Southern Electric

harborjenny

I am rather shocked at finally transferring to Southern Electric just over a month ago (for Gas and Electricity, after being sold it at the door by salesman stating how they only put their prices up once a year and it had already gone up.

Anyway, got a letter yesterday, dated September 2008, stating they were ‘sorry’ but they had to increase their prices wef 25 August 2008.

Is there anything I can do about this (write to them etc), as I feel this is a really sneaky way of getting custom, only to go and ‘dump’ on them. I can’t believe they didn’t know when they did their door knocking early summer time.

Any advice gratefully received with thanks

Magentasue

I think all you can do is learn from experience - signing up at the door is rarely a good idea. You can nearly always get a better deal online. The salesmen get very little for door to door work AFAIK and there's a real incentive to get signatures and the way to do that is tell people what they want to hear.

Best thing to do is do some research and work out whether there's a better tariff for you. Check you t&c to see if there's a penalty for switching - more common on fixed and capped deals.

harborjenny

Magentasue wrote: »

I think all you can do is learn from experience - signing up at the door is rarely a good idea. You can nearly always get a better deal online. The salesmen get very little for door to door work AFAIK and there's a real incentive to get signatures and the way to do that is tell people what they want to hear.

Best thing to do is do some research and work out whether there's a better tariff for you. Check you t&c to see if there's a penalty for switching - more common on fixed and capped deals.

I realise that was not the most effective way of doing it, but we were with BG who were a lot more and as ever kept meaning to switch on line but never got round to it so when someone was there and offered to do it it seemed mad not to.

I remember the prices being one of the lowest (if not the lowest) and got a leaflet to that effect. Also it was a hell of a lot cheaper than BG.

My point is how can they make a promise not to increase, then go and do it?

Magentasue

I wasn't telling you off! Just pointing out that there's not much you can do now. Couldn't the salesman just claim that he was stating things as they were on the day? He wouldn't be in a position to make promises about future prices, would he? At the end of the day, you have the terms and conditions to go by - not a saleman's promise.

espresso

harborjenny wrote: »

My point is how can they make a promise not to increase, then go and do it?

They did not make a promise, the salesman may have spun you a line to get his sale and he was thinking only of his commission, knowing that he will never see you again.

harborjenny

Thanks for your replies.

I have decided this letter has rather got to me and will write to Customer Services to state (as a newish customer) I am not happy and see what happens (probably nothing, but then if you expect nothing and get something, it is a nice surprise).

But if no one complains to them, they think we are all happy!

Here's hoping!

naturegirl_2

I had a southern electric sales my at my door today and said I wouldn't sign anything but some how he's coming round tomorrow morning. I don't want to sign for anything and don't want him in my house but I'm so polite I don't want to be rude and say no I've changed my mind. I'm going to have to leave early !!!!