BARC Electric Cooperative - Millboro, Virginia

Address: 84 High St Dr, Millboro, VA 24460.
Phone: 8008462272.
Website: barcelectric.com
Specialties: Electric utility company.
Other points of interest: Wheelchair accessible entrance, Wheelchair accessible parking lot.
Opinions: This company has 33 reviews on Google My Business.
Average opinion: 2.9/5.

📌 Location of BARC Electric Cooperative

BARC Electric Cooperative 84 High St Dr, Millboro, VA 24460

☎️8008462272

⏰ Open Hours of BARC Electric Cooperative

Monday: 8 AM–4:30 PM
Tuesday: 8 AM–4:30 PM
Wednesday: 8 AM–4:30 PM
Thursday: 8 AM–4:30 PM
Friday: 8 AM–4:30 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

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BARC Electric Cooperative Overview

The BARC Electric Cooperative stands as a prominent member-owned utility serving communities across Virginia. Operating as a cooperative, its fundamental principle revolves around serving the best interests of its members, who are also its owners. This unique structure fosters a deep commitment to customer satisfaction and community involvement, setting it apart from traditional investor-owned utility companies. BARC Electric Cooperative provides essential electrical service, ensuring reliable power transmission and distribution to homes and businesses within its designated service territory.

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Core Services and Operations

At its core, BARC Electric Cooperative specializes in providing high-quality electrical service. This encompasses a wide range of activities crucial for maintaining modern infrastructure: the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity. They are responsible for building and maintaining the entire electrical grid within their area, including power lines, transformers, substations, and other critical infrastructure. Their services ensure that members have access to the reliable electricity needed for daily life, commerce, and industry.

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The cooperative model underpinning BARC Electric Cooperative means that profits generated are primarily returned to members in the form of lower rates, reinvestment into the system, and community programs. This focus on member benefit drives operational efficiency and encourages proactive infrastructure maintenance to prevent outages and ensure service reliability.

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Member-Focused Approach

Unlike some large, impersonal utility companies, BARC Electric Cooperative emphasizes a personal connection with its members. Customer service is a cornerstone of their operations. They strive to provide responsive and helpful assistance for any electrical issue or query. Their commitment extends beyond mere service provision; they actively engage with the communities they serve, participating in local events and supporting regional initiatives. This community-oriented approach builds trust and strong local ties.

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Service Area and Accessibility

BARC Electric Cooperative serves a specific geographical region in Virginia. While the exact boundaries might require direct confirmation from their customer service, their presence is vital for the residents and businesses located within their service territory. The company's headquarters is conveniently located at 84 High St Dr, Millboro, VA 24460. This central location in Millboro, VA, serves as a hub for administrative functions and community interactions.

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Accessibility is considered important by BARC Electric Cooperative. Their facility at 84 High St Dr is designed with accessibility in mind. Features such as a wheelchair accessible entrance ensure that individuals with mobility challenges can enter the building easily. Furthermore, the parking lot surrounding the facility includes wheelchair accessible parking spaces, accommodating members and visitors who utilize mobility aids. These thoughtful provisions reflect the cooperative's commitment to inclusivity.

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Contact Information and Communication Channels

Members and customers can reach BARC Electric Cooperative through multiple channels. The primary contact number is 8008462272. This dedicated phone line allows members to inquire about their service, report any issues, request information, or seek assistance with accounts. For those preferring online resources, BARC Electric Cooperative maintains an informative website: www.barcelectric.com. This online platform likely offers various services, such as bill payment, outage reporting, service estimates, and access to company information.

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The website serves as a central hub for customer engagement, providing details about services, outage updates, payment options, and contact information. Utilizing their website can offer a convenient way to manage interactions with the cooperative outside of standard business hours, enhancing accessibility for members.

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Customer Feedback and Service Performance

Customer satisfaction is an important indicator of BARC Electric Cooperative's performance. The company maintains a presence on platforms like Google My Business, where members can share their experiences. According to publicly available information, BARC Electric Cooperative has garnered feedback from its members, with a total of 33 reviews documented on Google My Business. While these reviews represent a snapshot of member experiences, they offer valuable insights.

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The average rating associated with these reviews is 2.9 out of 5. This score suggests that while the cooperative may have strengths in certain areas, there are also aspects where improvement could potentially be made. Customer feedback often highlights both the positive and negative aspects of service, providing a more nuanced understanding than a single number can convey.

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Insights from Member Reviews

Analysis of member reviews, though not formally cited, provides additional context about BARC Electric Cooperative's operations and member experience. Some feedback specifically highlights positive customer service interactions, noting that the company provides helpful assistance whenever issues arise. This suggests a responsiveness to member concerns and a willingness to address problems directly.

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Another recurring theme in the feedback concerns the reliability of the electrical service. Members have expressed satisfaction with the infrequency of power outages within their service area. Furthermore, when outages do occur, the cooperative is noted for its relatively swift response in restoring power, which is a critical factor in maintaining customer satisfaction during disruptions.

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Opinions about the performance of Internet and phone services are also mentioned by some members. While these services are often provided in conjunction with primary electrical service, their performance can sometimes be a separate point of interest. Some reviews indicate that these supporting services are also performing well, adding another dimension to the overall utility package offered by BARC Electric Cooperative.

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Understanding Cooperative vs. Investor-Owned Utilities

To fully appreciate BARC Electric Cooperative, it's important to understand the difference between a cooperative utility and an investor-owned utility (IOU). As mentioned, BARC Electric Cooperative is owned by its members, who are the individuals and businesses it serves. Profits are returned to members through lower rates or community reinvestment. This structure inherently prioritizes member needs over shareholder profits.

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In contrast, investor-owned utilities are companies publicly traded or owned by private investors. Their primary goal is to provide a return on investment for their shareholders. While they also aim for customer satisfaction, their operational decisions are heavily influenced by financial performance metrics for their investors. BARC Electric Cooperative's cooperative model offers a different, member-centric approach to utility service.

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What to Expect When Dealing with BARC Electric Cooperative

When interacting with BARC Electric Cooperative, members should anticipate a service-oriented organization operating under its cooperative principles. Customer service representatives are generally expected to be knowledgeable and helpful. Members can expect the company to take electrical issues seriously and respond appropriately, whether it's a service interruption or an inquiry about billing.

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BARC Electric Cooperative communicates proactively about planned outages and responds efficiently to unplanned ones within their service territory. The company maintains its infrastructure through routine maintenance and necessary upgrades to ensure a stable electrical supply. For customers seeking reliable, member-focused electrical service within their designated area, BARC Electric Cooperative presents itself as a viable option, with clear channels for communication and feedback.

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Conclusion and Recommendations

In conclusion, BARC Electric Cooperative represents a dedicated provider of electrical services operating under the cooperative principle. Their focus on member ownership, community engagement, and responsive service forms the foundation of their operations. While serving a specific geographic area, they are committed to providing reliable power and addressing member needs effectively.

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For individuals within BARC Electric Cooperative's service territory seeking electrical service, the company offers a member-centric approach. They can reach out through their phone number (8008462272) or via their website (barcelectric.com) for inquiries, billing, or service information. The company's accessibility features, including wheelchair accessible entrance and parking, accommodate all members. While customer reviews provide mixed feedback, positive comments about customer service and power restoration speed indicate areas where the cooperative excels. As with any utility, understanding the cooperative model and checking their service boundaries before making contact is advisable.

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When dealing with BARC Electric Cooperative, members should value the personal touch often associated with cooperatives and utilize all available communication channels to address their needs. Their service is deeply rooted in the community they serve, making them a potentially valuable partner for residents and businesses looking for dependable electricity.

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Whether facing an unexpected service interruption, inquiring about billing options, or seeking information about new connection services, BARC Electric Cooperative aims to provide a clear and helpful response. Their commitment to member satisfaction and operational reliability positions them as a key resource within their community.

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👍 Reviews of BARC Electric Cooperative

BARC Electric Cooperative - Millboro, Virginia

Christy D.

5/5

Great customer service anytime we have had an issue. The power does'nt go off often but when it does it is restored very quickly. Internet and phone service excellent as well.

Eli S.

1/5

The internet is good but the customer service is pathetic. The app crashes and then the online route provided won't let you log in. While you try to figure it out, they disconnect service then charge a reconnect fee. If you call BARC, they dont deal with any payment issues at all. I just wanted to pay my bill. How a "local co-op" provides a service and puts off dealing with the actual locals to an outside company is hard to understand. BARC should, at the very least, be able to take your money for a service they provide.

Joseph W.

1/5

Yalls internet is crap and very expensive I spend more time complaining about it than it works I have better luck with 1 bar of lte come on stop scamming us and give us quality

Will M.

5/5

I want to update my respect and appreciation for the linemen at BARC.
Tonight, 10/10/24, they came by after hearing we may have had an outage. While we were ok, I just want to compliment the folks at BARC for their professional and knowledgeable Team Members. We really appreciate all they do especially in the off hours. Thanks again,
Will & Bonnie Mahone

Pete

1/5

TL;DR: file complaints about BARC with VA SCC, VA Attorney general and Federal Trade Commission.

Just got off the phone with a rep named Daniel. I inquired about my security deposit refund. Daniel was basically acting like customers are nothing and what they say means nothing. She spoke over me every time I tried to speak. She implied I was lying about what I was told about autopay by an employee of BARC. Autopay was not able to be set up online. I paid my entire bill on the phone with a rep. They told me that then. Daniel claims “auto pay has always been able to be set up online.”

Furthermore, Daniel claimed she spoke with her supervisor about the issue. She left me on hold for 7 minutes and 23 seconds. When she returned I demanded to speak to the supervisor. I was placed on hold again briefly. She claimed that the supervisor was unavailable and had to call me later.

Daniel is a liar. She did not speak with any supervisor. BARC’s policy regarding the enormous security deposit they require when you move into the area is unethical and the policy itself is deceptive. They do not apply it to late payments. They just try to keep it indefinitely by any means necessary and treat you like you’re a bad person when you want it back like they said they would.

I have filed a complaint with the SCC of VA. I am now filing a complaint with FTC. And I will call an attorney about the emotional harm caused to me by Daniel when she called me a liar and spoke over me consistently like I was nothing.

Jet S.

5/5

Have used Barc over seven years and have never had issues with power outages or internet connection. I’m always able to contact customer support easily and they are very helpful and friendly.

Mick C.

1/5

If the wind blows a bit, the power will be out. Living with BARC and an inclement weather forecast is like walking on broken glass. I have spoken with BARC line workers who have said that BARC simply will NOT clear their right of ways. They will pay their workers double time when the power goes out, but will not try to ensure that the outages are mitigated in the first place. Having BARC means that you MUST own a back-up source for power. Tonight, March 28, 2024, power is out again.

Jeannie C.

5/5

I have nothing but great things to say about BARC. They have always been so kind and respectful each time that I have spoken with them. Yes, we have power outages, but generally after forceful storms. The linemen are always quick to respond and have us up and running as soon as it is practical and safe. I am absolutely fine with that. We live in a rural area that is susceptible to storm damage. I question how this is BARC’s fault. We are in our mid 60’s and when the power goes out at night in the winter, the linemen are out there in the middle of the night shining their spot lights in the trees to locate the issue and in no time our power is restored accompanied by great respect. I always view the convoy of linemen rolling up to the rescue on their white steeds!! Thank you, BARC for your service on the phones and out in the field!!