EDF Energy - Cold Calling Tactics?

Spruance

A few minutes ago just after 2pm on Thursday 11/08/2011 I answered the door to a man wearing an EDF ID badge on a lanyard on which were printed the words "Save Today" or in other words someone selling something. My standard rule is that I never buy anything or arrange anything at the door simply because I have access to any number of deals via comparison websites so why should I limit my choice to just the one presented by the cold caller?



Anyway he asked to speak to the homeowner and said that he couldn't address me by name as he didn’t know the name of the homeowner. "Well you still don't" I said on seeing that he was intending to input my details into a handheld device, and added that I never buy anything at the door. "Well if you're not interested then that's your problem", he said. To which I responded that I didn't have a problem but I never buy anything at the door. His final retort was that "We will just send you something in the post anyway".



Now what is wrong with the caller simply identifying themselves as an EDF Energy representative wishing to discuss the possibility of me switching supplier? The end result would have been the same but with the exception that I would not have resolved never to have any dealings with EDF again especially if this is what they feel passes for good customer relations.


It was quite obvious that the EDF rep was trying to entrap me into giving my name so that he could probably switch me against my will. I am wise to these tactics but what about elderly and otherwise vulnerable people? I have lodged a formal complaint with EDF and told them that on no account should they send me any literature in the mail and after today it is very unlikely that I will consider EDF as a possible future energy supplier.

backfoot

Wise words. Doorstep selling,dying fast.

JimboP_2

We had the exact same situation with EDF a couple of days ago, unfortunately they do seem to be offering the cheapest tarifs but we're against switching as they have hounded us with calls and letters prior to this as well!!

broxis11

backfoot wrote: »

Wise words. Doorstep selling,dying fast.

I couldn`t agree more

bengasman

Spruance wrote: »

...It was quite obvious that the EDF rep was trying to entrap me into giving my name so that he could probably switch me against my will.

Probably just a bad salesman. They can not change you without your signature. Those guys are likely to get sacked after just a couple of complaints, and unlikely to survive just one case of fraud.

I suspect that most people who have been "changed against their will" simply signed something without looking what it was, or even had buyer's remorse.

broxis11

bengasman wrote: »

Probably just a bad salesman. They can not change you without your signature. Those guys are likely to get sacked after just a couple of complaints, and unlikely to survive just one case of fraud.

I suspect that most people who have been "changed against their will" simply signed something without looking what it was, or even had buyer's remorse.

This used to a common complaint for us at BG until we changed to a verbal contract and stopped taking signatures. I`ve had it once in the past year so they pulled the tapes and the complaint was not upheld. Thankfully :j