Utility Warehouse (Telecom Plus) Discussion

janninew

Cardew wrote: »

I think we all agree that to ban all door step sales would be great.

However the scheme is not to stop doorstep selling, but provide compensation to those who have been mis-sold gas and electricity.

Apparently 40% of customers move to a more expensive tariff as a result of being misled.

You surely cannot possibly deny that the majority of customers switching to UW will pay more for their gas and electricity - WHICH says 20% more on average(it has been normally been more).

You also surely cannot deny that the discredited TVG is trotted out as 'proof' that UW have low prices.

Even the more principled UW salesmen on this forum do not deny that UW gas and electricity is expensive; but argue that the cash-back card etc makes paying those high prices worthwhile.

You talk about the majority, what about the minority? Is UW such a bad deal for them, apparently not where I live with low useage. Not everybody has a 3 bed detached house spending £70+ on gas/elec every month. There are plenty (millions?) of young singles who probably have very low useage because they just can't afford to pay.

Just a few years ago I was one of these young, singles, living alone and being in control with UW, paying just for what I used and getting billed monthly was ideal for me. Now a fixed deal with EDF is ideal for me, different companies and billing suits different people at different times in their lives.

I think its a very sweeping statement to say that UW are one of the most expensive supplies, for some yes, for others they are reasonable.

I would be interested to see how they compare now, have they raised there prices yet along with the other 2 companies?

MillicentBystander

Cardew wrote: »

I think we all agree that to ban all door step sales would be great.

However the scheme is not to stop doorstep selling, but provide compensation to those who have been mis-sold gas and electricity.

Apparently 40% of customers move to a more expensive tariff as a result of being misled.

You surely cannot possibly deny that the majority of customers switching to UW will pay more for their gas and electricity - WHICH says 20% more on average(it has been normally been more).

You also surely cannot deny that the discredited TVG is trotted out as 'proof' that UW have low prices.

Even the more principled UW salesmen on this forum do not deny that UW gas and electricity is expensive; but argue that the cash-back card etc makes paying those high prices worthwhile.

Eh? Do you have any evidence for this claim or is it your usual twaddle dressed up as a 'Cardew fact'? I read the other day that 70% of UK households are still paying standard tariffs. And UW can be one of the cheapest (either online or standard) energy companies for those with low consumption (I can prove this, can you prove your claim?).


PS Which's figure is wide of the mark, have a go on energyhelpline with the average consumption figures now and report back with your findings.

Cardew

MillicentBystander wrote: »

Eh? Do you have any evidence for this claim

Yes!

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/387161

I think you were posting as Operastar at that period, but it could have been 1carminestocky or Carespress or one of your other names.

Now the subject is doorstep selling(or mis-selling) and virtually all UW sales are covered by that regulation.

So stick to that subject please and don't try your usual diversion tactics.

janninew

Cardew wrote: »

Yes!

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/387161

I think you were posting as Operastar at that period, but it could have been 1carminestocky or Carespress or one of your other names.

Now the subject is doorstep selling(or mis-selling) and virtually all UW sales are covered by that regulation.

So stick to that subject please and don't try your usual diversion tactics.

Somebody is using a diversion tactic here, I believe you were the first person on here today to mention prices, yet when somebody else does it, its diversion tactics?! The subject of this thread is all things UW, which is what is being discussed! Or can we only discuss doorstep selling today? What can be discussed tomorrow, you best let us know!

MillicentBystander

LOL. Mr Cardew's definition of a 'diversion tactic' is and seemingly always has been when he's asked to back up a wild claim/accusation (or claims/accusations in my case) he's made with hard facts (which he can't do). He doesn't want actual facts getting in the way of his 'facts'. As you say, janninew, the first person to mention prices on here today was Mr Cardew. I challenged him to back up his claims (I stated I can back up my claims), he obviously can't so we get the usual blah blah blah. It's all getting too easy TBH. But there's nothing on the TV at the moment.....:p

Cardew

janninew wrote: »

Somebody is using a diversion tactic here, I believe you were the first person on here today to mention prices, yet when somebody else does it, its diversion tactics?! The subject of this thread is all things UW, which is what is being discussed! Or can we only discuss doorstep selling today? What can be discussed tomorrow, you best let us know!

Let me spell it out for you!

1. The subject is possible compensation for doorstep selling.

2. Virtually all UW sales come under the regulations for doorstep selling.

3. UW have consistently had very high prices for their gas and electricity for the majority of their customers - indeed that was the reason why you switched from UW - remember?

4. Many of the UW salesmen on this thread concede that UW's gas and electricity prices are expensive. Every comparison website shows that UW prices are very expensive as does WHICH etc

5. The central plank of UW selling technique is the Triple Value Guarantee which we all know(and many UW reps concede) is worthless.

6. If you wish to exclude those few people who you think get a good deal on gas and electricity - then let us leave them aside. They obviously cannot claim anyway.

7. The fact remains that if this compensation legislation comes to pass, there are likely to be a shed load of UW customers who will stand to benefit.

8. Don't you think on a Money Saving Forum it is a public spirited action to bring this to the attention of any victims of mis-selling?

9 Surely, like the various campaigns run by MSE, don't you think we should give it maximum publicity?

MillicentBystander

You can come up with all the bullet points you want, the FACT remains you haven't backed up your original claim, which was:

You surely cannot possibly deny that the majority of customers switching to UW will pay more for their gas and electricity - WHICH says 20% more on average(it has been normally been more).

...with any evidence of any sort.

Plus, you also haven't responded to my challenge to check out energyhelpline now, input OFGEM average consumption figures and give evidence that Which's original '20% more expensive' claim is not now way wide of the mark (as I claimed). What's stopping you, I wonder? The awful realisation that you've dropped a right clanger (again)?

Cardew

The diversion tactic just won't work! WE all know your tactics!

Doorstep selling - UW's involvement.

If mis-selling didn't apply - they won't be able to claim.

If mis-selling did occur, they will be able to claim.

MillicentBystander

Yawn yawn. You really just aren't worth it anymore. I like a real challenge, not some doddery old wannabe internet dictator troll....

Mike_by_the_Sea

I have to agree with Cardew on the basic premis that anyone who has been mis-sold through doorstep selling should have the opportunity to be compensated.

However, to simply state that UW will be exposed by this legislation is interesting. The business model that UW operates is very different to that used by the "Big 6" salesmen. As I understand it, the majority of salesmen that "sell" gas and electricity receive a one-off payment for each person they convince to change.

The payments paid to UW distributors are primarily accrued over time through having "happy" customers. Also, the one-off payments for Gas and Electricity are considerably less than for other services.

Although there will be bad apples in every barrel, the vast majority of UW distributors are in it for the long game and short-term gains would not be their motivation.

I believe that the legislation will help UW distributors to demonstrate the real benefits of membership as it will be more transparent that they offer a unique way of saving money across a broad spectrum of services and customer support.

PS I am a UW ID