Scottish Power - Sales Lies

Crabman

The other day we had a Scottish Power sales person at the door. He couldn't read (we have a sticker from BT saying "Door to Door Sales? Please Don't Ring", but he still rang) so it wasn't a great start.

I said that we use MSE and their recommended comparison sites, which is usually enough to get rid of these types. His reply was that MSE and the comparison sites are paid commission to recommend suppliers such as E.on and thus we were not getting the best deal.

He went on to say that because E.on sponsors sporting events such as the FA Cup and Rugby leagues that we were paying higher costs as Scottish Power don't sponsor expensive sports events. Yet according to online comparison sites, Scottish Power would cost over £200 more than our present supplier.

He then produced a photocopied sheet with E.on's alleged unit prices. He was very firm about the fact that this was the tariff we were on (wrong) and then attempted to mislead me into thinking that Eon was more expensive per unit than Scottish Power by comparing an Eon tariff that was not relevant to us at all with one of their own.

When it became clear to him that he wasn't getting our business he very rudely just turned around and walked off.

I don't think we'll ever return to Scottish Power after that experience (even if they are more competitive which is unlikely). Seems incredibly desperate on their part and I wonder how many householders were conned into switching due to the high pressure lies he was telling. He spent almost the entire evening prowling the area. :rolleyes:

Contrast this behaviour with that of an Eon rep on this board (Malc) who honestly advised me via PM that we were already on Eon's most competitive tariff for our region and agreed with my comment that EDF's Online V5 tariff was more competitive. Well done Eon (and Malc) for having the honesty and integrity that Scottish Power lacks :T

Scottish_Power

Hi Crabman,

Sorry to hear of the less than impressive impression your were left with by our sales agent.

As stated in another thread we insist that our sales agents conduct themselves in an open, honest and polite manner at all times when visiting consumers.

If you would like me to ensure a thorough investigation is carried out into the conduct of this individual please feel free to PM me your address. I must stress that this is purely to allow a proper investigation to be undertaken and not for marketing purposes.

Craig @ ScottishPower

savemoney

It puts me right off any company who ignores signs at doors informing cold callers they are not welcome

Some of these cold callers are either ignorant, unable to read, or stupid

I have had numerous cold callers over the years for various utilities, double glazing and other door to door selling. Despite having a approved sign issued by trading standards informing any persons that I dont buy at the door.

The sooner cold calling is banned the better. Many of us have a brain and believe or not can use it to make an informed choice rather than be lied to with over zealous and inaccurate information that shows biased to the company concerned.

Meepster

Crabman wrote: »

He couldn't read (we have a sticker from BT saying "Door to Door Sales? Please Don't Ring", but he still rang) so it wasn't a great start.

He wasn't very clever either by the sounds of it. If it was I'd have knocked instead :rotfl:

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Crabman wrote: »

Contrast this behaviour with that of an Eon rep on this board (Malc) who honestly advised me via PM that we were already on Eon's most competitive tariff for our region and agreed with my comment that EDF's Online V5 tariff was more competitive. Well done Eon (and Malc) for having the honesty and integrity :T

Many thanks for your kind comments Crabman. They are much appreciated. :T

If I can help further please let me know.

Malc

Crabman

scottishpower_company_representative wrote: »

Hi Crabman,

Sorry to hear of the less than impressive impression your were left with by our sales agent.

As stated in another thread we insist that our sales agents conduct themselves in an open, honest and polite manner at all times when visiting consumers.

If you would like me to ensure a thorough investigation is carried out into the conduct of this individual please feel free to PM me your address. I must stress that this is purely to allow a proper investigation to be undertaken and not for marketing purposes.

Craig @ ScottishPower

Thanks for the response Craig.

Would you please confirm that Scottish Power will be writing to all customers who switched energy supplier with this salesman to explain that they may have been misled/lied to, offering them the true facts in an easily understandable format and also pointing them to Martin's Article where they can obtain free, fair and most importantly, honest advice regarding their choice of supplier?

Can you also confirm that the salesman referred to will be disciplined/dismissed as it appears his attitude is very significantly at odds with your comment regarding Scottish Power's advice to its sales agents?

If so, it would go some way to restoring some integrity and confidence in your brand.

I will then be in a position to PM you with my postcode in order to assist your investigation.

Scottish_Power

Sorry Crabman, I am unable to offer the confirmation and assurances that you require, so it would seem I am unable to assist you any further in this case.

This is not because we are not interested in ensuring our agents conduct themselves in the manner we expect, but because I am only able to respond to you about your own individual concerns.

Should you wish me to investigate your own individual case I am happy to assist.

If not, please at least be assured that your comments will be passed to our sales agency manager to ensure they are aware of your feedback.

Craig @ ScottishPower

Crabman

scottishpower_company_representative wrote: »

Sorry Crabman, I am unable to offer the confirmation and assurances that you require, so it would seem I am unable to assist you any further in this case.

This is not because we are not interested in ensuring our agents conduct themselves in the manner we expect, but because I am only able to respond to you about your own individual concerns.

Should you wish me to investigate your own individual case I am happy to assist.

If not, please at least be assured that your comments will be passed to our sales agency manager to ensure they are aware of your feedback.

Craig @ ScottishPower

That is unfortunate.

Scottish Power would have nothing to fear by contacting [STRIKE]victims[/STRIKE] customers of this salesman if they are confident that he has acted properly and switched them because Scottish Power genuinely is the cheapest supplier.

I have just sent you my area details via PM so that you can be in no doubt as to which sales agent is responsible.

You will of course now be aware which customers in this area have recently switched their supplier to Scottish Power through this sales agent.

It will then be up Scottish Power to decide how to deal with the issue, bearing in mind my suggestion that they are contacted and referred to MSE for honest advice. I trust you do not object...

MyRubyRed

scottishpower_company_representative wrote: »

Sorry Crabman, I am unable to offer the confirmation and assurances that you require, so it would seem I am unable to assist you any further in this case.

This is not because we are not interested in ensuring our agents conduct themselves in the manner we expect, but because I am only able to respond to you about your own individual concerns.

Should you wish me to investigate your own individual case I am happy to assist.

If not, please at least be assured that your comments will be passed to our sales agency manager to ensure they are aware of your feedback.

Craig @ ScottishPower

Oh Scottish Power, you could have won so many over with a different response. If your company chooses to visit this site and gain an understanding of concerns, then the company should be prepared to rspond accordingly. Appreciate Data protection et all. Can I have a job like you please?

Scottish_Power

Many thanks to crabman for providing information of your area, this will prove useful in allowing us to investigate the individual in question.

Please be assured that there is no place here at ScottishPower for agents who do not conduct themselves appropriately.

Crabman

Thanks Craig, but it is still not clear whether Scottish Power intends to take any action in respect of customers who switched to them following a less than truthful sales pitch from the agent. This of course is a general question and is therefore not encompassed by the Data Protection Act.

As for my suggestion - I consider that writing to them with a link to Martin's impartial advice in the article would be the best way to rectify the situation.

Even if all the customers leave as a result (which is unlikely) it would simply place Scottish Power in the initial position as if the sales agent had never lied.

At present there has been no comment in this regard.