Airtricity not refunding customers who change from them unless contacted

angryInch

Just to let anyone who changes from Airtricity back to ESB (or whoever), that if they are due a refund (this happened to me because my account was in credit) that they will not be given this paid this refund unless you actually contact them.
Their excuse is that they need the customer to contact them so they know whether to make the refund by check or bank transfer.
Very sharp practice in my opinion.

Thoie

Thanks, I was considering moving, but they've nearly €200 of mine (don't ask) and suspected something like that would happen, so was holding off until I have some free time.

Did you cancel by phone or letter? Was considering writing to them saying "please cancel as of x date, and please refund money to me by y method"

Jemmy

Thats the case with all suppliers!

Thoie

Jemmy wrote: »

Thats the case with all suppliers!

True, but they've already told me that it's not their policy to refund me the extra, and it's credited against my account - as they've now got 12 months + records of my usage and still haven't adjusted the amount they're taking, I'm building up quite a savings account with them

angryInch

Jemmy wrote: »

Thats the case with all suppliers!

Really? So if you close your account with ESB/Bord Gais you have to contact them to retrieve any credit balance outstanding. Do they make any effort to contact the customer?

angryInch

Thoie wrote: »

Thanks, I was considering moving, but they've nearly €200 of mine (don't ask) and suspected something like that would happen, so was holding off until I have some free time.

Did you cancel by phone or letter? Was considering writing to them saying "please cancel as of x date, and please refund money to me by y method"

By phone. Was on hold for ages, so when I was asked why I was changing I said it was because of the long hold times!

DanWall

Why are you in credit? is this another case of DDebit gone wrong?

angryInch

DanWall wrote: »

Why are you in credit? is this another case of DDebit gone wrong?

No, was in credit because I was on the budget plan (where they estimate the amount you will use each month so that your bills are always the for the same amount) and they had overestimated my monthly amount.

admiralofthefleet

angryInch wrote: »

Really? So if you close your account with ESB/Bord Gais you have to contact them to retrieve any credit balance outstanding. Do they make any effort to contact the customer?

yes. i was having terrible trouble closing my accounts with the gas company and only got it sorted yesterday when i went into foley street in person and spoke to someone directly. the customer service on the phone was apalling and kept fobbing me off saying that i will take a little longer

discostu1

Thats the case with all suppliers

I know that with ESB if you close your account and the final bill has a credit balance and you do nothing they write to you maybe 5 or 6 weeks later say something like there is a credit balance of x on your account what do you want to do with it, or words to that effect. Dont know about Bord Gais

Rashers72

When I closed my Gas account with Bord Gais about 18 moinths ago they simply credited me back automatically a few weeks later. I am in the process of closing my electricity account with Bord Gais, so I assume the same will apply (if I am in credit).

-Corkie-

Thanks for that info OP. I rang them yesterday and was on hold for 45 mins..

ESB have a forum here on Boards so you can speak to the agents directly.:)