Energy suppliers worst for customer satisfaction
Thursday, 25 Sep 2008 11:01
Energy suppliers are not keeping their customers happy
Energy suppliers are the lowest performing of all industries for customer satisfaction, Which? claims.
The consumer group reveals five of the big six suppliers achieved satisfaction scores of less than 50 per cent.
Npower scored the lowest with 32 per cent, while Utility Warehouse was rated the best supplier in the survey, with a satisfaction score of 72 per cent.
Scottish & Southern Energy is the only 'big six' player with a score over 50 per cent and came second in terms of performance with 60 per cent.
British Gas was second to bottom with a score of 40 per cent, while ScottishPower, Eon, EDF Energy also received scores in the 40's.
One in five Which? members surveyed experienced problems with their supplier over the past 12 months, including not getting bills or getting bills with errors on them, suppliers not coming to read the meter and problems contacting or resolving queries with suppliers.
In addition, just one in three told Which? they had received any advice on how to save energy.
Jess Ross, editor of which.co.uk, said: "This is the first time that we've asked members about their energy suppliers and we're shocked to see the results - too many suppliers are letting customers down and charging them more and more for the privilege!
"These companies are providing essential services that people can't live without, but this isn't an excuse to offer poor value for money."
However, nine out of ten members who had switched energy suppliers in the last 12 months said that it was easy to switch, Which? said.