Genesis Energy raising costs without notification?

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Aaroona

3196 posts

Uber Geek

#99223 14-Mar-2012 22:53

I've not got much experience with dealing with electricity companies, being that I've really only officially moved into my own place not too long ago.

Is it normal for a company to just raise the cost of their service without notifying the customer?

While we are talking about just over 2 cents a kWh, its the principal of it. For example; when GST kicked in, I got an email from Orcon to advise me "Hey, we know it sucks, but we have to raise our costs to cover GST".
A few choice words were said by me to the email displayed on my screen, then I moved on with my day. They didn't just send me a bill at the end of the month with the new price. They gave forewarning before it happened.

To me its a little deceitful to just raise your price without telling people about it.

Is this normal?

keewee01

1737 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#595385 14-Mar-2012 22:56

Genesis are normally pretty good about advising of price rises. Maybe it is the raise pasted on from the transmission cost increases and they figured they didn't need to tell people 'cos it was in the media?

Will let you know when our next bill arrives, or if they advise us of a rise.

Aaroona

3196 posts

Uber Geek

#595390 14-Mar-2012 22:59

Sorry I also forgot to add reference to their page: http://www.genesisenergy.co.nz/genesis/index.cfm?3B5A6F67-C09F-4299-6D96-7615E0B9B1F4

Auckland, North Shore area.

0.0216 cents more per kWh.

nigelj

856 posts

Ultimate Geek

#595399 14-Mar-2012 23:21

If it's the March 25 raise (it doesn't specifically say now) then I seem to recall it was well notified in the press/media, as former customers we heard about it, if there was no notification to existing customers with the bill/online, then that is pretty poor.

That said, last time Genesis tried to raise our prices when we were with them (which for some reason coincides with when we made the absolute decision to ditch them), they sent out a letter a month in advance.

Everyone is putting up their prices around now, including Powershop (although it seems at this stage, by not as much as Genesis for us out west).

Another point regarding the Genesis pricing, unless they've made a change to their plans, by understanding is that original notification was that for new connections the new pricing was immediate, for existing connections the raise comes into force March 25, best to check with Genesis directly as the info doesn't seem to be on their pricing pages now.

stevenz

2802 posts

Uber Geek

#595477 15-Mar-2012 09:27

They don't raise prices, they have "price changes", which incidentally are always in an upwards direction.

@KnightNZ

KevinL

656 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#595480 15-Mar-2012 09:30

Perhaps you need to update your contact details?

I got an email dated February 21st, for pricing changes scheduled to start 8 April (I'm in Hamilton):

Dear Customer,
We're writing to let you know that prices are changing - and to explain how these changes will affect your energy bill.
Our prices have been adjusted to reflect the changing costs of our business and to make an acceptable return on our assets. We know our customers have a choice of energy suppliers and we thank you for your business. Our goal is to provide competitive products and services over the long term... (rest of email redacted for length)

Aaroona

3196 posts

Uber Geek

#596472 17-Mar-2012 13:38

So as it turns out, Genesis made a balls up. They sent the notification to the wrong address.

Needless to say they were very apologetic about the whole thing.

I was a little pissed, but they've said it wont happen again, so we'll see...

Nice one gang, another mystery solved.