Utility Warehouse (Telecom Plus) Discussion

Cardew

haysof wrote: »

Hi,
Thank you for making your position clear, everything as follows is not meant to sell the product to you.

I have just done a quote for myself from the energy helpline website, (which I had not done before hand)and granted Utility Warehouse are not the top.
However there were 2 major factors that were wrong.

Who currently supplies my gas and electricity, and the tariff Im supposedly on.
The tariff quoted for the different uses from UW are wrong, do you know where this Information is sourced, it can't be UW.
The prices are literately miles out. Everything from standing charges to P PK/W. Low Standard and High.
I have sent them an email.. will wait and see.

To the unknowing eye, this is a very false illusion. I know the website is credible but not accurate at all.
If 1 company's tariff is wrong who is to say that the other company's tariffs are correct??

Try any comparison website - including WHICH -and you will find the same results.

I am no fan of comparison website, yet as far as I am aware, despite many queries over the years I have yet to find a comparison website to be wrong. They are regulated by ofgem and to make an error is a serious business.

Rather than talk in general terms, please give specific details of why and where you think there is an error that shows UW in a less favourable light. Area, company/tariff, consumption, payment method etc.

Don't forget all the comparison websites must show prices including VAT, where the UW prices displayed on their website are excluding VAT.

In all the many disagreements we have had about UW, no salesman has claimed an error before iirc.

For instance if you go to Energyhelpline(the comparison network Martin recommends) they give a breakdown of every tariff. Below is the detail of UW High user tariff in Midlands for the example I quoted earlier. Are you saying this is inaccurate?

Gas Electricity Standing charge 17.26 p per day (£63.00 per year) 25.89 p per day (£94.50 per year) Unit charge (pence per kWh) 3.941 p 11.632 p
Gas Electricity Standing charge 17.26 p per day (£63.00 per year) 25.89 p per day (£94.50 per year) Unit charge (pence per kWh) 3.941 p 11.632 p

]

I like to think there are not any 'unknowing eyes' in the comparison website staff or indeed those of us who are not fans of UW.

Anyway give details of where you think they are incorrect.

Gas Electricity Standing charge 17.26 p per day (£63.00 per year) 25.89 p per day (£94.50 per year) Unit charge (pence per kWh) 3.941 p 11.632 p
Utility Warehouse

Utility Warehouse are a small relatively new supplier. They provide a basic service and are marketed via a network marketing model of sales agents who get a cut of your bill and encourage you to sell on Utility Warehouse to your friends for commission.

There are a number of non-standard pricing arrangements with Utility Warehouse tariffs which you should be aware of:
1. For the application process you will be charged £10 which will be netted off your first bill
2. The dual fuel discount is only paid at the end of each year and is subject to a clawback if you leave within the next 3 months.
3. You will be charged an annual membership fee of about £18 per year to use their services (included in the projected spend on the results table) .
4. All standing charges are charged monthly upfront and then unit rates are charged monthly in arrears - most suppliers charge for all things monthly or quarterly in arrears.

For many customers they offer competitive prices although their standard of service is something of an unknown quantity (Consumer Focus reports do not contain figures on their complaint levels, etc as they are a small supplier).

People typically sign up to Utility Warehouse through an agent who will call you and ask you to fill in a paper form and post it back to head office. During this phone or house call the rep will generally attempt to cross-sell a number of other utility services that they provide eg. phones, mobile, etc. If you take other services you can qualify for bundled discounts.


Tariff DetailsName Utility Warehouse - High User Region Midlands Payment method Monthly Direct Debit Features

• Savings club with annual membership fee
• Typically sold via network marketing

Pricing DetailsBreakdown Gas Electricity Standing charge 17.26 p per day (£63.00 per year) 25.89 p per day (£94.50 per year) Unit charge (pence per kWh) 3.941 p 11.632 p Discounts



Pricing DetailsBreakdown Gas Electricity Standing charge 17.26 p per day (£63.00 per year) 25.89 p per day (£94.50 per year) Unit charge (pence per kWh) 3.941 p 11.632 p Discounts



Additional Information Tariff information Utility Warehouse's annual membership fee of £18 has been included in the savings calculation. Customers signing up to this tariff will receive paperless billing, however for an extra charge of £12 a year there is an option to receive a regular paper bill instead (not included in your savings figures).
Additional Information Tariff information Utility Warehouse's annual membership fee of £18 has been included in the savings calculation. Customers signing up to this tariff will receive paperless billing, however for an extra charge of £12 a year there is an option to receive a regular paper bill instead (not included in your savings figures).

Sorry about the formatting

dacouch

HappyMJ wrote: »

That's quite strange. Why do you say that? I'm quite sure all suppliers have to send an annual statement at the very least.

Please bear in mind he's ofcom and ofgem regulated

jellygoodfellow

dacouch wrote: »

Please bear in mind he's ofcom and ofgem regulated

Since when have Ofcom and Ofgem regulated UW distributors ?

Airmike23

Haysof, re your comment that energyhelpline have the incorrect unit rates, refer to YOUR company's website, and I'm assuming the presenter you use when selling, this from uw website when I click on my area - Yorkshire: Please note that to enable you to compare our (Utility Warehouse) prices with the amount you are paying to your existing supplier (as shown on your latest bill), the above figures exclude VAT at the domestic rate of 5%.
Prices shown above valid from 16th September 2011.

Unit rates shown on all the comparison sites are inclusive of VAT, hence your claim they are wrong, as with a lot of uw reps, seemed to have misunderstood your own product, as rates on your companys website, when inc VAT at 5% match what is shown on comp sites. The comp sites get the pricing from the power company's themselves, how else would they even have a small chance a seeming legit if they just made up random pricing for one of the energy company's!!!.

HappyMJ

Cardew wrote: »

Just as an example, the average consumer in UK uses 16,500kWh gas and 3,300kWh electricity.

A new customer in my area(Midlands) for that consumption will pay £1,034 with Scottish Power On Line energy Saver 16.

Of the 90 tariffs listed on Energyhelpline, the cheapest UW tariff(high user) is in 64th place and will cost £1,210.

So UW is 17.02% more expensive.

That's not how a genuine UW distributor would sell it though...:)....

It's cheaper if you take high user gas and medium user electricity @ £1,199 in the Midlands. The comparison websites don't mix and match on the duel fuel tariffs. You have to calculate that manually. As you would normally join through a distributor you can mix and match.

Then there is the 10% annual discount on gas and electricity for taking 4 UW services (at least one Mobile@£10 per month and Broadband and Phone@£20 per month) bringing it down to £1,080 and a UW salesman would also say you can save 25% off your monthly utility bill by spending an average of £750 per month (at selected retailers) on the UW prepaid card bringing it down again to £810 per year. That a lot cheaper than any other supplier.

I think that's where the UW distributors are coming from as most people have mobiles, broadband and home phone lines so technically over the whole lot should save something but there are just so many conditions that I don't like.

Airmike23

Loads of T+C's to this tho, the 10% discount is only on sign ups until April next year, and any one signed up prior may not get that deal - it states on UW website that to get the 10% discount a customer has to supply them with at least 3 meter readings in the first 12 months in very strict time frames, ensure no dds are missed, if they do not adhere to this policy they will forfeit the 10% discount - do your reps advise of those T+C's.

Cash back card only worth using if you shop online, and again states that if no active dd any cashback that might have been gained will be forfeited, as well as if arrears on any of the utility bills, pointless using cashback card as will not get the cashback earned if utility bill outstanding. Again are UW reps making customers aware the cashback only gained if the customer shops online and goes to these companies websites from the links on uw website?

I do agree that the comp sites do not blend the products like a rep will do but you're still on to a loser that the energy costs will be cheaper than tariffs the big six offer.

The website for UW is really misleading. I put in my post code, no of adults children in the rpoperty, how many bedrooms that I have gas and elec (1 rate) and it told me I could save:

Gas - £46 - no, as site doesn't ask who current supplier and tariff are or usage have know way of knowing what they can save without this info. Standard user for my usage 11,198kwh used would be best and is £96pa dearer than my current tariff.

Electric - £41 saving - again due to lack of usage, current co and tariff details UW would actually cost me £97 on the High User tariff as I use 3,641kwh a year, so I'm £193 down on energy alone.

Internet/Phone - £243 saving - Possible saving here if I did not have a great all in one service with virgin for phone/web/TV, due to the package I have no save whatsoever, again site does not ask for current provide/package etc.

Mobile - £216 - Not sure how they figure that out again without knowing current network/package as it stands I used to work for T-Mob, iphone 4 package 50% line rental discount unlimited everything!! so no benefit with UW, and no decent handsets.

The cashback thing is not unique, who I bank with has same set up, as long as use their site to then go to the retailer/organisation/onlne providers website from the banks I get the cash back, and I haven't had to move money from one acc to another place before hand.

UW from what I understand is smoke and mirrors, and only if you have the time and effort to make it work for you will it save you money, most people do not have that dedication or time, so will end up paying more by transferring to them.

Meeper

Airmike23 wrote: »

Loads of T+C's to this tho

Just like every offer from every company

the 10% discount is only on sign ups until April next year, and any one signed up prior may not get that deal

That makes no sense. The offer is currently available until April, so anyone signing up will get that offer. At that point is will be re-assessed and will either be renewed or withdrawn for new customers. Wouldn't affect the existing customers who were already eligible.

it states on UW website that to get the 10% discount a customer has to supply them with at least 3 meter readings in the first 12 months in very strict time frames, ensure no dds are missed, if they do not adhere to this policy they will forfeit the 10% discount - do your reps advise of those T+C's.

So you have to give 3 meter readings in 12 months and pay your bills? Hardly onerous. Do reps advise of the T&C's? Personally I refer everyone to the back of the Tariff Guide and Membership Booklet for the various terms and conditions of all of the services. Do I read through it all? No, of course not. Who does, with any service or product? If the customer chooses not to read them, it isn't the fault of the salesman, and that's true in the case of any company.

Cash back card only worth using if you shop online

Not true, I only shop online very rarely, and my cashback card saves me around 20% a month off my bills

and again states that if no active dd any cashback that might have been gained will be forfeited, as well as if arrears on any of the utility bills

So if you cancel your direct debit and don't pay your bills, you're not eligible to receive one of the perks of club membership? No way!

pointless using cashback card as will not get the cashback earned if utility bill outstanding. Again are UW reps making customers aware the cashback only gained if the customer shops online and goes to these companies websites from the links on uw website?

This makes no sense, and I'm afraid you're very much mistaken. I use my cashback card all the time in many of the retailers in the scheme, and the cashback shows up on my bill every time, giving me an average of about 20% reduction in my bill every month.

I do agree that the comp sites do not blend the products like a rep will do but you're still on to a loser that the energy costs will be cheaper than tariffs the big six offer.

And as we're seeing lately, the big 6 are all excellent companies who treat their customers fairly, ensuring that they have the best tariffs and excellent customer service......oh wait.....no.

The website for UW is really misleading. I put in my post code, no of adults children in the rpoperty, how many bedrooms that I have gas and elec (1 rate) and it told me I could save:

The website is admittedly poor in this regard, however by this time next week it will have been dramatically changed to be more user-friendly and providing more relevant and accurate information.

Internet/Phone - £243 saving - Possible saving here if I did not have a great all in one service with virgin for phone/web/TV, due to the package I have no save whatsoever, again site does not ask for current provide/package etc.

You can keep your TV with Virgin and get your phone and bb with UW, which would work out cheaper overall.

Mobile - £216 - Not sure how they figure that out again without knowing current network/package as it stands I used to work for T-Mob, iphone 4 package 50% line rental discount unlimited everything!! so no benefit with UW, and no decent handsets.

You are still claiming employee discounts even though you are not an employee? Interesting. Do you have a better deal than £25 per month for unlimited calls and text including data bundle? No decent handsets? Apple, Samsung and Nokia would disagree about their iphone, Galaxy and various other models.

The cashback thing is not unique, who I bank with has same set up, as long as use their site to then go to the retailer/organisation/onlne providers website from the banks I get the cash back, and I haven't had to move money from one acc to another place before hand.

The online shopping does not require the use of the cashback card, it is simply credited when you shop via our website and enter your account number. The cashback card is for use with the partner retailers on the high street and in their online stores.

UW from what I understand is smoke and mirrors, and only if you have the time and effort to make it work for you will it save you money, most people do not have that dedication or time, so will end up paying more by transferring to them.

I'm afraid you are mistaken. A number of the points you have made in your post are simply not correct, and you have twisted and mis-stated the facts in order to make UW appear to be a lot worse than it actually is. If you want to post with some objectivity, make sure you have the facts right first.

Meeper
--UW Distributor

MillicentBystander

Airmike23 wrote: »

Loads of T+C's to this tho, the 10% discount is only on sign ups until April next year, and any one signed up prior may not get that deal - it states on UW website that to get the 10% discount a customer has to supply them with at least 3 meter readings in the first 12 months in very strict time frames, ensure no dds are missed, if they do not adhere to this policy they will forfeit the 10% discount - do your reps advise of those T+C's.

Cash back card only worth using if you shop online, and again states that if no active dd any cashback that might have been gained will be forfeited, as well as if arrears on any of the utility bills, pointless using cashback card as will not get the cashback earned if utility bill outstanding. Again are UW reps making customers aware the cashback only gained if the customer shops online and goes to these companies websites from the links on uw website?

I do agree that the comp sites do not blend the products like a rep will do but you're still on to a loser that the energy costs will be cheaper than tariffs the big six offer.

The website for UW is really misleading. I put in my post code, no of adults children in the rpoperty, how many bedrooms that I have gas and elec (1 rate) and it told me I could save:

Gas - £46 - no, as site doesn't ask who current supplier and tariff are or usage have know way of knowing what they can save without this info. Standard user for my usage 11,198kwh used would be best and is £96pa dearer than my current tariff.

Electric - £41 saving - again due to lack of usage, current co and tariff details UW would actually cost me £97 on the High User tariff as I use 3,641kwh a year, so I'm £193 down on energy alone.

Internet/Phone - £243 saving - Possible saving here if I did not have a great all in one service with virgin for phone/web/TV, due to the package I have no save whatsoever, again site does not ask for current provide/package etc.

Mobile - £216 - Not sure how they figure that out again without knowing current network/package as it stands I used to work for T-Mob, iphone 4 package 50% line rental discount unlimited everything!! so no benefit with UW, and no decent handsets.

The cashback thing is not unique, who I bank with has same set up, as long as use their site to then go to the retailer/organisation/onlne providers website from the banks I get the cash back, and I haven't had to move money from one acc to another place before hand.

UW from what I understand is smoke and mirrors, and only if you have the time and effort to make it work for you will it save you money, most people do not have that dedication or time, so will end up paying more by transferring to them.

Wow, who does your research? Quentin? :eek:

haysof

gees oh guys, you really are passionate about what your talking about, you should be UW distributors.

From my earlier post yes the prices are correct but what I wanted to point out is that you arent looking at the bigger picture. How ever later posts by Happymj, kinda have said all I was going too say.

I do agree with the objectors in 1 way. That even as a UW distributor, all sides of the market should be shown to a potential customer.
I do believe that here are some distributors out there not showing the bigger picture, the situation and misleading people.

Would you meet me half way and say that, unlike a few people here, that know what they are talking about. there are a lot of people who dont really know much about utilities, and who are being ripped by larger energy companies. Also that UW ID's should use there knowledge to shine light on the subject, to give people another option rather than just going for the hard sale.
After all UW is supposed too be built on recommendations which is supposed to be defining point about the company.

On the flip side though, taking advantage of the 10% discount,in the first year, then coupled with the cashback card, and the share and save, for the long term, do you not think that although you may have the cheapest deal somewhere else, you will never be able too get it any cheaper.
That UW giving you the ability to eliminate your bills, or at the least significantly lowering them would be a viable option for many people for the long term who dont usually shop around every year for the best deal, or simply find it too much hassle.

jellygoodfellow

Any idea why Utility Warehouse have failed to publish their customer complaint levels for the past two years?


http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2011/nov/01/scottish-power-ofgem-customer-complaint-requirement