Genesis Energy failed unlimited gas usage plan - now want to double my monthly bill

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lchiu7

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#204659 11-Oct-2016 20:12

About 18 months ago I took up the Genesis unlimited gas plan (well I think it's up to about 34K kWh ). That was for $129

The last winter being what it was (in Wellington) I guess I was a bit casual in gas usage leaving the wall furnace on longer than I would normally (normally 7-9am and 6-10pm and often many hours in the weekend but never overnight).

Today I received a letter to say that the plan was now over (honeymoon is over) and I should go on their new unlimited plan at 34K kWh for $249. Asked what I had used for the past 12 months they said 29K.

I am a bit annoyed by that and plan to go to pay as you burn or check out the competition, especially with the onset of summer and much less gas usage. But to hike up rates by over 100% is a bit off putting.

Anybody else face this situation?

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#1649445 11-Oct-2016 20:23

Unlimited....but not really.

Pretty weak effort genesis.

Brumfondl

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#1649454 11-Oct-2016 20:47

Based on the rates I am currently paying for gas you got a REALLY good deal with the initial price and would have to use at least 31K kwh with the new one so not worth your effort. I am on 7.74c/kwh and 160c/day line charge with Trustpower. This is before any and all discounts are taken into account :)

Linux

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#1649486 11-Oct-2016 21:31

Can't call it unlimited if it's not commerce commission would be interested in this and it does not matter what's hidden in the T&C's

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davidcole

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#1649493 11-Oct-2016 21:44

Yeah I had the same letter. I'd taken readings every month and compared actual usage to what I paid. Saved about $600 over the year.

Their new plan is a joke at $249 a month (over $129). And I'm Sure the max dropped from 42.000kwh to 34.000 "unlimited"

So at $249 a year it would cost be 500 over what I should have paid last year. I see no benefit in it whatsoever

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KrazyKid

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#1649511 11-Oct-2016 22:29

Sounds like they priced the last plan way too cheap and maybe even lost money. Sounds like you got a great deal last year.

rayonline

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#1650361 13-Oct-2016 13:08

I got this last month. Wellington.

1. Sign up to one of our new Gas Value Plans by 28 August 2016

We’ve made some adjustment to our Gas Value Plans. Based on your gas usage over the last 12 months, we recommend the Gas Freedom Plan. You’ll now pay a flat monthly rate of $159 a month for up to 20,833kWh of natural gas per year on a 12-month plan

lchiu7

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#1650369 13-Oct-2016 13:23

Linux: Can't call it unlimited if it's not commerce commission would be interested in this and it does not matter what's hidden in the T&C's

Linux

Not sure ComCom is going to be interested as I think (need to read the original T&C's) the plan was for 12 months and they just continued it for a few more beyond that.

Jumping ship is probably the only message you can send them.

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dolsen

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#1650423 13-Oct-2016 14:16

rayonline: I got this last month. Wellington.

1. Sign up to one of our new Gas Value Plans by 28 August 2016

We’ve made some adjustment to our Gas Value Plans. Based on your gas usage over the last 12 months, we recommend the Gas Freedom Plan. You’ll now pay a flat monthly rate of $159 a month for up to 20,833kWh of natural gas per year on a 12-month plan

Here's an interesting comparison (based on Prices in Wellington).

Their esaver lifestyle plan

https://www.genesisenergy.co.nz/for-home/pricing-plans/gas-pricing-plans/central-wellington

1.60 / day, 4.83c kWh

4.83c * 20833kWh = 1006.23

$1.6 * 365 = 584

both of those - 1590.23.

Add GST $1828.77, divide by 12 = $152.40 Month.

If you use less, you pay less.

Their Gas freedom plan is not looking too hot to me.

Don't think I've made any errors, let me know if I have.

Note - I didn't think this plan was eligible for the prompt payment discount, however, looking at the page above, it implies it is.

Hopefully they don't change that rate now.

rayonline

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#1650429 13-Oct-2016 14:20

The 159 freedom gets 10% off too.
The plan you quoted is only for new genesis customers.

WolfmanNZ

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#1650430 13-Oct-2016 14:21

I'm on the $129 plan too (Palmy) I thought the 'cap' was in the mid 20K kwh but cant find my notes. Haven't been told I have to change (yet) but then I am on a 12 month contract and that isnt up yet. We run a central heating system on gas (European radiator style) and the math before we signed up was this would be a fair bit cheaper - but the $250 per month wont be.

dolsen

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#1650433 13-Oct-2016 14:23

rayonline: The 159 freedom gets 10% off too.
The plan you quoted is only for new genesis customers.

From their offer terms

https://www.genesisenergy.co.nz/ni-esaver-terms

To be eligible for the North Island eSaver Plan ("Offer"), you must:

be:
1. a new Genesis Energy residential electricity or natural gas customer, excluding pre-paid customer, in the North Island; or
2. an existing Genesis Energy natural gas customer not currently on a fixed term plan (including a Gas Value Plan) or an LPG customer; or
3. an existing residential customer selected by Genesis Energy as eligible for this Offer;

Number ii should cover you.

davidcole

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#1650444 13-Oct-2016 14:28

Yeah ask about the esaver if you're staying genesis, you should qualify (is quite good if you're a high use user), and it's a bit cheaper.

davidcole

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#1650446 13-Oct-2016 14:30

WolfmanNZ:

I'm on the $129 plan too (Palmy) I thought the 'cap' was in the mid 20K kwh but cant find my notes. Haven't been told I have to change (yet) but then I am on a 12 month contract and that isnt up yet. We run a central heating system on gas (European radiator style) and the math before we signed up was this would be a fair bit cheaper - but the $250 per month wont be.

I thought originally it was 40,000 kwh for the year....and I got concerned last year i got close (but had a couple of dicky readings when we first moved in that counted.

dolsen

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#1650459 13-Oct-2016 14:40

davidcole:
And I'm Sure the max dropped from 42.000kwh to 34.000 "unlimited"

If you look at the comments on the grabone site from when it was introduced (the free $50 grabone credit offer), looks like their unlimited was initially 20834kWh which was then increased to 34444kWh. Now they've split them into different offers.

rayonline

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#1650539 13-Oct-2016 16:21

Thanks. I switched it and they reversed the first free month that they gave me. The 12x $159 had a months free.

Last year with the unlimited deal we only used 18,000kwh.

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