Billing Problems and Complaints (615 reviews)
Good until you renew
“
I was a customer for 6 months, then wanted to renew for another 6 months. Sales rep told me it was impossible, that he could only do 3 month contracts, however he would contact me before end of 3 months to discuss a renew. That never happened and my price has nearly doubled. Upon calling them, the billing clerk said something would have been mailed and there was nothing she could do.
Some associate will probably reply saying "I'm sorry you had this experience, blah blah blah", but frankly I'm out $150 extra dollars for showing any customer loyalty to them.
Is that really the type of company you would want to do business with? I know I'll be avoiding them like the plague. ”
August 26th, 2014
Not Worth The Accounting / Billing Headaches
“ It all sounds great - "green" energy. I guess they put all their money into something other than accounting software. I have been in business for 31 years and they take the prize as the most screwed up accounting ever encountered. No one is a close second. I cringe every time I see a Green Mountain bill - knowing it will require my time and patience to resolve something. Using online bill pay does not work with them - you have to use direct pay through their system to make sure your payment is posted on time. The topper - after thinking I had finally cleared up all my billing issues - I received a large credit but no one at GM can identify why. Just to add insult, there is a $ .66 "Past Due Penalty" on my credit. At this point I would rather swim in oil and roll in coal than recommend Green Mountain for anything other than a good example of how NOT to run a utility company. I am not a fan of TU Electric but I never had any issues with them. The time wasted on the phone kills any savings at the meter. I will say their customer service people are nice and very apologetic, but it rings hollow after a while. ”
February 21st, 2014
Goodbye after 6 years, Shady Nonsense
“ It took 3 months for me to figure out something was up because my bills were listed online as half the actual total. Two identical charges were hitting my checking account two days in a row (example, $173 on 8/5, and $173 on 8/6, but they weren't duplicate charges. They added up to my actual total bill of $346)! So, I thought, wow, my rates are low. Turns out I was really getting charged $400/month for the last 3 months. That's shady business. And the service rep was like, "oh I don't see that." Even though it was clear on the billing history page. I said, shall I send you a screenshot of my bank charges? Ridiculous. And the billing error only occured over the summer, for the three most energy intense months in Texas, at a suddenly jacked up rate of 17.55 cents kw/hr before straightening out again. I like green energy, and made a point to use 100% wind b/c the hydro plans aren't always the best for wildlife. Really, you aren't actually getting renewable energy in your home. They are just buying renewable energy certificates on your behalf based on how much energy you use, and registering those certificates on a regional energy network plan, likely REGGIE. But after today, I'm done. Other companies now have competitive green energy options at much better, locked-in rates without cancellation fees. So after 6 years, I am going to give Bounce Energy a try. They are highly rated, and I just locked in a 9.4 cent rate for 12 months, wind energy based. I don't even have to cancel with Green Mountain. Bounce takes care of it for me. ”
October 7th, 2013
Really TERRIBLE Accounting and Customer Service
“ I haven't been a customer for some time, now, but I wanted to leave my story.At first, everything was fine - then, they started "balance billing." I would get a bill for 500 or more dollars one month, pay it, and then have credits for nearly three months due to over payment. In addition, I once got a low bill (not all that unusual, considering their unstable billing history for me), so I payed what the invoice said was owed. Next month, I got another huge bill with late payment fees tacked on. When I studied the invoice, it turns out THEY had double-posted my last payment. With that extra posting, I had not been billed enough in the previous month (when they corrected their accounts) and despite paying what they billed me, they put into their system that I didn't pay the full amount! When I called to have this corrected, I was told that they could take off the fee as a "one-time customer service." I was so mad at this point I was shaking - and I informed the CSR that no, it was not a "customer service" - this was THEIR FAULT. After months and months of billing inconsistencies this was the last straw. I will never use Green Mountain again - there are so many other companies out there who offer green energy - Green Mountain is not worth the hassle. ”
August 27th, 2013
Billing nightmare
“ I switched to Reliant while I lived at house #1 and received great service. I loved the easy to read bills. When I inherited #2 house I decided to switch the service there to Reliant from TXU- THAT'S WHEN THE NIGHTMARE BEGAN!2/15/2013 Was my last bill from Reliant for the #1 house only3/18/2013 My first combined bill from Reliant was due 4/3/2013, , it listed only the #2 house address and was for $342.01 I went online and it said my charges were $190.81 I called customer service and was told they would be sending a single bill with a single total for both houses. I asked if it was possible to have that split in some way and was told only if they shut down the bill averaging program, I paid full rates for a month and then went back to the program. I asked why the two different amounts- that's a big difference between $190.81 and $342.01. She said she could not tell me what had happened. 3/21/2013 I received CORRECTED INVOICE for $190.81 4/17/2013 I received Invoice for $140.00 (no address on face of bill) AND an Invoice for $224.00 showing #2 house THEN on 4/19/2013 I received an Invoice for $156.33 showing #1 house AND and Invoice for $188.33 showing #2 house AND an Invoice for $259.33 showing #2 house 4/22/2013 I went online, and paid the amount shown there of $259.33 by credit card as I was about to leave town for two weeks. I called TXU and switched Milam Street to TXU thinking if they were only billing for one property the madness would stop. 4/25/2013 I received Invoice for $58.41 no address shown Invoice for $-245.93 showing #2 house Invoice for $-302.14 showing #1 house At this point I gave up and called TXU again and moved #1 back to them 4/30/2013 I received Invoice for $133.48 showing #2 house 5/3/2013 I received Invoice for $191.79 showing #1 house I went online to make sure of what I owed and I am mailing my final payment to Reliant , which is for $191.79 I emailed all of this info to Reliant (with addresses and invoice numbers) and got a canned response asking me to call them as they would be glad to discuss my account with me!!! At this point, I was tired of hearing "I don't know why you are receiveing so many invoices" ”
May 23rd, 2013
"Buyer Be Ware"
“ Spark Energy jacked-up my rate 53% after original 9 month term expired. Rate went from 9.5/kwh to 14.5/kwh plus Sparks added additional fees and charges. At time of expiration average 1 month terms were 10.3/kwh. I would have understood a slight increase to current month-to-month or variable rates, but Sparks didn't do that. I was billed at the 14.5/kwh plus extra fees for over 4 months until I recently changed to another supplier at 8.99/kwh + PUC tax, 12 month term, with NO ADDITIONAL Fees or Charges. I had no billing surprises with the new supplier.Shame on me for not seeing the end of term notice Spark Energy sent me. I feel Spark Energy took advantage of my mistake. Bottom line, Buyer Be Ware when dealing with Spark Energy. ”
June 21st, 2011
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