Scottish Power - New Sales Tactics

mizelle

First off, I’d like to say that I am not usually taken in by door sales people. As soon as they show up asking about utilities, phone, broadband etc, I tell them I’m happy with my current supplier, and bid them farewell.

However, in a momentary lapse of common sense, this happened yesterday...

A man knocked on my door and told me he was from Scottish Power and he’d been sent by the Scottish Executive to check that the public weren’t being overcharged for their utilities. He then asked me if he could see my electricity meter.

He volunteered his ID several times and seemed extremely plausible.

Taken aback by this unusual request, I allowed him to come in and look at my meter. He came in with his computer, looked at the meter and jotted some things down. (Yes, I know, I know, what can he possibly tell about consumption from looking at a meter alone! I don’t know why this did not occur to me at this point!).

After looking at the meter, he started talking to me about NPower (my current supplier) overcharging me and how I pay twice as much per unit for my gas because NPower buy it from SP and they put their own charges on. He gave me the whole middle-man speech, and it was at this point I realised he was there to switch me.

I told him that I didn’t want to switch and that one of the main reasons for this was that I was in arrears with my current supplier due to a billing issue from last year, and that any decision to switch would lead to a huge final bill.

He told me not to worry about that. He said that wouldn’t be a problem. I found this strange.

He went on with his sales pitch, which included things about pumping gas from Scotland to England and to the continent and how there is no Gas shortage in Scotland etc. It was slightly anti-English I must say.

He also said that Martin Lewis was on GMTV telling people to come back to Scottish Power. I'm sure someone here could confirm/deny this as I don't watch GMTV. And, he told me all the comparison sites tell you different results, and are inaccurate.

He then proceeded to go through my details on his computer, asking me various questions about my consumption etc. Again, I mentioned the arrears and the fact that NP would be looking for it in a lump sum if I switched. Again, he told me it wouldn’t be a problem, and started talking in circles about dates and payment times and overall annual savings etc.

When he got to the bank details part, I told him we’d recently changed banks and I didn’t know any of the details off the top of my head. I asked him if he could continue without those details and he said no. He insisted on the details. I talked in circles back at him and told him that I don’t have a bank statement to hand, and that I could provide the details later etc. etc. He tried to push the issue, but I acted like it wasn’t possible to put my hands on the information at that point, so he finally pushed in some number (not sure what he did), made some remark about how he’d get in trouble for doing it, and then asked me to sign.

I asked him if there was a ‘cooling off’ period, and he said “7 days”. I signed both parts where it said I’d entered into a contract (figuring I'd cancel later). Then he handed me a bunch of leaflets and he left.

I sent a cancellation email just now to the address on the leaflet.

To be honest, I’m not sure if I’d save money by switching but I have cancelled because I felt duped into letting him in with all his “Scottish Executive” nonsense, and I felt like he didn’t properly address the arrears issue. If and when I want to switch, I'll do it myself.

I won’t be caught out with this tactic again.

Has anyone else had a similar experience?

dogshome

Hi Mizelle - Check that amongst the paperwork the salesman left with you, that there is a form which includes a Cancellation section - If there is then fill this section in TODAY and send it back by 1st Class post - The 7 day cancellation window starts on the day you signed the form. If this form was not in the salesmans pack, you should get one through the post, so when it arrives return it by 1st Class post THAT DAY
Best of Luck

roddydogs

Yes, just told him to "!!!!!! Off"

Plushchris

The most annoying thing about these scumbags is that he will NOT have put you onto their cheapest tariff, more than likely just the standard.

The torrent of lies they spout is nothing short of insulting.

davethorp

If you do cancel ensure you send any cancellation notice in writing and by recorded mail. I applied to change to scottish power from a price comparison site earlier this year then when the paperwork came through saw my unit rates were actually higher. I phoned up to cancel and was told that would be sorted and then they duly switched me anyway.

Needless to say I refused to use their keys and cards with my meter as in my view they had slammed me and duly switched back

mizelle

Isn't he breaking rules by duping his way into the house in the first place? To be honest, if I thought for one minute he was a salesman, I wouldn't have let him in, and his pitch about being 'sent by the Scottish Executive' was the only reason.

DVardysShadow

Sorry to be so harsh, but to help anyone who has to deal with similar. I have to say, If you signed up to make him go away, then MORE FOOL YOU. Just tell them to go away. Only fools sign up.

mizelle

I'm well aware that I was an idiot yesterday, so you're not telling me anything I didn't already know. Thanks though.

bills_2

Must be a new sales tactic as I heard the same situation today from someone but it was a SE rep saying Eon got there supply off them. Idiots they are!

I would ring them up to cancel it and send the letter as a back up. Quicker to call.

mizelle

I've sent the cancellation email and I have the dated automated response which includes my original mail.. so I'll be keeping that for evidence. I also called them up this afternoon and was assured that it would be cancelled.

Portlandbill

mizelle wrote: »

He also said that Martin Lewis was on GMTV telling people to come back to Scottish Power.

He was telling porkies. Report him to MSE

"Help us catch lying energy salespeople. MSE does not recommend ANY suppliers!
We’re hearing growing reports of energy salespeople on the phone or in shopping centres saying that Martin Lewis or MoneySavingExpert.com “recommends us”, while a few others berate our info and call us liars. Neither are true; we don't recommend individual companies, but instead suggest people compare, and it’s time these nasty sales spiels were stopped. We need your help: If this happens to you, don’t argue, be polite, but please do help us by noting down when and where, and trying to get the salesperson’s name & and contact info. Then report it to [EMAIL="Energysaleswatch@moneysavingexpert.com"]Energysaleswatch@moneysavingexpert.com[/EMAIL], and we’ll take it from there. Cheapest energy: If you do want to find the cheapest energy & switch, see the Cheapest Gas & Elec guide "


Source : http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/tips/04-11-2009/