Anybody tried Utilities Wharehouse?

birdie87

Hi

A guy I work with is a utilities warehouse distributor guy. I'm well aware of the network marketing model and that doesn't put me off, in fact I think it's a good thing.

What I am bothered about is the quality of service. All reviews online seem to say it's either an absolutely fantastic or really rubbish quality service with nothing in-between. Mostly good. Although I'm wondering whether a lot of them are the distributors being fanatical themselves (which often happens with network marketing).

It seems to be generally very cheap. I'm not too worried about paying a few penny's more than necessary as long as I don't have headaches with call centre's etc. If there's one thing I hate it's being stuck on hold for ages and talking to idiots that don't know what they're doing. It's the main reason I've been so loyal to the coop bank all my life, their customer service is great.

Thanks for any responses you can offer.

David

kimbers84

We're just moving at the moment & currently with utility warehouse. We will be changing over to them again at the new house. We've never had any cause to complain, I like that you give meter readings every month (I do it online easily so no call centre!) I know exactly where we stand so no nasty surprise bills through.
When I rang through to let them know we were moving I was only on hold for maybe 2 mins & the lady I spoke to was quick & efficient.
Tbh im not sure how they compare price wise with others but either we don't use to much gas/electric or they're reasonably priced!

Cardew

Under MSE rules you can only discuss UW in this thread;

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2473547

Read Martin's introduction on the first page and then skip to the last few posts.

Also for Gas and electricity they are very expensive.

Bear in mind there are some 30,000 UW salesmen - I wonder how they will vote/comment in surveys.

chanz4

soon will change, as they will be a full supplier like the big ones

MillicentBystander

Cardew doing his usual act of stating UW can only be discussed in the dedicated thread...then going ahead and discussing them in this thread . Priceless.

So I guess that gives me the freedom to do the same . I use them for phone, broadband and mobile SIM. They are far cheaper than Cardew's supplier (BT) for comparable phone and broadband and unlike BT have a guaranteed UK based customer service centre. Oh, and no min term contracts as standard on the vast majority of their services (unlike the competition, especially BT). And a great cashback card that reduced my bill by over £15 this month (and that was a quiet month).

Cardew

It is pertinent however that MillicentBystander, despite being the great 'defender' of UW(in all the names he uses to post) doesn't actually get gas and electricity from UW.

He finds it easier on a gas and electricity Board to comment on BT.

chanz4

Its no different than buying from any supplier, don't know why mse is so up tight apart from they don't get back handers from them?

Cardew

chanz4 wrote: »

Its no different than buying from any supplier, don't know why mse is so up tight apart from they don't get back handers from them?

Martin gives his reasons in the first post on the long UW thread. With some 30,000?? UW salesmen, loads of threads were being spammed.

Utility Warehouse

This is a special area for the discussion of Utility Warehouse (Telecom Plus).

Unfortunately, it has become the topic for heated debate in the past and detracted from the main gas & electricity discussions. Therefore I would like to keep it restricted to just this discussion. Past discussions have been closed due to too many arguments between posters. This is a huge drain on resources and if it continues in this thread we'll have no choice but to keep the thread locked.

What is Utility Warehouse?

Unlike most energy companies and resellers Utility Warehouse operates by network marketing which means its customers are encouraged to sell on the product to their friends and they get commission for it.

This tends to mean it does well on feedback charts, as customers have a vested interest, and many of them are evangelical about the firm – and sometimes over claim. That in itself doesn’t make the product bad, but in our view it is no better or worse than any other energy provider.

Utility Warehouses prices are included in all the main comparison services we list therefore if the company turns out to be cheapest for you it should be listed by the comparison sites and then it’s worth going for. Please see the Compare gas & electricity guide for more.

Some strict rules

Due to rather bitter discussion about this we have had long term rules established.

• All Telecom Plus Distributors must declare it when they post
• All workers or those related to other utility companies must declare it
• There are to be no abusive comments, accusations of fraud.
• Anyone breaking the above rules will be barred first of all from this board, and if they persist, from the Forums as a whole.

We hate having to be so draconian, yet this problem has lasted a long time.

For general, non-UW, discussions on gas & electricity click here.

And please, I know there are two very polemic views on Utility Warehouse going to be expressed in this thread. Please do not libel anyone. Treat those with opposing arguments with respect, even though you disagree and please try and avoid personal remarks. I live in hope!


Martin Lewis, Money Saving Expert.

Maz

As Martin Lewis's views on the Utility Warehouse date back to May 2010 they are somewhat outdated.

Have a look, weigh it all up up and if it's good for you that's fine but if it's not a good fit for you that's fine too. It has to be what's right for you.

Cardew

Maz wrote: »

As Martin Lewis's views on the Utility Warehouse date back to May 2010 they are somewhat outdated.

Have a look, weigh it all up up and if it's good for you that's fine but if it's not a good fit for you that's fine too. It has to be what's right for you.

They are not outdated

Also Maz knows about the strict rules - but like many UW salespersons chooses when to ignore the rule

From Martin's post

Some strict rules

All Telecom Plus Distributors must declare it when they post

Telecom Plus = UW

MillicentBystander

Cardew wrote: »

It is pertinent however that MillicentBystander, despite being the great 'defender' of UW(in all the names he uses to post) doesn't actually get gas and electricity from UW.

He finds it easier on a gas and electricity Board to comment on BT.

Interesting. I thought you stated in your first post in this thread that UW was only to be discussed in its dedicated thread yet went onto discuss them in this thread . This is now the second time you have discussed them in this thread. One rule for Cardew, another for the others it seems? Certainly in Cardew's World (TM). Breathtaking.

PS Perhaps you could link me to where I can discuss UW's telecoms products specifically on these forums and I will be only too happy to oblige you. Is it in the:

1.Home Phone Forum
2.Internet Access Forum
3. Mobiles Forum
4. GAS AND ELECTRICITY FORUM?

If you look very carefully there's a clue in the questions:p. I know it's late-ish for you but go for it.