Charge/Fee Reviews

“  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. ”

“  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. ”

“  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" ”

“  I had infinite energy for 6 months. I attempted to use their autopay system and was continually behind the payment schedule (at first it was blamed on a delay between when you set it up and when it goes through, later it was blamed on my card itself, which was fine.) They did remove late charges when asked, but when they cut my power off 2 weeks before a payment was due I decided I had had enough. I called them and told them to reconnect the power and then 5 minutes later decided to switch companies. When I called back, they said that the power had already been reconnected and to disconnect now would cost a total of $60. $20 for initial disconnect, $20 for reconnect, and $20 for final disconnect. I could not dispute this and will now be paying them $60 dollars. This company does not provide customer service after 5pm, has an awful autopay system, and will disconnect your power without notifying you (they said there was a notice sent via mail. I have not received it.) Major inconvenience. Great pricing though! ”

“  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. ”

“  Was offered a variable rate but told don't worry, we wouldn't want to lose your business, so we will be competitive and cheaper than what AEP charges. WRONG! And if the rate is high, was told to call them (Major Energy) and we will help you out. WRONG! When I called back to speak to the person who signed me up, was told no such employee existed. The supplier portion on my bill is 70% more than I would have paid had I stayed with AEP. I should have known better than to fall for the sales pitch. Don't believe their lies!! ”