Utility Warehouse (Telecom Plus) Discussion

Cardew

1973safc wrote: »

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?

I said I was being cynical!

The reason is because we have had loads of posts all over MSE(most deleted by the moderators) from first time posters on the subject of UW. Their posts range from the most outrageous claims for cheap gas and electricity, to very unsubtle questions of the - "I have heard from a friend about this company called UW)

If you want to see a classic example - look at the quote in post #9584 just above yours(and the reasons from the moderator why the thread was locked) Would you think that a genuine enquiry? We know who the very pro UW poster is! Look at the thread on MSE about this type of posting:

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

Bear in mind there are some 33,000 UW salesmen who want to give the impression UW is competitively priced - and it aint. Of course they are not the firm - they are independent distributors.

There is absolutely no question that UW gas and electricity is just about the most expensive in UK. It cost £hundreds a year more for the average user. Whilst WHICH states it is only 20% more expensive - the figure is 30% for most customers.

What makes me suspicious about your post is the phraseology. "Utility Warehouse/Telecom Plus associates" That you ask what qualifications the Anti's have? Are they energy consultants?

It all smacks of an attempt to discredit the opinions of those who are prepared to counter the UW propaganda and lies. Do we have to have to have qualifications(in what)? or be energy consultants to understand every comparison website is unequivocal - UW have just about the highest gas and electricity prices in UK?

If I am wrong about you, then no harm has been done - I am simply wrong about you!

1973safc

This is a very long thread, so I've only really read a few posts (well a relative few out of all the pages). If the forum rules say no advertising then it's obviously wrong for anyone to try it, and it seems some do try, so I can see why some aren't happy with this.

There seems a lot of unjustified aggression displayed though, which seems to try to antagonise new posters and immediately try to fit them into one camp or the other (as has happened with me already by you - you've accused me twice in my two posts before this one, of probably being pro-uw and trying to discredit people who speak against Utility Warehouse). I've no intention of siding one way or the other, I was just trying to find out why things had become so polarised and if the UW critics were just ordinary members of the public or from rival companies, or had a professional reason to object to them (eg. Do you represent an opposing company? If you did it would be prejudicial) I don't think you have any reason to feel uncomfortable about me asking really.

Conflict of interest is important to establish, and it seems that the depth of feeling indicates that some conflict of interest does indeed exist here. The antis should declare their prejudicial interests as well as the pros, otherwise public perception may be distorted.

patman99

Isn't it about time this thread got knocked on the head?.
From an outsiders view is that it is a fact-less load of drivel driven-on by wind-up merchants and UW IDs.

All I will say is that having switched from deal to deal, I switched to UW 6 years ago, this hasn't stopped me looking at other companies on a more than regular basis, but as none of them are cheaper (when including standing charges (yes, even the 'hidden' ones like BG have)). For instance, in my area, the cheapest E7 rate from those available on comparison sites is 5.2p/unit, UWs is 3p/unit. Uws day rate is 11.65p/unit. The cheapest from the 'comparables' is 10.98p/unit BUT you pay 19.75p/unit for the first 250 units, so on my quarterly bill, this averages out to 15.69p/unit against UWs (with member fee inc.) of 11.75p/unit.


When someone can be bothered to actually average out the true cost per unit including membership fees an standing charges, then they will find that some of the so-called 'cheaper than the rest' deals aren't quite as cheap as they first appear.

jellygoodfellow

1973safc wrote: »

This is a very long thread, so I've only really read a few posts (well a relative few out of all the pages).

Are you a UW distributor or customer ,or just someone who joins MSE on Boxing Day and just by chance happens to stumble across this particular thread .

OldGreyFox

who-the wrote: »

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.

As i have mentioned before a mate of mind is a distributor, given that distributors were only told Xmas Eve late afternoon that B&Q are their latest card partner ,and the company have not even updated their website yet, and it has not meen mentioned here, i suspect you may have a vested interest.If so you should declare it as per the original post in this thread.

1973safc

jellygoodfellow wrote: »

Are you a UW distributor or customer ,or just someone who joins MSE on Boxing Day and just by chance happens to stumble across this particular thread .

I can see why there is hostility against any UW people spamming this forum section. They are pretty easy to spot. However, what is being exhibited now is an example of how new users are immediately painted as sympathisers because they don't directly attack the company in some way. That isn't really fair.

There is also a fundamental problem with the arguments here. I can easily see who the pro people are and most declare that they have an interest, so that can be taken into account. However, the people who post against in such an aggressive way have not made clear what their own interests are. For that reason I cannot make balanced judgement on the argument, neither will anyone else.

Unless everyone reveals their vested interests, then all of the anti and pro posts here are worthless to anyone trying to make an unbiased choice. So, of those who post against UW, what are YOUR interests?

jellygoodfellow

1973safc wrote: »

Unless everyone reveals their vested interests, then all of the anti and pro posts here are worthless to anyone trying to make an unbiased choice. So, of those who post against UW, what are YOUR interests?

In the first post in this thread MSE says

All Telecom Plus Distributers must declare it when they post
, All workers or those related to other utility companies must declare it.

Most people do this,and even say they are a shareholder ,a customer and they get a discount for referring people etc.. If you havent got an interest you dont have to declare it.

You have not answered my question.I ask again.

Are you a UW distributor or customer ,or just someone who joins MSE on Boxing Day and just by chance happens to stumble across this particular thread .

Come on its not a difficult question to answer.

1973safc

You've just said it. If you don't have an interest, there is nothing to declare. I don't and therefore haven't. Now what about you?

I'm not discrediting anyone, just trying to establish if the most vocal people here have unbiased credibility.

jellygoodfellow

1973safc wrote: »

You are clearly an anti, so what are your prejudicial interests?

No i am not, i have been known to defend them.

If you havent got an interest in UW why join MSE and make 5 posts in the UW thread.

Lets face facts this is a moneysaving site and like it or not Utility Warehouse gas and electricity on its own is nearly the most expensive in UK,so its not unreasonable to point this out to prospective customers.

Which the consumer magazine UW reps are fond of quoting says its 20% dearer.Some other posters suggest its even dearer.

1973safc

jellygoodfellow wrote: »

No i am not, i have been known to defend them.

If you havent got an interest in UW why join MSE and make 5 posts in the UW thread.

I made one post, and was immediately leapt upon. For me or anyone else to make an informed choice, the credibility of people posting here is important. Do they have significant prejudicial interests? If they do, then I will downgrade the significance of what they say greatly. So should everyone else if they don't want to be misled, one way or the other.

Type 'Utility Warehouse' into Google and you find this thread. MSE is the first discussion site that comes up. What is surprising about that, Boxing Day or not?