Complaint / Review
Dominion Retail (Massachusetts Natural Gas Supplier)
Deceptive and Unethical practice by nayeral gas supplier Pittsburgh

A couple of months ago, I got in the mail solicitations to switch my natural gas supplier from NStar to Dominion under the auspices of saving money with Dominion's lower rate. I have several gas accounts at an income property, so I sent back the cards to switch over 6 of the units.

Recently, on the first of the 6 accounts, I got my first monthly bill under the new supplier (the bill still comes from NStar because they are still the delivery provider), and was shocked that I was charged about $200 extra by NStar because I switched in the middle of a "6-month contract". I'm expecting similar charges on my other 5 accounts when the bills arrive.

After spending an infuriating half day on the phone with Dominion, NStar, and the Mass DPU (who are unhelpful and don't like to be bothered), I learned that NStarhas the right to retroactively charge a higher rate if you switch in any month other than January or July.

After prodding, Dominion Customer Service rep admits that they know this happens, but it's my fault for not reading all the fine print on the back of the original solicitation. My response is that they promised to save me money, but instead they're costing me several hundred, and it'll take 10 years to recoup because their rates are really not much better anyhow. She admits that she's embarassed that the company does this to unsuspecting people, but she can't help me.

I ask NStar if i can switch back and they say sure, but no way am I getting a credit. I have to pay the extra charges regardless.

OK, I was stupid to not examine the fine print closely, but is it wrong to expect that they would have simply waited until July to switch my accounts - especially since they admit that they know of this problem. (oh yeah - they say I could theoretically have gotten a credit instead of a surcharge from NStar if the rates had gone down, but everyone admits that it never happens)

The whole thing is sneaky and unethical.

In my opinion, nobody should ever switch over to Dominion - they are bad people, and you really don't save anything.