Utility Warehouse - High User - Any Views ?

NigeWick

innovate wrote:

A Telecom Plus seminar, I take it?

How do the prices (and T&Cs) you quote compare with other suppliers?

Do you know, do TP still claim they are the cheapest energy provider in the UK?

Nope, Tony Robbins Wealth Mastery seminar down in London (so that I can afford gas and electricity this winter) and don't know & don't know but there was always a "get out clause" anyway. If people are interested, I just hand them a price list and let them work it out. That way I can't be accused of massaging the figures.

Nigel.

lisyloo

I just hand them a price list and let them work it out.

What do you do for people who are not very bright, elderly or not mathematically inclined.

That way I can't be accused of massaging the figures.

You mean you have absolved yourself of any responsibility whilst taking a cut.

Come on Nigel - you must be aware by now that the "cheapest" claims are not true. You must also be aware that a lot of the population can't do the maths.
You're just giving yourself a false sense of security by passing on the decision to people who don't know how to work it out for themsleves.

You must be in denial because you're clearly not stupid.

pricefighter

NigeWick wrote:

I just hand them a price list and let them work it out.

Nigel.

But Ofgem require someone selling Energy. To be able to explain.
The deregulated market.Contract terms.Tariffs available.Payment methods.Right to terminate.

They must also seek to avoid the consumer misunderstanding any info,or making false assumptions particularly over savings.

By just handing them the brochure,and letting them work it out you are not doing this.

NigeWick

lisyloo wrote:

What do you do for people who are not very bright, elderly or not mathematically inclined.

Come on Nigel - you must be aware by now that the "cheapest" claims are not true. You must also be aware that a lot of the population can't do the maths.
You're just giving yourself a false sense of security by passing on the decision to people who don't know how to work it out for themsleves

I haven't had this problem yet. But, I would try and get them to find a relative or friend to check anything I say.

I always point the small print out, and, I have never claimed that they were the THE cheapest. If they have a bill, I show them any standing charges and price per unit on the bill, and then show them the membership cost, standing charge and price per unit for UWDC.

Please explain why you would want "a sales person" to make any decision for a prospective customer?

Nigel.

NigeWick

pricefighter wrote:

But Ofgem require someone selling Energy. To be able to explain.
The deregulated market.Contract terms.Tariffs available.Payment methods.Right to terminate.

They must also seek to avoid the consumer misunderstanding any info,or making false assumptions particularly over savings.

By just handing them the brochure,and letting them work it out you are not doing this.

Up until this month, Distributors did not sell energy. An application was filled out and the company sent a quote and information to the person enquiring. If the prospective customer liked what they saw, they could sign the agreement sent by the company. I have always done my best to make sure that people (most of my customers are relatives and friends) fully understand all aspects of the application and agreement.

As to handing them the brochure, I find that most people like to have the information in their hands so that they can check it and make a comparison with their current bills, rather than listen to what I say and try and remember it.

Nigel.

lisyloo

Please explain why you would want "a sales person" to make any decision for a prospective customer?

I wouldn't want this, but I think that there should be something more than just dumping a leaflet in their hand and telling them to work it out for themselves.
Perhaps your friends and relatives are well above average intelligence but I think a lot of the general public would struggle with the maths.

Pricefighter has already given a good list, but I think that sales people should be able to provide correct information about the product in terms of prices, standing charges, Ts & Cs etc.
Unfortunately a lot of contracts are not straightforward. There are membership fees, standing charges, cashback, different fees for DDs and this is quite hard for a lot of people to get to the bottom of without assistance.

I am quite thorough but it's still possible to miss something.
The sales person has a obligation in my view to make sure the person understands what they are getting rather than just giving them information which they have no idea whether it's understood or not.

Of course many sales people are not like this at all in ANY industry and the compensation model (comission) does not encourage good practice in my view.

pricefighter

When T-Plus were not actually selling energy merely promoting it as Britains Cheapest,it may have been ok? to take a laid back approach.,because they actually got a letter from T-Plus giving them the estimated savings before they signed up.The customer then decided if if he wished to proceed.

Now that this no longer happens and T-plus have unleashed an army of distributors who can sell energy at the door/in the home,its very important they stick to the Ofgem guidelines,or they can/will be reported for mis-selling.No doubt T-Plus will take a dim view of this.

By the way i am not suggesting for one moment you would do this Nigel.

Out of interest has T-Plus retrained its people due to the change? Is it now a member of the Industrys selling scheme?

NigeWick

pricefighter wrote:

Out of interest has T-Plus retrained its people due to the change? Is it now a member of the Industrys selling scheme?

The business manual has been updated and Distributors have to sign a form stating that they have read and understood what is required, as well as confirming that they have no criminal convictions. The company take a dim view of anybody doing something that may jeopardize their licence.

I shall be making myself fully aquainted with the manual before I see any more energy prospects.

Lisyloo >>>The sales person has a obligation in my view to make sure the person understands what they are getting rather than just giving them information which they have no idea whether it's understood or not <<<

I agree, although many sales people would differ from us. Out of all the people using gas and electricity in the country, I can save money for a high percentage of them. But, if they all checked, I suspect that a reasonable proportion may be able to find a better deal in a few days time (or even at that moment) if they were to check the internet. I believe that I offer excellent service for utilities at a fair price and I am happy to show the amount that each individual will pay. I refuse to try and make their purchasing decision for them though.

Do you honestly believe that sales people will point out any deficiencies in the goods or services they offer, when comparing against their competition?

Nigel.

lisyloo

Do you honestly believe that sales people will point out any deficiencies in the goods or services they offer, when comparing against their competition?

No I wouldn't expect them to highlight any deficiences, although there is probably a legal obligation to inform the customer.
This is usually done in "small print".

I don't expect you to make their decision or find them the cheapest.
Obviously you are going to point out the good points of your product.

However I do expect people to be given information and for you to make some effort to ensure they have understood the main issues.
Your initial posts gave the impression that you dumped a leaflet in their hand and offered them no added value whatsoever. This may not in fact be the case, but that's the impression you gave.

pricefighter

So they just up date a business manual and expect everyone to understand the guidelines, products,prices.I thought anybody that sold Energy on behalf of a company was required to have an EnergySure accreditation.

If someone has got a criminal record they cant sell energy,but presumably T-Plus let them sell other products Dont T-Plus check out the people they are sending into peoples homes?