Doesn't pay to be green

adrienne_powell

I was approached by a salesman in Sainsbury's Haverhill in March this year asking whether I wished to change my energy supplier to EDF/Sainsbury's. He showed me the figures and told me that I could fix my tariff at 12.4p per unit for 12 months. As this was already cheaper than what I was paying with Npower, who were also about to up their rates I agreed.

I asked whether they did it on a green tariff - to which the chap replied yes - it's 0.5p per unit more - I was happy to go with this & signed up, happy that I had a good deal. I recieved a letter two weeks ago stating my energy prices were going up as of July 25th 08 -(thanks for the notice!) I called to say I was on a fixed tariff only to find out that they didn't do the fixed tariff on green electricity! I reiterated the conversation I had with the salesman and they argued that unless I actually said "and is on the fixed tariff offered " I hadn't a leg to stand on. I asked them to put me on the tariff I 'bought' but apparently they can't do this, but they will happily put me on a fixed tariff on 18.5p per unit.. :mad: :mad: :mad: I am so cross - I said I was missold the product - they say prove it, but were willing to raise an internal complaint - like that's going to happen! Is there anything I can do?

A_fiend_for_life

Not sure about the products but ecotricity as far as I know is one if not the greenest supplier. I am not sure of their prices though. They have a freephone number too. I find them a bit elusive on their pricing though so make sure you get the unit rate and info regarding price rises before committing.

Ebico provide gas if you need gas too. Regarding their electricity they do have a high proportion of nuclear in their energy mix though.

I'd write a letter of complaint in the first instance regarding the mis-selling.

You might get a better response on the electricity sub-board on mis-selling.

hth

linniestorm

I would have thought it should be on the salesman's head to mention if he was moving the discussion (even though it was at your request) to a tariff that wasn't fixed. Doesn't take much for him to say, oh just so you know, there's no fixed tariff on this one, but possibly he's on more commission for eco-tarfiffs than fixed ones? Not as though he would necessasarily lose the sale is it, for all he knew you could have said 0.5p more? no fear, sign me up to the fixed!

I'd write a letter of complaint, mentioning the tactics of their salesman who's mis-sold and put you out of pocket and copy in the energy company regulators as well. If the complaints department see cc: OFGEM at the bottom of your letter it just might put a boot up their backside that they can't fob you off! Good luck!