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We were mis-sold an electricity contract to BES in October 2011 through the broker commercial energy . Due to the seriousness of this matter we have now had to close our business down and are seeking legal action against them. There are many other businesses out there that have been subjected to this and story's have been published through "this is money" the web site "money saving expert.com" & an interesting pod cast worth listening to is by BBC five live on 22nd April 2012 that connects brokers to pushing small businesses into contracts where they receive large commissions. Some brokers are not regulated so there is no protection of how they can enforce lies along with fear & abuse tactics for small businesses & they thrive on sales tactics along with reading your circumstances and taking advantage of this. There are however some very helpful brokers out there so I hope sometime soon there will be some laws enforced to separate the good ones from those that are there to damage business.
The UIA can give advice & would be interested to hear your experience ref the Ombudsman-Rod Sidden is a good contact. From what I have been reading as regard to others experience-the Ombudsman seem to beable to help in early cases with BES but for further on cases they push you to take legal action which is what I would suggest in the most affordable way you can. We are currently in the process of this now - there does seem to be very little help until new ruleings have been past & exposure of BES is more prominent to stop all this. There are other consumer forums that are full of nightmare story's about bes & some good advice is on there-"the consumer forums" being one of the best.. Push forward & dont give up-we had the same experience.
I have received an account from BES dated 16/05/2016 referring to a meter in a property occupied by a tenant up till 31st March 2016. The reading on that meter when they vacated was 57609. The contract for supply was taken over by E.On and the entry reading supplied to them was 57609. The property is now occupied by another company who have taken over the contract with E.On on 17th May with the reading of 57631. I will shortly be receiving an account from E.On for the 22 units of electricity consumed. I have never had a contract of any sort with BES, be it actual or deemed, nor was any electricity consumed between the tenant leaving or the contract with E.On starting. To take a deemed contract, BES should
*take all reasonable steps to provide the principal terns of the deemed contract including the charges or fees -this they haven't done
*provide a copy of the full contract - this they haven't done
*take all reasonable steps to tell about other available contracts and how to get information on these - this they haven't done
*take all reasonable steps to ensure the terms of the deemed contract are not unduly onerous -this they haven't done.
Therefore I am disputing their account for £242.15p
I received a phone call from Energy Search in February 2016 when I moved into a new business, and unfortunately fell for the trap of BES 5 year market tracker tariff contract. They have now increased my charges by 30% as I am on the 'market tracker' which I was fooled into by the Energy Search who said BES is the cheapest, and the rest of the energy suppliers are much expensive. No one understands how stressed I am, this has caused me lots of health issues and I am in depression thinking to commit suicide. BES has ruined my life, what can I do :(
My Ex-wife has a shop and also missold she is thai and could not understand them - i agreed to speak to them (i have nothing to do with the shop) and they put the contract in my name - they are now saying the call with the So called agent Energy Search is legally binding - not what they sent out as contract particulars with my name on it and having said that i was in a contract with them for 2 years they now say say she has the contract - i dispute that - they say they do not sent contracts out - just a welcome letter i dispute that as page 2 are contract particulars - how can a third party speak to me on behalf of my ex-wife and BES say that is binding contract for my ex-wife to be with them - they are simply relying now on this so called verbal contract
I am a Barrister - Jason Elliott Barristers Chambers - we would be happy to look at a class action against BES if we get enough interest having seen multiple missold allegations on this site
John Brown [protected]
Im having a terrible time with BES, the Ombusman Service is useless as it seems BES have this very effectively covered. They need to be closed down...is anybody taking legal action against them.
HI @Clarky59,
We deal with accounts like this all of the time. I came across this thread doing some research for another case against BES I'm currently investigating. BES are quite easily the worst supplier in the industry. Once they have you locked in, there is zero care given to your company. If you'd like some help with this, please get in touch. Greig Batty, Business Energy Direct.
@jdbrown97, The same goes here. Whilst i can see it was a while ago, we can go back up to 6 years based on the back billing code. If we can find something, we will do everything we can to get the answers you need. With regards to not understanding them, I have recently heard a call recording completed by a consultancy who say they have no direct relationship with BES and i found it hard to keep up with what was being stated. I would question any consultants who push BES. I'm yet to see any positives from this company in the 10 years I have worked in the industry.
Hi I too have been mis-sold into a five year energy contract with BES and would very much like to participate in the class action against them. I was conned by either a broker or one of their sales staff into signing the contract after they lied to me telling me I was with Yorkshire Power and Gas and that I was paying £4 per day standing charge and about 80p (I think) per unit. They stated that of two companies they recommended BES were the best offering discounted rates over time, making what they said sound like a great deal. At the time I was in the process of obtaining my lease dealing with solicitors and finances etc. and was quite stressed. From what they told me I thought I had been referred to them by my landlord as they seemed to know all of my particulars, address business name etc. so I thought they were legit. I only found out four days later that they were not and all the problems people have been having. I managed to get on contract with E.ON straightaway, who were the current supplier and thought that was then end of it however BES kept harassing me via email, phone and text even telling me that I was on supply with them from 01/08/2022 which I clearly could not have been as I was with E.ON. It wasn't until today (16/09/2022) that I discovered they had managed to take over the meter despite being refused by E.ON numerous times. I spoke to E.ON about this and they said essentially BES took advantage of the new faster switching process which completes in 2 days so you only have 2 days to object. This was missed by E.ON owing to problems their systems have with the new faster switching system and not recognising the request to switch in order to stop it, and the switch went through. BES only notified me two weeks later and when they did I thought it was just another intimidating email, so I didn't pay it any notice (believing I was still on supply with E.ON). Presently BES are threatening to contact debt agencies, disconnect my electricity and have applied late fees as I refuse to pay them so I am left with the decision to possibly contact them and pay them as per the contract to avoid disconnection. This is a total nightmare all started by a cold call and the caller duping me into signing one of their (BES) horrendous contracts. As a small business I am very worried about this and fear they will cripple me financially from what I have seen about them online, consequently I am suffering with debilitating anxiety stress and depression. I have registered a complaint with the Ombudsman Service as well. If BES disconnect my electricity supply this will essentially mean I can't operate my car sales business and will not be able to meet my rent commitments essentially putting me out of business, with a huge lease liability. Definitely need help here. Regards Scott.
Can someone please get in touch with me as soon as possible as I have a Country court case against BES Utilities _ my number is [protected].
Hi there. Nicholas Rennie speaking, Energy Direct Consultants Ltd. All of you need to email/call myself. I'm a reputable energy broker with lots of knowledge and a will of steel. I run a small firm with small margins, small costs, big service and like a challenge. I actually do what it says on the tin. Please have a look. www.energydirectconsultants.co.uk nick@energydirectconsultants.co.uk
regards Nick
Hello,
I represent Business Energy Claims, and we help businesses take action against energy brokers (the companies that set up BES Contracts) and have the commissions they earn returned to the business.
Our team would be happy to help anybody who has used a broker in the past 6 years.
You can reach us on [protected], or at www.businessenergyclaims.co.uk
Thanks
Rob Halstead I am the MD for www.halsteadenergy.com. If you check my Linked In profile you will see that I am constantly discover customers who have been misled by these types of suppliers/brokers.
It is vital for your business that you find a broker that you can trust and understand what rates to expect when you are being quoted.
You need to understand that large brokers/suppliers hire sales people and pay them commission to sign deals! Those sale people are trying to earn as much from your business as they can. They do not care about the long term relationship, they do not care about your business costs, they care about earning their money!
The best brokers do not have call centres, the best brokers do not have 100's of staff.
Google Utilitywise to gain an understanding of what happens when a greed lead organisation that puts commissions and cash flow ahead of the interests of customers.
When you have done all that get in touch if you want to get things done properly
BES are such a horrible company.
If they put as much back in to their billing as they pay their call centre to constantly harass you their bills would be tiny.
DO NOT EVER AGREE TO SIGN UP WITH THEM.
YOU WILL NEVER GET AWAY.
They take up so much of my time with never ending phone calls.
It's tantamount to harassment.
Awful company.
Dont get trapped!
We took over a business. BES was the electric supplier . Now BES wants us to pay the bill which previous owner used and also charging us very high price and threatening us the disconnection.
I too have been screwed over by BES. They tricked me into a contract using an associated broker called approved energy. Who lied about their connection to BES. The caller was called Casey.
She repeatedly denied the connection and said she was independent. Having resigned to the contract they have constantly been awful to deal with. Have increased prices with notifications.
Then when my contract has come to finish. Approved Energy (same woman) started harassing me again. I repeatedly told her to leave me alone. BES then tried to harass me into a renewal. I notified them that i wanted to leave in writing. They refused to write back to accept.That is illegal. Then on the 4th attempt they did agree to terminate. I have since used a better broker to get a new supplier. BES are refusing to let them register my supply. Their own customer service staff have admitted they are bad. Its on recording. I have requested a copy of it. The approved energy lady Casey admitted their link to BES. They are a disgrace. They have caused me physical, fiscal and mental illness. Approved energy and bes have had the same director.
I've just taken on a lease for a cafe in Essex. The gas supplier is BES. They will not register me as the lease holder dispute being provided with a copy of the lease and confirmation email from the landlord. They say they need photographic id from the landlord? He is obviously refusing to get involved.
I have purposely chosen electrical appliances and therefore have a zero gas usage, but believe that when this is sorted they will want backdated standing charge. From the very beginning I have refused to sign with them and attempted to transfer to Scottish Power but was blocked by BES. I'm stuck in limbo and don't know what their next move will be to add to my sleepless nights and mounting anxiety. Having sent a complaint email and posted one. I am about to go to the umbudsman. From the stories I've heard I don't hold out much hope. Any advice please
They reading my meter reading 11588
But actual meter reading 11488 and force to paybill
Bes account number number - BES100140322
Many time phone call but more than month still not solve my issue