Spark Energy Ltd....

[NikNak]

Hi guys.....

Anyone out there had any experience of dealing with Spark Energy..?

Friend of mine lives in a private rented house. When she moved in she was switched over to Spark without her knowledge or consent.

Constant harassment for payment of bills etc.

She noticed that her last bill (in fact all of them for the last 18 months) was an estimated one, so she rang through the true figures and they sent a revised bill.

Low and behold she was told she'd been overpaying for months and was now due a rebate of approx £265.... woohooo

But hold on.......

After chasing this elusive 'cheque in the post' for several weeks, she's now been told.... wait for this you'll luv it.... "there's been an error in calculating your bill. It was calculated using Imperial units instead of Metric units, so you have an outstanding balance of £157..."

Reeaallllyyy.......!!!! you couldn't make it up could you...?!?!

I've done some googling and there are literally hundreds of complaints against this company, mostly for their horrendous billing practices. It seems that all the while you owe them money they will totally block you from trying to move/switch supplier (she tried not long after moving in, and was told by new supplier she couldn't as Spark would not release her details).

Thoughts please.....



Nick

 

[Cheshirechappie]

Get all the paperwork together neatly in a file - and always keep copies of ALL aperwork relevant to the case. Then have a chat with the Citizen's Advice Bureau for starters. If no positive action, ask for an interview with her MP, and see if he/she can help. If still no joy, engage a good solicitor.

Edit to add - as a first step, check and make a note of the current meter reading, and compare it to that on the last bill (the current reading should be higher, but not by very much). Then go through the previous bills noting the readings, and if possible multiply the amount used and the cost per unit (which should be stated on the bill somewhere) to see if you agree with the price charged. Take careful note of the units quoted (imperial or metric) on the paperwork. Get the CAB's assistance with this if needs be.

 

[finneyb]

Complain to Ofgem and ask for their advice. https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/information-consumers

Brian

 

[RobinBHM]

It seems Spark energy pay commission to letting agencies to switch energy supply on any vacant property.

When the new tenant moves in, the switch starts to go ahead. The new tenant only realises when they receive a 'sorry you are leaving us' letter from the previous supplier. When the tenant rings spark, they are told the switch will be cancelled, but it isnt. Once the switch has happened an inflated bill arrives and so preventing a switch until paid or dispute resolved.

Hmmm..... It seems like a great business model, I think I might set up an energy company.

I hope your friend sorts it out, it will take persistence!

I see their office is Selkirk, Scotland so not so easy to call in person, which would be my preferred option

 

[bussy]

OFGEM is the way to go, ring spark and ask them for the number of Ofgem, just asking for the number tends to get results. Theres no excuse for a supplier not to know if you have a metric or imperial gas meter installed for a start imperial gas meters only have 4 digits in the reading where as metric have 5 digits. The serial number also gives it away.
Contact Ofgem no suppliers like attention from the regulator.

 

[Water-Mark]

They're a bbc watchdog regular.

 

[MIGNAL]

Well, they aren't the only ones. I switched from BG around 1 year ago. Numerous phone calls, numerous emails later and I thought they had finally resolved a phantom debt that I owed them. It took over 6 months.
I was overjoyed when I actually received a payment from them, stating that the matter had been resolved. They finally admitted to them owing me money, not the other way around. . . .
Then the threatening letters started to arrive, including one that states I am now incurring administration charges and a letter stating that the money owed to them is to be passed to a debt recovery agency!
Crikey! I think I'd much prefer nationalisation than these set of grossly incompetent cowboys.

 

[RogerS]

Well, they aren't the only ones. I switched from BG around 1 year ago. Numerous phone calls, numerous emails later and I thought they had finally resolved a phantom debt that I owed them. It took over 6 months.
I was overjoyed when I actually received a payment from them, stating that the matter had been resolved. They finally admitted to them owing me money, not the other way around. . . .
Then the threatening letters started to arrive, including one that states I am now incurring administration charges and a letter stating that the money owed to them is to be passed to a debt recovery agency!
Crikey! I think I'd much prefer nationalisation than these set of grossly incompetent cowboys.

Copy everything...focus on them admitting they were at fault and owed you money.

Then inform them that you have received the other letters sent by them in error and that you will be invoicing them £25 for each further letter they send you. Send it recorded. Be prepared to take the to the Small Claims Court but look forward to the new toys you can buy when you win your case.