and eventually when they threatened bailiffs etc I spoke to Energywatch,they helped me and even got money back from NPOWER in the end!! So, for anyone who is locked in horns with them at the moment carry on battling they are nearly almost wrong in the main if you listen to their replies a week later on these consumer radio shows.

magyar

I've been with most of the Big 6 suppliers at some point in my life, and I can honestly say I've found none better or worse than any of the others.

smartie1976

Indeed, each company will go through a cycle of being lambasted by the media - usually after a price increase or the publish of annual profits.
It's swings and roundabouts.

You'll probably notice them more in the media if you have/had a personal issue with them in the past.

notbritishgas

SALOPMAN wrote: »

Is it me ? or whenever I listen to a consumer programme on the radio why is it that NPOWER always seem to come off worse?? I listened to Radio Shropshire last week and all the calls were about Npower and their seemingly bully tactic ways of getting large amounts of money off people, I had a spat once with them about 4 years ago, saying I owed more than I did and eventually when they threatened bailiffs etc I spoke to Energywatch,they helped me and even got money back from NPOWER in the end!! So, for anyone who is locked in horns with them at the moment carry on battling they are nearly almost wrong in the main if you listen to their replies a week later on these consumer radio shows.

You have answered your question. Except I would say their underhand ways of getting money from customers.
Look at threads on here and you will find:

Setting the lowest tariff to entice new customers and then gradually increasing this tariff to become one of the most expensive.

Regional pricing for gas as well as electric, the last price increase was an average of 15%, mine went up about 27% and 23%.

Gas sculpting to ensure all primary units are used and at the last price increase increasing primary units disproportionally.

Need I go on?

colonelhall

Telling you that they charge 4572 kwh at the higher rate, when it is actually closer to 6800!!
There is a thread on 'gas sculpting' that covers this, but everyone should know that they are being charged around £50 extra on last year's bills.

roddydogs

Hope they aint that bad, ive just joined to save £96 pa plus get a free case of wine. Perhaps ill only be staying the 1 year!

notbritishgas

roddydogs wrote: »

Hope they aint that bad, ive just joined to save £96 pa plus get a free case of wine. Perhaps ill only be staying the 1 year!

I doubt you will last that long:D (but you may just to get your £80 cashback, thats another trick to get you tied in to a 1 year virtual contract)

roddydogs

But they nearly all tie you in to 1 year to get your discount, dont they? certainly Atlantic do

notbritishgas

roddydogs wrote: »

But they nearly all tie you in to 1 year to get your discount, dont they? certainly Atlantic do

Yes you are correct, although if you sign up to Atlantic over the phone they give a 6% discount off the unit prices instead of the 8% end of year cashback if you sign over the internet.
I am not too sure if any other company do this, I don't think BG do.

1_step_closer

Their customer service stinks as well, this is the 3rd day off I've taken for them to come round. Guess what? Not here yet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

mute_posting

notbritishgas wrote: »

tied in to a 1 year virtual contract)

What a excellent description!

Totally agree - you're under no obligation to stick it out for a year - but they dangle the carrot of £80 after 12 months to keep you there.