Energy Saving Expert

Reaper

I got a call from a company called "Energy Saving Experts". They wanted to review my gas and electricity to see if they could save money. By the sounds of it just typing my details into a comparison site and seeing if they could get commission for getting me to switch.

I think they were trying to trade on the MSE name particularly as you have an Energy Club thing.

I told them I never buy from cold calls (particularly as I'm on the TPS) and put the phone down. I probably should have stayed on and got more details.

Anyway just thought I'd mention it.

Former_MSE_Andrea

Thank you Reaper.

Can you please email any details you can remember, including telephone number if you noted it, to imposters@moneysavingexpert.com please?

Thank you!

OhReally_2

MSE_Andrea wrote: »

Thank you Reaper.

Can you please email any details you can remember, including telephone number if you noted it, to [EMAIL="imposters@moneysavingexpert.com"]imposters@moneysavingexpert.com[/EMAIL] please?

Thank you!

Probably different people, but you may be interested in the following websites .

http://www.energy-saving-experts.com
(more of energy efficiency assessors and contractors, EPC providers etc, rather than an energy comparison site)

and also possibly
http://www.energysavingexpert.co.uk/
(seems a bit amateurish, but appears to have news articles on energy, as well as a forum for same ... not many posters or posts though)

Looks like Scottish Power have coined the phrase too
http://friendlypeople.co.uk/uploads/meetings/ENERGY-SAVING-EXPERT-Web-V4.pdf
(actually the ScottishPower Energy People Trust)

Then there is this guy that uses the term too
http://www.russellwhite.co.uk/
(seems to advise and install solar panels, etc)

as do this company
http://www.markgroup.co.uk/
(insulation, solar panels, boilers, etc)

Also it appears TV Presenter Oliver Heath (Changing Rooms) has declared himself the Energy Saving Expert.
It should be added, he was rapped by the ASA recently for a misleading advert he appeared in for the government.
http://www.marketingmagazine.co.uk/article/1309403/govs-green-ad-banned-misleading-consumers-making-unsubstantiated-claims

And whilst the self appointed title of 'Energy Saving Expert' was reviewed by the ASA at the time(1 of 10 issues looked into), it particularly was not withheld, the ASA saying:

The Authority did not uphold a complaint questioning Mr Heath’s claimed status as an ‘energy saving expert’, and the BBC said that in addition to his academic qualifications and long experience as an architect, he had become a DEA and domestic GDA during 2014.

http://energyassessormagazine.com/green_deal_public_being_misled.html

Full ASA ruling here:
http://www.asa.org.uk/Rulings/Adjudications/2014/8/Department-of-Energy-and-Climate-Change/SHP_ADJ_258066.aspx


Edit: On a slightly different note, I don't think this business uses the above term but do proudly proclaim they are

the Money Saving Expert Recommended Solar Panel Installer

http://www.ecohill.co.uk/we-are-on-the-money-saving-expert-website/

Really? They say it's from this particular page
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/free-solar-panels

... but I can't see where you recommend them on that page (though I didn't look too closely)

captainhindsight_2

I didn't realise MSE had a monopoly on the title 'energy saving expert'.....

If some one Or a company is an expert/professional in saving energy, it seems pretty logical that they can call them selves an expert in saving energy. Or is that just silly?? Hmmmmmmm....

Derp er d derp derp

Reaper

MSE_Andrea wrote: »

Thank you Reaper.

Can you please email any details you can remember, including telephone number if you noted it, to imposters@moneysavingexpert.com please?

Thank you!

Sorry, my post above is everything I know, I didn't look at the telephone number. If they call again I'll get more details.

As others have said I'm not sure they are actually doing anything wrong legally, but I just thought I'd mention it to make you aware and see if anybody else has had similar calls.

pooch

Reaper wrote: »

...I think they were trying to trade on the MSE name particularly as you have an Energy Club thing...

Reaper wrote: »

...As others have said I'm not sure they are actually doing anything wrong legally,...

If they were, what is legally referred to as, 'passing off' as MSE and hence causing damage to the goodwill of MSE, that would be unlawful and MSE can take civil action against such.

Rapscallioniam

I was called by a company calling themselves Energy Saving Expert on Friday 2nd Jan. They wanted to offer a free no obligation report to assess my roof's suitability for solar panels. Now I know that my roof is not suitable for solar panels I have looked into it numerous times. But they claimed that the technology has changed and the roof space requirements are now smaller than they were last summer when I last looked into it. Believing that I was being called by MSE I agreed for the consultation. It wasn't until a second person called to confirm I asked if it was new thing for MSE to start phoning and offering services. This is when I realised that it was a different company and I cancelled the appointment . I'm no schmuck, I know to check and check again, but not everyone will spot the difference before they are ready to part with money. Perhaps as CaptainHindsight says above MSE might not have the monopoly on the words "Saving Expert" but these words were clearly used in my case to imply association. Beware.