Telecom Plus Discussion Area

ajh_3

Smartass does bang on about the fact I used a different identity; it does seem he is trying to make  mountains out of molehills.
Dear Mr. S I am so sorry that because I do not live and die on this chat forum, only coming on to it every muck spreading it is not suprising that I forgot my log on details so having tried variuos combinations of what I thought I had entered I decided that the quickest way would be to get onto the site would be to use another of my e-mail addresses which meant I had to modify my details, they being the same but different.
Surely you do not believe I could have, if I wanted to hide, sent via AOL and called myself R.J SCRIMPLESCRUMPLE.

By the way so far I am winning hands down with you because you still have not published for us all to see your utility region and your annual spend on both gas and electricity.
I said you wouldn't and you haven't.
I will, to the best of my ability answer without evasion, equivication or mental reservation any question you pose.
Please Mr. S give us hard evidence of what you say not your opinion... OPINION IS EXACTLY THAT.... OPINION.
Signed
ajh... numerouno... alanjohnhowes... alan howes
God knows how you spotted the connection.
That 'S' must stand for Sherlock!

Former_MSE_Moderator

I have received a complaint that this thread is developing into a slanging match.

So here is a gentle reminder of what Martin wrote at the top of the thread:-

"I know there are two very polemic views on TP 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."

Thank You

rtee

Oh well here we go.

I have read, with interest, the comments that have been made surrounding Telecom Plus, codes of practise, prices, price comparisons and so on.

I am a distributor (albeit a lazy one) for Telecom Plus. This is, however, not my first venture into energy sales. I previously worked for npower, within their inbound telesales operations, and am fairly conversent with the process and red tape that surrounds the market as a whole.

In addition, I am a personal friend of a director of one of the reputable, OFGEM approved comparison sites.

My experience to date, as both a customer and a distributor with Telecom Plus, has been fairly trauma free. All of the customers whom have signed through myself have been moved over efficiently, and all of them saved genuine money from their utilities. My experience has been (to date) that, until recently, Scottish Power have been the most competitive supplier in the Midlands area.

I am not sure how many of you are aware of the recent price changes that have taken place throughout the industry, but the current wholesale prices of energy are such that I would suggest there to be some quite significant price increases to come in the new year.

Due to the cut-throat nature of the UK energy market, and the weight carried by British Gas - 60% market share holder for Gas, and also the largest electricity supplier, it is not surprising that when they hike the prices, everyone else follows. They just don't hike them quite so highly. Part of the issue with this, particularly for the big 4 suppliers, is that they then have to incessantly market to ensure that they keep on top of their churn, and bring in more customers than they lose. This results in marketting overheads that need to be overlaid into the business, effecting who else but us the consumer.

This is where the Telecom Plus model has a particular advantage. While there are alway business costs involved with the administration of such a company, the marketing costs are actually borne by us, the distributors (it is, afterall, a business). This has meant that the recent (October 17th) price rise that has been implemented is not so steep as that of the 'bigger' companies. As time goes by, this difference is sure to just increase, making Telecom Plus a more attractive proposition.

The comments raised regarding the methods of sale, and condemning Telecom Plus for inappropriate practices are somewhat misplaced. Telecom Plus do not employ a sales force. Telecom Plus offer the opportunity to work with them (it is not a franchise opportunity, as no legal rights are passed over), and for individuals to work towards their own financial security. As with any business, if you put in the hard work, and stick within the guidelines, then it is possible to earn a reasonable, ethical income. As with any energy salesforce, and any other business for that matter, there are always rogues. This is not an excuse, it is a fact. If companies who directly employ and manage direct selling forces and selling agencies cannot iron out the rogues, why should it be that it would be any different for Telecom Plus, who do not directly employ sales teams?

While I empathise with all people who are truly effected by unscrupulous individuals who carry out such practices as forginge signatures and the likes within mainstream energy sales, I can't for the life of me understand why people who have had a bad experience with Telecom Plus feel like their buying decision has been taken away.

The process is straightforward. You have an interest in what the distributor is saying. The distributor completes an application form, which is then signed by the prospective customer. (The distributor should highlight that the prospect is only signing for a quotation for energy supply (which is in print on the form) - even if they are taking additional products at this time). A copy of a bill for each energy supply to be quoted is taken, and the form sent off. Approximately a week later, using the bills that were originally sent, Telecom Plus return a form which includes a quotation of the equivalent spend with Telecom Plus against the existing supplier. AT THIS POINT DOES THE CUSTOMER CHOSE TO TAKE THE SUPPLY OR NOT.

I am not sure whether there are any of the bigger suppliers that currently offer this kind of buffer. Verification calls are all well and good, but with the Change of Supplier processes being out of sync (gas 21 days, electricity 28) not all customers are called! (In addition 28000 outbound calls per week requires a lot of resource, and funding - where is that cost going to go?).


I am not sure whether all utility supplier prices are actually available to each of the 'Utility Brokers', but I am sure that you will find that none of these brokers actually possess all of the most recent prices, for each of the suppliers.

Additionally, speaking of my friends company, I know that the only reason that they do not promote Telecom Plus in their results is that Telecom Plus refuse to pay the levels of commission that they need to be cost effective. This means that, unless Telecom Plus is the current supplier, their results are omitted from any comparisons. Is that really ethical?

I have probably said far too much, and gone on for far too long, but think that I need to caveat this post by saying that the comments made here are primarily my educated opinion, and therefore are not intended as slanderous, or even biased.

I'm interested to see how this debate continues.

Insomnia - such a wonderful thing!

ajh_3

ajh
You have avoided and continue to avoid the questions of which we ask. People are now questioning why your prices are not being reflected on the referal sites and why are  PowerGen are coming up cheaper as you claim to be the cheapest in the UK - why do you continue with these untruths  dispite having your fingers wrapped.

As for your excuse for registering in different names  ???-  TPlus have shown their true colours over the past year and should anyone read through the site and take note of the warning signs I am sure they would avoid TPlus until they have a honest pricing policy and stop hiding the facts.  

Oh dear COS,
I have as have others mentioned that TP do not appear on some referal sites because TP prefer to give money to their customers and not commercial sites. However you can 'force' such sites to give the information by entering TP as your supplier.
I wrote about this only a few days ago to which Smartass replied, who (once again) fogs the issue by only dividing the membership fee by 2.    I.E   Gas and Electricity.
As I have gas, electricity, mobile, Freephone number, internet connection and also buy a miriad of items from the on-line store, Smartasses figures are incorrect.
Mr. S said in his peice that he could only guess the correct figures because I had not told him my supply area... I later did tell him that  I live in Kent and my area supplier therefore is SEEBOARD.
Now with all the information I have given he is now able to computate the correct figures. He can, but will not, also post HIS area supplier, his actual supplier, annual outlay in pounds sterling for both gas and electricity.
Please do not hold your breath as it would be dangerous for your health. He will not give me the info I freely give because with it I could and would give him a quote... which I believe would kill off any argument he believes he has.
SIGNED
Alan John Howes who is 100% guilty of forgetting his log on information so used another but VERY similar e-mail address.
P.S. If you want to know more about me log onto https://www.xxxxxxxxx.xxxx.xx Moderator action:- I have removed this link because it does not tell more about ajh but links to a TP+ advertising/affiliate page.

Smartasss

Hi Cos

I didn’t intend to dignify Mr Howes post by replying to him, and this post is not intended to pursue any argument with him.

But because AJH, (the Senior Exec from Telecomplus), asks why I make the point about him being discovered posting on this Board using at least 5 different identities, saying this only came about because of “senior moments” regarding remembering his log on details for the forum, an explanation for my reasons in posting this fact will give the background to this.

The major concern over the identities is because some of them seem to be an attempt to post as different characters! (Without revealing any connection to T+)

In one thread discussing the merits of comparison sites - Gas and electricity suppliers - there is a post from Mr Howes (using the “Guest” facility which was available at the time, allowing posts without registration, and preventing usual regulation).

Mr Howes declared his interest and went on to promote Telecomplus.

The next day, new member Numeruno, (who we later discovered was another id of Mr Howes), posts without mention of any connection with T+, (where he is a Senior Executive), to recommend a website to use to get comparisons of prices. The website he recommends does not in fact give comparisons, as it is in reality the Telecom+ website, though ironically he misspelt it, calling it "teleconplus".

Numerouno then posted again in the same thread (still incognito), and warns about the dangers of using some comparison sites because they may not include the prices of “One company Telecomplus” - note no reference of any connection between Numerouno and T+!

In another thread TelecomPLUS Exposed there are 3 consecutive posts from Mr Howes using 3 different identities. (This seems to answer his claim that he rarely visits here and uses different IDs as he can’t remember his log on details!)

In the first member numerouno asks a rhetorical question about pyramid selling and business organisations.

This is followed by a guest - ajhnumerouno - asking a different question about pyramid selling.

And this is followed just 9 minutes later by a post using the guest facility – Alan John Howes - (no mention of his connection) posing a question for energylinx to answer regarding a Telecomplus charge.

It is for these reasons that I have made everyone aware of these strange tactics that have been adopted by T+ staff, (not just Mr Howes), who have also been known to pose as satisfied customers of T+ before eventually getting found out to be in fact reps from the company.

People can make up their own minds regarding the ethics!

loon_2

COS...

AJH (senior exec of t+) said he puts these lapses down to 'senior moments'. Well surely, remembering something as easy as an id and password, would be something even a child could do. This could be why t+ keep getting their figures wrong.

When their reps come round with out of date info, it is not because they are misleading, but instead because they have merely forgotten to get the new figures.

Mr Howes, i hope that you do not use such incompetence at work...

Lewis_Gerolemou

The problem with the anti T+ posters is that they do not listen to or remember what  T+ distributors have posted on this site, (perhaps they too have "senior moments").
We are not staff of T+, we are not employed by the company, we do not receive a wage or salary from the company. We are independent distributors, we are paid commission for the work we do and we are responsible for our own expenses. When we post on this site we express our own views within the constraints of our agreement with the company. The term "Senior Executive" is merely a rank in the promotional ladder.
From top to bottom the these are:- National Marketing Director, Senior Marketing Director, Marketing Director, Group Director, Executive Director, Senior Executive, Executive and Unqualified Executive. Unlike some of our detractors we are not "Life's Passengers" we want to better ourselves and in doing so offer money saving services to the public.
Some posters on this site are more concerned with picking holes in anything T+ than saving money, and frankly I am amazed at the lengths they go to. The recent posts about Powergen Online being a few pounds  cheaper than Telecom Plus illustrates the point. Not everone has a PC therefore the tariff is not available to all.
The regular T+ detractors obviously have a lot of time on their hands, why don't you put your "talents" to good use and start your own utility company and achieve something worthwhile instead of hacking away at a company that does offer genuine savings to the public.
Lewis Gerolemou, Authorised Distributor for The Utility Warehouse  (Telecom Plus)

Modified in response to out of context quotation.

ajh_3

Hi AJH here,

My last few words on the subject in the form of a story.

Once upon a time this man went up a hill, because this was over two thousand years ago they did not call it a hill, they called it a mount.
Whilst he was up this mount a lot of people gathered to hear him spout on about this that and the other... back then they called it preaching to a multitude.
Whilst he was preaching some people started to mock.
As it so happens I know exactly why they mocked, it is because when you get any large gathering you will always find those that will mock.
They are called the mockers.
Unditered he carried on until others started to laugh; as before when you get a large gathering there will always be those that laugh... they are the laughers.
This man would however not be detered, he soldiered on until some expressed the fact trhat they were purplexed; as before large gatherings will attract those who will become perplexed. They are the purplexed.
He continued, he would not be distracted. Whilst he was speaking others said they thought him to be insincere.
Some mocked; some laughed, some became purplexed and some even thought him to be insincere BUT some believed... not all but some.
I am one of those that believe, others, as they are entitled to do, have other opinions... that's life.
But the fact remains that Smartass (and others) is not prepared to give those details I ask of him; he hides behind not wanting to demean himself by responding to my request; he attempts to fog issues by giving false figures I.E I take 6 services therfore get £50 back which is a profit on my club membership; he attempts ridicule by pointing out a 'speliN erra'
For Mr. Smartass information 80% of those that get a Phd. are unemployed 6 months after they get it and the overwhelming majority are only employed one year later in a job unrelated to their Phd. If the Phd. is in languages or the Humanities the figures are worse.
Sir Alan Sugar and Sir Richard Branson had little formal education but didn't they do well.
There are thousands of accademic derilicts out there in the wide wide world... me I'm 59 and retired only working from time to time because I want to not because I have to.
I will read with interst what MR S resonds with but will not in future respond... no doubt he will profer an opinion as to why, but without giving the informtion I require... until he does by by.
Alan John Howes

loon_2

Hold on, hold on, hold on. You mean to say that you are merely sales reps... NO!

... and you're trying to tell me that you actually use terms such as senior executive/manager when you have no claim to the title. Do you tell your victims, sorry i meant customers, that you are t+ managers when you call round... I bet you do!

Does making up titles for yourself make you fellf important after a hard days door knocking?

Oh... must go. Got a new job... I'm an independent executive for MI5. I don't actually work for them or get paid by them, but i get commission for all terrorists i arrest. Sounds too good to be true.

Just goes to show... you can be anything you want to be as long as you apply yourself correctly... or... you could just make it up.

Lewis_Gerolemou

There really is little point in discussing anything T+ with some posters. Some very interesting and relevant points have been made about the company especially by two newcomers to this site.
As I stated earlier the titles used by distributors show our "rank". They are not made up, they are published in the company's business manual. I am quite happy to have a reasoned debate here but disputing facts about which you have no knowledge ( Telecom Plus distributorships) gets us nowhere.
COS, if you read the recent posts from T+ distributors you may be able to work out the answer yourself
Lewis Gerolemou, authorised distributor for The Utility Warehouse (Telecom Plus)