Tried to make a payment to Dynowatt company could not get through waited on the phone over 35 minutes never did get through. I wonder are they going to reimburse me for the time spent on the cell phone.Lets just say I am not going to hold my breath on that one. Received late payment notice could not get through once again. Went on line could not get the online payment to go through. How are we suppose to keep good credit if they keep making it harder to make payments on time? I tried to switch to a different electric company would not take me unless I put a deposit of 500.00 dollars due to a divorce wich forced me into bankruptcy. Never had bad credit until all this happened.

As a new customer I created my account on-line on August 1st and selected the soonest date provided by the company to have my power turned on without any priority fees, which was August 7th...when I called the company to confirm the service date, they claimed I had chosen Sept 15!!! What's worse is the "customer service" overseas argued with ME the CUSTOMER, rather than showing concern for the matter. AND with my request to still have my power turned on by Aug 7th, they charged me the priority fee!!! They claimed they would look at my situation to consider waiving the fee so, the next day I called again to confirm that my power would be turned on, and that the fee would be waived, but their people continued to argue that I had chosen Sept 15th, and that I could not be further assisted on this matter!!! With tons of round abouts I've attempted to speak with the corporate office, and finally got through. I'm waiting to see this matter through! THIS IS TERRIBLE TERRIBLE SERVICE, and I've only been with them less then a week! AND haven't even enjoyed the convenience of their power!!!

I filed 2 complaints with PUC. Dynowatt tried to charge me $97.00 for an early meter read to get me on Dynowatt sooner than I needed and then lied. They kept me on the phone for 45 minutes and I repeatedly asked them if there would be extra charges other than $4.95 a month as a base charge, applicable charges and .12150 a kWh with no minimum kWh base.
Dynowatt is charging me a non-recurring transmission & disribution charge of $2.42 a month which in itself means its a one time charge and still do not know the specific reason. In Fort Worth there statement top address is in Dublin, Ohio, the bill payment address is in Houston and complaint charges are to Southlake, Texas.
The dishonest marketing person was american and most customer service people are foreign, do not really know what is going on and (done on purpose) takes much time and a number of phone calls resolve or not resolve. I am choosing another energy provider 2 months before my contract is up.

Scam company: Here is my reply to a letter after I refused to pay my bill which had doubled in one month.

ARE YOU SATISFIED WITH THE COMPANY'S RESPONSE? YES____ NO X

IF YOU ARE NOT SATISFIED, PLEASE STATE WHY:



Dear Ms. Ford,

This is the first time I have seen this letter from Ms. Ptatrycja Szwed of Dynowatt dated July 9, 2008. I must say after a review of the copy you have provided, I feel it is lacking in explaining certain facts about our dispute with Dynowatt.
For example, it does not explain why our rate doubled in one month. I am not uniformed as to the market conditions affecting the price of energy. However, Ms. Szwed assertion that the rate per/KWH has doubled in one month’s time is not believable especially when other energy companies have, evidentially not had this enormous a leap in cost. After, asking in my neighborhood, I have discovered that TU Electric has not gone up to this excessive amount. Neither has Direct Energy, who by the way has not raised my neighbor’s rate in the four years they have had the service despite the lack of a signed contract to guarantee said rates!
I have been with Dynowatt for several years. My bill has never doubled before. This is the first and last time it will happen with them. I wonder how many, consumers currently not on a fixed rate plan have their bill double in one month? Did the price of electric energy double in one month? I wonder, Ms. Ford if you see anything unscrupulous about the charges?

Secondly, Ms Szwed claims Dynowatt is currently working with customers to provide information and options regarding significant increases in energy rates. This is not the same thing as doing it, nor was it done in my case. Only now, after the fact, is there any dialogue whatsoever regarding my energy account with Dynowatt. Information exchanges and presenting options to customers after the fact is an insult, and seems to be lacking sincerity. It is untimely at best. Where were the letters, in advance, letting me know my rate was now going to be a variable rate? What about an email? How opportunistic is it to not inform a customer that a contract is required to insure a lower rate until after much higher rate has already been adopted?

It is my contention that Dynowatt has used the “excuse” of higher energy costs to gouge us and not notify in a timely manner that we could have “guaranteed” a lower rate until after they had already raised the rates. I am not naive enough to sign any contract at the ridiculously exorbitant rate of .24per KWH and have already found another energy provider for .13perKWH and will sign a contract with them for that low rate.

Thank you for your consideration,
Allen

The original letter of explaination from Dynowatt after I filed with the BBB:

Re: BBB Case 1DDE-FDD%

Dear Mr. Allen:

We have been informed by the Better Business Bureau, that you have filed a complaint regarding Dynowatt. They have advised us that your latest invoice from Dynowatt is nearly twice as much as the previous month. We are aware of several factors in Texas that have caused electricity rates to increase significantly in recent weeks. We are working with our customers to provide information and options to assist them.

You were on a variable rate plan which means that your price fluctuates based on current market conditions. When prices decrease in the market you can take advantage of lower rates but when prices increase your rate will also increase. Several dynamics unrelated to Dynowatt are causing Texas electricity rates to increase – these are factors that are impacting rates for everyone on a variable rate plan regardless of who is supplying your electricity.

• Warm temperatures early in the season have increased demand and created a shortage of supply
• The price of natural gas has increased more than 56% since April and Texas uses natural gas to generate electricity
• The current system in Texas used to distribute electricity is not adequate to handle spikes in demand and this causes a shortage of supply at peak usage times during the day

Unfortunately, because no one can predict what electricity rates will be in the future, Dynowatt cannot notify customers of price increases. Any advance notification of rates would be speculation and Dynowatt does not speculate on electricity prices.

We are sorry you have choosen to cancel your account. In the future please note that one of the best ways to protect yourself from increasing electricity rates is to lock in your rate. Dynowatt offers 6, 12 and 24 month fixed rate plans to lock your rate no matter how high rates may go. Dynowatt also offers, RateEscape, a free service that allows you to reset your rate down should electricity prices decrease. According to the Department of Energy rates are expected to continue to increase so the sooner you lock in the sooner you will be protected from price increases. You can sign-up for a fixed rate plan online at Dynowatt.com or call 1-877-DYNOWATT to insure you are protected from future price increases.

We are willing to work with you to enact a payment plan to keep your account current; please let me know if you would like me to discuss payment options and enact a plan. Please feel free to contact me at our toll free number, 1-866-423-6749, extension 4862 Monday through Friday from 9:00am-4:00pm Eastern Time.

We appreciate your business and are committed to providing you with options to help you better control your electricity costs.



Sincerely,

Ptatrycja Szwed
Regulatory Compliance Coordinator

Dynowatt increased my rate when I switched providers from .11 per KWH to .24 per KWH this summer. My bill went from a normal $250 to $500, and I was stuck paying for two months. They've now turned over to a collection agency without notice. I read they must notify you if they increase your rate 50%. Does anyone know this is a fact?