EDF cold calling - need to get this off my chest

lswwong

Just sent an email to EDF with text below.

Dear Sirs,

I would like to express my dissatisfaction of being cold called at my home address (*******) by a EDF canvasser yesterday.

Firstly, the canvasser obtained entry to a private block of flats presumably by following someone in - that should not have happened.

Secondly, the canvasser sported an EDF logo-ed outfit - suit and tie. However, he claimed that he was from the London Electricity Board. This fact may technically be correct as EDF acquired the LEB. I rather suspect that he stated this historic fact, without reference to EDF's current status, in order to gain credibility. This is underhand.

His opening gambit was that the LEB has "received a lot of complaints from local residents about high electricity and gas charges". He then asked me to produce copies of my electricity and gas bills for his inspection. This I declined to do, as I could not see why it was remotely appropriate for me to let a stranger (whose credibility was suspect anyway) to see such private information. The canvasser was cross and demanded to know why I declined, to which I responded with the same privacy concerns. He proceeded to show me a list that was attached to his clip board which listed the addresses of flats in my block, further stating that he was an official. I reinterated that I saw no reason that I should comply with his request, and informed him that I am very happy with my current provider, *****. He noted that detail and then left my property.

You will appreciate that had anyone shown this person their electricity and gas bills, the canvasser would have had the opportunity to note the resident's name and current provider account details. This information could be misused for the canvasser's gain, and is objectionable as well as unethical.

Furthermore, the residents in my block mostly do not speak English as their first language (nor to high levels of proficiency). They could be venerable to any canvasser pretending to be a public official.

Will you please accept an earnest plea from me that such marketing tactics should be dropped at once. British Gas used the same ploy in the past and ended up with scant consumer credibility. Please take that as an example.

Thank you for your attention.

Poppycat

Sounds like you did the right thing

I wouldn't give these canvasses the time of day either

I would have simply said thanks but no thanks" and shut the door

BexTech

We're in a No Cold Calling Zone, Southern Electric cold called several of us (would have been more but I don't know every one in our road the numbers go over the high hundreds), so contacted Trading Standards who are the people here to contact if companies break the no cold calling zones. Don't know if anything will be done though.

I never buy / take service from cold callers, I never take services from people who pull you over in the street / in shopping centres.

lswwong

UPDATE

Had a good phone call from EDF on Tuesday - very prompt. They actually have a department dealing with the antics/feedback about their field sales force. A helpful lady noted what I said and it is great to see that they hear this sort of feedback without the slightest bit of defensiveness. In fact, the lady said it is important that they hear about incidents like these because they would then know what goes on in the field and take pro-active action to manage their field sales people, who may act outside of EDF's guidelines where they are not supposed to.

benny5

lswwong wrote: »

UPDATEHad a good phone call from EDF on Tuesday - very prompt. They actually have a department dealing with the antics/feedback about their field sales force. A helpful lady noted what I said and it is great to see that they hear this sort of feedback without the slightest bit of defensiveness. In fact, the lady said it is important that they hear about incidents like these because they would then know what goes on in the field and take pro-active action to manage their field sales people, who may act outside of EDF's guidelines where they are not supposed to.

I am surprised they have field staff. The reason I say that is I am an existing customer and spoke to their 'sales' Dept. yesterday as I am looking at my current energy costs. The person I spoke to displayed complete indifference to customer retention. I merely enquired as to the current tariffs and whether mine was the most beneficial to my usage. In the matter of a few seconds she replied that was the best I could expect and when I said I would have to move providers she casually said, "that is probably best".