Power firm cops it online

THE state’s new energy provider vows to deliver competitive deals for Tasmanians — but online company reviews warn potential customers to stay away.

Forty-three of 44 reviews on online rating site Productreviews.com.au award Victorian company 1st Energy just 1 star out of 5.

Energy giant Aurora also has a low star rating, with only four out of 22 scoring over 1 star.

1st Energy this week became the first retailer to enter the Tasmanian market after deregulation.

The new energy provider said it had received strong re- sponse from Tasmanian customers switching from Aurora.

But online reviews of the company reveal a consistent level of mainland dissatisfaction.

“I signed up and was promised it would be cheaper than other providers. However, all the kilowatt charges are quite expensive,” one post read.

“My first bill was over $100 more than I’d paid in years. When I contacted 1st Energy, I was told I probably used more power than normal and that it would ‘level out’,” another online user wrote.

1st Energy executive director Adam Landry said the company followed up on positive and negative feedback.

“1st Energy continuously looks for ways to improve the level of customer service we deliver,” he said.

Goanna Energy Consulting principal Marc White said more consumers were going online to seek advice.

“I think it’s clear people are becoming more reliant on finding information online these days and, in this instance, a lot of 1st Energy’s target market will be looking at that for insight into energy provider behaviour,” he said. “But it must be noted that paying for energy is a ‘grudge-buy’ and not an aspirational tangible purchase, and as such, people are often critical of the service provided.”