Direct Energy Consumer Reviews - Page 2

CLEVELAND, OHIO -- What Direct Energy's website, fake online reputation management 'blogs', and high pressure sales people DON'T tell you is that the contracts are written to 'auto-renew' at a variable rate that, in the case of my elderly mother, instantly changed to 2.5 times the current market rate of gas in the middle of winter. Attempts to call the Guatemalan call center will result in hours of runaround, confusion, and attempts to lure you back into contract after the $100-200 of predatory mid-winter rate-jacking has been collected.

Phone calls are recorded, so if you say anything like 'OK', they will check the box putting you back in contract. Eventually, if you wait long enough, you may get transferred to a 'supervisor' (in Massachusetts, in my case) who will be trained to defend DE's predatory practices and just keep reminding you that everything they are doing is perfectly legal. Even if you successfully cancel, it will take two more billing cycles at the jacked up rate before you can get back to a less predatory provider. $400, 6 hours of my time, and a stressed out elderly mother is what Direct Energy cost me.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS -- I enjoyed good rates from Direct Energy. At the end of the term, they contacted me re: a renewal plan. They did not help me understand that my rate would almost triple if I did not take immediate action. No phone calls, just mailings. CommEd rates are 7.43 cents per Kw/h...my <6.0 cents per Kw/h jumped to 12.5 cents. Why would it more than double?

Direct Energy only called me when I moved to another carrier. I know now how they make their money...they rip people off by putting them on a variable rate plan after their plan expires...a rate much higher than the CommEd limit. There needs to be regulation to protect the consumer from this insane and unfair practice.

MARYLAND -- Had an electric contract with Direct Energy Services Llc. When expiration date was approaching they started calling with some ridiculously high renewable rates. After several calls and agreeing on a rate we received our next electric bill and they charged us double because according to them we was 3 days late renewing contract. They charged us double for a whole month saying it would take a whole billing cycle for the new rate to take effect so in the meanwhile we switched utility company and made several calls to direct energy being told there was nothing they could do being we switched but if we came back to them they might be able to do something making me feel like I was being blackmailed.

I checked several other suppliers and everyplace else was half of what they charged us and considerably less than their contract price. I requested several times to see in black and white where they came up with that rate and was ignored and asked for a copy of the original contract which we can't find because my mother had made the original contract and she currently under care for Alzheimer's and once again was ignored. I won't/wouldn't ever deal with them again and definitely discourage anybody from dealing with them. They definitely not an honest upfront company and don't give a darn about working class people busting their butts just barely getting by.

GERMANTOWN, MARYLAND -- So this Meredith ** walked to my door reported to be a government official to inspect gas & electric rates in the area for surveys purposes. I was busy so I asked my 13yr old to assist her to confirm our address after I had asked her all sort of questions and confirm her identity. I later heard her asking my son abt my date of birth so I immediately became suspicious & refused. I then took a picture of her with my son at the door as evidence. I later received a contract that I had signed up with them with forged signature & date of birth. I immediately went out and she was no where to be found. I called to cancel. My question is that can I report her to the police for tricking me, my minor & signing a contract under my name?

CALGARY, TEXAS -- I am a former direct energy representative I used to work for a company called Trust Energy in Calgary . I was told by the trainer and supervisor, Robin and Matt to hide the truth from the customers . I was asked to to fake the electricity and gas price to elderly people and newly landed immigrants as they are not aware of the energy market . The price is not fixed and it will go up in two months. They lock you in a contract and you if you wish to opt out later it's costs to you $4000 to get out of the contract and eventually messing up your credit.I quit the job because I couldn't lie to the customers anymore.

Avoid this company like plague. They lock you on a contract at a higher price. They provide you free electricity and gas for two months and then triple the price for the next five years.

Wish I never worked here as this company has a bad name and the trainers and supervisors asked me to lie and hide the truth.

CALGARY, TEXAS -- I am a former Direct Energy representative. I used to work for a company called Trust Energy that is a third party seller for Direct Energy. In Calgary. I was told by the trainer and supervisor, Robin and Matt to hide the truth from the customers. I was asked to to fake the electricity and gas price to elderly people and newly landed immigrants as they are not aware of the energy market. The price is not fixed and it will go up in two months. They lock you in a contract and you if you wish to opt out later it's costs to you $4000 to get out of the contract and eventually messing up your credit. I quit the job because I couldn't lie to the customers anymore.

Avoid this company like plague. They lock you on a contract at a higher price. They provide you free electricity and gas for two months and then triple the price for the next five years. Wish I never worked here as this company has a bad name and the trainers and supervisors asked me to lie and hide the truth.

MANSFIELD, TENNESSEE -- This is a company of liars. I called to confirm with them that if I added a home that I purchased in another city, would they both be eligible for the $50 referral bonus. After all, what difference does it make who makes the referral.... Direct Energy gets the money. I was assured on the phone that both properties would receive the referral credit of $50 each.

On my current billings, I noticed that neither property had received the credit. I emailed the company twice and sent them a message through their webpage. No response. I called and talked to representative who put me on hold and then came back and told me that neither property was eligible due to the fact that I was the owner of both. I explained the situation about me calling, but to no avail. I will cancel both properties and go with Griddy. I would not recommend Direct Energy to anyone.

COLUMBUS, OHIO -- Direct Energy solicited my sister staying at my house. Who is disabled. Without my consent and permission switched my account from AEP to Direct Energy. Knowing her name was not on the account. Because I am billed directly through AEP. I had no idea my account was different. These people are a scam. DO NOT!!! I REPEAT!!! DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THESE PEOPLE. My electric cost is over double from what AEP charges for the last 12 months. I'm under the impression AEP gets some compensation from Direct Energy so their name is hidden on your account. This was a variable plan. Which gives them the right to hike your energy costs to whatever they want. They are not regulated. Kinda sounds like the Variable Rate Mortgage scam that almost bankrupted the country.

AURORA, ILLINOIS -- I'm finally rid of these thieves. I live in the Aurora, IL area. Last year they came to my door, telling me that I HAD to sign with them as Nicor and ComEd had contracted them to supply the gas and electric in my area. After I signed up and later found out that this was not the case I called them and was further informed that I would be subjected to a stiff fee to cancel. My electric rates, contrary to their promises, were almost twice what I would have been charged per kilowatt hour than if I had stayed with ComEd. My gas rates were similarly high.

In May I received a notice that my Direct Energy account would automatically renew if I did not call within ten days and I was able to cancel without any fees in this period. After calling and cancelling I was informed that they would have to continue charging me for two more payment cycles. As I stated previously, I received my first ComEd bill since cancelling. My "supply" multiplier last month (with Direct Energy) was $0.11840/KWh.

This month's bill shows two charges for supplied electricity, one for $0.0603/KWh and one for $0.01328/KWh. My usage this last month was 225 more kilowatt hours than that of the previous month and this month's bill is about $40.00 less than last month's. Beware this company!

AUSTIN, TEXAS -- They continuously disconnect service regardless of payment! They disconnected me TWICE in ONE MONTH, HOW IS THIS LEGAL OR POSSIBLE?! I've paid over $500 in two months and have been disconnected 3 times! I'M IN THE DARK AS I LEAVE THIS REVIEW!! Customer service is TRASH unless you speak Spanish!! If not they are going to read a script and not offer any assistance!! I've had to go all the way up to corporate about this issue! I have a disabled parent in my home and they do not care at all! I'm switching companies TODAY and direct energy and they entire Spanish speaking customer service crew can kiss my entire ass!