When I spoke to Optus to make my own reconnection arrangements, I pointed out to them that I was a loyal customer, resisting the overtures of other providers. They consequently agreed to waive the reconnection fee of $55 !

Not so lucky with Origin, however, when I pleaded the loyalty card. But moving my gas and electricity using their online system was simple.

“Utility Connections are the sole responsibility of the tenants, please ensure that you make contact with the relevant Gas, Electricity, Water and Phone providers or utilise the free connection service via Utility One 13 18 19. This needs to be arranged at least 48 hours prior to the commencement date, [we] take no liability for utility connections.” It seems the agents get a kickback.

Within 24 hours I had received no less than 4 missed calls on my mobile and 2 text messages to contact UtilityOne urgently. A rep finally caught me. I told him I hadn’t even signed the lease yet, and I would be in contact if I chose to avail myself of their services.

So – rather aggressive marketing.

Thanks for the heads up, Kev.

I used their services. They also stuffed it up. I was moving from Melbourne to Brisbane and the thought of a company taking care of that side of things really appealed. Even though I also wanted to stay with my providers, they managed to connect my phone line to their supplier anyway and the electricity took almost two weeks to connect to!!! I was in a house without any power. I didn’t get ‘gift’ or anything. I just wanted stuff to happen like it should and good service. I followed up on the progression of my electricity connection at the time and all I could do was leave messages on their main phone number – bloody hopeless. And people make mistakes – sure but its the attitude which stank.

My brother used work in the UO Sydney office (briefly I might ad) and they are the biggest bunch of tight asses. The management would scrimp and penny pinch on staff functions and stationary, basically anything. They treated their staff like crap considering they were the ones bringing in the money! No wonder the staff get it wrong. Stuffing up peoples connections happened all the time (like every day). They used to pressure my brother to work back when he couldn’t and the main guy who ran the company was an absolute tosser, not to mention the other managers!

So if I have any advice for anyone considering UtilityOne – DONT!!! Its much less hassle doing it yourself. Steer clear. Plus why support such a bad employer.

Doesnt surprise me at all that this is the highest ranked google searched item under their own website.

Not sure what the other companies like this are like – try them instead if you need to.

Our experience was very similar to yours- it would have been simpler and easier to have made the arrangements ourselves, given the amount of times we had to go back to Utility One to get them to correct their errors.

I am, however, deeply satisfied to see that your post remains amongst the highest ranked Google search result for “UtilityOne” after the official website itself. Your line about their service being over-priced was very apt.