Prepay power problems

V.W.L 11

Has anyone had trouble with these people???i could write a book on the trouble they are giving me and thats just today!!!

Davy

You can have a prepay option with other suppliers, but I presume this is the company you are referring to? http://prepaypower.ie/

What sort of problems are you having?

Henlars67

maybe if you gave an idea as to what sort of problems you are having then somebody may be able to help

djc123abc

V.W.L 11 wrote: »

Has anyone had trouble with these people???i could write a book on the trouble they are giving me and thats just today!!!

My Ma was considering changing to http://prepaypower.ie/ (assuming this is the company you're referring to). What problems have you been having with them?

V.W.L 11

djc123abc wrote: »

My Ma was considering changing to http://prepaypower.ie/ (assuming this is the company you're referring to). What problems have you been having with them?

that's for the replies all of you,yes tht is the company in question,the problems are over charging,codes not working and being charged double the amount I asked for.

e.g buy 10 being charged 20 on transactions done via debit/credit card over the phone,the hassle of getting it rectified is incredible and they are very unhelpful,denying all wrong doing when challenged.

I now plan on moving back to the esb/electric Ireland.to any potential customers my advice in 3 words is very simple

AVOID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AVOID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AVOID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yours Sincerely

a very p1ssed off individual

V.W.L 11

brightspark

djc123abc wrote: »

My Ma was considering changing to http://prepaypower.ie/ (assuming this is the company you're referring to). What problems have you been having with them?

The main "problem" with prepaypower and pinenergy is that they charge about €136 euro per year for the privilege of paying in what is in effect the modern equivalent of a coin meter.

Get you mother to visit Bonkers.ie


http://www.bonkers.ie/compare-gas-electricity-prices/

2011

Thread moved.
I think this is a better home for it.

Henlars67

I moved to them 3 months ago. Absolutely no problems no far.

There is the extra standing charge for using PrePower, however I've become much more conscious of my usage so that cancels it out.

I am spending the exact same on electricity as I was with Electric Ireland, except there's no big bills.

Paying in advance weekly suits me much better than a big bill every 2 months.

I'd recommend it, but obviously it wouldn't suit everyone's circumstances.

brightspark

Henlars67 wrote: »

I moved to them 3 months ago. Absolutely no problems no far.

There is the extra standing charge for using PrePower, however I've become much more conscious of my usage so that cancels it out.

I am spending the exact same on electricity as I was with Electric Ireland, except there's no big bills.

Paying in advance weekly suits me much better than a big bill every 2 months.

I'd recommend it, but obviously it wouldn't suit everyone's circumstances.

If you are paying the same as when you were with Electric Ireland, that means you have reduced your consumption by approx €136 per annum.

Had you become conscious of your usage while with Electric Ireland, you would have an extra €136 at the end of the year, almost the same amount as an average TWO monthly bill!

The problem with Prepaypower and Pinenergy is their target consumer is probably the very people who have very low disposable incomes.

It would be better to put ~€20 a week into a piggy bank AND keep an eye on the meter every week. (Or maybe read the meter daily and every time 100 units have been used put approx €20 into the piggy bank, ready for the bill when it arrives)

Henlars67

brightspark wrote: »

If you are paying the same as when you were with Electric Ireland, that means you have reduced your consumption by approx €136 per annum.

Had you become conscious of your usage while with Electric Ireland, you would have an extra €136 at the end of the year, almost the same amount as an average TWO monthly bill!

The problem with Prepaypower and Pinenergy is their target consumer is probably the very people who have very low disposable incomes.

It would be better to put ~€20 a week into a piggy bank AND keep an eye on the meter every week. (Or maybe read the meter daily and every time 100 units have been used put approx €20 into the piggy bank, ready for the bill when it arrives)

I'm a student on a low income. If I run out of cash and there's €20 sitting in the apartment somewhere I'll end up spending it.

PrePay suits me for that reason.

foggy_lad

V.W.L 11 wrote: »

that's for the replies all of you,yes tht is the company in question,the problems are over charging,codes not working and being charged double the amount I asked for.

e.g buy 10 being charged 20 on transactions done via debit/credit card over the phone,the hassle of getting it rectified is incredible and they are very unhelpful,denying all wrong doing when challenged.

I now plan on moving back to the esb/electric Ireland.to any potential customers my advice in 3 words is very simple

AVOID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AVOID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AVOID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yours Sincerely

a very p1ssed off individual

V.W.L 11

Document everything!

Every time they overcharge and every call you have to make including any phone costs. If you try to leave now they will charge at lease €10 for each month left of the initial 12 month period plus a €50 early termination fee but you might get around this if you can show they are useless and without proper customer care.

V.W.L 11

foggy_lad wrote: »

Document everything!

Every time they overcharge and every call you have to make including any phone costs. If you try to leave now they will charge at lease €10 for each month left of the initial 12 month period plus a €50 early termination fee but you might get around this if you can show they are useless and without proper customer care.

been with them 2 years now,so I can get out anytime,they told me that today,but the phone costs I have had to take the hit on them,i'll go back to E.I but as was advised to the O.P i'll be watching the meter like a hawk!they can offer me all the bonus credit they want,i'm heading for the hills

Fred Swanson

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V.W.L 11

Fred Swanson wrote: »

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i'm sorting the switch once the credit in the meter is gone,you should chase them for that money,how do you find airtricity???did PPP remove the meter yet???i'll be insisting on that being removed as well,the faster I get them out of my life the better.

Fred Swanson

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V.W.L 11

Fred Swanson wrote: »

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thanks for that i'll have to wait until Tuesday now to switch but it will be done,they can offer me as much as they want,i aint staying with them,apparently if you accept it they then have you bound to a new 12 month contract is it???not sure who I will switch to,EI is the first thing I think of but I know there are plenty of others out there.PPP's f**K up is someone else's gain

Fred Swanson

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V.W.L 11

Fred Swanson wrote: »

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i look forward to the begging part,wont get them anywhere though.the customer service staff are very poor,the attitudes they have you'd think they were the only provider around,probably half of them are ex esb before the market was opened up:rolleyes:

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

V.W.L 11 wrote: »

i look forward to the begging part,wont get them anywhere though.the customer service staff are very poor,the attitudes they have you'd think they were the only provider around,probably half of them are ex esb before the market was opened up:rolleyes:

There's actually no former ESB personnel there. The execs are from backgrounds in online insurance, hotel booking sites and the likes. Ex ESB are debarred from going to competitors for many years after leaving anyway, even if they did want to go the route of the prepay power model - why any would is beyond me anyway.

V.W.L 11

Clara Late Stream wrote: »

There's actually no former ESB personnel there. The execs are from backgrounds in online insurance, hotel booking sites and the likes. Ex ESB are debarred from going to competitors for many years after leaving anyway, even if they did want to go the route of the prepay power model - why any would is beyond me anyway.

They carry on like idiots though,are you with them OP?

wmpdd3

Of all the complaints I've heard about prepay power, I havent heard of anyone having an issue buying credit. Was it only over the phone?

Were they charging you twice for the €10 or you ask for €10, they charge you for €20, you only get €10 credit? No idea why this would happen,other than operator error.

V.W.L 11

wmpdd3 wrote: »

Of all the complaints I've heard about prepay power, I havent heard of anyone having an issue buying credit. Was it only over the phone?

Were they charging you twice for the €10 or you ask for €10, they charge you for €20, you only get €10 credit? No idea why this would happen,other than operator error.

Yes it was over the phone,the hassle to get the money back was crazy,they wanted bank statements sent into them,debit card details,the lot!never again!!!

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

V.W.L 11 wrote: »

They carry on like idiots though,are you with them OP?

Of course they do! But you said so and then said they were probably exESB staff for some reason. Just correcting your mistaken assumption. And no. I'm not with them in any sense of the word - nowhere near!

Admldj

These prepay meters are a joke pay more for electricity and pay up front! your best bet is electric ireland and an easypay card ,pay your bill weekly like you all ready do and you will be grand ,also best out there for dealing with when it comes to arrears.

V.W.L 11

Admldj wrote: »

These prepay meters are a joke pay more for electricity and pay up front! your best bet is electric ireland and an easypay card ,pay your bill weekly like you all ready do and you will be grand ,also best out there for dealing with when it comes to arrears.

I plan the phone call and the switch for 9am this coming tuesday morning.

Fimurcom

Am a PPP customer since Sept 13+ its the biggest mistake I made. First 2 months were ok €80-€90 but since November I have been putting in enough credit monthly to cover a 2 monthly bill with Electric Ireland ( my previous supplier). Nov- €130, Dec -€150, Jan -€140.Contacted PPP, spoke to customer service, JOKE, eventually realised that my meter was giving exact same kilowatt useage reading at exact same time every day i. e 8.97 kw @ 21.30 Every day. Despite numerous calls, my notes going missing, no record of calls, no record of complaint, only for the fact that I kept a record of When I rang, how long I was on the call+ who I spoke to finally in Mid - febuary an engineer came to change the meter+ reader. Yet even while he was talking to customer care, in front of me, while looking at meter+ reporting the problem, they denied all knowledge. Have new meter in+ only putting €20 a week in. Rang this morn to enquire about possible refund+ guess what, No knowledge of any Complaint or Fault. Was put on hold for 10 mins, call mysteriously cut off. Rang back+ new customer service rep told me that my file had been sent to head office !! . So my advice to any1 thinking of changing over, DO NOT DO IT.

V.W.L 11

Fimurcom wrote: »

Am a PPP customer since Sept 13+ its the biggest mistake I made. First 2 months were ok €80-€90 but since November I have been putting in enough credit monthly to cover a 2 monthly bill with Electric Ireland ( my previous supplier). Nov- €130, Dec -€150, Jan -€140.Contacted PPP, spoke to customer service, JOKE, eventually realised that my meter was giving exact same kilowatt useage reading at exact same time every day i. e 8.97 kw @ 21.30 Every day. Despite numerous calls, my notes going missing, no record of calls, no record of complaint, only for the fact that I kept a record of When I rang, how long I was on the call+ who I spoke to finally in Mid - febuary an engineer came to change the meter+ reader. Yet even while he was talking to customer care, in front of me, while looking at meter+ reporting the problem, they denied all knowledge. Have new meter in+ only putting €20 a week in. Rang this morn to enquire about possible refund+ guess what, No knowledge of any Complaint or Fault. Was put on hold for 10 mins, call mysteriously cut off. Rang back+ new customer service rep told me that my file had been sent to head office !! . So my advice to any1 thinking of changing over, DO NOT DO IT.

I was pretty much and still am in the same position as yourself OP,need to clear my arrears with electric ireland once thats done the switch is complete,i strongly suggest you follow suit!

wmpdd3

V.W.L 11 wrote: »

I was pretty much and still am in the same position as yourself OP,need to clear my arrears with electric ireland once thats done the switch is complete,i strongly suggest you follow suit!

I'm not sure if a small claims case could help you, don't think do.

Do you get a bill too? Just to show usage if so its easy to work out if the meter is wrong.

If say send a letter by registered post detailing how much they have over charged you (if you can prove it) and tell them you will style your complaint for the amount needed to buy out your contract, and then leave.

the fact they replaced the meter for free sounds like they knew it was faulty.

Fimurcom

Have not received a bill+ maybe its just me but cannot seem to find anything on their online site to enable you to (a.) Look at your account, see how much useage you have had or how much credit you have entered into keypad. Every other energy company has a way to let you do this whether its a paper bill or on- line. (b.) Contact any other department other than customer support. Theres no link for lodging a complaint or being able to talk to anyone in a higher position. Rang again yesterday+ asked for a breakdown of credit entered on keypad since it was fitted. Agent gave me a total that was only €5 more that total i was given in early Feb.???? When questioned about this+ asked to give monthly totals, i was put on hold then cut off. Rang them again, different agent ( took name of 1st agent) , explained that i was cut of mid-call, only to be told that head office was dealing with complaint+ was out of their hands. 😟:mad:

dudara

I think it's time for a registered letter, to head office, entitled Official Complaint.

I'd also contact the Commission for Energy Regulation and ask for their guidance on how to proceed.

Elmo

Sorry cutting into this thread. Prepay phones were always more expensive than Bill Pay. The idea behind such services is to provide them to people who aren't major phone users but wanted an easy not committally form of using the service. That is really the only benefit. Though non-committal aspect was never really that true.

I always assumed the same for prepay Electricity/Gas. The benefit your aware your electricity will run out and you might save by cutting down.

brightspark

Elmo wrote: »

Sorry cutting into this thread. Prepay phones were always more expensive than Bill Pay. The idea behind such services is to provide them to people who aren't major phone users but wanted an easy not committally form of using the service. That is really the only benefit. Though non-committal aspect was never really that true.

I always assumed the same for prepay Electricity/Gas. The benefit your aware your electricity will run out and you might save by cutting down.

The difference is when you run out of phone credit you can simply stop making calls until you top up. And most people on prepay phones have alternative methods such as landlines etc.

When you run out of electric credit everything stops so you need to top up immediately.

You can only save money by proactively reducing your usage, and because of the charge of ~€136 you need to reduce your usage by 2kwh EVERY day just to break even. A typical house uses ~14kwh each day, so reducing your consumption by 2 units isn't easy.

Just like catalog companies, Christmas clubs, payday lenders and hire purchase companies, the prepay power companies are making money from those in society who have poor money management skills and/or low incomes. i.e those who can least afford it!

dudara

@Elmo @brightspark - stick to the topic please - no general comments about pre-pay.

dudara

wmpdd3

That really is writing, I can get all those figures from the Meter and the Esb website.

If they replaced your meter then all your payment details are probably lost.

Id be weary of the company chasing you for over usage after the meter is gone if they have no idea how much you've put in.

Keep a note book beside the meter and enter the top up and the meter read each time you top up?

V.W.L 11

wmpdd3 wrote: »

That really is writing, I can get all those figures from the Meter and the Esb website.

If they replaced your meter then all your payment details are probably lost.

Id be weary of the company chasing you for over usage after the meter is gone if they have no idea how much you've put in.

Keep a note book beside the meter and enter the top up and the meter read each time you top up?

Bottom line is its too f**king expensive,so out with the meter and back to bills with a billpay card,pay money off the bill a usual every week.its my biggest regret in life,joining PPP and I have made a hell of a lot of big mistakes.

Fimurcom

wmpdd3 wrote: »

I'm not sure if a small claims case could help you, don't think do.

Do you get a bill too? Just to show usage if so its easy to work out if the meter is wrong.

If say send a letter by registered post detailing how much they have over charged you (if you can prove it) and tell them you will style your complaint for the amount needed to buy out your contract, and then leave.

the fact they replaced the meter for free sounds like they knew it was faulty.

UPDATE. Got a text from PPP on Tuesday April 1st, informing that there was insufficent credit on my keypad to pay standing charges& please contact to discuss. Phone number given was similar to PPP customer services so I rang, ready to go mad as i had topped up by €20 the evening before. Imagine my shock,I had actually contacted Head Office. They explained that they were still going on info from old meter/keypad ( changed in feb). Explained situation to them, told how I was treated by customer care (haha), gave names, times+ length of calls. They finally tracked down my file, called back+I Have now been refunded €50 credit that I had overpaid, an apology+was told I would receive furher compensation but not holding breath. Will still be changing my electricity provider at end of August.

wmpdd3

That's great and it's your money and you should get it back.

They explained that they were still going on info from old meter/keypad ( changed in feb).

I'd still be worried about this, it seem like they work out your bills very manually. When you do leave, I hope they don't try contact you for outstanding bills (irony!)

Fred Swanson

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wmpdd3

Seriously though, how does this work.

Do you have 2 readings? Or do you have one meter and a reading from that is the electricity usage for the house?

Is there a possibility that you submit a reading to ESB and then 3 weeks later ESB calls you and tells you that you owe for another 200 units because your top up wasn't applied to you account correctly?

The reason I ask is because it seems so easy to me to just give ESB a much higher reading and then when they come asking for the money you could tell them you already paid this money to pre pay power.

Fred Swanson

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