Approved Company Representatives Poll

Premier_2 · 13 February 2009 at 2:54PM

With the recent introduction of Approved Company Representatives to this Gas & Electricity board, a number of questions have been asked as to their possible intentions.

One representative has recently postedd that they have "had some very positive response to us being here", despite their thanked score not exactly reflecting this. Others have suggested they are bordering on touting for business.

How do you feel about the Approved Company Representatives on this site?

Insert By Martin

Hi folks,

Let me explain what happens.

Over the years quite a few big companies that have asked if they can respond on here. The general rule is no. Yet if its a BIG company, we've found it a really efficient way to get MoneySavers complaints heard. It also prevents legal issues, where 'right to respond' is important.

This has been going on for years. For years Ian Barber at Barclaycard (who doesn't work there anymroe) was on here, answering questions, and 100s of MoneySavers got issues sorted at speed and complaints handled.

They used to have it in their signatures, but that can be faked, so now we have simply done it in a way that can't be faked.

As for the "on a site with no advertising" let me make it plain there is NO commercial relationship whatsoever with this. It is done solely as it helps MoneySavers, I don't give a flying Monkey about the companies.

However the rules are strict - they shouldn't be pumping their products and should only be responding to DIRECT issues concerning their company. Full Stop.

If you see any doing more (barring starting one thread as a centralised discussion, which is fine) then pls report it to [EMAIL="abuse@moneysavingexpert.com"]abuse@moneysavingexpert.com[/EMAIL]

Martin

PS the actual words hadn't come through me - and i think "approved" isn't the right term it implies MSE has approved it - whereas it means their company has.

I have asked that ll of these are changed to...

XXXXXX company representative
And in their name underneath where it currently says approved representative.
“Has MSE’s permission to post for company”

Then in their signature it should have.

"I am the official company representative of XXXXXX. MSE has given permission for me to post in response to queries about the company, so that I can help solve issues. I am not allowed to tout for business at all. If you believe I am, please report it to [EMAIL="abuse@moneysavingexpert.com"]abuse@moneysavingexpert.com[/EMAIL]"

karenbee_2 · 13 February 2009 at 3:00PM

I think it's good. From what I have seen they have responded to queries over things such as fault meters with informative helpful replies.I think it's usefull. Especially if you are running around with cricles trying to find the right people to answer your questions and they can point you in the right direction.

I don't think they are touting for business. why would they do this when they probably have marketing departments and such for that reason?. I hardly think any of the power companies need to pay staff to spend time on here to try get the odd couple of people to switch supplier?

1carminestocky · 13 February 2009 at 3:04PM

To be fair, unlike the VAST majority of energy company employees on here they DO make it entirely plain they are here on official business. I have been accused of paranoia on here in the past for my oft-asserted allegation that the energy companies use this forum to defend their actions by sending their people here incognito, so to speak.

Having said all that, it's hardly an unexpected view given my previous opposition to paid employees of an energy company contributing on here, but I'm not at all happy for them to be here. And I make no apologies for holding that view. The only problem being if ALL the 'paid to post here' contributors were drummed out the forum would probably die on its derriere, lol...

Premier_2 · 13 February 2009 at 3:06PM

Voting options now live

Apologies for the slight delay - I had to get the options down to 100 characters or less.

Browntoa · 13 February 2009 at 3:11PM

they should not tout for business, if you are sure thay have done this then report the post to abuse in the normal way

there are many company reps who post on the forum providing valuable help and advice to people

1carminestocky · 13 February 2009 at 3:17PM

Browntoa wrote: »

they should not tout for business, if you are sure thay have done this then report the post to abuse in the normal way

there are many company reps who post on the forum providing valuable help and advice to people

My belief has always been that the people who post here who work in the energy industry should make it clear where they work in every post on this forum so that their contribution can be properly considered in light of that fact but it seems like there is confusion as to whether this is MSEs policy or not. Could you clarify the situation, please, Browntoa? TIA.

Premier_2 · 13 February 2009 at 3:17PM

Well as I started this thread, I think it's only proper that I explain how I feel.

I do consider that Company Representatives can be beneficial to MSE.
They are, afterall, not something entirely new.
Even on the Gas & Electric board we have had Company Representatives posting from, e.g. the switching sites.

However to date, such posts have been restrained to threads and questions directly relating to their own company and so they can offer direct help & guidance on their own services.

I am concerned that as soon as a member with a vested interest in one company starts to give 'general' advice to customers of their competitors, then I do wonder just how impartial such advice is.

Browntoa · 13 February 2009 at 3:19PM

not my department I'm afraid , but i'm sure its now meant to say approved company rep under their user name, the forum abuse team need to answer those sorts of questions

Premier_2 · 13 February 2009 at 3:22PM

Browntoa wrote: »

they should not tout for business, if you are sure thay have done this then report the post to abuse in the normal way

there are many company reps who post on the forum providing valuable help and advice to people

The problem is that even a normally innocent suggestion that someone should use the comparison sites to ensure they are getting the best deal, could be construed as touting when it is being done to encourage a customer from a competitor to switch away from their existing supplier.

Whether the abuse team would construe it that way is entirely a different matter, as it could be seen as a simple money saving proposal.

Browntoa · 13 February 2009 at 3:31PM

but the forums own advice (under the bit about not switching at this time ) says to look at the comparison sites

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/you-switch-gas-electricity

quote:-

Should anyone switch?

If you've never switched before and you're here to do it for the first time strike while the iron's hot. It's likely you're on such a poor tariff combination anyway (as you've not taken advantage of market competition) there are savings to be had.
The easy way to compare is via a free phone or web-based comparison service; just tell it where you live and how big your bills are, and it’ll tell you who’s cheapest.

Plus by specifically clicking to the comparison sites using the special links below, if they can switch you, you also get paid cashback or freebies on top that you wouldn't get if you went directly (for why, read the full top comparison sites section).

Premier_2 · 13 February 2009 at 3:38PM

karenbee wrote: »

...I don't think they are touting for business. why would they do this when they probably have marketing departments and such for that reason?. I hardly think any of the power companies need to pay staff to spend time on here to try get the odd couple of people to switch supplier?

These representatives are being paid by their employers to spend time on this forum? Have you thought about why? What is the benefit to their shareholders?

Have you considered why some energy suppliers are willing to pay £60 - £70 per new customer? Whilst some may dispute the competitiveness of the energy supply companies but the truth is they all would like to get as many customers as they can.

Approved Company Representatives Poll

How do you feel about the Approved Company Represent ives on this site. 30 votes

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