Star Energy Partners - Playa Vista, California

Chuck G.

I received a call today from star energy partners informing me that I signed up for a 3 year contract which I didn't.
I did sign up for an apparent 9 month plan at which time upon plan expiring the company rather than contacting you to discuss options feels the need to automatically enroll you in a 3 year plan, customer rep today informed me I signed for this, which I didn't.
Company also decides to charge its customers a customer service charge of 16.50 per month that's an additional 200 per year for the right to lock in a rate which is a total RIP off.
I am in contact with the local public utilities commission.
These crooks better not even try charging early termination fees
People beware of predator companies because they only tell you what you want to hear not what the disadvantages are.

David B.

Their door to door people came to my apartment complex 4 or 5 times in the last couple weeks. I was finally home to catch them and decided to hear them out. They were touting green energy and made it seem like Potomac Edison was screwing their customers in my area and they were here to make things right. They went on about a missing section on my bill and that it wasn't updated. Red flags should have gone up throughout the whole conversation, but I thought going green and saving money was a win win. I signed up, the guy flipped through the terms of agreement on his tablet, scrolled too quickly and I told him to slow down. He told me "its alright, its just like an apple agreement. You usually skip all that anyway right?" I reluctantly signed after hearing that comment and then they went over the questions I was going to be asked to finalize a contract (which they said it wasn't) and told me how to answer. They said "if you say no to anything it will kick you over to customer service and who wants to talk to customer service, right? ughh i hate customer service." Sketchy salesmen. I called customer service the very next day, they told me that my account hasn't populated in their system and I'll have to call back within 24-48 hrs. An hour later I got a call from a survey from the company and they knew my name, number and everything. I answered the survey and asked that since I'm in the system, if they could please cancel my service. They told me that I would have to call back in a week! Knowing full-well I was in the system, I called back, got a different cs rep and sure enough, I was in their system. She processed my cancellation no problem. Speaking with the rep that helped me cancel was the easiest and most pleasant part of the whole experience. I don't know what Star Energy is all about, but their sales tactics are scaring away people that genuinely want green energy.

Angela W.

I would give no stars but to post you have to give a star. I signed up as a sales rep came to my door door and asked about being on budget billing if it was a good idea and he yes it won't mess with your budget billing. Well just got my first bill and it does. It is higher because I have to pay my budget bill amount plus their charge. I canceled right away but can take up to 2 months for it to be canceled. So now I am paying extra this month and maybe up 2 months. So I will never sign up again with a 3rd party!!!!!!!!!!! I have to pay an extra 152 this month and probably next month. The person who came and knock on my door should of said i dont recommend this for budget billing accounts. You guys need to train your sales reps better.

Cynthia L.

Very disappointed with the Star Energy Partners Service. Would not recommend others to sign up for this third party supplier. I was assured that I would be saving money and utilizing green energy, but it actually doubled my utilities bill per month especially with the 50 cent service charge per day. They really should consider how many people and how much power is being used on average per month in a residence before offering this service. Their tactics of blindly going from door to door and convincing people to sign up after knowing that information is ridiculous. Only when I called in to cancel the service was when the customer representative truthfully explained to me that Star Energy Partners would not be a suitable service for me since I live alone and would not utilize as much as 1500 kWh/mo. Even after cancelling it, you have to wait 2-3 months until the service is terminated and removed from your utility bill. There is nothing that can be done to terminate the service immediately or waive the service charge fees during that time as per another customer representative I spoke to at Star Energy. Save yourself the hassle and don't sign up. The other one star reviews posted here are very accurate as well.

Dustin W.

This is one of the biggest scam companies ever. This company claims they will lower your rates, therefore lowering your electric bill. Your rates do go down initially for a few months, but after more than a year, your rate will go up DRAMATICALLY. I actually just got off the phone with Atlantic City Electric because my electric bill has been going up every month for the at least 6 months. Within the past 2 months I have paid over $1000 to my electric bill, and I am out of the house for 12 hours a day, so it's not like someone was home using up tons electricity. The representative at AC Electric was super helpful and advised that 3rd party energy providers often do this to their customers. (Screw them by raising the rates over time). The rate with AC Electric is a fixed rate and doesn't change except during the winter. The rep advised I immediately cancel my service with Star due to their nefarious practices. If you have Star or are thinking about getting them, DO NOT DO IT. They will screw you severely and bleed you dry with variable rates and fees. Just get your service through your electric company. Your bill will be more predictable and consistent.

M. Y.

Star Energy Partners representative called me several times. Each time I told them very clearly that I didn't want their electricity. They said they just wanted the confirmation from me. I received my electricity bill today. They still became my electricity provider. And they charged $16.00 customer charge. Star Energy Partners is really a crook. Be careful.

A. Y.

The door-to-door rep guy did not explain the impact of that customer fee (or advantage fee, whatever) of $0.50 per day, which is $15 per month on average. I would not say this company is dishonest because it is mentioned (in a very small font) in the paper sheet you are told to read on over the phone. Apart from the fact that they cleverly worded that part in English rather than numbers (so in some sense, they hid it), it is mentioned in there.

A bigger problem is, they are trying to sell their product to those who cannot benefit from their rate. You need to use at least 1500 kWh/mo to see any potential savings with their rates (In other words, if you are a really big family, this maybe an option). However, their sales rep is soliciting in apartment communities where most will end up paying much more than they should.

When being told about their fixed rate (their best selling point), I pointed this out, and the rep just blurred his argument trying his best to deviate my already tired mind of Friday evening from it. I thought it was worth give it a shot if there is no hidden extra fee and he said there is no hidden extra fee -- which was only half-way true because there IS that extra customer fee; technically speaking, it was not hidden but he did not explain it properly.

I will cancel this on Monday or as soon as they "put me in their system". Not surprising that these companies solicit during Fridays and make people wait until Monday (and hopefully forget) to do any action. I kick some guys out but this guy was lucky enough to got me. Thanks for piling up another cumbersome task of infinite waiting on the phone to my already busy life. The contract cannot be activated anyway because they sent me an incorrect contract document, which states the first price segment 100 times bigger ($11.29/kWh) than what was promised over the phone (and by the rep), 11.29 cents/kWh and I do have that paper sheet describing the correct price with the rep's handwriting on it.

C_\\ H.

Horrible!!! I'm not one to leave reviews, however this company is ridiculous. Last year a guy came up to my door and had me talking about atlantic city electric company, which is my electric provider. He claimed he worked with them and can give me lower rates. After I said I wasn't sure and I would think about it, he then proceeded to tell me I had no other option. He explained the whole concept and showed me the rates. I was worried since he claimed I had to decide now or else I would end up getting a higher bill. So I signed up and later researched the company. I saw the negative reviews and decided to wait and see how my electric bill is. Well the first few months weren't bad and I saved a little money. BUT then I started realizing the charges being added. My last straw was last months bill had $140!!! charge alone just for star energy. my electric bill was 254$, never in the 5 years I lived in that house have I ever seen that. I called immediately and cancelled. This company should be ashamed of their employees and the way they con people in to thinking they have no other option. If you do sign up, make sure you read your bill carefully. Also they should realize the households that would actually benefit from this. My house is small and Im frugal with my electric uses, in which were doubled with star energy.