My Voltage

ArthurSA1

New Member
Joined
Jun 19, 2020
Messages
5
Reaction score
2
Has any one on here had any dealings with the Electricity and Water metering company called My Voltage. I believe they are based in Pretoria. How are they? Has anyone interacted with them? Would you recommend them as a Service Provider for your Complex or Estate?
 
Their google reviews doesn't look so kosher to me, but no personal experience.

The biggest catch with these type of companies is the fees. I have a prepaid meter in my garden cottage from another company and the fees is insane. (15% per transaction)

Fortunately it's not my problem as the tenants pay for the fees, but do make sure to compare a couple of companies
 
Last edited:
Thank you. I saw on Hello Peter the reviews are even worse than the Google reviews.

Would really appreciate it if someone who has worked with or are currently working with them to let me know how they are.
 
Their google reviews doesn't look so kosher to me, but no personal experience.

The biggest catch with these type of companies is the fees. I have a prepaid meter in my garden cottage from another company and the fees is insane. (15% per transaction)

Fortunately it's not my problem as the tenants pay for the fees, but do make sure to compare a couple of companies
These guys should be taken on. NERSA clearly has regulations stating that the customer is not allowed to be worse off buying power from a sub metering company vs buying from the supplying municipality in the area. They normally have a bulk meter for a building or complex and they pay lower rates per unit to the council on these bulk meters. The profit they make comes from the difference between the standard consumer tarrif for the area and the bulk rate.
 
Hi Louis72. Thank you for that input, it is much appreciated.

If they install a bulk meter into the complex - how do they monitor the individual units/stands within the estate?
 
Hi Louis72. Thank you for that input, it is much appreciated.

If they install a bulk meter into the complex - how do they monitor the individual units/stands within the estate?
At one of the complexes that I own units, we use Power Measurement & Distribution . They have a few bulk meters, as well as prepaid meters for the units / sections. They have, in the past, tried to overcharge, but this was picked up by a sharp trustee and it was soon corrected, refunds for all.
Altogether not a bad service.
 
Hi Louis72. Thank you for that input, it is much appreciated.

If they install a bulk meter into the complex - how do they monitor the individual units/stands within the estate?
The bulk meter will measure all the electricity consumed in the complex. So all electricity will run through it. As far as i can see in Pretoria the council reads this meter in the street normally at the complex gate.

Inside the complex each unit has its own individual meter again but these meters are read and maintained by the sub metering company. So in other words the sum total of all the individual meters inside should be equal more or less to the bulk meter outside.

So it could be that Pretoria has a set tarrif of R1.30 per unit but the council charges the sub metering company R1 a unit because they have a bulk agreement rate on that large meter outside.
The Sub metering company should then charge customers the same as what the council would have R1.30 the sub metering company uses that difference between bulk and consumer price for profit, pay staff, fund the install of individual unit meters etc
 
Do these individual units always have to be a physical meter at the house inside the estate itself?

Or is it possible to remotely monitor the units electricity somehow?

My Voltage claims to have everything on their online portal, including daily readings - but there wont be any prepaid meters at the houses themselves. Does this sound normal?
 
Unless you are open to being defrauded, I would suggest to steer well away from My Voltage.
They are untrustworthy and mislead users with their 'real time' readings. They control the readings with their own software and can manipulate it at any given time. Had Electrician issue a COC to prove that there were no faults on my Unit's Electrical Equipment. Distribution Board was switched off completely, and the app showed I was still "using" electricity. Same as water consumption. No leaks. No running toilet. No faulty geyser. NO ONE HOME, yet app showed usage.
 
Thank you. I saw on Hello Peter the reviews are even worse than the Google reviews.

Would really appreciate it if someone who has worked with or are currently working with them to let me know how they are.

Our complex is currently contracted with them. The clever Trustees entered a 5 year contract with them. They are not to be trusted. They control all meter readings with their own software, and can manipulate it at any given time. HelloPeter reviews are not exaggerating.
 
Has any one on here had any dealings with the Electricity and Water metering company called My Voltage. I believe they are based in Pretoria. How are they? Has anyone interacted with them? Would you recommend them as a Service Provider for your Complex or Estate?
Yes, avoid them like the plague. My Voltage is totally unprofessional, the front person being a woman called Rose. Their web-site is often down, getting them on then phone is a mission in itself and if they do answer, you can try to talk to Rose over the noise of her children screaming in the background. Paying them is a challenge as well, with the Visa Payment platform refusing to accept payment. Paying by credit card seems to work however My Voltage will charge you 10% for using a credit card. This practice is known as "surcharging" and is ILLEGAL.
ABOVE ALL, their charges for water are extortionate and don't tally with usage. Caveat Emptor!
 
Their google reviews doesn't look so kosher to me, but no personal experience.

The biggest catch with these type of companies is the fees. I have a prepaid meter in my garden cottage from another company and the fees is insane. (15% per transaction)

Fortunately it's not my problem as the tenants pay for the fees, but do make sure to compare a couple of companies
Good morning Cactus,

You mentioned vendor fees, and indeed, some companies impose exorbitant charges when purchasing vouchers to top up your prepaid meter.

However, at MyVoltage, we offer two payment options with 0% convenience fees. This means that what you pay is what you get. Our third option is a credit card payment, and the 10% convenience fee is charged by your bank, not by us. So, by choosing your payment method wisely, you can avoid incurring any convenience fees.

Have a Smart!
MyVoltage
 
Our complex is currently contracted with them. The clever Trustees entered a 5 year contract with them. They are not to be trusted. They control all meter readings with their own software, and can manipulate it at any given time. HelloPeter reviews are not exaggerating.
Dear Margi,

Kindly avoid making baseless accusations, particularly if you lack accurate information about the matter at hand.

Our software is incapable of altering your readings, and it would be ethically wrong to do so. We encourage you to reach out to us so that we can provide a comprehensive explanation of its functionality. Additionally, we advise against making unfounded claims on social media platforms that cannot be substantiated. Our meters are SABS-approved as Class 1, and our software merely records the exact measurements your meter provides - nothing more, nothing less.

This allegation made by you could lead to defamation of character.

We extend a warm invitation for you to reach out to us, allowing us the opportunity to provide you with insights into the inner workings of our system. We eagerly anticipate our forthcoming interaction with you.

Have a smart day,
MyVoltage
 
Yes, avoid them like the plague. My Voltage is totally unprofessional, the front person being a woman called Rose. Their web-site is often down, getting them on then phone is a mission in itself and if they do answer, you can try to talk to Rose over the noise of her children screaming in the background. Paying them is a challenge as well, with the Visa Payment platform refusing to accept payment. Paying by credit card seems to work however My Voltage will charge you 10% for using a credit card. This practice is known as "surcharging" and is ILLEGAL.
We extend a warm invitation for you to reach out to us, allowing us the opportunity to provide you with insights into the inner workings of our system. We eagerly anticipate our forthcoming interaction with you.
Hello Amanda,

We appreciate your feedback.

It appears that you had one unfavorable experience with our customer care, but we want to reassure you that this isn't representative of our usual service.

Let's clarify a few points:

The Visa payment platform you mentioned isn't our platform; it's an external payment gateway called Netcash. If you encounter technical issues with it, you should contact them for resolution.

The 10% convenience fee is not imposed by us; it's charged by the merchant providing the service. This fee is a legitimate means for them to generate revenue.

Regarding your comment about water charges, we bill at council-approved rates. These rates are the same whether you use the MyVoltage billing system or the council's billing system.

We trust that this explanation has addressed any misconceptions you may have had about our service and product offerings. If you have any further concerns or questions, please don't hesitate to contact us. We are here to assist you and are eager to address any inquiries you may have.

Regards,
MyVoltage
 
@MyVoltage

1. Register as a company representative.
2. Do you manipulate customer meter readings? Yes or no?
3. If no, can you manipulate customer meter readings?
 
These guys should be taken on. NERSA clearly has regulations stating that the customer is not allowed to be worse off buying power from a sub metering company vs buying from the supplying municipality in the area. They normally have a bulk meter for a building or complex and they pay lower rates per unit to the council on these bulk meters. The profit they make comes from the difference between the standard consumer tarrif for the area and the bulk rate.

MyVoltage is a proud member of the Electricity Reseller Association South Africa (ERASA)​


Did you know that MyVoltage is a proud member of the Electricity Reseller Association South Africa (ERASA)? ERASA is a formal communication, lobby, and advocacy network for Utility Services Resellers. And like all governing bodies, their aim is to protect the rights, interests, and well-being of those they represent: You!

Why would you need protection, you might wonder…​

See, utilities, like electricity is sold to multiple resellers across the country in bulk by municipalities. These bulk purchases allow resellers to receive discounts and by reselling electricity to end-users at the regulated NERSA approved tariffs, resellers, like MyVoltage make a profit. But here’s the thing. There’s a loophole. While resellers are regulated at which rate they are allowed to sell electricity there is no law regulating service fee charges added to these purchases and some resellers (not us) are adding as much as 15% service fees.

(Note: When you a non-standard payment channel or method, a convenience fee is levied by the merchant offering the payment service.)

That’s where ERASA comes in. They want to close the loophole and bring transparency and accountability to the electricity reseller market. Buying electricity from an ERASA member means you are getting what you are paying for. No hidden service charges. No BS.

At MyVoltage we wholeheartedly support this approach. We believe in bringing solutions to end-users’ utility challenges. We believe that by making utility management smarter and more streamlined, end-users can be empowered with the right knowledge to make the best decisions, thereby saving utility consumption and directly cutting down on costs.

MyVoltage does not charge any service fees for electricity whatsoever. We are here to disrupt the utility management and smart utility metering industry through advanced technology. We are solution-driven and remove all the guesswork from utility consumption, one consumer at a time. Because we believe you deserve better.
 
Good morning Cactus,

You mentioned vendor fees, and indeed, some companies impose exorbitant charges when purchasing vouchers to top up your prepaid meter.

However, at MyVoltage, we offer two payment options with 0% convenience fees. This means that what you pay is what you get. Our third option is a credit card payment, and the 10% convenience fee is charged by your bank, not by us. So, by choosing your payment method wisely, you can avoid incurring any convenience fees.

Have a Smart!
MyVoltage
This was almost 3.5 years ago. I think at this point, the original poster probably already picked a company :)
 
  • Haha
Reactions: rh1
Why the hell third parties are allowed to make money for essential services like electricity and water in the first place. Balwin is one of the biggest scammers making big money on prepaid electricity water gas. Ridiculous fees by these companies in name of mgmt fees. Keep paying guys
 
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X