Synergy WA – Power Corrupts
Australia has a small population (20m) which means our service industries can turn into gigantic, Monopolistic bullies. Synergy is one such company. They aren’t quite as irresponsible as Telstra, but how Synergy deals with its customers is just as disgusting.
Synergy is built around servicing the client. Or, rather, it ought to be. Their function is actually to take money for Electricity and pass it on to Western Power. They don’t provide a tangible service, but do take a big cut.
Once every few months, a Western Power representative will come around to your house and read your electricity meter. The reading is passed on to Synergy who add value by sending you a bill or fielding your complaint. After Telstra, they are probably the worst service company I’ve ever experienced (one of the best is Iinet by the way, but more about them another time). When Telstra is up there going for gold in the stupid company olympics, Synergy are right beside them with silver. Try as they might, they just can’t beat Australia’s mighty Telco to the podium. It’s a very sad state of affairs. Large Australian companies acting like three year old babies.
And it makes me angry.
My Synergy Tale
I moved into a new house last year, paid Synergy what was owing on the last electricity bill and settled in. Put my feet up, read the newspaper, arranged the furniture etc.
Three months later, I get a bill in the mail. Mail redirection working – that’s good.
Synergy sent me an estimate, based on 1.5 units consumption per day. A total of $420. But they hadn’t read the meter. It was an estimate. “Hm. Seems a bit expensive,” thought I. I often sit at home in the dark, building websites on my computer. Sometimes late into the night. I love my job. All my bulbs are 10 watt, energy efficient globes. “I’ll get around to checking that wayward bill next week”.
Three days later, I receive an additional estimate from Synergy. This time, the estimate was based on 8.5 units consumption per day and the bill was for an extra $100. That’s the equivalent to a jackhammer running 24/7 full steam whilst chickens roast in an electric oven day and night.
I called Synergy to query the two completely different estimates and asked them to explain the wildly different estimates. They told me I had to pay the $520 total OR I’d be put on a bad debts register. The assistant basically threatened legal action should I refuse to pay the bill. Ugh! Borrrring.
I went and read the meter myself, calculating the total bill at a modest $180. Which I promptly paid into their account before calling them back.
We’re sorry but your meter has to be read by a Western Power representative. We’ll hold off on the deadline for your estimated bill if you pay and additional $20 fee to have Western Power come and read your meter. Either pay the $20 OR $520 – the extra money will be credited to your electricity account. Up to you.
Very angry. I was the one who had to pay for their mistake.
Twenty bucks later, a Western Power man came, read the meter and sent his number in to Synergy. It turns out I’d under-estimated the charge by ten dollars. I put another $20 into their account and started searching for the Electricity Ombudsman.
Two days ago, I got a bill for a late payment fine. Brilliant. Watch out Telstra, your gold medal is in jeopardy.
How to Complain about Synergy WA
I’ve already lodged my complaint with the State Energy Ombudsman. I suggest you do the same because I’m betting, seeing as how we’re all creatures of habit, that you’ve had a similar experience with Synergy recently. If you have had weird dealings with them, please let me know in the comments.
If you liked this post, please consider buying me a beer.3 Comments
My wife and I live on the same property as my mother in law, up in the hills in Mundaring. My mother in laws electricity bill for the last sixty day was exactly the same as the last bill right down to the cent,$284.10.
She is all electric h.w.s, reverse cycle air conditioner, electric oven and hotplates all electric.
Our house, just me and my wife no children, we have a gas h.w.s, gas heater, gas hotplate, and an electric oven plus an evaporative air conditioner.
Here lies our problem our electricity bill has risen from approximately $300.00 per bill to over $720.00 double, I have contacted Synergy and all the said was if I got the meter checked it would cost me $150.00.I do not know where to turn ,I have told them that it would be impossible to double our running costs and it seems very strange that Mums bill is exactly the same both meters are in the same box I suggested that it may be faulty as it’s an old style meter, but the will not listen.as I keep running around in circles, they told me this afternoon to ring Western Power to see if they might be able to help.
Synergy is basically the accountant for Western Power. I’m trying to convince my Mum to go solar. These guys – and Telstra – need to be cut out of the equation somehow. Solar will pay for itself in 2 years the way Synergy is jacking up the prices. I paid $20 to have my meter read – which they seemed to waive int he end because I went here http://www.ombudsman.wa.gov.au/. I advise you to do so too. I assume tehy backed off because of my complaint. In fact, ever since contacting the ombudsman they’ve been rather nice. monopolies is what the real issue is here.
folks were arguing this over at the digital forum. it was beginning to turn out to be a hot battle.