There are energy company representitives, in uniform and wearing ID badges, going around Hulme calling at homes and businesses unexpectedly. Yet, these people are really from the company they say they are from. So, why knock on our doors in Hulme?
The answer is that this is nothing more than door-to-door selling and with it comes the tricks. Such a person conned his way in to my flat, saying he needed to read my meter. Who would refuse a British Gas or PowerGen official, who say they need to read your meter? As far as I know, a seperate meter reading company does it for all. These salesmen in disguise tell you that they won’t charge a tariff for your meter, but won’t say that all the others, more often than not, are cheaper in the long run.
In this day & age of competition, others will strike up a conversation about meters or billing and pursuade you that their company is cheaper. The thing is, is that these other companies always compare prices to British Gas or PowerGen and not other cheaper energy companies. They urge you to change suppliers now while they are there, making you feel stupid if you don’t. Seeing that you cannot quickly calculate the difference, you trust what they say and sign your name quickly on a ready filled form. Then shut the door and breathe a sigh of relief. You then celebrate this decision by putting the kettle on and think to yourself how much you’ll save over the next year, not realising that this cuppa is now going to cost you more money.
Are you now saving money or has that company not only got your custom, but is charging you more for the same amount used? How can we tell, seeing our bills fluctuate depending on changes in our lifestyle? Last season I may have stayed in and watched TV, but now I go out more. You see my drift?
If your meter is to be “officially” read, then its done by your own energy company or that guy that comes every blue moon. Never by a rival company - is the point I’m trying to make. Neither British Gas or PowerGen or any other has the right to read your meter unless you are their present customer and are billed by them. Even if you once belong to them, they still have no right.. remember that goodbye letter. They cannot use the excuse that they didn’t get a proper reading or it needs to be read again 4 or 5 months later. They should write and tell you.
Anyone can be taken in by these crafty sales techniques; especially older folk, who still believe British Gas have the right to read every meter and still trust them.
Images supplied by www.freefoto.com
If you have just signed a contract from one of these door-to-door salesmen from an energy company, then you can cancel if its within the 7 days cooling off period. If not, then you can soon change back again or to another one.
Here is a quote taken from the Government’s website: Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform (BERR) www.BERR.gov.uk
The Doorstep Selling Regulations give consumers:
• The right to a seven day cooling-off period during which they may cancel an agreement to buy goods or services worth more than £35 from a trader whose visit is unsolicited.
• The same right to a seven-day cooling of period where a visit by a trader follows an unsolicited doorstep or telephone approach.
The Regulations also provide that:
• Traders who fail to inform consumers in writing of their right to a cooling off period will be committing a criminal offence.
• Door-to-door sellers must provide a notice setting out cancellation rights when any agreement is made. Failure to do so makes the agreement unenforceable. This is the case whether a deposit is paid or not.
Energy Suppliers
• The Office of the Gas and Electricity Markets (OGEM) regulates the gas and electricity industries in Great Britain.
• OFGEM have a licence condition to control the sales and marketing practices of gas and electricity suppliers.
• The EnergySure scheme introduced in 2002 administers training and oversees sales staff by placing them on an approved register. A new code of practice introduced an automatic compensation of £250 for “proven forgery”.
Even so, there are over-enthusiastic commission-grabbing salesmen that ignore or are simply not aware of these regulations.
The best thing to do is to say “No thanks!” and shut the door, that’s if you’re not sure. Then go online to a price comparison website and see who is really the cheapest – most likely its not the one that just called at your door. Ask a trustworthy friend, relative or social worker to help you change if you really feel that you could save on your bills. Some companies offer finacial rewards for changing online and staying with them.
Then put the kettle on, because you can now make a cheaper cup of tea!
·
