Complaints

• Initial Complaint

  07/16/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  a few months back we were contacted by phone by a company identifying itself as Champion Energy. At the time the offer seemed reasonable. However they were concealing the fact that discontinuation of their services would come at an astronomical cost. Later on when we were no longer satisfied with their services we filed to discontinue them and were informed that the cost of discontinuing them would cost us ******* dollars. To us this is usury and price gouging in it's grossest form. It is also bald faced elder abuse as my sister is 68 and I am 69. We want to discontinue them IMMEDIATELY without having to pay such an egregious sum. in fact since this is elder abuse we don't want to pay them anything

  Business response

  07/23/2024

  ****************************** enrolled the service address in question via recorded Third-Party Verification (***) with Champion as its retail electric provider on August 28, 2023 for a 48-month Contract Term beginning October 2023 on a Fixed Price product with Capacity and Transmission Passed Through. The provided Service Address is *******************************************************
  
  ****************************** identified himself as the Owner of the property during the *** and confirmed he had authority to make decisions on behalf of the business regarding the businesss retail electricity supplier.Based on the shared last name, Champion believes ****************************** is a relative of ***************************** who filed this BBB Complaint. Champion mailed the customer a Welcome Packet on the same day (August 28, 2023) of the *** enrollment that included:(i) the customers Pennsylvania Small Commercial Contract Summary; (ii) the customers Terms of Service; and (iii) a Contact Information sheet for the customer.
  
  ********************** then began serving the customer as its retail electric provider beginning October 2023. Based on the information provided, Champion understands the customer now wishes to terminate his businesss electricity agreement with Champion and does not wish to pay the applicable early termination fee (***). Champion strongly rejects the claim that this enrollment, or the applicable early termination fee, are usury.
  
  The early termination fee was explained twice and consented to twice by ****************************** during the August 28, 2023 third-party verification (***) call. The early termination fee was also identified and explained in the customers Pennsylvania Small Commercial Contract Summary and in Sections 7 and 13 of the Terms of Service, pursuant to 52 Pa. Code 54.5(c)(9).
  
  Champion therefore respectfully asserts that the early termination fee ***************************** complains of is valid and was consented to by ***************************. Nevertheless, Champion is committed to providing quality customer service and will therefore waive the *** in its entirely. Champion will also release Mr. ******* business from its retail electricity agreement with Champion so that Mr. ******* business can receive electricity service through its local utilitys supply service or through another retail electricity supplier of his choosing. Champion attempted to contact ***************************** this morning (July 22nd) to communicate the same and left him a voicemail with a direct number to call back to speak to a live agent. Champion will also send ***************************** written correspondence communicating the same.

• Initial Complaint

  06/01/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On July 22, 2021 I signed an agreement with Champion Energy for their Champ Saver-36 at a **** cent per kilowatt rate. Today I found out that their rate has been fluctuating and many times over 12 cents. I reached out to them and they stated it was not at a fixed rate, however; I informed them that I was lead to believe it was at a fixed rate of **** per kilo. Attached, please find my chat conversations with their representatives from July 22, 2021 and today's chat on June 1, 2022 Thank you ~***********************

  Business response

  06/02/2022

  You are on a fixed rate plan. There seems to be some confusion regarding the two main component that make up the total price on a ****. The two components are the energy rate and the delivery charges. These two rates make up what is often referred to as the average price per kilowatt-hour (kWh).
  The energy charge from Champion Energy for your contract is $0.07/kWh. It is a fixed price that does not change during the term of the contract, which is until July ****. The delivery charges from the Transmission and Distribution Utility (TDU) from CenterPoint Energy changed since the original renewal date. The per month charge remains $4.39 and the per kWh rate changed from $0.033547 to $0.039.
  The average rate you mention is an estimate of charges based on the energy rate and the delivery charges. You were quoted the $0.106, which is based on ***** kWh usage.  Your actual usage will impact the average amount you pay each month.
  As required by the ************************* of ***** (PUCT)we disclose in the Electricity Facts Label (***) how prices may change, which is related to delivery charges from the **** The *** also shows how the average price may look if usage is 500 kWh, ***** kWh or ***** kWh.
  Attached is the *** provided at the time of renewal. It states, Your price may vary from the price in this *** if there are changes in TDU charges, changes to the **************************** of ***** or ***** Regional Entity administrative fees charged to loads, or changes resulting from federal, state or local laws or regulatory actions that impose new or modified fees or costs that are outside our control. For more information please reference the Terms of Service..
  Champion Energy has not over-charged your account. In the 2021 chat the two different price components where listed, and they were re-shared in the most recent chat.
  If you choose to cancel your contract before your contract end of July **** there is an early termination fee (ETF) of $250, which was stated in both chats and on the *** provided at renewal.

  Customer response

  06/07/2022

   
  Complaint: 17301973
  
  I am rejecting this response because: I specifically asked your representative about the rate charges (refer to chat documentation) and he stated it would 10.6.  He never stated that it fluctuated. 
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***********************

  Business response

  06/14/2022

  In the chat you authorized the renewal and stated you would read the Energy Facts Label (***), which clearly states the energy rate, the delivery rate and shows that the **** is the average rate per kWh for ***** kWh. Attached is a copy of the *** with the the Average **** rate circled in red, plus the actual rate charged by Champion Energy and CenterPoint Energy circled in green. The two rates circled in green is what makes up your **** based on your actual usage. 

  From the chat session:

  4:28 pm ****: I authorize Champion to renew my contract pursuant to the terms specified above. I will read,understand, and consent to the Terms and Conditions(Champion-RES-**-092419),

  Electricity Facts Label( **-***-Fixed-0-EN20190403) and Your Rights as a Customer documents. I understand that I can print or save these documents and that a copy will be sent to me via e-mail if I have provided an e-mail address. I will contact Champion if I would like to receive a copy of these documents via mail. Do you agree?

  4:28 pm ***********************: Yes

   

  You will continue to be billed an energy rate of $0.07 per kWh from Champion Energy, plus the pass through costs of $0.033547 per kWh and a monthly fee of $4.39 from CenterPoint Energy. Depending on your actual usage the average month rate WILL vary because the monthly fee from CenterPoint Energy is not based on usage. The pass through costs from CenterPoint Energy could change without notice, as is also called out in the ***. 

   

   

  Customer response

  06/20/2022

   
  Complaint: 17301973
  
  I am rejecting this response because: I'd like some feedback from BBB if they agree with Champion because I STRONGLY disagree.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***********************

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩