Stream Energy - Company Information

“  I have been with Stream Energy for roughly two years. Yesterday, (02/03/15), I logged into my online account to make a payment and was directed to re-create my password for better security purposes. This included adding an uppercase, lowercase, number, and special character such as !, @, #, etc. This highly annoyed me, as I do not appreciate being told how to create MY password. Upon entering my account, I went to pay my bill as I always do and realized that with their whole website change- they, without notifying me, added a convenience fee of $2.95 whether I pay by bank, or debit/credit card. I have been paying my bill online with no convenience fee and all of a sudden, without warning, they implement it. Absolutely unacceptable and for this reason I will be finding another provider. I called their customer service and was told the only way to dodge the fee is by enrolling in their automatic bank draft option. Well that's great, except for the fact that it takes 1-2 billing cycles to actually take effect. Maybe they should have considered their customers by sending a respectful email- allowing enough time to enroll in the bank draft to avoid the future convenience fees. ”

“  I have been with stream energy for about 8 years and I have had some fluctuation in my bills but over the last two years they have gone nuts. I live in a 3200 sq ft house and my bills average about $400 a month but in the last two years oddly my bill has almost tripled to $1,100.00 in December and January. After the same thing happened last year when the bill went up to $688.00 in November this my family took action. We lowered our thermostats to 65 and turned them off during the day. I work at home so I would close myself and the dog off in my office and use a small space heater so not to heat the rest of the house. When I looked at my bill in January it was $1,168.00 and when I spoke with stream their response was " the smart meter are 100% accurate". When I challenged them they hung up the phone twice. This is a hustle and the worst energy company I have ever had to deal with. I have over 600 Facebook friends and I am starting a boycott against stream and the smart meters. ”

“  I am 70 years old; on a fixed income and was confused when I signed up for Stream Energy electric service. I was informed (signed up by phone) that I would be paying 10.4 cents per KWH. My former billing with another company was 12 cents per KWH and my bills were less than they are now. In the phone conversation I believe I was told that if I used more than 1000 KWH's in a month, that I would be billed an additional $9.95 because I exceeded 1000 KWHs. I assured the representative on the phone that I would never have that problem because I live in an RV trailer and never use that much electricity. When I recieved my bill; I saw the additional $9.95 added to my bill with less than 1000 kwh's used; and the bill was also confusing because I the bill did not reflect a charge of 10.4 cents per Kwh anywhere on the bill. I called the number on the bill and was told that I agreed to a 24 month service contract and I would have to abide by the agreement. This is wrong and takes advantage of older people on fixed incomes. It is sad that a company has to treat poor people on fixed incomes this way to make a living. If I could get off this agreement I would; but, I don't have the energy or expertise to fight. ”

“  I have been with Stream Energy since September 2010 and never once have I had a problem with them. My bill has been the lowest ever, if I need an extension to pay my bill I get it without any problems, etc. Every time another company tries to make me leave, I tell them no. And once I was with them for I want to say 2 years, one day I get my bill and I have this big ol credit. they applied my deposit to my bill. So I didn't have a bill for some months. So I just wanted to say BEST ELECTRICITY COMPANY EVER.... ”

“  Been with Stream for nine years and have not had a single issue. I have called Customer Service a couple of times with questions, and the only real trouble I've had with CS is a brief wait time to reach a live person. (This is no different from my previous provider.) I receive notices with my bill at least two months before my contract expires, plenty of time to choose a new plan. ”

“  My monthly electricity bills are consistently about 1/3 lower with Stream over my previous supplier. That's a huge amount of money that now stays in my pocket. ”

“  I am supposed to be charged at lowr rate on a contract,however they do not have any record of it, I am being charged on a mothly basis. I tried to call on the phone liked never to find thier number. I was cut off twice. When I finally got to talk to a live person( frist recording is bad) I could not understand her. It was a very baad conection or what ever.I could not expain what the the problem was.I was not even listed as a customer. BUt they did send a bill!!.I am really dispointed with Stream Energy..I called last year about this probl;em and I asured that I would be on a rate .05+ less rate than I am paying now. When I frist started with Stream I did reccomend it.I thought it was great. But now, it a different story.when I finally got to talk to a love person(that recording was bad) ”

“  I have been with Stream Electric for many years. My AC bills were high also til I replaced my AC unit, installed new windows and had more insulation installed in my attic, which was only 5 inches and that was all that was required at the time my house was built. I had never had all this inspected. When did, I learned that I needed 10 more inches of insulation. Having done all of this, my electric bill immediately dropped over $100.00 per month.per month. I corrected all of my complaints myself as they were my problems, not Stream Electric. If you have not done this, I highly recommend this. I have never had a billing problem that wasn't corrected immediately and that problem was mine also. Everyone has always been very nice and helpful. I am sorry to read about all the complaints that some of you have had. That's why I am with Stream Electric now. I had very poor service from a former company. ”

“  They charge you $2.95 if you pay online with a credit card or debit card. The same is true if you pay by phone. They want your direct banking account numbers. I only found out about this after signing up...which of course has a $250 cancellation fee. Stay away! They are very shady! ”

“  First of all the payments were always very high, I felt like they were charging me more then they should have been. Secondly when we would move they would continue to charge us for the old place we lived in and I had to contact them several time and tell them I did not live there anymore and I wouldn't pay for someone else's electric bill. And lastly, when we decided to switch over to a different electric company, I talked to two different representatives, two seperate times and they both told me I would be getting my down deposit of 150$ back. So when the time came and went for me to be getting it back in the mail I emailed them and asked them why I hadn't gotten it and they told me I wouldn't be getting it back because it had been applied to a bill several months ago. Which was a lie. We were never late on a payment or anything so for them to make up that they had basically given us free energy one month is a complete load of crap. Never use Stream Energy because they will just screw you over the entire time and no matter how good of a customer you are, you won't be getting your deposit back. ”

“  Best rate you can find in Abilene TX , as long as you pay your bill on time each month ”

“  We have been dealing with Stream Energy and their lack of cohesion in communication. Every date we receive from them is different. From the My Stream Energy Account, to the recorded voice, to an actual employee... the dates the bills are due are always different! Although we ALWAYS pay our bills, our service has been shut off twice & threatened to be shut off a third time due to their lack of clarity and communication! As a resufox 5 newslt, Stream Energy had to issue Emergency Shut-On's!!! They kept saying our service was shut off due to non payment, when in fact, we overpaid!!! We were told to fax in a copy of our bank statement showing proof of payment. We did that, spoke with an employee and was told they received the fax and that it would take 3 days to post...well, that was over 3 weeks ago! I'm fed up & we're switching gas services! Oh.... Let me say... Despite the problems, most of the customer service agents have been very nice. ”

“  My average electric bill was around $200 then we got socked with a $600 bill. The only answer my wife could get to resolve this matter was pay up. well she worked it out to pay $400 of it now and the rest later. She paid $400 but when I found out about it I had to call Stream and find out why it was so high. I asked them to come check the meter. (Another elec co does that) they don't. I asked them to re-read the meter (they don't. Another co does that) I asked them to explain the bill because the useage graph clearly shows a problem. They could not explain even part of the bill. I asked to speak to a supervisor and he could not explain it. The supervisor said would get back to us (he agreed that something is wrong) they never got back to us. Then we got a bill for $1200. (they did not receive our $400 payment yet. I called them again and they said they will have the other Elec. co come out and check our meter for $75 as soon as we pay the $1200. We called the other electric company and we switched over to them. The meter was bad. Now I still get calls harassing me from stream energy 2 years later. I have told them to stop calling me but they still call. So I document each call and conversation for future use. ”

“  My home is almost 5000 sq ft & we are not very conservative people, 2 adults & 3 teenagers.I work outside all day with ZERO A/C so when I come home, I crank down the A/C.I have never received a bill for more then $380.00.I've been with Stream since I purchased my home in 2008.No problems to this date. just know that they don't play as far as wanting the payment on time.If your 1 day late, you will immediately receive a discount notice giving only 3- weeks to PAY BILL..All is fair is the business world- I can respect this.. ”

“  Stream Energy are thieves! Stay away from them. I've spent hundreds ($400-$500) of dollars more last winter than I would have with PECO. I thought I signed up for a 12 months fixed rate but they put me on a month to month after 6 months and of course there was "nothing they could do". For just the idea of maybe saving a couple of dollars it's definitely not worth switching. I'm better of with PECO! Much better customer service. ”

“  I've used Stream since 2007 and have never once had a problem with them. This is because I pay my bill on time each month. All you gripers out there should do your part in the "customer experience" equation, and pay when you should. Why do you think you can NOT pay your bill and still avoid the consequences of NOT paying your bill. Grow Up.Also, they do not really have anyone in the field, so they are at the mercy of AEP or some other service provider like that who doesn't care about you, if you did NOT pay your bill. ”

“  NOT LIKELY AT ALL!!!We originally signed up over a year ago with a month to month contract. Stream claims to have sent out letters stating they now require a 2 year contract. Neither my husband or I remember seeing anything. Because we didn't "sign up" our bill more then DOUBLED (got a bill for over $700 for one month!) because they used what is called a "variable rate" - what the heck is that??? I called and requested a refund and was told there was nothing that could be done! Soooo ticked off!!! ”

“  I was convinced by a friend to switch , " it will help me out and you will save Money !"So I switched .... First bill came at $ 35 . i paid it 5 days early and it took them untill after the due date to prcess it ! then they had the you know whats to charge me 2.95 to pay it over the phone. i made a 1 year contract mistake . I hope you dont make the same ! P.S. In 25 years Ive never been late with TXU now the first payment is late with these idiots ...and they would'nt even note the account for me , please dont switch to them ”

“  Stream has excellent rates and allows you to lock the rates in. Energy rates like every other commodity fluctuate in price. If you are not on a contract you will be subject to prices that fluctuate based on market conditions. If you are paying your bill on time there should not be a need to call customer service. Most issues can be handled online which helps reduce cost got the company and the customer. If you have a low rate locked in and your bill is high it's because of usage or usage that was reported. That has nothing to do with the Eletricity company no matter who you have. Educate yourself on how your bill is comprised and what entities are responsible for each area of your billing. ”

“  I got my credit report today and saw a collection line for $840 for Stream Energy. I have NEVER evern heard of Stream Energy, let alone had an account with them. Call to customer service end up with replies like "well, we have your information, so obviously you had an account with us", or my personal favorite, "You are obviously mistaken. You did have an account with us in <whatever year they named>". I have had GEXA for the last 7 years, Reliant for 2 years before that, TXU for 2 years even before that, and a local cities power company for 4 years prior to that. Stream Energy started in 2005, so how I could have had an account with them is beyond me. . ”