Complaint Review: The Power Company Verified TRUSTED Business | Ripoff Report Verified™ …businesses you can trust. The Power Company (TPC) is a professional energy consulting firm whose mission is to assist clients in reducing and managing their energy expenditures. The Power Company is in the best position to effectively navigate the negotiation process for clients garnering the best rates possible for electricity and gas. - chicago IL

Ripoff Report Verified™ REVIEW

EDitor's UPDATE: Positive rating and recognition has been given to The Power Company for its full commitment to quality customer service.

Ripoff Report's discussions with The Power Company have uncovered an ongoing dedication by the company to total client satisfaction. This means that clients can expect that the company will work towards finding a mutually satisfactory resolution to any concerns. The Power Company listens carefully to client concerns and sees them as an opportunity to learn from past mistakes and become more efficient as a company in the services offered and the support for those services.

The Power Company's principal, Mr. Patrick Farah, has informed us that his personal philosophy is that his clients success are the heart of the business. As a successful businessman, Patrick Farah feels it is critical to listen to his clients and respond properly. By always putting his customers first, Patrick Farah hopes to maintain The Power Company as a successful enterprise both now and for many years to come. Another top executive, Cheryl Arts told us that Patrick Farah's personal business philosophy is based on the premise that "strives to add value in service, understanding that a successful business model is based on value-added services, and client care". The Power Company's Steve Brewer says this, "We are one of the top energy companies for helping businesses and residents budget their electric and gas needs. With us, you'll always receive a comprehensive and customized approach to our analysis that comes from a team who consistently stays on top of the energy markets and adapts them to fit the financial needs of businesses and residents around the country."

One of the things Ripoff Report learned in the course of its review is that typical customer feedback reads, "The Power Company truly communicate all aspects of the service in a timely and effective manner. We are very pleased with the responsiveness that the employees show us. They are serious about meeting commitments, and deliver on their promises."



Ripoff Report Verified™ .. part of Ripoff Report Corporate Advocacy Business Remediation & Customer Satisfaction Program.A program that benefits the consumer, assures them of complete satisfaction and confidence when doing business with a member business..



The information provided in this report below is based on comments made by Patrick Farah during an onsite inspection held by a third party verification company with no biases towards The Power Company.

The Power Company is an energy broker that acts as a customer advocate for energy and the deregulation of energy states. Their passion drives them to become energy experts and provide their expertise through education. Patrick Farah stated the following about his company, "we have contracts with over 40 suppliers and we have them compete against each other for your business. We have the most competitive pricing and we cater to the particular business. Because we do a lot of volume your deal is not the deal that will help us eat that month, a lot of companies in the energy business are like a mom and pop shop and if they don’t close the deal they are not going to be able to pay their bills and put food on the table. In 2016, we did over 2,369 new commercial customers and over 64,000 new residential customers. Because of the volume that we do we can be very aggressive in the marketplace to be able to do the best work for our customers and try to get them the best deal in their market."

The Power Company attempts to incorporate as many facets of sales that are available. On the commercial side, they have strategic relationships with cost reduction companies for referrals and introductions to larger corporations. On the smaller commercial side, they have a sales staff that researches and educates leads. For residential properties, they have a call center and door to door sales team. Mr. Farah explained the sales process once the client has decided to proceed with their product, "there is a third-party verification company that calls the customer back and verifies the info on the agreement whether it’s 6 months to 18 months on what the locked-in rate would be. Then our quality control department double checks the process, the recorded calls, the third-party verification company call, then the quality control department double checks everything and it is sent to the specific supplier. After that other than making sure the QA was set, and everything was said properly, it's deemed a good sale, the supplier does the actual switch, and the service of the making sure your power is on is on the poles and wires company. So, whoever you pay your bill to is the poles and wires company, they send you a bill and the rate you agreed to would be on your bill, and poles and wires would do their charges which are separate and then finally the taxes."



CUSTOMER CARE & COMPLAINT RESOLUTION – THE POWER COMPANY

During the on-site interview, Mr. Farah was asked to describe a situation where a client was not satisfied with the level of service they received. Mr. Farah expressed that they rarely receive complaints due to their no cancellation and termination fees policy. This policy puts most of their customers at ease with their decision. He further stated, "the only thing someone could be upset at is why did someone come to my door or call my phone. We have quality and control in effect for that. So, we have a do not knock list for the door to door [service] and we have the national do not call list that we scrub against before we ever call anyone. So, we have these things in place for that."

When asked to comment on complaints posted on Ripoff Report's website Mr. Farah expressed that the comments were made by disgruntled past employees of a previous company. He additionally expressed that the comments were not in reference to his company, but personal attacks on him and current employees of The Power Company, "they think I wrote a Ripoff Report about them, so they wrote a Ripoff Report about me. Saying I steal money from children and I am a conman. These are personal attacks and there is no merit in the attacks on The Power Company and my name personally." Mr. Farah expressed that if any past or current client has an issue with their services he is happy to attend and resolve the issue. In order to further assure future and current clients, The Power Company is licensed in the state of Ohio and Illinois as an energy broker. They additionally have the ability to do business in 9 total states.

When asked what type of changes they have made to honor their commitment to making things right with the consumer per the request of Ripoff Report, Mr. Farah stated, "we’ve always made best efforts to have a very strong training problem so that our sales person can be as informed as they can be. We have really strong quality control department that we put in place that keeps getting robust as we get bigger and have more resources we keep adding to our quality control and our training and reviews from energy advisers so that if we were to have customer issues we would be able to find out what they are right away and get them handled right away."

The Power Company is proud to be a part of Ripoff Reports Corporate Advocacy Business Remediation and Customer Satisfaction Program, "whatever decisions you make they can be unmade. So, we want the chance to answer any questions or solve any misunderstandings without it being a permanent record out there with somebody saying horrible things about my staff or myself without a chance to face the accuser. We really care about our customers we try to stay abreast of, the forefront of the marketplace so we can do the best for our customers. Have the proper quality control and customer service in place so we are there for them to help them with their energy needs, help them with their budgeting properly whether it’s a small apartment to an entire village, an entire city, or high-rise, or manufacturing facility. Everyone uses electrons, everybody uses energy we just want to be able to provide the best services for everybody out there."



THE POWER COMPANY – STATEMENT FROM THE MANAGING PARTNER – PATRICK FARAH

" The Power Company's We are one of the top energy companies for helping businesses and residents budget their electric and gas needs. With us, you'll always receive a comprehensive and customized approach to our analysis that comes from a team who consistently stays on top of the energy markets and adapts them to fit the financial needs of businesses and residents around the country. The Power Company takes employee satisfaction seriously as well. Employee feedback and surveys reveal comments such as this, "Patrick Farah and The Power Company provide a very positive environment to work, we have a great family style culture that makes coming to work fun. Opportunities for suggestions and improvements are encouraged. Patrick Farah is truly concerned about our contribution to the company and providing growth opportunities for us. He takes the time to listen and communicate with employees and customers. Patrick Farah realizes that our true asset is our team."

Ripoff Report was pleased to learn that The Power Company's past and current approach to business is focused on its pledge to total commitment towards client and employee satisfaction.



STATED IMPROVEMENTS FROM THE POWER COMPANY

The Power Company recognizes that complaints posted on Ripoff Report (whether true or not) are issues that need to be addressed, not ignored. If handled correctly, complaints can be valuable learning opportunities. With the feedback generated by Ripoff Report's review, The Power Company has made organizational changes allowing its clients and employees a more streamlined approach to problem resolution and a commitment to a great client experience.

In summary, after our review, which included discussions with Patrick Farah, Ripoff Report is convinced that The Power Company is committed to quality delivery of services resulting in total client satisfaction.







How does a business get Ripoff Report Verified™

The member business allows Ripoff report to email everyone from the past. Those who respond to Ripoff report with a valid complaint must be take care of. They have made a commitment that if anyone contacts Ripoff Report in the future, they will make things right within 14 days. The member business must err on the side of their customers. Otherwise the member business is off the program.

Ripoff Report has determined that The Power Company meets Ripoff Report Verified™ standards which include a commitment to make a good faith effort to resolve any consumer complaints. Members of the Corporate Advocacy Business Remediation and Customer Satisfaction program do pay a fee for our on-site review, 24-hour monitoring and for support with customers to resolve any disagreements.

Ripoff Report sends a 3rd party service to do an onsite inspection of the new member business. The on-site inspection / review does not mean that the products or services offered by the business have been evaluated or endorsed by Ripoff Report, and has not made a determination as to the business' product quality or competency in performing services. We can verify, that Ripoff Report went to the business, verified their business or “work from home business”, there for, if a customer in the future does not get treated correctly, Ripoff Report can get the problem resolved. If not, and the customers is right, the member business will be taken off the Corporate Advocacy Program. Remember, Ripoff Report emailed every customer from the past that filed a complaint to make sure the member business made things right with customers from the past. Again, to err on the side of their customer, those from the past and those in the future.

Read more about why consumers should feel confident when doing business with a member of Ripoff Report's Corporate Advocacy Business Remediation & Customer Satisfaction Program. Yes, it’s a long name for a program that does a lot for both consumers and businesses alike.

Read about Ripoff Report Corporate Advocacy Business Remediation & Customer Satisfaction Program, a program that benefits the consumer, assures them of complete satisfaction and confidence when doing business with a member business. This program works.

As a matter of policy, when a business becomes a member of the Corporate Advocacy Program they agree to allow Ripoff Report to contact every client who filed a complaint so they can make things right with them. In order to confirm that the complaints were resolved, Ripoff Report is copied on all responses so we can insure that the member business did right by their customer.

NOW TO THE ORIGINAL REPORT THAT WAS FILED

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The Commission brought an action against the two principals of Brewer Investment Group, LLC (BIG), a financial services holding company, and its related entities centered on an alleged fraudulent offering.  Specifically, the complaint claims that a fraudulent sale of unregistered securities issued by an Isle of Man entity was made by the defendants and that the proceeds were used to try an prop up financially struggling BIG. SEC v. Brewer, Case 10-cv-09832 (N.D. Ill. Filed Oct. 29, 2010).  Defendant Steve Brewer is a 25% owner, CEO and chairman of BIG.  Defendant Adam Erickson also owns a stake in BIG and serves as its COO.  Following its creation in late 2000, BIG and its operating subsidiaries, including a registered investment adviser and a registered broker dealer, were profitable.  Its financial condition changed.  By January 2009, the firm and its subsidiaries were struggling financially.  In 2008, BIG suffered a $3 million operating loss.  In January 2009, the firm received a default notice on a $2.5 million loan.  Beginning in June 2009, a PPM was prepared to sell notes issued by FPA Limited, an Isle of Man Company.  From June 2009 through September 2010, FPA made two offerings of notes based on the PPM.  One was for $15 million of three-year asset-backed promissory notes paying 8%. An additional $15 million offering of one-year asset-backed notes which paid 5% was also made.  Over a period of several months, 74 investors purchased $5.6 million in notes through entities related to BIG.  The PPM was materially false and misleading, according to the complaint, in that:  Use of proceeds: It made misrepresentations regarding the use of the proceeds by failing to tell investors that over 90% of the funds would be transferred to BIG; Financial condition:  Investors were not told the financial condition of BIG; Risk of investment: The PPM implicitly and explicitly represented that the proceeds of the offering would be used to procure collateral which would secure the notes ;  and Defaults:  The defaults of BIG on its obligations were omitted from the materials provided to investors. The complaint alleges violations of Securities Act Sections 5 and 17(a), Exchange Act Sections 10(b) and 15(c)(1) and Advisers Act Section 206.  The case is in litigation.  See also Litig. Rel 21715 (Oct. 29, 2010

**TO VIEW DOCUMENTS, GO TO CASE DOCUMENTS.  FOR A COPY OF DOCUMENTS, CONTACT NFA'S INFORMATION CENTER.**COMPLAINT:On June 10, 2009, NFA issued a Complaint alleging that BFG failed to observe high standards of commercial honor and just and equitable principles of trade; failed to maintain required books and records; failed to maintain required capital; and failed to give notice.  The Complaint also alleged that BFG, Brewer and Arts failed to supervise.ANSWER:On September 3, 2009, BFG, Brewer and Arts filed an Answer to the Complaint in which they denied the material allegations contained therein.DECISION:On April 15, 2010, BFG and Brewer were ordered to be jointly and severally liable for a $100,000 fine.  In addition, neither BFG nor any other NFA Member of which Brewer is a principal shall be registered as an FCM in the future, and in the event that BFG or any other NFA Member of which Brewer is a principal is registered as an IB at any time after 30 days have passed following the issuance of the Decision, such NFA Member will only operate pursuant to a valid guarantee agree.  Arts' status as a principal of an NFA Member is terminated upon the issuance of the Decision and Arts was ordered to never apply to be an NFA Member or a principal of an NFA Member or act in any capacity that would require her to be listed as a principal of an NFA Member at any time in the future.  Arts was also ordered to pay a $5,000 fine. Narrative for 0300729 - BREWER FUTURES GROUP LLC**TO VIEW DOCUMENTS, GO TO CASE DOCUMENTS.  FOR A COPY OF DOCUMENTS, CONTACT NFA'S INFORMATION CENTER.**COMPLAINT:On June 10, 2009, NFA issued a Complaint alleging that BFG failed to observe high standards of commercial honor and just and equitable principles of trade; failed to maintain required books and records; failed to maintain required capital; and failed to give notice.  The Complaint also alleged that BFG, Brewer and Arts failed to supervise.ANSWER:On September 3, 2009, BFG, Brewer and Arts filed an Answer to the Complaint in which they denied the material allegations contained therein.DECISION:On April 15, 2010, BFG and Brewer were ordered to be jointly and severally liable for a $100,000 fine.  In addition, neither BFG nor any other NFA Member of which Brewer is a principal shall be registered as an FCM in the future, and in the event that BFG or any other NFA Member of which Brewer is a principal is registered as an IB at any time after 30 days have passed following the issuance of the Decision, such NFA Member will only operate pursuant to a valid guarantee agree.  Arts' status as a principal of an NFA Member is terminated upon the issuance of the Decision and Arts was ordered to never apply to be an NFA Member or a principal of an NFA Member or act in any capacity that would require her to be listed as a principal of an NFA Member at any time in the future.  Arts was also ordered to pay a $5,000 fine.NOTICE OF SUSPENSION OF MEMBERSHIP:On November 8, 2010, BFG and Brewer were suspended from NFA membership for failure to pay $40,000 of the fine. Narrative for 0246323 - BREWER, STEVEN JOHN**TO VIEW DOCUMENTS, GO TO CASE DOCUMENTS.  FOR A COPY OF DOCUMENTS, CONTACT NFA'S INFORMATION CENTER.**COMPLAINT:On June 10, 2009, NFA issued a Complaint alleging that BFG failed to observe high standards of commercial honor and just and equitable principles of trade; failed to maintain required books and records; failed to maintain required capital; and failed to give notice.  The Complaint also alleged that BFG, Brewer and Arts failed to supervise.ANSWER:On September 3, 2009, BFG, Brewer and Arts filed an Answer to the Complaint in which they denied the material allegations contained therein.DECISION:On April 15, 2010, BFG and Brewer were ordered to be jointly and severally liable for a $100,000 fine.  In addition, neither BFG nor any other NFA Member of which Brewer is a principal shall be registered as an FCM in the future, and in the event that BFG or any other NFA Member of which Brewer is a principal is registered as an IB at any time after 30 days have passed following the issuance of the Decision, such NFA Member will only operate pursuant to a valid guarantee agree.  Arts' status as a principal of an NFA Member is terminated upon the issuance of the Decision and Arts was ordered to never apply to be an NFA Member or a principal of an NFA Member or act in any capacity that would require her to be listed as a principal of an NFA Member at any time in the future.  Arts was also ordered to pay a $5,000 fine.NOTICE OF SUSPENSION OF MEMBERSHIP:On November 8, 2010, BFG and Brewer were suspended from NFA membership for failure to pay $40,000 of the fine.

Case Documents Summary NFA IDRespondentDocument Type 0262345ARTS, CHERYL ANNANSWER 0262345ARTS, CHERYL ANNCOMPLAINT 0262345ARTS, CHERYL ANNDECISION 0300729BREWER FUTURES GROUP LLCANSWER 0300729BREWER FUTURES GROUP LLCCOMPLAINT 0300729BREWER FUTURES GROUP LLCDECISION 0300729BREWER FUTURES GROUP LLCNOTICE OF SUSPENSION OF MEMBERSHIP 0246323BREWER, STEVEN JOHNANSWER 0246323BREWER, STEVEN JOHNCOMPLAINT 0246323BREWER, STEVEN JOHNDECISION 0246323BREWER, STEVEN JOHNNOTICE OF SUSPENSION OF MEMBERSHIP