Is Volunteer Energy a Scam?
Believe it or not, I may have a found another company trying to pull a fast one on the hard working people of Michigan.
A couple of years ago I signed up for Volunteer Energy as my natural gas supplier here in Michigan instead of Consumers Energy. I was told that Volunteer Energy had a track record of saving their customers approx. 15% when compared to Consumers rates.
I was told that my rate would change month to month based on the price that Volunteer Energy paid for the gas they were selling me.
Until yesterday, I had basically forgot about this switch, and assumed that Volunteer Energy was a reputable company and was going to give me the best rate that they could each month.
YESTERDAY, I get an e-mail from a company called Revolutionary Wireless. This company is apparently a marketing company or sales company that represents Volunteer Energy.
THE SLOGAN ON TOP OF THE SALES MATERIAL THAT WAS SENT TO ME SAYS “START WITH TRUST” This is interesting to me because I did trust that Volunteer Energy was going to give me the best rate on natural gas that they could, each month, in an effort to keep my business and let me know I made a good choice when I left Consumers Energy for my natural gas.
IT APPEARS MY TRUST WAS NOT WELL PLACED.
The sales material I was e-mailed from Revolutionary Wireless lists and compares 15 months worth of Natural Gas prices between Consumers Energy and Volunteer Energy. FOR EXAMPLE, The sales sheet says that in May 2010 that Consumers Energy was charging $6.8426 per MCF of Natural Gas, but Volunteer Energy was charging $5.49 per MCF of Natural Gas…a 20% savings! APPARENTLY NOT TRUE FOR ME THOUGH…
I printed off my Gas bill for May 2010 and it clearly says that Volunteer Energy charged me $6.49 per MCF for my natural gas.
I then checked other months, and in April and March of 2010 I was also charged significantly more that what Volunteer Energy is advertising as their rates for those months.
Needless to say, I’m upset and will be calling the company tomorrow. This seems like a scam to me…telling customers that you charged a certain amount in the past to try to get them to switch over…when in reality, your current customers didn’t receive the published savings…what do you think?
Please let me know if anyone else has had this problem with Volunteer Energy! It is probably a good idea to check your energy bill today…then leave a comment and let me know…maybe it only happened to me!
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March 14th, 2011 at 9:57 am
This is very sad, no trust only will hurt them in the long run.
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March 17th, 2011 at 11:54 am
even though you were charged you still received a discount on your gas which was less than what consumers charged so you didn’t pay more money on the gas you used. some savings is better than no savings at all. you may not have got a great percentage on your saving but you did save something and you never left consumers you were just billed differently. your gas bill still came from consumers.
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willie Reply:
March 17th, 2011 at 11:59 am
even though you were charged, you still received a discount on your gas which was less than what consumers charged, so you didn’t pay more money on the gas you used. some savings is better than no savings at all. you may not have gotten a great percentage on your saving but you did save something and you never left consumers you were just billed differently. your gas bill still came from consumers. also make sure of the rates sent to you were for residential or business. volunteer energy has an A+ rating with the BBB Better Business Bureau
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March 18th, 2011 at 2:47 pm
We signed up for our business through Consumer Choice Marketing and have the same problem. We were told that CCM offered the best deal with Volunteer. That was not the case though.
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March 22nd, 2011 at 11:38 pm
Very insightful article, not the typical internet garbage. The wording was clear and contained a lot of useful information. Thanks a lot for sharing this. Will be coming back soon to learn more !
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March 23rd, 2011 at 10:08 pm
I can understand the confusion, however I have learned that in many industries there is a set price and then sometimes there is a different price for different customers. It sounds like you had your account through a marketing company and not directly with Volunteer Energy. I have been a customer with Volunteer Energy for over a year. I checked my bills and the rates you quoted are the rates I paid. ($5.49 in May and June) Maybe the difference is how you got signed up. If you look at cell phone plans, cable plans and satelite TV plans you can see the same thing going on. It would make things a lot easier if there was one price for everyone, but that is not the case anywhere.
I also have to agree with Willie, It sounds like Volunteer Energy saved you money each of the months you talked about, I wonder if the same can be said for other companies out there. I have been very happy with our billing and getting updated information from my representative each month helps me know I made the right choice with Volunteer Energy. If I don’t get my update, then I just call or email and the information is provided to me.
I hope things get better for you.
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TAM Reply:
March 24th, 2011 at 11:28 am
@Robert
Thanks much for your thoughts and comments. It is great to hear that your experience with Volunteer Energy has been better than mine.
The only problem I have is that I don’t think that Consumers Energy or DTE charge different residential customers different rates…but I could be wrong. Do you know if that is standard practice for the big guys too?
All the best, -TAM
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Robert Reply:
March 24th, 2011 at 5:48 pm
It is my understanding that the Utility Companies are focused on the distribution when it comes to Natural Gas. I have been told by the Utility Company that they do not mark up or make profit on the Natural Gas they supply. The cost for getting the Gas is spread out amoung all customers evenly regardless of the size of the account. It doesn’t matter to the Utility Company what price they charge as long as they break even.
With the Suppliers however, there is competition, and promotions, and a bunch of different prices, as I said in my original post. It would be great if everyone got the same price like with the Utility company, but I have decided to take advantage of the savings. I do tell my friends about Volunteer Energy because I saved about $180.00 at my home over the last 12 months.
You should be able to save so just find a representative that will keep you informed better.
best of luck
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Joe Ostervik Reply:
April 3rd, 2011 at 6:54 pm
Robert how did you come across Volunteer? They are one of the best companies to actually show a savings for the customer. You are right about the utility companies they can’t make a proffit because of the new deregulation laws.
Anybody can sign up for the service thru my website YourGasGuy.com along with other products and services we offer.
March 25th, 2011 at 1:43 pm
They are the best company in MI. I have been working with them since Dec 08 I am a CCM rep. If you want a print out let me know. They have been cheeper than Consumers Energy since I’ve started with them. If you want a print off of the prices email me and I will sent it to you. Volunteer plan is a variable rate just like Consumers or any local utility and they do not have a contract so you can switch at anytime you feel you are not getting the best price. They have a A+ rating with the BBB and the Michigan Public Service Commision. Some local utilities charge a sercharge for there service to Volunteer and all the suppliers so some months they could be higher. It’s all based on the stock market it’s traded daily. The local utility has to keep their storage supply at a certain percentage so they are required by the MPSC to buy no matter what the price is that month. So for 4-6 months or so they will be higher than the suppliers cause they have to make up the diffence of the higher price and what the supplier bought it at.
For the income discloser not sure about!
I have been getting paid every month!
Joe Ostervik
Reginal Director
517-548-1954
JoeO@CcmGasBroker.com
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April 1st, 2011 at 1:08 pm
Connecticut Energy can lower your current electric bill and save you money on CT Energy for your home or business.
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April 2nd, 2011 at 1:03 am
Go to Yourgasguy.com and save in Connecticut with 2 utility companies Connecticut Light & Power and United Illuminating and turn your monthly expenses into a monthly income CcmGasBroker.com and 22 other states we cover!
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April 3rd, 2011 at 1:41 am
Unfortunately I don’t have any experience with them, so I can’t really provide any help, would be great if you could update us if you find any new information on it.
-Jean
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April 20th, 2011 at 12:20 am
Energy supply has and always will be a big racket. Even if you contact them, they will tell you a very long and complex story as to why this has happened, or perhaps there are these or those charges, etc. The best path is, to find your own way of getting energy. Sure it will be expensive now to do so, but look at how much you, your parents, and even your grand parents have spent in their lifetimes on energy and possible return in interest if that money had rather been invested, and suddenly any amount smaller than a billion seems a reasonable ask.
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May 22nd, 2011 at 7:42 pm
CT Energy will lower your CL&P or UI electric bill every month for homes and business in Connecticut Energy Discount.
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July 6th, 2011 at 4:31 am
I have been a customer with Volunteer Energy for over a year. I checked my bills and the rates you quoted are the rates I paid. ($5.49 in May and June) Maybe the difference is how you got signed up.
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July 7th, 2011 at 2:38 am
First of all you never said that Volunteer Energy only has a month to month contract,other words if it was so bad why didn’t you switch back to Consumers.I’ll tell you how great Volunteer is, they are helping strike force int.in the fight to end childhood obesity. That’s what kind of company volunteer is. Does Consumers care about your kids? Please get the facts, because you may be affecting your own children. Remember you could have just switch back.
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September 12th, 2011 at 6:15 pm
Did you switch back to Consumers or call volunteer energy directly to find out why you were charged differently? If you gave them a chance to make it right I’m sure they would. I would call them. That is the true measure of a quality company, if they make a mistake do they correct it?
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December 10th, 2011 at 10:34 pm
these are all bait and switch scam companies anyone in michigan can check the spot market price for gas that is basically what michicon and consumers pay and its about 20 cents per mcf cheaper on the spot market.what you pay is about 1 1/2 pennies less per mcf from these other so called independants. I would be more than willing to pay the legal profit on gas in michigan if i could buy ny own for the entire year put it in michcon storage and pay the distrabution cgharge as we already do.
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January 21st, 2012 at 4:23 pm
Yes, i to was doped into thinking that Volunteer Energy would save me money on my gas bill. But after receiving a bill for over $300.00 dollars for gas i checked my bill i see that i am being charged double for the same service.
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Jeff Reply:
January 26th, 2012 at 12:27 am
Florence,
This story was not about paying a higher price for the Gas. Volunteer Energy has provided savings in all Major Markets for quite some time. Even the oriinator of this conversation was saving money over the GCR Rate billid by his utility company. Some times the Utility bill can be confusing to read. I work with thousands of people to help them understand how to read and understand the Utility bill and how to avoid paying a higher price than the utility company by keeping them informed. Let me know if you would like to review your bill with me and I will help you understand it. It is not a double charge on the bill. The GCR Charge will go away and be replaced with the Supplier Charge listed right next to the amount of gas used.
What is the Supplier Charge showing on your January bill?
Please reply back. I really would like to help you understand the charges on your bill.
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Jeff Reply:
January 26th, 2012 at 12:29 am
Sorry about the spelling errors.
(Originator) & (billed)
Please reply, I can help you understand.
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Joe Ostervik Reply:
January 26th, 2012 at 3:17 am
The gas bills are sometime confusing. 1 your gas bill goes up because of the usage goes up in the winter! Volunteer Energy has never been above Consumers Energy or DTE since I started with them 3 years ago. They are a very good company and have a A+ rating with the BBB. Sometimes the local utility will estimate your bill usually in January or February so they don’t have to send the meter readers out in the really cold winter. So sometimes they will 2X or even 3X the usage. This happened to several of my clients. They called the local utility and they got it resolved. You will have to go out and read the meeter for the operator you talk to and they will adjust the amount for you. This is not the suppliers fault ever it’s the local utility only.
If you have any questions please call me! 517-548-1954
Thanks,
Joe Ostervik
Regional Director
Consumers Choice Marketting
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February 1st, 2012 at 11:02 pm
I’ve had no problems with Volunteer. I have the 5.29 variable rate same as you and it hasn’t changed. I believe they are trustworthy.
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February 5th, 2012 at 12:05 am
Very trust worthy! I’ve had customers with Volunteer for almost 4 years and just signed up 6 more accounts this week!
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February 16th, 2012 at 6:43 pm
I found a website that seems to be tracking the current rates for all the natural gas suppliers in Michigan. It seems to be pretty up to date. There seems to be quite a price spread between the different companies. So I guess it pays to do your research and shop around. http://www.michgaschoice.com
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Joe Ostervik Reply:
February 17th, 2012 at 2:10 am
Thanks for the info!!! Yes do your homework and make calls it’s your money! These rates that are posted are for residential. Commerical I was signing up accounts this past week here in MI for $3.99 per MCF WOW never been this low in 10 years!!! If anybody needs any help or interested in becoming a broker and make some money please call me I have been in CCM now for 3 years and it just keeps getting bigger and better every month.
Joe Ostervik
Regional Director(future Executive Director!!)
517-548-1954
JoeO@CcmGasBroker.com
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