Utillita knocking at my door

Starbrite

Just had two men from Utitila knock on my door re a smart meter

Conversation went something like this...

Two Utillita men just knocked on my door. Showed me ID... went on to say I am showing as on a pre pay top up flashing his Ipad and my home address on it... I said yeah... he then went on to say I have to go to shop to top up...

I said yeah.... I’m happy with that, I don’t want a smart meter...

2nd man leans forward and says “whys that darling”

I then promptly shut and locked my door...

Why are Utility knocking on my door? I’m not even with them are the scouting for business and want people to switch to them? how do I get them to stop knocking they have knocked twice now in last year

Gerry1

They may not be from Utilata.  Why would they send TWO people to the same property?  More likely an excuse to enter the property on the pretext of checking the meter, but one will steal any valuable small items while the other distracts you.  Or they case the joint and burgle you later.  Whether at the door or on the phone, never trust a cold caller.

MWT

... or it is a switching scam, they will try to get you to sign up for a 'smart meter' but in the small print you are actually agreeing to switch to them as well...

Smodlet

What Gerry1 said, with (door)bells on.  I would so much rather assume someone is trying to scam me when they are not than fail to spot them when they are and who gives a damn about the feelings of cold callers?  They are invading one's privacy by doing their sorry excuse for a job.  They can all go to hell.  As for addressing any woman as, "darling" when you do not even know them, I thought that went out in the 80s.  I would have slammed the door on his foot, the creep. 

I don't know what you can do to stop them, OP, but you can certainly refuse to answer the door.  Can you not look out of a window to see if it is someone you know or are expecting?  You could try contacting Utilita to tell them not to contact you any more but, as Gerry1 says, I doubt they "work" for anyone but themselves.

Gerry1

Smodlet said:

I don't know what you can do to stop them

Something like this sticker from your local Plod or Trading Standards?

Smodlet

I thought that applied only in certain areas, Gerry1.  We have a much smaller, ahem, more subtle version right under our doorbell; it came with it.  I don't think many ever read it as no-one seems to use doorbells; they always knock.  So far, the only person who has noticed it is our window cleaner, who is very much wanted and not unsolicited!  I don't think any of the Avon reps can read.

I would like to share with you, if I may, my version of the above notice which I have yet to find the courage to use.  It goes something like this:  "We do not buy from door-steppers:  Neither double-glazing, charity, politics nor religion.  Unsolicited catalogues will not be returned."

What do you reckon?

Gerry1

I'd omit the prohibition on (registered) charities, but add that catalogues will be returned - unstamped !

Carrot007

Gerry1 said:

It's not paranoia, as you so politely put it.  Whether it's someone on the phone or at the door, it's only basic common sense to be alert to the possibility that their phone number may well be spoofed or they are not representing the organisation that they claim to be from.

Anyone who believes that 'Edward' calling from Microsoft in the far East or 'Rachael' calling from BT Openreach in India really cares 'how are you doing today?' and wants only to 'help you with a virus on your computer' is likely to be parted from their money sooner rather than later.

Most energy companies stopped doorstep calling years ago.  In this case it seems a dead giveaway - why on earth would they double their costs by sending TWO people out when only one is needed?  That should immediately start alarm bells ringing.

It really is.

Like I said, anyone calling randomly at the door is not going to get the time of day to tell me who they are. That is all you need. Worrying about what they may or may not be it excessive.

Maybe it was some idiots, maybe it was not. Only the big companies stopped afaik.  But how would I anyone tryes to sell me something on the street / in  supermarket and cliam they have the best tarrifs I laugh at them and say do not waist your or my time. If I am bored they can waist mine, not that they get anything.

So in conclusion. Anyone knockingh at yout door sends "alarm bells" ringing as does anyone calling you. But is it nothing to worry about as you told them to FRO right?

Carrot007

Smodlet said:

I thought that applied only in certain areas, Gerry1.  We have a much smaller, ahem, more subtle version right under our doorbell; it came with it.  I don't think many ever read it as no-one seems to use doorbells; they always knock.  So far, the only person who has noticed it is our window cleaner, who is very much wanted and not unsolicited!  I don't think any of the Avon reps can read.

I would like to share with you, if I may, my version of the above notice which I have yet to find the courage to use.  It goes something like this:  "We do not buy from door-steppers:  Neither double-glazing, charity, politics nor religion.  Unsolicited catalogues will not be returned."

What do you reckon?

I would not bother. Any !!!!!! people put though my door goes in the recycling. If they don;t like that they should get a better job where I cannot buy eveything they try to hawk on amazon/ebay a lot cheaper.

Smodlet

Do as you please, as will I; this includes respecting the English language.  Your posts are barely intelligible to me.

Gerry1, I respect your opinion but reserve the right not to be disturbed by any door-steppers, however justified they may feel.  If I wanted to donate to charity, I would not need a collection service; I have the internet.

Starbrite

I was only home as full of cold, I did look through my spy hole first and saw two chaps, so my guard was up and I only opened the door a little bit, I need a chain on the door, however living in a flat with an entry buzzer system I am still amazed they I get cold callers.

I was with Utilita for a month or so when my electric provider went bust, Utilita got the customers and I moved asap as the cost were ridiculous, since this I have had advertising post and cold callers from utilita. Going to contact them directly and asked to be removed from there database if that is at all possible!

As for calling a lady 'Darling' 'Love' you will be amazed how often this happens, men don't seem to like it when you reply and call them love/darling etc

Will look into the sticker you mention, I need a no junk mail one too, darn takeaway menus are annoying, Thank you everyone