PV Selling Techniques.

Cardew

We were assured that with all firms selling PV systems having to be MCS registered they wouldn’t be marketed like Double Glazing; it would all be up-front and straight forward.

This morning I received a cold call – despite being registered for no sales calls – about buying a PV system. The young man was calling 'about a Government scheme where I could make lots of money from the sun!’ I would get a monthly income for 25 years etc etc.

I tried to find out the name of the firm(I dislike sales cold calls) , but he was not forthcoming and insisted it was a 'Government scheme'. He would discuss nothing else other than he wanted someone to come and talk to me about this 'Government scheme.'

As I had the phone number he was calling from, I ended the call politely(no point in being rude to someone reading from a script).

I tried to call back the number(a Cardiff number 02920 471805) and it was unobtainable, as it is again this evening. I assume this will be a VOIP call.

So much for MCS registration.

P.S.
I missed a trick and should have got the 'government salesman' to visit!

chuck_the_bear

I'm wondering if this is what we've also received today?

Had a call asking for Mr BXXXXX, as there are 3 in the house I asked which one, he named my husband.
I asked who was calling.
He said: "A company called Select".
As my husband is ill at the moment I asked - regarding?
He said: "A government incentive."
Relating to what?
He then raised his voice and said "You're boring me..." as I disconnected!

Caller witheld number though - we're also ex-directory and registered with the TPS.

The company name may mean something to someone else.

stoozey

your doing it wrong. If your ex-dire and TPS reg'd then get them out for a quote. Sound VERY interested.

Once you have all their contact information report their !!!.

thenudeone

Just received an "easter card" from one of the companies who had provided a recent quote, offering £500 off any installation ordered before 21/4/11.

When I mentioned this to another company, they said this was a breach of the REAL code of practice.

Any thoughts?

zeupater

thenudeone wrote: »

Just received an "easter card" from one of the companies who had provided a recent quote, offering £500 off any installation ordered before 21/4/11.

When I mentioned this to another company, they said this was a breach of the REAL code of practice.

Any thoughts?

Hi

I wouldn't consider an offer ending 21/4/11 as being advertised and available for a 'reasonable' time if you've just received notice of the offer, it's a form of pressure selling and I agree with the other company you talked to ....

Ref: REAL code section 5.2 .... http://www.realassurance.org.uk/scheme/consumer-code#tag5.2

HTH
Z

Rodders57

Its defo against the REAL code of practice, they can only give max £200 discount, companies like Everest, BG etc are doing this, Everest was removed from the register then upon appeal they were reinstated.

I cant post the link, but if you go to the REAL site in the search box type in Non Compliance Activity. Also be warned about a company in Ringwood, They change their name regularly, They used to be Ideal Solar but now trading as Solartricity. This company gets around the scheme rules by employing MCS sub contractors, therefore they dont have to comply to the REAL code of conduct and therefore use pressure selling tactics. This loophole should be stopped.

zeupater

Rodders57 wrote: »

Its defo against the REAL code of practice, they can only give max £200 discount, companies like Everest, BG etc are doing this, Everest was removed from the register then upon appeal they were reinstated.

I cant post the link, but if you go to the REAL site in the search box type in Non Compliance Activity. Also be warned about a company in Ringwood, They change their name regularly, They used to be Ideal Solar but now trading as Solartricity. This company gets around the scheme rules by employing MCS sub contractors, therefore they dont have to comply to the REAL code of conduct and therefore use pressure selling tactics. This loophole should be stopped.

Hi

Link here .... http://www.realassurance.org.uk/news/non-compliance-activity-in-2010

Z

Cardew

Rodders57 wrote: »

I cant post the link, but if you go to the REAL site in the search box type in Non Compliance Activity. Also be warned about a company in Ringwood, They change their name regularly, They used to be Ideal Solar but now trading as Solartricity. This company gets around the scheme rules by employing MCS sub contractors, therefore they dont have to comply to the REAL code of conduct and therefore use pressure selling tactics. This loophole should be stopped.

Check their history(or rather the directors) with the local Trading Standards.

http://forum.housingenergyadvisor.com/solar-panels-pv/topic725.html

http://www.name-n-shame.co.uk/ultimate_energy.htm