Constellation - Company Information

“  On May 3 I went online and changed energy providers through illinois energy ratings.com. I received a confirmation e-mail and then, I have heard nothing. As a matter of fact, I received an e-mail on July 3 from Champion Energy, who had been my provider for the past few years, thanking me for renewing my contract with them. Someone dropped the ball and I don't know who, but it would appear my request for a new provider did not actually go through. ”

“  I hope I will receive a bill ”

“  I've used multiple provider for power in Texas over the last 5 years since deregulation kicked in. I've always gone to powertochoose to get the best deal when my previous contract expires. I did this recently and have learned that StarTex is now considering anyone who has used their service within the last 36 months to not be eligible for their best NEW CUSTOMER plans. In the past, the process was that if u were not an existing customer you were considered a NEW CUSTOMER. Now StarTex has changed the rules to scam us. StarTex will publish a loss leader on powertochoose, but say you are not allowed to have that. They'll gladly sell you a plan that is more expensive so it's not that they think you are a risk. They just want to bait and switch users.I've contacted my local congressman and he has had the PUC file a complaint about this bait and switch practice. Hopefully, this will be resolved to help the little guy. ”

“  Purchase from Startex ever again? _ _ _ _ No. I ordered a variable rate plan that started at a wonderful rate- about $0.072 per kw. They do mention that they can raise the price at their own discretion at any time. What they never mention in the terms is that yes, they are about to raise your rate after only one month of the promotional rate and yes, you will be shocked at how cavalier they are about dinging you once you have been roped in.The idea that anyone would agree to have their rates raised by 64% after only one month (from 7.2 cents to 11.8) is so ludicrous that it won't enter into your thinking as a reasonable prospect, unless someone tells you in plain language that it will happen and that this is apparently routine business to Startex- hence my review here. Don't take a promotional rate unless you have done an exhaustive study of how your account will be handled after the first short period of service. They leave all mention of that out except by inference in "legalese". ”

“  I was on a rate plan until this July and was very happy. I did not enter another because I knew I would be buying a home and was worried about breaking a contract. Even though I have been going month to month my bill has been good. Unfortunately I am forced to shop for another company because the new rate plans are very high. I have not had any issues, I love that I can go online and pay, and my bills were decent. They no longer offer any rate plans that are priced decent. I did try to call customer service to see if I could get a lower rate as a loyal customer but no luck.....so I will shop and read reviews until I find another company ”

“  As many have noted, this company will sneakily jack up your rates if
you're not paying attention. They'll lure you in with a low introductory
rate, induce you to autopay your bills, then double your rate immediately
at the end of your term and hope it takes you a while to notice.
Exceptionally sketchy business model. I've used several providers and this
company is by far the worst. ”

“  I had been with StarTex for several years and was happy with them until I received my bill yesterday. My variable rate excluding TDU surcharged increased 46%, from $.0879 to $.1286, from the June 2012 to July 2012 bill. I don't see how "market fluctuations" could account for such a huge increase. I checked their 12 month contract rate and StarTex is not offering competitive rates like they used to. Their current 12 month rate is $.108 kwh. For comparison I just signed a 12 month contract with Cirro for $.09 per kwh. Both quoted rates include fixed charges and are based on 1,000 kwh of usage. On the Power to Choose website about 70% of the competing 12 month plans are cheaper than StarTex. If your renewal is coming up with StarTex it is definitely time to shop. ”

“  In Dec. of 2011 I signed a 3 yr. contract expecting to be operating my business for another 10 yrs.Unfortunetly, my parents in Vietnam (my homeland) have been sick and decided to sell my businessand move back home. The new owners and I have signed a Bill of Sale with no transferable debts,contracts, liabilities, etc. They have other cleaners and have the same REP they have had for over 20 yrs. and will not transfer the contract with StarTex, Because of that I will have to pay thousands of $7,000 in penalties. I am shocked, disheartened, because it will cost me to make this move and I cannotafford that kind of cost. I asked the new owner to consider transferring,but his rate with his preferred REP is .001 less. I cant blame them. Ive been told to file a complaint with PUC. Can anybody else help me? Should I hire and attorney? At this point the cost of an attorney may be less, if you can believe it. I;ve told my story over and over and everyone tells me that it cannot be. But, the new owner does not have to enroll new move in with StarTex, not necessarily good for me. Please help me!! ”

“  Beware of this company, I have been with them for five years, and I re-uped for 12 months each time. This last time they "lost" my sign up sheet, and when I noticed they were charging me .145 per klw vs .087 which is what they should have been charging me, they refused to do anything about it, except offer me twenty dollars off, if I would sign up again, no thanks, I moved on to Champion, who is by far the highest rated electrical co by JD Power, and this site as well. The best part is an even lower rate than this crooked co would offer me (.084) and don't bother with your phony offer to contact me from Startex which I see with ever complaint here, after three phone calls to even reach a supervisor, at Startex, I don't won't any more. ”

“  They changed their billing system without notifying their customers. Exceedingly long hold times and no response to emails. Double billing, unexplained charges/credits, uninformed customer service reps, increased rates. Stay away folks. ”

“  We've had StarTex for a couple of years now. We pay our bill on time.

Went on vacation, and Mrs paid the bill before we left. Get home, no power. Apparently she sent $119 and the bill was for $190. 10 days late with a "past due balance" and they see fit to turn out our power. Lost everything in the fridge and freezer because of it.

Customer service was not very sympathetic, and treat Mrs like we're some sort of trouble case. Now we have "reconnect fees" on top of our bill and lost groceries.

Helpful customer service my ass. What kind of company shuts off power that quickly, and with such a trivial reason? ”

“  BAD-BAD-BAD
I was told when I renewed my contract that there will b no monthly charge even if I didn't use the minimum monthly KW, but they did charge me $9.95 & after I requested to investigate what the rep told me on the ph, they said that I agreed to that, but when I told them to let me listen to the recorded conversation, they said no! They also didn't want to give me the address to their legal dept so I can send them a letter from my Atty.
DO NOT SIGN UP WITH THIS CO!!!
BAD-BAD-BAD ”

“  Have a commercial building in McAllen Texas. I had ordered STARTEX to stop service due to a new tenant coming into the building. Low and behold STARTEX failed to stop service and tenant ran up a bill under my name. Then had a bill collector hounding me for the bill and was extremely rude and offensive. Having to clear up a problem created by STARTEX that should have been avoided by them. Definitely would not recommend and will never consider them due to bad service, ignoring my requests, and extremely rude unprofessional behavior. ”

“  When I first signed on with them my bill was never more than 115. Now my bill is never less than 135. I've been having family tragedies and have been in and out of the city for the past 2 mths. The bill completely slipped my mind. So I figured it would roll over to the next and I would just pay it all one lump sum like most companies. HELL NO two weeks later I'm back in town and come home to no lights. They give you no lee way. I have 3yr old twin daughters this was an outrage for me and them. I call. And ask them can they reconnect and I could pay it the next morning when I get paid and the response I got was unfortunately our system is automatic and we can not restore power until the balance is paid in full and even then there is a reconnect fee. Miss me with the bs startex there is always a way. DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY. THEY DO NOT CARE FOR THE CUSTOMER. I'm switching to txu. I'd. Rather pay more and be service satisfied than deal with this scrappy company ”

“  I had trouble with receiving my bills throughout by contract with this company. They sent me my last month bill but not my final bill, never sent me any notice of owing them money and then turned me over to a collection company for $43.50. Never, Never,Never do business with this company! You will regret it in the end. ”

“  After several years service and my contract ending, ST sent me a offer for renewed service. After filing the new service request I was under the impression of getting a new contract. After checking my last bill, I noticed my rate ($0.133) was not moved to the newer rate..!
What's the point of wasting the energy to contract for an additional period of time? So much for customer service. Bye, Bye Star Tex, you have a problem and I choose not to continue your service. ”

“  Avoid these guys at all cost. Downhill since
acquired! ”

“  THE CONTRACT EXPIRED. THE RATE JUMPED FROM 8.5 TO 14.4 KWH. A PRICE THAT WAS NOT CONSISTENT WITH ANY OTHER RATES -- DEFINITELY A RIPOFF ! I OVERLOOKED THE EXPIRATION OF THE CONTRACT DUE TO A DEATH IN THE FAMILY AND NEVER GOT A NOTICE FROM STARTEX. I EXPLAINED THE SITUATION WITH THE SUPERVISOR. THE SUPERVISOR/COMPANY WOULD NOT GIVE ME A BREAK. ”

“  I've been with Startex for a few years, and I have learned that they lack the competence to process 2 invoices (for 2 accounts I have) that I mailed them in their own envelope. They cashed the check but refused to apply the money to my accounts. Then they threatened to cut off my service if I didn't pay the amount due (of which the money had already been received, accepted and cashed!). I had to give them a credit card over the phone to stop my power from being cut off. I sent then a copy of the front and back of the cancelled check along with emails AND THEY STILL DIDN'T ALLOCATE THE FUNDS TO MY ACCOUNT PROPERLY.Customer service is a joke as these folks dont even know how StarTex does the billing, how they apply funds received and then they tell me the computer allocates the money a certain way when its received. Well, if that's the case, why the heck do they have a line below the amount due on the invoice where we the customer are asked to fill in how we want the check allocated ??????? This alone is mis-representation and another scam to squeeze WRONGFUL late charges out of you. Anyone out there know of a good lawyer to sue this company? I'm confident in a suit we can get their records of 1,000's of people they do this to all the time to add as additional plaintiffs. ”

“  I renewed with StarTex after my original contract ended and received a confirmation that my order was received. Three months later I figured out that my renewal had NOT gone through in spite of the confirmation I had received and that StarTex had been charging me much higher non contract rates. I had been overcharged several hundred dollars! It was an act of congress to get a refund! I will never do business with them again.
”