Utility Warehouse (Telecom Plus) Discussion

NigeWick

shinkyshonky wrote: »

Read your way through the thread....

I have and there is no proof that it is a Ponzi scheme as you stated because there are actual services offered. So again, I ask, what is your evidence to show that Telecom Plus/Utility Warehouse is an unlawful Ponzi scheme?

MillicentBystander

UW is a Ponzi scheme?? I've heard it all now Compare UW with the State Pension and see which of the two would possibly qualify as a Ponzi scheme...;)

Come on, Einstein, back up your ridiculous assertion with actual FACTS. But I would suggest reading up about Ponzi schemes BEFORE you do this as you've embarrassed yourself enough already.

Flonglee

Little bit wary of posting on here having seen the rules! Struggling to find the time to read through all 174 pages of the thread but I'm surprised to see such passionate discussion! I've been approached to become a UW rep and was hoping to gather more info. I run my own business so networking isn't a problem and I won't be dedicating too much time and effort to it! Interested to hear peoples experiences of UW (rather than opinions!) from either customer or rep. Thanks in advance!

NigeWick

Flonglee wrote: »

I run my own business so networking isn't a problem and I won't be dedicating too much time and effort to it!

I was a "distributor" for a few years. Consistency is key even if it is one hour a day, do it every day. I was not consistent and so did not do well, although I certainly benefitted from the effort I did put in as it took a couple of years after I stopped doing anything for my payments to become less than my membership costs.

My problem was that when their prices were not so competitive I could not bring myself to try and convince people that the company had a good deal. That is apart from the cashback card use. If one has a high enough spend using the card, then it is possible to pay less for all their offerings than any other utility supplier. I still have the cashback card & my wife's mobile PAYG mobile phone and we average about £6 per month in cash pushed to our bank account from UW. That is against the £10 top up on her phone every six months or so.

I've met the superstars of UW and all of them put in that consistent work to get their businesses started and ticking over. With that effort, it usually takes about about two years to get enough money coming in to quit the day job. It did not work for me because I was comfortable with my work pension and did not try hard enough. It is a personality thing in that many/most people see the low start up cost and do not work hard enough for long enough. When I say hard enough, it's just that hour or so every day.

I hope this helps with your decision.

Cardew

NigeWick wrote: »

My problem was that when their prices were not so competitive I could not bring myself to try and convince people that the company had a good deal.
.

Well said.


Indeed UW have never had a good deal! Taking the UK average consumption of 13,500kWh gas and 3,300kWh electricity, the cheapest for my area(Midlands) is £821pa. UW's cheapest tariff(Double Gold) is £1,103pa so UW is 33.4% more expensive; you can also look at their website to see all the other UW services you need to take to be eligible for 'Double Gold'


New UW reps are encouraged to sell initially to family and friends. It takes a 'special' type of person to knowingly sell products to friends and family, that cost hundreds of pounds more than necessary, simply to make a little commission themselves. Indeed many of us would find it difficult to sell such a product to strangers!


That said many of the new UW reps that have appeared on MSE over the years seem to be so thick that they believe their own hype.

NigeWick

Cardew wrote: »

Indeed UW have never had a good deal!

Incorrect. When I initially signed up they were quite competitive. As time went on they fell behind, but, as I said if one has a large enough spend using the cashback card money can be saved. By using it, they are paying us for my wife having her mobile phone.

A_Northern_Soul

I have not read all the threads on this board discussing the merits of Utility Warehouse.
As a previous poster said there is some really heated debate over this company.
I have been approached a couple of times to become a customer but never a rep.
I am currently looking into their services as I have been fleeced by npower, British Gas and Eon in the last 15 years or so!
And fleeced by Virgin for the broadband bundle, Virgin are the biggest thieves on the telecoms marketplace they signed my up as customer without my knowledge 5 years ago!
I have looked at the money comparison websites, but isn't there a vested interest with them?
Do they not get paid indirectly by the energy suppliers they say are good?
As in, Joe Bloggs looks at one such site, it says npower are cheapest, so he goes to them, clicks the link signs up, once completed a % he pays to npower, doesn't it go to the comparison site?
Anyways to cut through the maelstrom that is the comments here regarding UW, I was looking at the Ofgem site yesterday, the investigations they have carried out in recent years.
If reading some of the comments regarding the underhand and sly tactics employed by the UW hierarchy, to get their reps to cajole would be prospective customers into become an actual customer, would not Ofgem have investigated this company?
I know they dragged npower over the coals and made fertiliser out of them, such was the outcry npower terminated the door to door sales teams they employed!
So why have Utilty Warehouse/Telecom+ not been subjected to the same investigations?
I have read a few of the investigations carried out by Ofgem on their site, and a lot of it is misrepresenting figures and quotes to the would be consumer by various energy companies, would these same quotes gain them a higher ranking on price comparison sites?
Just something I would put out there as an objective comment.

And lastly, my parents have been UW customers for the last 5 years plus,I only realised a few days ago!
So reading the headline to this thread, Martyn Lewis says UW customers have an ulterior motive in posting positive reviews regarding UW! My parents never promoted it to me or my sister, and not to anyone else!
Isn't Martyn confusing customers with reps?
By the way I asked if mum & dad ok with UW, they said they're alright!
Still debating whether to use them!

yrimpossible

I have recently moved into a new house and previous supplier was Utility Warehouse. We immediately chose to change supplier and have since supplied UW with the readings upon moving in and readings that were given to the new supplier. The time that we were with UW was around 6 weeks. However, I now have a bill from UW asking for just over £300! For 6 weeks of energy this seems absolutely ridiculous!

Does anyone have any advice?

Cardew

yrimpossible wrote: »

I have recently moved into a new house and previous supplier was Utility Warehouse. We immediately chose to change supplier and have since supplied UW with the readings upon moving in and readings that were given to the new supplier. The time that we were with UW was around 6 weeks. However, I now have a bill from UW asking for just over £300! For 6 weeks of energy this seems absolutely ridiculous!

Does anyone have any advice?

If your UW bill uses the starting meter readings you gave them, and the closing meter readings are the same as the start meter readings with your new company, then there is little to dispute.


You will have been placed on UW's most expensive tariff - as is normal with all companies.

Cardew

A_Northern_Soul wrote: »

I have not read all the threads on this board discussing the merits of Utility Warehouse.
As a previous poster said there is some really heated debate over this company.
I have been approached a couple of times to become a customer but never a rep.
I am currently looking into their services as I have been fleeced by npower, British Gas and Eon in the last 15 years or so!
And fleeced by Virgin for the broadband bundle, Virgin are the biggest thieves on the telecoms marketplace they signed my up as customer without my knowledge 5 years ago!
I have looked at the money comparison websites, but isn't there a vested interest with them?
Do they not get paid indirectly by the energy suppliers they say are good?
As in, Joe Bloggs looks at one such site, it says npower are cheapest, so he goes to them, clicks the link signs up, once completed a % he pays to npower, doesn't it go to the comparison site?
Anyways to cut through the maelstrom that is the comments here regarding UW, I was looking at the Ofgem site yesterday, the investigations they have carried out in recent years.
If reading some of the comments regarding the underhand and sly tactics employed by the UW hierarchy, to get their reps to cajole would be prospective customers into become an actual customer, would not Ofgem have investigated this company?
I know they dragged npower over the coals and made fertiliser out of them, such was the outcry npower terminated the door to door sales teams they employed!
So why have Utilty Warehouse/Telecom+ not been subjected to the same investigations?
I have read a few of the investigations carried out by Ofgem on their site, and a lot of it is misrepresenting figures and quotes to the would be consumer by various energy companies, would these same quotes gain them a higher ranking on price comparison sites?
Just something I would put out there as an objective comment.

And lastly, my parents have been UW customers for the last 5 years plus,I only realised a few days ago!
So reading the headline to this thread, Martyn Lewis says UW customers have an ulterior motive in posting positive reviews regarding UW! My parents never promoted it to me or my sister, and not to anyone else!
Isn't Martyn confusing customers with reps?
By the way I asked if mum & dad ok with UW, they said they're alright!
Still debating whether to use them!

Comparison websites do have a vested interest in getting customers to switch(via them) and if there is a legal way of presenting substantial savings they will take that action


However their figures are 100% accurate(they come under the Regulator) and they only get commission - from some companies - if a customer uses their services to switch.


The simple fact is that UW have some of the most expensive gas and electricity in UK; you can check this on any website. If you are understandably cynical you can check this 'manually' if you wish by going to UW's website and getting the prices for your area, and compare it with any other company.


In the past UW have indeed had to change the wording on their website on various claims. So UW are not stupid - albeit the same cannot be said for some of their reps!. Read their many pages of terms and conditions - preferably with a lawyer next to you - to see how hollow their claims.


To get their cheapest tariff(still much more expensive than many others) read what other UW services need to be taken.