Warning - Money Expert Gas/Electricity Utility Switching Door to Door (again)

jimjames

My elderly parents in their 80s were cold called by someone from Money Expert to have a free energy check. Apparently thought it was part of MSE so I'm not sure if that was part of the sales pitch or just the word association. They'd been told they could save £800 pa which seems ridiculous in the current climate. Fortunately I managed to catch them before they had signed anything but thought I'd flag that this outfit are back out cold calling and switching people again.

Martin has warned before about them but with switching not being viable for the last few years I guess they went to ground but have now popped up again. It doesn't appear to be a scam per se but worrying if they are targeting elderly customers with unrealistic claims when there is little that beats the price cap. Also raises the issue of them dealing with cold callers but that's another story!

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2016/04/warning-money-expert-cold-callers-are-nothing-to-do-with-moneysavingexpertcom/

brewerdave

Also seems to have been an increase in telephone calls from "Energy advisors" lately - had several silent calls and a garbled message left on my answerphone yesterday from someone claiming to be able to save me £00s on my utility bills!

FreeBear

brewerdave said:

Also seems to have been an increase in telephone calls from "Energy advisors" lately

And also energy "surveys", sometimes with a claim that fibreglass loft insulation is a health risk or not fit for purpose. Wrong on both counts - It is just a pitch to sell spray foam insulation - The worst thing you can do to a house !!!

Novice_investor101

The Money Expert cold callers are out trying to peddle broadband sales too. Shut the door in his face because I was working & was refusing to acknowledge I was busy. 

Swipe

FreeBear said:

brewerdave said:

Also seems to have been an increase in telephone calls from "Energy advisors" lately

And also energy "surveys", sometimes with a claim that fibreglass loft insulation is a health risk or not fit for purpose. Wrong on both counts - It is just a pitch to sell spray foam insulation - The worst thing you can do to a house !!!

As soon an any caller mentions the words green, eco, energy or survey they get hung up on instantly.

AKCaldwell

Had MoneyExpert knock on my door - British Gas & Money Expert, heard of them. Signed up for a transfer, decided to cancel. Money Expert made it virtually impossible to cancel within the 14 days cooling off period. When you call them, all calls go to sales. You cannot go to a cancellation or customer service desk, even though both options are offered. The confirmation email, sent out the day of sign up, says cancellation details will be sent as part of the welcome pack, usually within 5 days. When I spoke to ME, they said outside agents have up to 10 days to register their "paperwork" - not sure what paperwork as all details were put through on a tablet, no paper involved. When I emailed customer services, the acknowledgement said up to 5 days to respond - oops now out of the cooling off period!

British Gas has employed these people to go round selling this deal. What were they thinking? I rang British Gas and they have said they can back date the transfer so I don't pay exit fees.

Never again! This is why I have never before signed up to something on the door (or over the phone). I don't know what possessed me to do it this time, except that I am a customer of British Gas and I thought I as dealing with MSE. Should have joined up sooner!

AcerBen

Money Expert even use the same font as MSE which is really dodgy.  I don't know why reputable suppliers are happy to work with a company like that.

Swipe

If you have a change of heart and are quick (within 24 hours), you can always ask for your current supplier to block the transfer if you change your mind as well as cancelling with the new supplier within the 14 day period. In theory, all you need is proof of an email requesting cancellation sent within the 14 day window.