Introduction
Which?, the consumer watchdog, has released its annual supplier survey on customer satisfaction, ranking energy firms from best to worst. The results show significant differences in customer service quality among major providers.
High Energy Prices and Customer Service
Households have been grappling with high energy prices, with the energy price cap rising to £1,928 a year from January 1. According to Which?, the quality of customer service has become a crucial factor for consumers as fixed deals offer little savings compared to the price cap.
Survey Results
Which? surveyed over 9,000 energy customers to compile the rankings. British Gas came in last place, with Boost, Scottish Power, Ovo Energy, Shell Energy, EDF Energy, and E.ON Next also receiving low scores. On the other hand, Octopus Energy, Ecotricity, and E (Gas & Electricity) received the highest customer scores.
Customer Complaints about British Gas
British Gas, the largest supplier in Great Britain, scored poorly in several categories, including accessibility, value for money, and accuracy of energy payments. Customers complained about difficulties in contacting British Gas' customer service and long resolution times.
Call for Improved Customer Service
Which? is calling on energy providers to address customer service failings and ensure that customers can easily contact them and get the assistance they need. Good customer service is crucial, especially with high energy prices and limited opportunities for consumers to save by switching suppliers.
Complaining to the Energy Ombudsman
If you have a complaint about your energy company, you can escalate it to the Energy Ombudsman. They handle issues between customers and suppliers, including billing problems, service delays, and customer service concerns.
Note: This article is based on data up to a year old. British Gas has made efforts to improve its customer service since then.
