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My first encounter with IGS was when l rented utilities weren't even in my name and they tried to get me to sign a contract with them for gas supply, which I was not authorized to do in any capacity. Knocking on doors, making you think that you already have business with them even though you don't, pushy sales tactics, predatory last-century sales grift is their bread and butter. It's truly bizarre to see a company operate like this in this decade.
What IGS does is get you to sign a contract locking in a rate for energy/gas supply for an extended period of time. If their sales people are in your face on any given month you can bet that they're offering a decent rate that month compared to other suppliers. It seems like a deal so you lock it in. Then in a few months, energy costs from other suppliers go down (reacting to the market) and you're still paying your contract rate, which may now be higher than market price (if you haven't signed their contract, the utility will just give you whatever supplier's gas is cheapest for a given month). This is anecdotal but they always contact me at the beginning of fall for a gas contract, right as rates are going up. Maybe they've got a policy of keeping their rate low relative to the other suppliers for a month or two, then reverting to market price after their fall "sales push." Either way, the rest of the year when other suppliers are offering cheap gas, you're paying heating-season prices.
Unfortunately when I bought a home I made the mistake of signing a contract with IGS. A rep appeared waving a tablet displaying Columbia Gas information for my address and told me he represented my gas supplier. He approached when I was in my driveway with 3 friends. I signed. 36 months locked in rate for natural gas and a "home warranty" ($15 a month) which is impossible to utilize or get out of since their online account management tools "can't locate my account." The only way to do business with them is when their usually aggravated sales reps call or come to your door. I've repeatedly contacted their customer service via email, thinking this would negate the pushy tactics, to help me sync my account to their online "tools" just so I can see when exactly the contract ends and how to opt out of it. I have never even gotten a reply. At every turn they try to get you on the phone with a sales person, or get your address so they can send a sales person out to your house so that they can lean on you and get you to sign something you don't understand.
I've been unsuccessful at managing, altering, or cancelling my contract because I refuse to talk to their sales people who come to my house knocking and shouting my name in windows. This company covers its shady dealings by having very little online footprint. They didn't have an email address associated with my account. All they're interested in is selling me a contract for energy and getting me to re-sign a new gas contract, not in helping me understand, utilize, or manage the services I already bought from them.
Be sure to check out the BBB and ohenergyratings pages on this company. I've read plenty of stories from other people--$200 unavoidable cancellation fees, contracts being renewed without consent, expired contracts reverting to "variable rate" contracts with IGS as the exclusive energy provider, no access to account information. And worst of all is that this company provides no value--they are just another energy supplier, one of many, who has elected, unlike the others, to aggressively insert themselves between consumer and utility and extract value from the consumer. Where there's smoke, there's fire. This company has atrocious business practices, zero transparency, almost no online tools to help you manage/understand your account, insists on doing business in person or by phone, and their sales people actually lie to your face to make you think they represent someone you already have business with even if you don't. I just want to help other people keep from making the same mistake I did ”
“ That single five star review was obviously written by an IGS salesperson! I'm actually pretty well educated and I can calculate how much higher IGS's rate is than my current provider . . . and the answer is: 50%. Bottom-line: if they can afford to send people to your door, their rates are going to be higher. "Educate yourself" is good advice, but do it at home, on-line, at sites like this then choose your own provider. You'll be happy you did. ”
“ I would definitely not recommend this company. Very rude customer service when you don't renew your very long contracts. Found cheaper electricity elsewhere and wanted to try something different for a period of time - pushy and rude. In addition, in two months while I've been a so called "free agent" still with IGS as the supplier (without contract), they almost doubled the amount I pay per kWh - literally. Needless to say, I would never recommend nor return to this company. I hope others had a better experience than I did with IGS ”
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Moved into my new house and IGS called wanting me to sign up with them without even seeing my first bill. Got first bill and they called back. Going through the 'closure' call I noticed their rate is higher than a lot of other's. So I cancelled. The original guy called me back sounding very annoyed and making sigh noises.
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“ When it came time to switch to a new provider, this company tried to block the transition, saying I had renewed with them. This was a total fabrication on their part. I ended up paying a much longer time for the variable rate. Ripoff!!! ”
“ Unfortunately, we pay $50- $90 more a month than previously before installing the solar panels. We installed the solar panels over a year ago under the pretense that they would save us money, but they have increased our total monthly payment. We regret this purchase and would not recommend it to others. We feel good about using solar energy and the installation was free, but we pay a lot more on a monthly basis. We hope our monthly fee will become less over time. If you're looking to save money on your monthly utility bill, this will not happen. ”
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I read the other review here and they don't sound very educated. ALL SUPPLIERS HAVE TERM LIMITS!! If you don't renew, you go variable! As for "being switched without knowing..." IGS has purchased several energy companies over the years....it's by default people.
Don't complain if you don't renew for a fixed rate, don't complain if you're past company was bought out because they did shitty business. I'm thankful IGS educates.
IF YOU DON'T ASK, YOU WON'T KNOW! ”
“ Today I found out that I have been enrolled with this company for over a year. I am just astounded as I NEVER signed up for this. I'm not sure what loophole this company is using to take money from me but they are a shady garbage company. DO NOT SIGN UP FOR THEIR SUPPLY. Also, how is this not identity fraud??? ”
“ That the supplier this supplier will ever be used again. The bill is wrong and who ever read the meter was wrong. This place is rented you will not be getting unwanted charges from me because I will be calling the PUCO ”
“ I am very pleased with James basilone as my territory manager he came and introduced himself . I really like Igs as my supplier they are the best and work hard for there customers ”
“ I'm rehabbing my home gas lines were ripped out gas off at meter igs charged me over 200 dollars for one month when my gas was shut off its blamed it on nicor so I called nicor they told me I only owed them 20 bucks 18 to be exact igs igs kept blaming nicor nicor and your electric supplier will not charge you igs rates cancel igs don't pay there cancellation fee nicor and your electric supplier will not charge you igs rates just pay the amount for nicor and same for your electric your paying your bill up to 3x the amount of which it should be and igs Costner service is all foreigners you can ballet understand igs is nothing more than liars and scammers and need shut down ”
“ I just noticed on my recent bill that the price being charged went up over 50%. This is a lot. Called and they said I switched in December, which I never approved. Said they acquired Talen energy and that they went out of business as their rates were too low. I tried to discuss a lower rate but was simply told that there will be new rates March 1st. My bill has increased about $60 per month. Seems pretty unethical to me ”
“ When started with IGS, they said they would always be 10 % lower on rate and for first 5 they were,i was with them for 15 years, after first 5 years i stopped checking, then for past year price has been significantly higher, when i called they said i wasn't on preferred plan and hadn't been for past 5 years, their rate was 75 vs 50 for columbia gas 150 % higher and according to them had been for 5 years, note they never let me know, I wish I would have noticed earlier, saved 10 % for first 5yrs, paid 50 % higher for last 5yrs, not sure of center 5yrs, but paid significantly more in the end, I guess that is the plan. Unhappily scammed! ”
“ would never recommend them ”
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