Southern Electric Still Mis-selling

Haarlem

An hour ago I had a Southern Electic rep (who assured me he worked directly for Southern Electric, and not an agency) at my door. I live in Mansfield.

He said his records showed My address was not registered for de-regulated fuel? He could give no explanation of this except "A Government Thing"

He also said if I bought from a foreign owned supplier, I was definately paying too much.

I told him to go away. He would not go, so his grasp of English was very poor. Strong words had to be used to get rid of him

I have given the details to Consumer Focus.

One question, why does Southern Electric come high in customer service ratings when they are notorious for underhand practices?

Premier_2

Haarlem wrote: »

...I told him to go away. He would not go, so his grasp of English was very poor. Strong words had to be used to get rid of him...

I usually find closing my door in any hawker's face is universally understood in any language

I suspect his poor grasp of the English language also gave rise to a misunderstanding over your question of who or how he is actually employed. It wouldn't be a very tactic of a supplier to employ a salesperson in England who's job was to sell door to door unless they could demonstrate a good understanding and use of the English language would it?

davidgmmafan

"He also said if I bought from a foreign owned supplier, I was definately paying too much."

Loving this one, very few utility companies are NOT in foreign hands. I would urge everyone who experiences any kind of doorstep deception to report it. Sadly they're all at it, though some in the industry regard Southern's field sales rep's as legendary for thier ability to spin such inventive (fabricated) yarns.

Other corkers (miscellaneous) include we owe the power station over there so its cheaper... You supplier is going out of business so we have been asked to take over...

A company claiming to have a tariff specifically for people who have recently had a child...

Or my personaly favourite claiming to be from some kind of officialy body concerned about over charging in the area.

uptomyeyeballs

A few years ago I had a utility 'salesman' at the door who I had no wish to buy from. I told him no and closed the door on him as he was in mid-spiel, but he put his foot in the door to stop me closing it! Shortly after that he had a very sore knee cap. The door was then closed.

MASTERSHOT

Haarlem wrote: »

An hour ago I had a Southern Electic rep (who assured me he worked directly sor Southern Electric, and not an agency) at my door. I live in Mansfield.

He said his records showed My address was not registered for de-regulated fuel? He could give no explanation of this except "A Government Thing"

He also said if I bought from a foreign owned supplier, I was definately paying too much.

I told him to go away. He would not go, so his grasp of English was very poor. Strong words had to be used to get rid of him

I have given the details to Consumer Focus.

One question, why does Southern Electric come high in customer service ratings when they are notorious for underhand practices?

This man did not work directly for Southern Electric.
He may have been an agent.
Next time this may happen check his ID take his name and ring Head Office. NEVER DEAL WITH DOOR KNOCKERS!!!!

Plushchris

uptomyeyeballs wrote: »

A few years ago I had a utility 'salesman' at the door who I had no wish to buy from. I told him no and closed the door on him as he was in mid-spiel, but he put his foot in the door to stop me closing it! Shortly after that he had a very sore knee cap. The door was then closed.

If anyone ever put their foot in my door they better be prepared to be limping away...

maddipops

Scottish power tried to pull the wool over my eyes recently. I actually invited them in, made them a cuppa and then talked through all my usage with them then asked them to do a comparison for me.

I am on Eon's fixonline 8 which is amongst the cheapest that are around currently. They didnt offer me an online tariff, as they said they werent allowed to. Their price would've cost me over £300 a year more, good job I had some industry knowledge to expose them. I just wanted to waste their time, I was at a loose end.

They asked me what my prices were, I told them for elec about 15p and 6.8p. They immediately latched onto my primary rate, the 15p. They said ' what if I could make that 15p more like 11p?' I said 'I'd then want to know what your standing charge was, and that is my primary unit where only a small portion of my usage will occur so why are you comparing my primary rate with your flat rate?' they were pretty much realizing that they couldnt con me at this stage.

davidsian

Haarlem wrote: »

An hour ago I had a Southern Electic rep (who assured me he worked directly for Southern Electric, and not an agency) at my door. I live in Mansfield.

He said his records showed My address was not registered for de-regulated fuel? He could give no explanation of this except "A Government Thing"

I've had the same thing happen twice this week. Asian guy who said he was from Southern Electric and showed his badge saying my address was not registered for deregulated fuel. I asked him to explain what this was, but I couldn't understand his answer, partly because his English was so difficult to understand. He then came back again a few days later - obviously having forgotten I'd already sent him away once.