BG rep cold-calling - what to do?

Allanon

Two days ago a British Gas rep knocked on the door. He said that their records (correctly) showed that we used to be dual-fuel customers with them and they wanted to get us back with them. He said that they (as in specifically BG) now have a new pipeline opened and as such they don't have to rely on the supply from Russia so they could offer low prices and a more reliable supply.

I don't mind admitting that I'm useless with figures, and working out finances and money terrifies me (my wife does all that and I'm happy to let her do so), so what he was telling me went right over my head and I told him to come back and speak to my wife - so far, he hasn't.

The one thing I can say is that about 18 months ago, possibly a bit longer, we used one of the switching sites to move from dual-fuel BG to go to dual-fuel with Npower because the site reckoned that we'd save about £250/year. Well, we've not seen anything like that - yes, a little bit cheaper but nowhere near £250.

So my friends, my question to you is a) do BG really have a new pipeline that can give reductions in price along with a more guaranteed service, and b) do switching sites really work?

Thanks very much from a very confused Allanon

Ken68

Hi Allan......comparison sites are good in that they make the consumer more aware of alternative and maybe cheaper providers and bad in the sense they charge the energy companies and that results in higher bills .
A special pipeline is rubbish.

moonrakerz

Ken68 wrote: »

A special pipeline is rubbish.

The OP mentioned a "new" pipeline. There is one from Norway to the UK, by the end of this year it should be providing 20% of the UK's gas requirements.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/5336064.stm

Cardew

I think on principle you should never sign with anyone who 'cold calls' - for anything - as they are hardly likely to provide unbiased advice.

BG's internet only tariff 'Click Energy' is now pretty competitive, but so are other internet based accounts.

Check all of the sites(using your consumption in kWhs) to see which is best. However, as you discovered, with the ever changing tariffs you cannot predict how much you will save in the year ahead.

vikingaero

The reason he hasn't returned is that these canvassers target an area and spend all day and night knocking on their targets. Then they move onto the next area and are unlikely to come back for one sale.

discobaby

I have just left work in one of the BG customer call centres and I can confirm that BG do have the cheapest dual fuel supply in the uk at present and if you have elec with them and bring your gas over you can get a £40 credit to your account after 12 months supply don't accept the £25 which they will try to offer you! However if you have gas already and you take elec you are only entitled to the £25 credit after 12 months supply. for having dual fuel you get a £15 annual discount which is shown on your electricity bill and if you pay by DD you get 10.3% discount annually for gas and 4.8% discount annually on elec, also no standing charges, hope this helps.

discobaby

Oh also, yes new supply hence 2 price drops this year. Also have an energy efficiency helpline 08459 650 650 which gives you expert info on how to get the best from your supplies charged at local rate but is a free service, also people over 60 and disabled/special needs can ask to go on the home energy care register and are entitled to extra help and some free gadgets to make life easier

HugoSP

IMO there is nothing wrong with cold callers. Oddly enough I did actually consider doing this job. I was actually offered it!

I used to hate cold callers but actually talking to some people that do this for a living, including the guy from BG who interviewed me, I saw it as a respectable way of earning a living. After all everyone wanting to sell something is setting up their "shop front" one way or another. Cold callers just bring their shop display to your front door.

The only thing I ask from them is to respect no for an answer. Sometimes they consider it bad practice to do so. IMO that is a bad move!

Cardew

HugoSP wrote: »

IMO there is nothing wrong with cold callers. Oddly enough I did actually consider doing this job. I was actually offered it!

I used to hate cold callers but actually talking to some people that do this for a living, including the guy from BG who interviewed me, I saw it as a respectable way of earning a living. After all everyone wanting to sell something is setting up their "shop front" one way or another. Cold callers just bring their shop display to your front door.

The only thing I ask from them is to respect no for an answer. Sometimes they consider it bad practice to do so. IMO that is a bad move!

There is a great deal wrong with cold callers.

If I want to shop, I will go shopping.

If I want someone to call at my house, I will make an appointment for them to call. I don't want a 'shop front' brought to my door.

All salespersons cold calling are on commission and that inevitably leads to questionable tactics to sell their product.

Cold calling is Spam. Unwanted and a nuisance. We have a junk filters on our PCs, we can bar telephone cold calling, and we should be able to bar cold calling at our houses.

Spark

I entirely agree with Cardew, I have a poster on my front door saying "cold callers are not welcome here!"
When you answer the door, they are reluctant to tell you who they are working for, probably in my case because they saw the poster on the door but they still hope to get you hooked by telling you their story, you listen politely wondering how you can get rid of them, then they turn aggressive if they don't get the reaction they expected from you. Then you are lucky if they don't sign the contract themselves on your behalf, whether you like it or not.:mad:
Someone removed my poster from my door at one point, it might have been one of them, who knows?
Now we've got the internet, there shouldn't be any needs for cold callers.
I wouldn't do that job neither.

billsavings

Why not set up a No Cold Calling Zone.

http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/glos/pdf/Cold%20Calling.pdf