Southern Electric - Price Drop Not Being Passed On - Sales Trick?

Mindzai

Hi

I have just had a knock on my door from a Southern Electric man. He claims that they supply the billing companies and that these companies should have passed on 'per-unit price drops'. He was supposedly there to check that this reduction has been passed on. He did specifically say he was not from a 'billing company' but was from the part of the company who supplies other companies.

He wanted to know who I was with currently, and wanted to see a bill.

I told him that I didnt deal with that sort of thing (semi-true) and that he would have to call back and talk to my girlfriend. Normally I'm very suspicious of these people who come to the door, but he didnt appear to be selling anything and didn't mention switching or offering me a reduction or anything.

Has anyone else had this? Is it genuine or just a sales tactic? Obviously when he comes back I wont be showing him any bills or signing anything if he does try to sell anything, but I'm not sure if he's genuine.

tincat

He would get your meter number from your bill and switch you. Don't show any bills.

They get commission from the switch.

1carminestocky

Rule 1: door knockers NEVER admit they are selling anything. Suffice to say, if someone has taken the trouble to drive to your estate and knock on your door in these sub zero temperatures he's not doing so as a favour to you.

littletommytucker

No one has reduced prices yet! Clearly some sales man. Ask him lots of questions and just embarrass him for telling blatent porky pies! Ask him how he wasnt aware of the fact that no companys have dropped the prices, if this is his so called job!?

Vestra

Was he pretending to be from Southern Electric (as in you are with them now) or was he trying to get you to switch to them, if it's the latter phone up and complain against the salesman.

Scousebird_2

Well here's one for you. I had a guy from British Gas/Southern Electric (which I now know WAS British Gas) telling me that he had called to see my meter (he rang me to get access to the meter cupboard in the basement of my apartment)

He left this message

''Hi Miss ...... , sorry to bother you but I am an engineer from British Gas, erm no sorry Scottish and Southern here to read your meter, if you could possibly give me a call back on this number''.

LMAO-I rang back and asked him if he would like to make his mind up as to where he is from......AND he's read my bloody meter wrong-flippin idiot!

Now I don't know what to do because I have one reading, and they have a different one so I am none the wiser!!! The next reading I give is never going to match theirs (theres a difference of about 3000 calorific units over 2 months-hardly likely that British Gas's reading is correct me thinks)!!

LOL!!

Ice_2

just tell him your paper free billing so don't have any paper bills, as I am with southern electric,
I am just curious though that if a guy knocked on your door and said he was from the bank and could he have a look at your bank statements you might think about that alittle more than say a guy from a utility company with a utility bill, never show anyone anything, who are these people , stranger's, tell em to sod off...
tell them that if you wanted to move suppliers you would do so online and get some cashback or other goodies by getting it online instead of that person getting something for signing you up...

in the case of the meter reading you can with most companies do a meter reading online, but be warned this could generate a bill just before christmas, shelve it until after the new year,

also to stop that unwanted bill, especially at inconvenient times like just before christmas,
do monthly Direct Debits
its more sensible, no more shock bills, just an email telling you your infront with your bills, music.

alf

Mindzai wrote: »

Hi

I have just had a knock on my door from a Southern Electric man. He claims that they supply the billing companies and that these companies should have passed on 'per-unit price drops'. He was supposedly there to check that this reduction has been passed on. He did specifically say he was not from a 'billing company' but was from the part of the company who supplies other companies.

This is a sales tactic commonly used by Southern Electric to get you to switch, other variations are that you are being overcharged or on the wrong tariff. Pure lies. Slam the door next time.