Utility Warehouse (Telecom Plus) Discussion

Quentin

keggs wrote: »

Was that a joke Quentin or did you really mean it.

You still here? How come you aren't amongst the 200?

_Guy_Anker_ wrote:

Hundreds of companies are trying to con the public by posing as satisfied customers on internet forums.
MSE has had to ban over 200 forum posters this year alone for this practice, which is now against the law.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/shopping/2009/12/firms-banned-for-posing-as-happy-customers-on-internet-forums

Cardew

Quentin wrote: »

Originally Posted by Guy Anker
Hundreds of companies are trying to con the public by posing as satisfied customers on internet forums.
MSE has had to ban over 200 forum posters this year alone for this practice, which is now against the law.


http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/shopping/2009/12/firms-banned-for-posing-as-happy-customers-on-internet-forums

I wonder just how many of those were from UW.

Of course there are those on internet forums who post in this fashion:

Interesting discussion, lol. I got to this page via searching for this company on google. I have been approached by a local distributor with regard to changing over my utilities to this company and as I hadn’t heard of them before I thought I would make google my friend!

Anyway, would really value you people’s input here as I’m in no way an expert on this (example of this being I have been paying BGs standard rate for as long as I can remember. The distributor just laughed when he was told of this! Oh dear). Here’s the deal I’ve just worked out for our consumption. Like I say, I’m no expert and the distributor told me he couldn’t work it out for me as they aren’t allowed to (due to the possibility of mis-selling? Not sure). I did find that rather a refreshing approach but it HAS made it a little harder for me to investigate, lol.

Home Town/Region: Wakefield/Yorkshire

Gas 17000 kwhs per annum

Electric 3500 kwhs per annum

Up to 24mb broadband (apparently my exchange has been upgraded to ADSL2 whatever that might be so this is good, lol! It apparently means much faster internet dependent on the distance from the exchange. We are approx 100 metres from it!!)

40gb monthly allowance (currently with Sky BB and they tell me we use approx 30gb per month between us)

Free calls 24/7 (this apparently includes 01 ,02, 03 and 0845/0870 numbers and 10 international numbers. One of which is Australia, where my brother lives!)

Option to ‘refer’ friends to the service and get a percentage knocked off your bill each month. The distributor told us this involves getting them to ring a free phone number and quote our account number. Is this true?

Further discount off the bill by using the cashback card. This really appeals because we are and always have been regular Sainsburys shoppers and this is one of the stores on the ‘5% discount list’ We have calculated we spend on average £150 per week on groceries and fuel at Sainsburys, we are a family of 4 and if I’ve done this correctly that would mean an annual discount off our bill of £390! Is that correct??? It seems a ridiculous figure to us!!) The distributor explained that there are costs associated with using the card, I believe it costs £1 per month in fees and then 35p per top up. We have calculated this as a total of £17 for the year with monthly fees and 12x 35p top ups so the net discount is £373?). Anyone know whether this is how it all works? Seems a massive incentive to use the company if it is!

A paper bill each month (this definitely appeals as we seem to get bills so infrequently from British Gas so tend to forget about checking our usage etc). Apparently this bill contains fully itemised details of all the services we take, less the cashback card discount and then just one direct debit for the whole lot). Sounds like a great idea to me but, again, maybe I’m missing something?

I’ve been on energyhelpline (headache-inducing!) and it’s telling me that the charge for my gas and electric will be £1072 per annum (the cheapest one, British gas Websaver2, would be £119 a year cheaper but on reading the small print this is a totally online tariff with no paper bills and they seem to charge you £60 if you leave before a certain point in time. Why??)

Adding the £1072 to the yearly charge for the phone line, broadband and 24/7 calls with Utility Warehouse (£240?) comes to £1312. Take off the cashback card discount and the net figure comes to £939?? £78 per month??? For gas/electric/phone/broadband/all calls?? I’m not say what we are paying currently as it’s frankly embarrassing!

Am I totally missing something here?? Please advise as I’m a very cautious person at heart and don’t change lightly (as you can tell from the amount of time I’ve been on my existing gas and electric tariff, lol). Thank you.

Sorry for the long post but I hope you’ve got this far and can hopefully give me some pointers.

I don't suppose this is against the law, - people can always find loophole - but it is a disreputable practice.

Wouldn't you agree Carmine?

Penfold321

UW in my opinion is just a load of kidology! they are not cheaper than the big brands like for like, it makes me laugh how they hype up their mules (distributors) to sell their products, go on any major comparison site and they are no where to be seen! If they truly where "cheaper" they would not need the distributors, the money they waste on meetings and paying commission they could easily spend on good targeted advertising.

1973safc

Hi. I'm new on board. This is one of the most active sections of MSE and is interesting from the point of view of the neutral. The argument seems very polarised here. Obviously the pro camp are either Utility Warehouse/Telecom Plus associates or customers, but what about the antis? How are they qualified to comment? Do we have energy consultants amongst the prominent posters here?

Cardew

1973safc wrote: »

Hi. I'm new on board. This is one of the most active sections of MSE and is interesting from the point of view of the neutral. The argument seems very polarised here. Obviously the pro camp are either Utility Warehouse/Telecom Plus associates or customers, but what about the antis? How are they qualified to comment? Do we have energy consultants amongst the prominent posters here?

Welcome to the forum; nice to have a neutral!

What qualifications, other than the ability to read, do you consider are required to comment on UW?

Forgive me for being cynical, but I would not be surprised that after due thought and consideration, you come out firmly as pro-UW;)

1973safc

Cardew wrote: »

Welcome to the forum; nice to have a neutral!

What qualifications, other than the ability to read, do you consider are required to comment on UW?

Forgive me for being cynical, but I would not be surprised that after due thought and consideration, you come out firmly as pro-UW;)

Thanks for the welcome

I just wondered if anyone has any special qualifications over and above general observation. Why should I come out as pro-UW?gl

NigeWick

Quentin wrote: »

Don't forget uptomyeyeballs is just a wind up merchant when he posts in this thread (self confessed!)

Just where is the link to your Utility Warehouse pr payment card beating cashback card or other evidence of its existence?

I am a Utility Warehouse independent distributor and the views I express may not be shared by the company.

NigeWick

Quentin wrote: »

You still here?

I do not know why you bother as you refuse to answer a simple question. Just where is the link or other evidence to show that your Utility Warehouse pre payment card beating cashback card actually exists?

I am a Utility Warehouse independent distributor and the views I express may not be shared by the company.

NigeWick

1973safc wrote: »

Why should I come out as pro-UW?

Because you have not yet said anything against the company!

28160467:- Who were you with?

I am a Utility Warehouse independent distributor and the views I express may not be shared by the company.

who-the

I have done a lot of research on utilities costs, and can honestly, and somewhat obviously say that UW is suitable for some, and not for others.

A LOT of people will benefit at least to some extent because of the CashBack card - but everyone's individual circumstances must be examined.

As a rule of thumb, if you take all four services, the card, and you shop/buy petrol from Sainsbury's, you'll probably be ahead, even if, as is most likely, you can get cheaper gas, electricity, and phone/broadband elsewhere.

If you can't bring yourself to go 'foursome', and if you spend reasonably at Sainsbury's, I would recommend getting either gas or electricity - whichever is cheaper - with the UW, and the CashBack card.

If you don't do much in Sainsbury's, B & Q, Boots, Comet, etc., you'll be better off finding the cheapest deals on the comparison websites.

BTW, UW does appear on some comparison websites, and certainly on the Which? switch website. You'll find that UW are not the cheapest, but you have to factor various services that you get with them, to get the true picture.

The simple fact is that nothing is simple - you have to do your research, and decide according to your own understanding - which will not be applicable to everyone.

Good luck.