MSE News: Guest Comment: The problem with energy firms

magyar

Cardew wrote: »

Whilst I agree with the thrust of your arguments, the Utility companies have scored a massive 'own goal' by the way they market their product.

Many people simply don't understand the tariffs - with all their small print.

It also is a disgrace that sales centre staff and doorstep salesmen are paid on commission and quote stupidly low initial Direct Debit payments to lure the uninformed customer to switch. The inevitable huge increase in the DD fuels anger.

They have collectively become public enemy No1.

I don't disagree with any of that. As I often say, *I* don't understand most of the tariffs, and I work in the industry. I've been 'had' by the lure of low DDs, too.

It's disgraceful. In itself it wouldn't be so bad if it weren't for the fact evidenced on this board that people think that they're effectively paying a fixed price.

Roll on Smart Meters and automated meter readings: at least then people would being billed correctly, immediately.

(Plus I do want to see if someone offers a 'spot' tariff, where you literally get wholesale price plus overhead margin. I think then people might appreciate just what a volatile market they're in!)

backfoot

Is Mr. Adam Scorer from Consumer Focus going to give any further comment on the feedback provided by Forum Members?

There are a rush of threads from MSE which is great but it would be nice to know that the author of the thread has considered the responses.

Particularly so when it is an outside body as in this case.