Contact Energy = high prices and terrible service.

Forums › Off topic › Contact Energy = high prices and terrible service.

Hobchild

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#88599 18-Aug-2011 21:29

Just thought I'd share a story.

Recently (like many others) me and my girlfriend switched power companies away from Contact. We were in $400+ credit with them mostly because when we tried to leave them last time they bribed us with a $200 credit and we stayed ahead ever since.
The switch was relatively painless and the other day my girlfriend rang just to enquire about our credit and what would be happening with it. So far so good, they informed her that the process had already begun and that she should expect a cheque in the mail soon.
About 15 minutes ago she got a call from her mum and I could see she was getting upset. Somehow, and we cannot work out how, the cheque got sent to her aunties house. An aunty that she does not talk to anymore if she can avoid it.
Now apart from a short period when she was 17 (almost 6 years ago and too young to have her name on the power bill anyway) she has never lived there. The only similarity they still have is their last name.
At least her aunty did the decent thing and we will get the cheque tomorrow, but I have to wonder how on Earth something like this can happen.

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#508766 18-Aug-2011 22:01

Wow - that is pretty bad! And seriously incompetent!!

nate

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#508785 18-Aug-2011 23:15

Did she have that aunt as a reference or emergency contact on the account at any stage?

Seems very weird.

Hunter

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#508788 18-Aug-2011 23:22

Who did you switch to ?

Hobchild

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#508790 18-Aug-2011 23:28

No her mum was her emergency contact and as my name was on the bill as well she did not need a reference.

However you just made me remember that the aunties daughter (and of course my gf's cousin) lived with us when we very first moved into our current place and most likely had her mum as her contact, but she moved out over three years ago and hence we took her name off the account, and why would they send it to an emergency contact address anyway, obviously you would send it to the house that was receiving the power unless told otherwise.

But it probably explains why they had that address now at least.

Hobchild

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#508793 18-Aug-2011 23:30

Hunter: Who did you switch to ?

Mercury, they came a door knocking.

wreck90

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#508806 19-Aug-2011 00:32

Hobchild:
Hunter: Who did you switch to ?

Mercury, they came a door knocking.

out of the frying pan....

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kiwitrc

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#508820 19-Aug-2011 06:08

Have a look here and compare to see if Mercury are the best for you http://powerswitch.co.nz/powerswitch. I have just left them for Genesis as they offer the best deal for me (yes better than Powershop.co.nz in my case)

Bung

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#508843 19-Aug-2011 08:44

How would Contact compare if you got their 22% On Line On Time discount introduced after all these defections?

Kraven

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#508849 19-Aug-2011 08:56

kiwitrc: (yes better than Powershop.co.nz in my case)

Powerswitch uses calculations based on Powershop's default tariff. If you like the idea of micro-managing your usage and buying their specials you can potentially save a lot more.

kiwitrc

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#508851 19-Aug-2011 09:00

Kraven:
kiwitrc: (yes better than Powershop.co.nz in my case)

Powerswitch uses calculations based on Powershop's default tariff. If you like the idea of micro-managing your usage and buying their specials you can potentially save a lot more.

No, not in my case, I use night/day power and have setup power usage such as hot water, washing machine dishwasher etc to run during the cheaper rates. I tried powershop but due the amount of cheap night power I use they were more expensive. If they introduce a night rate then they might be competitive. I use them for my business and they are cost effective there.

kiwitrc

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#508853 19-Aug-2011 09:09

Bung: How would Contact compare if you got their 22% On Line On Time discount introduced after all these defections?

Just checked, it would cost around $185 a year more on Contact.

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Dratsab

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#508857 19-Aug-2011 09:19

Hobchild:
Hunter: Who did you switch to ?

Mercury, they came a door knocking.

Mecury came door knocking here as well so I signed. Contact (who seem to market only to those about to jump ship) were going to be raising my kW/h charge actually dropped it plus gave me a nice credit.

When I compared the rate [about 3 months ago] I'm getting now with places like Powershop I turned out ahead; even more so with their 22% On Line On Time discount. My rate is also fixed until sometime early next year. I'm expecting they'll advise me of a horrendous price increase when the fix is due to expire, at which time I'll be shopping around again. Bit of a merry-go-round really.

timmmay

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#508868 19-Aug-2011 09:53

I signed with Mercury 3 years ago on a 3 year fixed price deal, but one they said I could leave at any time. They just offered another, but I decided to take my chances, since power prices would have to go up by (from memory) at least 25% in the next three years to make it worthwhile. They also have some online security issues, nothing serious but enough to make me suspect they have no idea what they're doing.

I left them for Meridian, who proceeded to switch me over two weeks ahead of the date I asked them to. That's not a good start.

deepthought

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#509345 20-Aug-2011 13:54

kiwitrc: If they introduce a night rate then they might be competitive. I use them for my business and they are cost effective there.

We do have a night rate, it just gets blended into the single rate, but if you use more at night your rates will be lower. If you call the crew on 0800 462 668 (Mon - Fri) they will be able to let you explain the day/night rates in your area.

Ari (Powershop)

Hobchild

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#509391 20-Aug-2011 17:05

Well it turns out that her aunties address was indeed still an alternative contact. However they actually asked my gf if we were moving house to which she of course she said no. They've since apologized and that is the end of that.

As for Mercury, we will give them a fair chance and if we are not satisfied we will most likely switch to Genesis. We already have our doubts as they offered us a $30 credit for joining which didn't show up on our first bill. However that bill wasn't for a full month so we'll see if it appears on the next one.

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