Looking to change power company after CONTACT shafted me

Forums › Off topic › Looking to change power company after CONTACT shafted me

keriboi

274 posts

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#289757 27-Sep-2021 20:48

I have been a Contact customer for 20 years. Last month and ad on tv caught my eye with three hours of free power. I had a look at it and after some maths worked out that even the increase in kwH cost I would still make a saving.

Anyway. I got my first bill and noticed they had removed my prompt payment discount. It was hidden away in the fine print.

So after working hard and shifting 20 percent of my total power usage into the free power window staying up to midnight my bill actually came out about 30 dollars more expensive that what it would have been on my old rates.

Was a tad peefed off so I rang and they couldnt see the problem and pretty much said bad luck it was in the fine print. I did the Karen and asked for the manager and to sort it out so after a few days and finally getting to talk to someone else they put me on another plan and said I would be better off. Just ran the numbers at home with some of my bills and I am still worse off.

So I have given up on contact. I will change and pay the $150 break fee just to get away from them.

Anyone recommend some better power companies?

alavaliant

222 posts

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#2785267 27-Sep-2021 20:55

I've been happy with Meridian Energy. I should note though that I'm mostly easy to please though. :)

Nate001

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#2785330 27-Sep-2021 21:25

Did you read the T+Cs before committing to Nov 2022?

michaelmurfy

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#2785337 27-Sep-2021 21:40

Unlike broadband, it doesn't matter where you get your power from as essentially you're dealing with a billing company.

Go to https://www.powerswitch.org.nz/ and basically compare. I'm personally with Electric Kiwi (on their stay ahead 200 plan) who have been pretty good to me (also no contract). You'll note power pricing is rather high currently so I would strongly recommend not contracting yourself in.

If you want to go with Electric Kiwi there is a link in my signature for $50 credit (also gives me $50) else if you know a friend of yours on them then ask them for a referral so they gain. This is not a recommendation, my recommendation is always compare for yourself using Powerswitch.

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Linux

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#2785338 27-Sep-2021 21:40

I am with contact and saw the same Ad on TV and thought that looked good

Read the fine print and thought no way staying on the plan I am

Jase2985

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#2785339 27-Sep-2021 21:41

How did they shaft you? all i can see here is your pissed off because you didn't read the fine print and expect them to bend over for you

allan

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#2785348 27-Sep-2021 22:24

Isn't there a drive on to eliminate prompt payment discounts being offered by electricity retailers?

farcus

1554 posts

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#2785356 27-Sep-2021 22:54

keriboi:

Anyway. I got my first bill and noticed they had removed my prompt payment discount. It was hidden away in the fine print.

I'm pretty sure it has been widely publicised that prompt payment discounts are on the way out for all power companies.
I could be wrong, but I don't think any power companies offer prompt payment discounts on any of their new plans.

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Mehrts

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#2785363 28-Sep-2021 00:10

Contact didn't shaft you. You shafted yourself by not reading & understanding the T's & C's.

Never go off marketing spiels, always verify the numbers yourself before committing to anything.

Scott3

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#2785364 28-Sep-2021 00:34

Get quotes from every power company you can find and go with the cheapest one. (don't go any of the ones exposed to the wholesale market at the moment)

I ended up with pulse.

As others have said a review of the sector recommended getting rid of early payment discounts, so few if any have them anymore. And for some time the sharpest pricing plans (I got one a few years back, as an email offer after abandoning my order once seeing their normal list prices) has been on plans ineligible for a prompt payment discount.

kiwiharry

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#2785387 28-Sep-2021 07:43

As suggested you are best to use the Powerswitch website to compare plans for the various suppliers in your area.

Always read the fine print.

I generally review my power at least every year and switch often; maybe every 1-3 years. I even went was far as building my own phone app so when door knockers come I can instantly compare cost against my current provider.

If you can't laugh at yourself then you probably shouldn't laugh at others.

tripper1000

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#2785422 28-Sep-2021 08:29

+1 www.powerswitch.org.nz

I got shafted by a door-door salesman working for Trustpower a few years back. Now just I don't respond to Electricity marketing at all - I only use powerswitch now. (I see Trustpower have exited the retail market now!).

farcus: I'm pretty sure it has been widely publicised that prompt payment discounts are on the way out for all power companies.
I could be wrong, but I don't think any power companies offer prompt payment discounts on any of their new plans.

Yes, it is a strange/socialist world when commercial companies are not allowed to discriminate against people who don't pay their bills on time!