Either this guy's a scammer, or Scottish Power thinks we're insane

maninthestreet

Had some guy from Npower round a few weeks ago (I don't buy gas or electric from them). Claimed he was just checking that I was 'on the right tariff'. Not on my doostep he wasn't, he was sent on his way sharpish.

spuds_2

We have had the 'just want to check you are on the right tariff' spiel as well. Most of us on here will see through it, but I think it it's very misleading and many older people may be taken in by it. Shame on those companies who have to lie to get business.

elliebellie

vyle wrote: »

I was at my mum's for lunch and the doorbell rang. She went to answer it and was there for about five minutes, getting gradually more annoyed. When she returned to the living room, she was fuming and explained that somebody claiming to be from Scottish Power had just been.

He claimed that people on the street had been complaining that their gas bill was too high, so he needed to see an energy bill to make sure that everybody was on the right tarriff.

She pointed out that she wasn't with scottish power, so it didn't concern her.

He countered that "people had been complaining" so he had to check.

She reiterated her point.

He said that he was checking for Eon, Southern electric and british gas, as well as scottish power.

She refused to show any energy bills.

And so this carried on until he gave up and went next door.

Now, I think she was quite right to refuse, but it does seem very odd. Everybody could be with different providers, so why would they all complain to scottish power? Why wouldn't an independant person come out if they needed to do a wide scale check, and more to the point, why wouldn't they sort out their customers on a case by case basis?

It sounds to me like either a scammer wants to note down personal details, or Scottish power are trying to see what tarriffs people are on, then claim they're cheaper.

Has anybody heard about this? She would have rung scottish power to check, but really, who's going to want to ring an energy company unless they absolutely have to?

Same thing happened to me a couple of weeks ago. 2 people at front door – one of whom apparently was on his first day, hence having someone with him – more like tag team wrestling!

First question from me – “are you hear to get me to swap suppliers?”

Scottish Power: “no, we’re here because we’ve been getting complaints about high power bills”
Me: “even from customers who aren’t currently with SP?”
SP: “oh yes”
Me: “so you are working for the regulatory body now, not SP?”
SP: “not at all, people have been complaining to us directly”
Me: “riiiight, I have a few more questions in that case......”

Me: lots of lovely questions about this arrangement between SP & reg body–

Them: trying to answer questions, but their answers getting vaguer and vaguer

Finally one of them said “it’s actually a problem with the meter readings”

Me: “oh I see, there are problems with inaccurate meter readings? Shouldn’t you be talking to the meter reading company, you know the one that does the meter readings for all the suppliers"

At this point, they said thanks for your time and went next door.

Lying toe-rags is the only way to describe them and I think it’s a pretty fair bet to say that SP will never ever get my custom, if these are the tactics they choose to employ!

sillyvixen

scottish power are round here every few months i tell them i rent and my utillites are included - there is no economic benifit to changing as the rent wont change!! i dont rent its my house but they go away without question.

geordie_joe

elliebellie wrote: »

Lying toe-rags is the only way to describe them

I agree. Actually, can there be anyone left in the country who DOESN'T agree? They must have been to every dwelling in the country at least a dozen times by now.

I remember them coming when I lived in Geordie Land, and I've lived down in Tractor Land 12 years!

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

trisontana wrote: »

But don't you agree that commission-only jobs make people desperate to earn any money at all and so are prepared to take short cuts. Why don't you just pay them an "ordinary" wage? then that would keep them away from temptation.

On second thoughts why send reps round knocking on people's doors anyway? You know this annoys many people and puts you on the same level as those scammers who offer to re-lay your driveway with some left-over tar. Why do you think there are so many "no cold calling zones" being set up?

It's because most people don't want to carry out such an important and potentially costly transaction on their door-step. If your deals are so good, just push a leaflet through the door, so that it can be studied without a salesman breathing down your neck and pressurizing you.

Hello again trisontana

Firstly, may I clear up a myth that seems to be on this thread. Can't speak for other companies but E.ON don't employ reps on a commission only basis. They receive a set salary with commission paid on top.

On the issue of door to door selling, I know this is an emotive topic particularly when done badly.

Face to face marketing is used by many organisations, including us, as one means of putting our message across. It is one of a number of different channels we use to tell people about our products

Now, I do understand this is not an acceptable form of selling for some. However, feedback tells us there are a significant number of people who actually prefer to discuss their energy requirements directly with another person rather than, say, talk on the phone or go through websites. Therefore, it is an avenue of communication we offer.

However, as this is a particularly personal form of contact it is important it is regulated with set procedures. So long as these procedures are kept to then it is a method of business contact that can work for some.

I do agree, though, there are many people who dislike this form of contact. If they tell the rep when they call then they should walk away without further ado.

I also agree that not all reps observe the spirit of the rules and can become annoying. That is why there is a Code of Practice to oversee face to face contact.

E.ON is a member of the Association of Energy Suppliers (AES). This is an independent body who have established the Code of Practice governing face to face marketing within the energy industry.

The code sets out the standards of service customers can expect when one of our reps calls. It has been developed in close co-operation with the government, the industry regulator (Ofgem) and consumer bodies.

It is known as Energy Sure and lays down practices door step callers need to observe. This includes calling times, rep identification, courtesy and avoiding misunderstandings.

The code requires reps to stop all discussion with a customer who indicates the contact is unwelcome.

Failure to comply can lead to penalties for both the rep and their employers.

All the energy providers have a lot of good reps who go about their business in an appropriate way. However, as in any walk of life, there are always rogues who give decent people a bad name.

We are as keen as you to put a stop to these rogues. That is why I would encourage anyone who has had a bad experience with an E.ON rep to use our complaints procedures. This will allow us to identify and take the appropriate action against the individual concerned.

I hope this sheds a little light on to our door step selling policy. I know it is not for everyone but it does suit some.

Malc

stimpyprice

A couple of weeks ago my husband opened our front door to our postman to find a chap in Scottish Power uniform lurking on our doorstep. He hadn't pressed the doorbell or anything and claimed to be sheltering from the rain. When my husband cross questioned him he quickly changed the subject asking where my husband was from (he's from Belfast) and this guy was scottish. He then started some garbled conversation about celts sticking together and making jokes my husband should teach our daughter to speak in a NI accent. As we live in West Sussex this is highly unlikely. However my husband got increasingly annoyed as this guy didn't give his real reason and he found the man's conversation patronising and inappropriate. As a mum whose normally alone with my very young daughter most days at home I was very concerned to find him on my doorstep. Especially as we live in a small cul de sac of 10 houses and we have a long drive so his excuse didn't add up. Plus the rain was quite light.

The next day we then got a door to door salesman from Scottish Power who tried to tell us that Scottish Power and Southern Electric who we are with were the same company and was really persistant in trying to get us to change our tariff. Again my husband was at home and answered the door in a towel wet from the shower. This didn't even give this guy the hint it wasn't the right time. He wouldn't go away and in the end we just shut the door on him. On this basis I would NEVER sign up to Scottish power although reading some of the posts here, some of the other companies seem to be doing it too. However I was thinking of complaining to the police about the first lurking one as I thought he was either a burgler or child molester in disguise and it's not a professional and decent way to behave.

System

why do energy reps think the "NO DOOR TO DOOR SALESMEN" sign on my front door doesnt apply to them ? their standard response is im not selling anything !

geordie_joe

CHRISSYG wrote: »

why do energy reps think the "NO DOOR TO DOOR SALESMEN" sign on my front door doesnt apply to them ? their standard response is im not selling anything !

Because in their training they are told not to tell people they are selling fuel. It's drummed into them that they are doing people a favour. So, when they knock at your door they think they are there to do you a favour.

Well, either that or they can't read

Anthillmob

i had one about 4 years ago @ my previous property. told him i wasnt interested. a week later there was a knock from them again [scottish power] and as well as the previous guy was some other bloke also. i told them

'as i said to your friend here last week im not interested'

the bloke seen previously denied all knwledge of ever calling previously.

he admitted he had when mr mob came to the door and asked if he was calling me a liar.

so !!!!!! was that all about?