Very clever PLOY to encourage changing supplier

meekoblue_2

Hi all,
Newbie here, first post and all that, so i've not had chance to trawl through all the threads to see if this is covered here-was in a hurry to post it before I forgot=so if its misplaced, please accept my appology.

Ok. Just had a knock on the door from a 'rep' of one of the big energy suppliers that come round frequently to get us to change....one with a "N" in the name... but this time he wasnt trying to convert us- he wanted me to pop next door to witness the signature of my neighbour "because he is over 70 we need a witness". Good idea, I thought, helps protect people from con men!

Chatting with my neighbour I checked he was happy to sign the contract..."what contract?" ....the guy had just explained it as "getting a trial bill after 6 weeks, and if he likes their prices it changes over..." of some such BS. I read the contract, and had a flick through the brochure that had helpfully been marked up by the rep to illustrate how it works... then re-read the contract....the signature box made it clear: 14 days cooling-off, then switch-over, and can change in the future with 28 days notice.

"This is a contract to change supplier, you do understand that dont you?" No, my neighbour didnt know that- that was not what the rep had explained. So I advised him to tear it up and bin it.

On the way down the path with the very unhappy rep, I told him I was impressed=it was a very good try- but still unethical if not unenforceable leagally (not sure on this-someone here will know, i'm sure) ...nice try!
"Oh sorry pardon, only my first week ...etc" - yes.


So, sorry its rambling- but I wanted to warn that this is a new and interesting way of conning people into changing over supplier -WITH the added protection for the energy company of conning the elderly with the help of their neighbours!!! very clever!

Anyway, any thoughts - and please share it around or repost wherever it is most appropriate.
Thanks!

alanobrien

thoughts yes......the salesman was a weasel conman preying on those that do not know better...........and welcome th the forum btw.

Poppycat

Good one you. I never trust a salesman particularly ones who cold call on you. I make it a policy not to buy from the door on anything accept those that are invited

alkip

Good on you, well done!

Ken68

Good one Meek...the rep would also have had your signature.

4$£&*(£$&*(!

I had an issue with a supplier beginning N around 5 years ago. I was moving into a new home on a Saturday, and the meter reading section obviously passed my details onto the sales section as I was told by the people moving out they may arrive not to take a 'final reading' as that had been done on Friday, but to take a 'starting reading' on the Saturday!

Understandably busy day, I had broadband being installed, needed a phoneline to activate Sky which was being fitted the same day, so when the energy company turned up I was already busy. So the sales line they took with me was since I was moving into their area, they are the default supplier and I had no choice to stay with London Electric as it was then. Sounded very plausable, and I was told I only needed to stay with them for 28 days then I could go back to the LEB.

So I signed the contract, and later in the day when things calmed down I called the N company to say I wanted a smooth transition in 28 days as I wanted to remain an LEB customer. The phone advisor said there was no truth in that so I told them where to put the contract, angry that someone took the opportunity to wait until I was at my busiest to try it on! Needless to say I was furious and told them so, then I complained to the regulator but they have rubber teeth so are pretty useless. We need tough action against suppliers who employ dodgy agents, and for those who are employed through other agencies need to face the risk of losing their contracts when such ploys are used. In any other area these techniques would be illegal.

meekoblue_2

thanks all for the comments- i just wonder: is there someone I could report this guy (and the company he is representing) to? (not that i expect much good would come from it- but would make me feel better!)

Ken68

http://www.energywatch.org.uk/

nickmack

Poppycat wrote: »

Good one you. I never trust a salesman particularly ones who cold call on you. I make it a policy not to buy from the door on anything accept those that are invited

An excellent policy and one I adopt.

When a cold caller comes to your door, the first thing to tell them is you DO NOT buy or sign up for anything from unsolicited callers. They can give me any literature they have and I will look over it in my own time. Never had any hassle, usually they just trundle off or sometimes hand over some info.

Spark

I personally have a poster on my door stating that "cold callers are not welcome here!"
I do not know if those cold callers are around as since last year in april I never saw any of them.
I did notice that at one point someone removed my poster, but I did stick another one on my door and it's still there.
I am living in a flat in a towerblock and we had as well those people from avon or another brand leaving catalogues behind the door, especially around Christmas. Most unnerving.