Discount Power, Inc.

Discount Power (“DPI”) thanks you for the opportunity to respond.  In October of 2014, DPI employed an outside telemarketing firm to solicit energy sales in the state of [redacted] (“**”).  These third party telemarketers were supplied with the Federal, ** and internal “Do Not Call”...

(“DNC”) lists to upload into their dialing system to be compliant with the various DNC regulations.  Unfortunately, the system utilized by this company allowed some restricted numbers to be dialed repeatedly over the span of a few weeks, inconveniencing some PA residents.  After advising the telemarketer to fix their system ASAP, DPI had no choice but to terminate their contract.  Again, DPI apologizes for the inconvenience and terminated the contract of the telemarketer.      Ken F[redacted] Licensing and Regulatory Administrator Discount Power, Inc. [redacted]
[redacted] ###-###-#### Ex 1952 [redacted]

Website Complaint Response:While we cannot promise savings versus the utility company every single month, Discount Power’s goal is to show a savings versus the utility over a period of time. Mr. [redacted] enrolled...

most recently in October of 2013. At this time, wholesale energy market costs began to climb significantly. As the Discount Power Terms and Conditions of Electric Service explain, when a customer has a variable rate plan, the variable rate can fluctuate based on changes in the wholesale power market. We understand the frustration with the recent increase in the variable rate. Unfortunately, due to unusually high wholesale costs this winter, our variable rate did increase, as the rates are based on current market conditions. The fluctuations of the wholesale power market can affect suppliers differently, contributing to the variance in rates from one supplier to another. Our current rates are available each month through the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority website ([redacted]) so that our customers can stay up-to-date on our rates and how they compare to other suppliers, at their own convenience. Third party suppliers, like Discount Power, do not have control over when a customer’s service begins or ends; this is determined by the customer’s utility company. Discount Power received a drop request from Mr. [redacted]’s utility company, CL&P, on January 22, 2014 which advised that his service through Discount Power would end effective February 4, 2014. Mr. [redacted] was contacted and spoke with a Customer Care Representative on March 10, 2014 who offered to re-rate Mr. [redacted]’s supply charges for his December 20, 2013 – January 22, 2014 and January 22, 2014 – February 4, 2014 billing cycles at a rate equivalent to Discount Power’s cost for that supply. This resulted in a refund offer of $62.05. Due to wholesale energy market conditions during this timeframe, the rate, equivalent to Discount Power’s cost, was not what Mr. [redacted] had requested, and he accepted the refund stating that he may choose not to cash the check. As of March 10, 2014 this refund is being processed and a check will be mailed to Mr. [redacted] as soon as possible.
Sent on: 3/13/2014 3:26:40 PM

Website Complaint Response:
While we cannot promise savings versus the utility company every single month, Discount Power’s goal is to show a savings versus the utility over a period of time. Mr. [redacted] enrolled most recently in August 2013, and Discount Power became her...

supplier effective September 2013. As the Discount Power Terms and Conditions of Electric Service explain, when a customer has a variable rate plan, the variable rate can fluctuate based on changes in the wholesale power market. We understand the frustration with the recent increase in the variable rate. Unfortunately, due to unusually high wholesale costs this winter, our variable rate did increase, as the rates are based on current market conditions. The fluctuations of the wholesale power market can affect suppliers differently, contributing to the variance in rates from one supplier to another. Our current rates are available each month through the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority website ([redacted]) so that our customers can stay up-to-date on our rates and how they compare to other suppliers, at their own convenience. Discount Power received a drop request from Mr. [redacted]’s utility company, [redacted], which advised that his service through Discount Power would end effective January 20, 2014. Mr. [redacted] was contacted on March 6, 2014 and spoke with a Customer Care Representative who offered to re-rate Mr. [redacted]’s supply charge for his December 18, 2013 – January 20, 2014 billing cycle. Mr. [redacted]’s total usage for this time period, as reported by [redacted], was 1,137Wh. This resulted in a refund offer of $16.95. As there is no way for Discount Power to provide a credit on a consolidated utility bill, as Mr. [redacted] requested in his complaint, this refund is being issued via check. As of March 7, 2014 this refund is being processed and a check will be mailed to Mr. [redacted] as soon as possible.
Sent on: 3/7/2014 9:08:23 AM

Revdex.com,
 
Discount Power, Inc ("DPI") thanks you for the opportunity to respond.  I personally contacted [redacted] and explained that the customer was not being double billed but that her monthly usage of 1679 kWh was extraordinarily high for a 900 square foot...

apartment.  The customer's  generation supply rate from DPI was $0.0760 x 1679 kWh = $127.60.  According to [redacted], the customer's bill was in excess of $200.00.  I further explained that [redacted] charges distribution fees, taxes etc,, causing the total to be in excess of the amount charged by DPI.  [redacted] also noted less than professional treatment by as CSR at DPI for which I apologized.  DPI also agreed to waive the early termination fee and allow the customer to return to her utility.  Finally, I let [redacted] know that if there is anything further she requires for this or any other DPI customer at her apartments that she should contact me directly.  If the Revdex.com needs more information, please do not hesitate to contact me anytime. 
Ken F[redacted]
Regulatory Administrator
Discount Power, Inc.

Website Complaint Response:
This customer enrolled on Discount Power's variable rate in the summer of 2013, not a fixed rate. This customer went through a third party verification and was also send the terms and conditions stating that the product was variable. Due to the high...

wholesale rates this winter, Discount Power's variable rates increased. Our variable rates have been coming down since our high January prices.
Sent on: 2/26/2014 9:04:07 AM

Revdex.com, Attached please find the Welcome Letters and the independent Third Party Verification ("TPV") recording of Ms. [redacted] agreeing to enroll with Discount Power, Inc. ("DPI") on 2/23/2015.  She enrolled for 12 months at a rate of $0.135 kWh with a $100 early termination fee if...

terminated prior to the end of the term but after the rescission period. The [redacted] rate at the time was $0.1497 kWh plus distribution charges, etc.   She was mailed a copy of her Terms of Service, her Disclosure Label and her Welcome Letters all clearly confirming what had been told to her by the telemarketer for her review and reference and yet she chose not to rescind her enrollment but to enjoy the rate that was lower than the Utility company until this past month, when she noticed the [redacted] rates in ** dropped below DPI's.  Coincidence...?  The fact is the customer chose to complain because she would now like to receive the lower [redacted] rate after agreeing to a 12 month term for which DPI has already purchased the electricity and would not be able to recoup its expenditure without the early termination fee of $100 (not $200 as the customer states in the complaint).  As to the customer's contention that she did not receive her $100 dining certificate, the Welcome Letters (attached) clearly state that the customer must go to [redacted] in order to receive the certificate, which according to our records, the customer has not done.  DPI will waive the early termination fee for this customer despite not being required to do so.   Discount Power, Inc.

Website Complaint Response:
While we cannot promise savings versus the utility company every single month, Discount Power’s goal is to show a savings versus the utility over a period of time. Ms. [redacted] enrolled in June 2013 under a variable rate plan, and Discount Power became her supplier effective July 2013. As the Discount Power Terms and Conditions of Electric Service explain, when a customer has a variable rate plan, the variable rate can fluctuate based on changes in the wholesale power market. We understand the frustration with the recent increase in the variable rate. Unfortunately, due to unusually high wholesale costs this winter, our variable rate did increase, as the rates are based on current market conditions. The fluctuations of the wholesale power market can affect suppliers differently, contributing to the variance in rates from one supplier to another. Our current rates are available each month through the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority website ([redacted]) so that our customers can stay up-to-date on our rates and how they compare to other suppliers, at their own convenience. Discount Power was advised that her service through Discount Power would end effective January 9, 2014. Ms. [redacted]’s complaint was regarding her bill for billing cycle December 9, 2013 – January 9, 2014 as her bill for that billing cycle increased substantially when compared to her previous cycle’s bill, due to the increase of Discount Power’s variable rate as well as a 56% increase in usage when compared to the previous cycle. Ms. [redacted] was contacted by a Customer Care Representative on March 7, 2014 and offered a re-rate for her December 9, 2013 – January 9, 2014 billing cycle, which would have resulted in a refund of $55.43 to be issued via mailed check. Ms. [redacted] declined this offer and was advised that the refund she was being offered would have provided her usage for that month at cost; Ms. [redacted] remained adamant that she would not accept this offer. Discount Power remains willing to provide this refund to Ms. [redacted] via a mailed check should Ms. [redacted] choose to accept it.
Sent on: 3/7/2014 4:34:20 PM

Website Complaint Response:
While we cannot promise savings versus the utility company every single month, Discount Power’s goal is to show a savings versus the utility over a period of time. Ms. [redacted] enrolled in January 2011, and Discount Power became her supplier effective...

that same month. As the Discount Power Terms and Conditions of Electric Service explain, when a customer has a variable rate plan, the variable rate can fluctuate based on changes in the wholesale power market. We understand the frustration with the recent increase in the variable rate. Unfortunately, due to unusually high wholesale costs this winter, our variable rate did increase, as the rates are based on current market conditions. The fluctuations of the wholesale power market can affect suppliers differently, contributing to the variance in rates from one supplier to another. Our current rates are available each month through the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority website ([redacted]) so that our customers can stay up-to-date on our rates and how they compare to other suppliers, at their own convenience. Discount Power received a drop request from Ms. [redacted], which was forwarded to her utility company as the utility company determines when a customer’s drop can become effective. We then received notice from her utility company, [redacted], that her service would end effective January 15, 2014. Ms. [redacted] was contacted on March 6, 2014 and spoke with a Customer Care Representative who offered to re-rate Ms. [redacted]’s supply charge for her December 10, 2013 – January 10, 2014 billing cycle and the portion of her next billing cycle, January 10, 2014 – January 15, 2014 for which she had Discount Power as her supplier. Ms. [redacted]’s total usage for this time period, as reported by [redacted], was 2,373kWh. This resulted in a refund offer of $80.68 As there is no way for Discount Power to provide a credit on a consolidated utility bill, as Ms. [redacted] requested in her complaint, this refund is being issued via check. As of March 7, 2014 this refund is being processed and a check will be mailed to Ms. [redacted] as soon as possible.
Sent on: 3/7/2014 8:58:46 AM

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
Sincerely,
[redacted]

Website Complaint Response:While we cannot promise savings versus the utility company every single month, Discount Power’s goal is to show a savings versus the utility over a period of time. Mr. [redacted]...

enrolled in January 2013, and Discount Power became his supplier effective that same month. As the Discount Power Terms and Conditions of Electric Service explain, when a customer has a variable rate plan, the variable rate can fluctuate based on changes in the wholesale power market. We understand the frustration with the recent increase in the variable rate. Unfortunately, due to unusually high wholesale costs this winter, our variable rate did increase, as the rates are based on current market conditions. The fluctuations of the wholesale power market can affect suppliers differently, contributing to the variance in rates from one supplier to another. Our current rates are available each month through the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority website ([redacted]) so that our customers can stay up-to-date on our rates and how they compare to other suppliers, at their own convenience. Mr. [redacted]’s service through Discount Power ended effective January 13, 2014. Mr. [redacted] was contacted on March 6, 2014 and spoke with a Customer Care Representative who offered to re-rate Mr. [redacted]’s supply charge for his December 11, 2013 – January 13, 2014 billing cycle for which his utility company, [redacted], reported 3,849kWh of usage. This resulted in a refund offer of $130.87. As there is no way for Discount Power to provide a credit on a consolidated utility bill, as Mr. [redacted] requested in his complaint, this refund is being issued via check. As of March 7, 2014 this refund is being processed and a check will be issued to Mr. [redacted] as soon as possible.
Sent on: 3/7/2014 8:47:17 AM

Website Complaint Response:
This customer enrolled with Discount Power on our variable rate. Due to the high wholesale rates this winter, DPI's variable rates increased. When this customer enrolled, the outlook for the winter prices was not nearly as extreme as what occurred, and the...

wholesale market increased dramatically during the month of December. Our variable rates have been coming down since our high January prices.
Sent on: 2/26/2014 8:22:42 AM

Website Complaint Response:
While we cannot promise savings versus the utility company every single month, Discount Power’s goal is to show a savings versus the utility over a period of time. [redacted] enrolled in December 2011, and Discount Power became his supplier...

effective that same month. As the Discount Power Terms and Conditions of Electric Service explain, when a customer has a variable rate plan, the variable rate can fluctuate based on changes in the wholesale power market. We understand the frustration with the recent increase in the variable rate. Unfortunately, due to unusually high wholesale costs this winter, our variable rate did increase, as the rates are based on current market conditions. The fluctuations of the wholesale power market can affect suppliers differently, contributing to the variance in rates from one supplier to another. Our current rates are available each month through the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority website (energizect.com) so that our customers can stay up-to-date on our rates and how they compare to other suppliers, at their own convenience. [redacted] was contacted by a Customer Service Representative on March 7, 2014 and was offered a re-rate of his December 12, 2013 – January 14, 2014 billing cycle, resulting in a refund of $29.04 in the form of mailed check. [redacted] accepted this refund offer, but was displeased with the amount, stating that he will still be contacting the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority and the state’s Attorney General regarding this matter. The refund process began on March 7, 2014 and a check will be mailed to [redacted] as soon as possible. [redacted] also states in his complaint that he was committed to spending significantly more through the contract period. [redacted] was enrolled under a variable rate plan in December 2010 and was free to cancel his service through Discount Power at any time without any type of cancelation fee. Notification was received from [redacted] that [redacted]’ service through Discount Power would end effective February 12, 2014.
Sent on: 3/7/2014 3:54:38 PM

Website Complaint Response:
This customer was on Discount Power's variable rate, and due to the high wholesale rates this winter, Discount Power's variable rates increased. The rate that the customer noticed online was an introductory rate for new customers only, and given the timing...

of when a new customer would have started flowing with DPI, they would start flowing in a month that has a wholesale cost lower than that of January. This customer has been with DPI since 2010, and unfortunately we did have to dramatically increase our prices to cover the extreme wholesale costs this winter, but this clearly states that this is the first time this has occurred.
Sent on: 2/26/2014 9:17:21 AM

[redacted]
[redacted]Sent: Wednesday, April 8, 2015 8:01:01 AMSubject: my  info Revdex.com   yes I called left you a message I called discont power on the 4-2-15 told them to close my account and that it was not me but my son who they talked to we both have the same name and that their are 4 people in this house I was not home at the time he was in charge I came back and balled him out and put him out I also called [redacted] energy and told them I called discount power to stop service I called discount power today on 4-8-15 to see if it went thou they told me that they did send it to [redacted] energy 0n 4-2-15 [redacted] send it back and they will stop my service on 5-1-15  I will check on them  in may 1st to make sure I dont trust neither of them to both play games to much I just called [redacted] today 4-8-15 they now say not 5-1-15 but 5-12-15 you see  another lie

Website Complaint Response:
While we cannot promise savings versus the utility company every single month, Discount Power’s goal is to show a savings versus the utility over a period of time. Ms. [redacted] enrolled in October 2013 under a variable rate plan, and Discount Power became her supplier effective that same month. As the Discount Power Terms and Conditions of Electric Service explain, when a customer has a variable rate plan, the variable rate can fluctuate based on changes in the wholesale power market. We understand the frustration with the recent increase in the variable rate. Unfortunately, due to unusually high wholesale costs this winter, our variable rate did increase, as the rates are based on current market conditions. The fluctuations of the wholesale power market can affect suppliers differently, contributing to the variance in rates from one supplier to another. Our current rates are available each month through the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority website ([redacted]) so that our customers can stay up-to-date on our rates and how they compare to other suppliers, at their own convenience. Ms. [redacted] spoke with a Customer Service Representative on January 13, 2014 and was offered a refund $94.94 for her December 6, 2013 – January 8, 2014 billing cycle in the form of a mailed check. The process for this refund began on January 14, 2014 and a check was issued via mail to Ms. [redacted]. On this date, Ms. [redacted] also requested to cancel her service with Discount Energy and this information was forwarded to her utility company, [redacted], as the utility company determines when a customer’s drop can become effective. Discount Power then received information from her utility company that Ms. [redacted]’s service would end effective February 6, 2014. On February 17, 2014 Ms. [redacted] spoke with a Customer Service Representative regarding her January 8, 2014 – February 6, 2014 billing cycle, at which point she was offered a refund of $44.52 to be issued via check. The process for this refund began on February 17, 2014 and a check was issued via mail to Ms. [redacted]. Ms. [redacted]’s service through Discount Power ended effective February 6, 2014.
Sent on: 3/7/2014 11:48:30 AM

Complaint: [redacted]
I am rejecting this response because:
It did not tell me how that $53 refund is calculated.
The whole response is a standard paragraph by its lawyer. It did not tell us what the rate Discount Power charged me and what fair market rate should be at the time. I expect the refund equals to (PriceByDiscount Power - PriceInFairMarket)* amountOfElectricity.
Sincerely,
[redacted]

Website Complaint Response:
While we cannot promise savings versus the utility company every single month, Discount Power’s goal is to show a savings versus the utility over a period of time. Ms. [redacted] enrolled in October 2013 under a variable rate plan, and Discount Power...

became her supplier effective that same month. As the Discount Power Terms and Conditions of Electric Service explain, when a customer has a variable rate plan, the variable rate can fluctuate based on changes in the wholesale power market. We understand the frustration with the recent increase in the variable rate. Unfortunately, due to unusually high wholesale costs this winter, our variable rate did increase, as the rates are based on current market conditions. The fluctuations of the wholesale power market can affect suppliers differently, contributing to the variance in rates from one supplier to another. Our current rates are available each month through the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority website ([redacted]) so that our customers can stay up-to-date on our rates and how they compare to other suppliers, at their own convenience. Ms. [redacted] spoke with a Customer Service Representative who offered to re-rate Ms. [redacted]’s bill for the December 27, 2013 – January 27, 2014 billing cycle. This resulted in a refund of $43.25 to be issued via a mailed check. The process for this refund began on February 6, 2014 and a refund was issued in the form of a mailed check to Ms. [redacted].
Sent on: 3/7/2014 11:15:41 AM

Discount Power, Inc (“DPI”) thanks for this opportunity to respond.  Customer [redacted] was a [redacted] referral, enrolling to be guaranteed $0.090 kWh for 12 months, then changing to a variable rate (guaranteed to be below [redacted], which it was…).  Customer actually received that...

rate for 14 months until DPI’s costs increased and as permitted by PA PUC regulations, the rate increased to $0.1476 kWh from 1/2/15 to 2/3/15, then decreased to $0.13403 kWh for 8 days until 2/11/15.  The customer called to drop and drop was processed immediately.  Because this was a [redacted] referral, our notification system did not send the required letter to notify Mr. [redacted] of the price increase (which has since been corrected in DPI’s system), so a refund back to the utility rate for the 1 month, 8 days was issued in the amount of $47.47 and sent to the customer on 3/6/15.  The customer’s rate did not double and DPI’s phone system or its CSR’s log every call that comes in.  The only call we have record of is on 2/5/15 when Mr. [redacted] called to drop DPI as his supplier.  The refund was justified as DPI did not notify the customer of the pending increase; this however was a system flaw with the [redacted] referral system and our back office, which has since been corrected.  We apologize for any inconvenience caused to the customer.  If you require anything further, please feel free to contact me anytime.   Ken F[redacted] Licensing and Regulatory Administrator Discount Power, Inc. [redacted]
[redacted] ###-###-#### Ex [redacted]

Revdex.com,
 
Attached please find the Welcome Letters and the independent Third Party Verification ("TPV") recording of Ms. [redacted] agreeing to enroll with Discount Power, Inc. ("DPI") on 2/23/2015.  She enrolled for 12 months at a rate of $0.135 kWh with a $100 early...

termination fee if terminated prior to the end of the term but after the rescission period. The [redacted] rate at the time was $0.1497 kWh plus distribution charges, etc.   She was mailed a copy of her Terms of Service, her Disclosure Label and her Welcome Letters all clearly confirming what had been told to her by the telemarketer for her review and reference and yet she chose not to rescind her enrollment but to enjoy the rate that was lower than the Utility company until this past month, when she noticed the [redacted] rates in ** dropped below DPI's.  Coincidence...?  The fact is the customer chose to complain because she would now like to receive the lower [redacted] rate after agreeing to a 12 month term for which DPI has already purchased the electricity and would not be able to recoup its expenditure without the early termination fee of $100 (not $200 as the customer states in the complaint).  As to the customer's contention that she did not receive her $100 dining certificate, the Welcome Letters (attached) clearly state that the customer must go to [redacted] in order to receive the certificate, which according to our records, the customer has not done.  DPI will waive the early termination fee for this customer despite not being required to do so.   
Discount Power, Inc.

This customer enrolled with Discount Power on our variable rate with a cap price, and the cap price was in effect through the beginning of 2013. When this customer enrolled, terms and conditions were sent validating the product they were being supplied on. Up until this winter, Discount Power's...

rates did not vary much, which led many customers to incorrectly believe they were on a fixed price product. Discount Power's variable rates follow the wholesale market, and if a customer want to have a rate where they can get price protection we offer that also.
Sent on: 2/26/2014 8:17:25 AM