Hiko Energy

Review: Advertised electrictyrate of $0.0759/kwhr, 1st bill was for more than 2x that amount at $0.1850. Still advertising the $0.0759 rate. I called and they said too bad.Desired Settlement: adjust my bill to the quoted and agreed upon price.

Business

Response:

Good Morning,

Our records indicate that this customer enrolled his electricity supply account on our variable rate plan with Hiko Energy in February of 2014 via our website. On the site there is a Disclaimer: "The offer information on this website is provided solely for educational and informational purposes and may not represent a complete and/or accurate listing of all offers in the Connecticut marketplace. As with any contract, you should call individual suppliers to confirm offers, terms, and conditions before enrolling."

As stated in our Terms and Conditions, our variable rate is based on the market, cost, supply and demand, and other determining factors. During the winter however, the cost of energy skyrocketed, causing our rates to increase as well.

This customer's electricity account is currently active with Hiko. There has been no request to cancel.

A copy of this resolution has been sent to this customer.

Thank you.

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# [redacted], and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because

they are attempting to hide behind a vague statement that is used on all web sites, which I do not believe can stand up to scrutiny. This is not the first energy supplier I have signed up for, but it is the first energy supplier that has tried to lie and cheat me.

The stated rate was, and still is $0.0759/kWhr. Lets get the answer to a few of these questions and see where that leads us.

1. When was the advertised rate of $0.0759/kWhr in effect? First date and last date of that rate?

2. Then, what was the rate immeadiately after the $0.0759 rate? and the effective dates for that rate.

3. How long does a rate have to be in place before it can be raised?

4. How long can a firm, like HIKO, knowingly post a stale rate that is so much lower and out of date?

5. Why after being informed of this is the wrong rate still advertised on the energize ct web site?

Over the years I have selected other energy suppliers from the energizect web site and the rate, fixed or variable, has always matched the advertised rate. it has risen over time, but never doubled in a month. No energy prices have doubled in a month. not my oil, not my propane, not my cable, none.

This is a classic bait and switch. Advertise a low rate and then bill for what ever rate they want, and with the system in place it probably works pretty well for them.

In order for the Revdex.com to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above.

Sincerely,

Business

Response:

Good Morning,

We have done everything in our power to settle this with the customer.

We feel that we have been complaint and at this point there is nothing further that we can offer this customer.

Thank you.

Review: Hikos' high pressure sales tactics convinced me to go with their service for substantial savings on my electricity costs. Once I signed up, after 2-3 months I noticed the cost actually increasing, not decreasing as they promised. My latest bill actually shows a 60% increase in electricity generation service costs.Desired Settlement: Would like Hiko to refund $185.35 the difference between $.169000 / KWH and the original $.089486 /KWH.

Business

Response:

The customer enrolled on a variable rate plan with two of HIKO’s incentives, Savings up to 7% over the course of one year and one free month of energy supply after 12 months of services. The rate that we offer is a variable rate. Unfortunately, due to the big increase in the cost of the energy, our rate has gone up. Although we can't guarantee savings every month, it is always our intention to do so. On a variable rate there will be times we can be higher or equal to the utility company’s rate. The variable rate is determined by HIKO Energy, based on numerous key factors, including current market conditions and climate. We reached out to customer with our final resolution.

Review: I agreed to have my gas and electric bill to be 7% lower than I pay with BG&E. I was paying $156.00 a month and I just received my first bill from HIKO it was 572.00, I did not agree to pay amost three times more than my original bill.

That was not the agreement, why would anyone agree to pay more money?

The customer service number is no good to me because they do not answer, I've called them about 6 times and I left a message two days ago and have not had a return call yet. The representative came to my home and promised me a 7% lower bill and also a month free gas and electric bill, he gave me his contact number and I called him 4 times and he had no answers for me.

I want to cancel this agreemant and can not get in contact with anyone to do so. I mailed a letter of cancellation but something tells me that I will not hear from them. I want to be with BG& E again. Representative's name is [redacted].Desired Settlement: Cancellation of the contact so I can remain with BG&E and I also would like to know why I owe them 572.00 when I was only paying 156.00

Review: This company called and offered competitive market rates for gas and electric, for few month everything was fine, but now they are charging me $1.2 per term which is almost 4 times higher then utility company. Just this month alone it is around $300 difference. When you call nobody answers the phone. Eventually it sends to voice mail which is full. So you can not even talk to them.Desired Settlement: I want my money refunded

Business

Response:

Our call volume has drastically increased recently, but to ensure that customers are able to reach us, we have doubled our Customer Service staff this week. Because this winter we’ve seen some of the harshest weather in years. The cold affected electricity generation systems, particularly natural gas, in the Mid-Atlantic and the Northeast such that supply weakened and prices skyrocketed, catching many homeowners and business by surprise. Hiko Energy offered savings over the course of one year plus one free month of energy supply after 12 months of services. Because we only offer variable rates the rates went up to reflect our cost. We will reached out to customer by email with our final resolution rate adjustment.

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# [redacted], and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because:

[They

contacted me by email, but did nothing to resolve the issue of last

bill: They promised competitive rates after initial six month period...

My utility company charged $0.37 per term for February gas bill they

charged $1.20 per term, with 343.299 terms usage they turned something

that should have been $129.55 charge (according to [redacted]) into

$398.23 charge, which is ridiculous, this is not a competitive rate. I

would like them to refund the difference.]

In order for the Revdex.com to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above.

Sincerely,

Business

Response:

We received the rebuttal from this customer. We have done everything in our power to settle this with the customer. We feel that we have been compliant and at this point there is nothing further that we can offer this customer.

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# [redacted], and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because:

You really done nothing to resolve your bad judgements and errors. Now anytime I can I will choose different airline. United has really bad business practices.

In order for the Revdex.com to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above.

Sincerely,

Review: On ** January at approximately 8:15pm, a representative from HIKO Energy LLC, [redacted] (ID #[redacted]) knocked on my door and advised me that I was required by Con Edison (electricity provider) and National Grid (Gas provider) to hire HIKO Energy LLC as my Energy Service Company (ESCO). I asked him to confirm that it was not a sales call but rather required to continue my service with Con Edison and he confirmed as much. He then asked for a recent Bill from Con Edison and National Grid. I gave him my Con Ed bill but told him that I am paperless with National Grid to which he responded "Go ahead and pull it up on your phone". Due to red flags, I told him I couldn't do that at the moment and he responded "OK, we will contact you by phone for that". He called his central office and began giving them my information. At the end of the conversation, the operator asked that [redacted] put me on the phone to confirm the information. I asked the operator once again if this was a sales call or required to continue my Con Ed service to which she responded "No, this is required to continue your Con Ed service". I confirmed all information and was handed a contract. I have spoken to Con Edison this morning and they advised that I was lied to and that they do not require their customers to hire 3rd party ESCO's and that I should immediately call the Public Service Commission - Consumer Protection division which I did and a complaint was opened. Con Edison also put a block on my account so that they cannot register my account with them. I have a ttempted to contact HIKO on a number of occasions throughout the day and have left numerous messages but have not received a call back. Their practices are both predatory and unethical. I will continue to attempt to contact HIKO to have this contract void.Desired Settlement: I would like my contract to be null and void and for their predatory actions to be public knowlege.

Consumer

Response:

At this time, my complaint, ID [redacted] regarding Hiko Energy LLC has been resolved.

(By clicking "OK", your complaint will be closed as Resolved.)

Sincerely,