Better way to do business

Cummybaby · 22-06-2011 10:29pm #1

I was doing a job for an elderly relation of mine yesterday when a salesman for an energy firm came knocking on the door. My relative was very impressed with the savings this guy was offering. She handed all over all her details until she was asked for her bank account number for direct debit. This is when I was called and consulted as to what she should do. The guy showed us the device he was gonna use to send the details etc. etc. but my relative declined.

I have no doubt that the guy was legit but even so why should you be expected to hand over sensitive details to some randomer so quickly? Surely there is a better way of doing things.

(Not quite sure what the deal is with naming the company)

cookie1977 · 22-06-2011 10:43pm

Cummybaby wrote: »

I was doing a job for an elderly relation of mine yesterday when a salesman for an energy firm came knocking on the door. My relative was very impressed with the savings this guy was offering. She handed all over all her details until she was asked for her bank account number for direct debit. This is when I was called and consulted as to what she should do. The guy showed us the device he was gonna use to send the details etc. etc. but my relative declined.

I have no doubt that the guy was legit but even so why should you be expected to hand over sensitive details to some randomer so quickly? Surely there is a better way of doing things.

(Not quite sure what the deal is with naming the company)

We can probably guess

Well while it's different it's probably much the same as handing a credit card in a restaurant or using it online. It's a mechanisim to sign you up quicker and to make the process handy for the customer. I don't see any particular problem with it as a mechanisim once you feel you've done all you can to verify the seller.

Cummybaby · 22-06-2011 11:50pm

I suppose what really annoys me is that how inflexible and heavy handed these guys are. My relative was ready to sign up on the condition she could pay by cash when the bill came in which to me sounds like a reasonable request. But it was the usual nonsense: "That is impossible. It has to be direct debit. This is the only time I will be in the area. You have to sign now." Why the f*** is it impossible? Somersaulting to the moon is impossible - paying a bill by cash isn't.

I hate to think of other less discerning elderly people pressured like this.

Forest Master · 23-06-2011 12:26am

Cummybaby wrote: »

I suppose what really annoys me is that how inflexible and heavy handed these guys are. My relative was ready to sign up on the condition she could pay by cash when the bill came in which to me sounds like a reasonable request. But it was the usual nonsense: "That is impossible. It has to be direct debit. This is the only time I will be in the area. You have to sign now." Why the f*** is it impossible? Somersaulting to the moon is impossible - paying a bill by cash isn't.

I hate to think of other less discerning elderly people pressured like this.

I agree with your post, but your username is disgusting BTW. <SNIP>

Cummybaby · 23-06-2011 12:34am

Forest Master wrote: »

I agree with your post, but your username is disgusting BTW. <SNIP>

<SNIP>

dudara · 23-06-2011 8:44am

Stick on topic please.

dudara

Forest Master · 23-06-2011 8:57am

dudara wrote: »

Stick on topic please.

dudara

Apologies.

MitchKoobski · 23-06-2011 1:29pm

Direct Debit is used to guarantee a payment and a specific date. It's not that it was impossible, it could simply be that the Billing system they use only support Direct Debit or payments by card. I can only assume he was taking the details then to avoid future issues. I wouldn't place an order with someone without giving them details on how I would pay them.

There's no better way of doing things IMO.

Agent_99 · 23-06-2011 2:03pm

The better way to handle it would be for the interest to be registered by the Energy company involved and a letter to sent out with DD mandate and T&C for the customer to read and understand, then for the customer to call or reply back in writing their agreement to switch providers. This would give the customer a chance to cool off or consult a partner/relative on the prospective deal. rather than the heavy handed tactics employed on the doorstep by field sales agents.

RangeR · 23-06-2011 4:44pm

MitchKoobski wrote: »

Direct Debit is used to ....

There's no better way of doing things IMO.

You've obviously never been on the bad end of trying to cancel a direct debit or been put onto a Direct Debit PLUS scheme when you thought it was a normal Direct Debit one.

the groutch · 23-06-2011 7:07pm

Shhhhhhh, the mods say we're not allowed talk about sales reps selling on behalf of that company

nlgbbbblth · 24-06-2011 10:02pm

MitchKoobski wrote: »

There's no better way of doing things IMO.

I've worked in banking for many years and totally disagree.

Direct debits SUCK.

Take control yourself and pay by other means.

dudara · 25-06-2011 5:51pm

the groutch wrote: »

Shhhhhhh, the mods say we're not allowed talk about sales reps selling on behalf of that company

As long as the discussion is factual, it is allowed.

dudara

sendit · 25-06-2011 9:14pm

Cummybaby wrote: »

I suppose what really annoys me is that how inflexible and heavy handed these guys are. My relative was ready to sign up on the condition she could pay by cash when the bill came in which to me sounds like a reasonable request. But it was the usual nonsense: "That is impossible. It has to be direct debit. This is the only time I will be in the area. You have to sign now." Why the f*** is it impossible? Somersaulting to the moon is impossible - paying a bill by cash isn't.

I hate to think of other less discerning elderly people pressured like this.

If they only take payment by Direct Debit then it is impossible to pay by cash simple enough really. Alot of the time it is the only time that person is going to be in the area. I dont see how thats being ''heavy handed''

freeze4real · 25-06-2011 9:59pm

Lads i did a sales job and they only way we could do so was by direct debit.

Even though we live in the 21st century not everyone has a bank account, with direct debit its faster it saves you the hassle of queuing up in the bloody post office for from 10 - 25min especially in the afternoon.

some of us are on a monthly contract on our bill pay phones, you know how it works think of the hassle it'll take to top-up every single time, but with direct debit you have nothing to worry about.

you have the guarantee that you'll pay your bilks on time etc.

IMO it makes your life easier and that of the company aswell.

freeze4real · 25-06-2011 10:09pm

.. wrong place for new thread

Del2005 · 26-06-2011 12:10am

Agent_99 wrote: »

The better way to handle it would be for the interest to be registered by the Energy company involved and a letter to sent out with DD mandate and T&C for the customer to read and understand, then for the customer to call or reply back in writing their agreement to switch providers. This would give the customer a chance to cool off or consult a partner/relative on the prospective deal. rather than the heavy handed tactics employed on the doorstep by field sales agents.

The problem with that is that the door to door salespeople are usually on a crappy basic and work off commission. If you only register interest at the door they don't get paid, it's not a job many people do out of choice.

Don't all distance selling contracts have a cooling off period and someone calling to my door is distance selling, I hope.

Cummybaby wrote: »

I was doing a job for an elderly relation of mine yesterday when a salesman for an energy firm came knocking on the door. My relative was very impressed with the savings this guy was offering. She handed all over all her details until she was asked for her bank account number for direct debit. This is when I was called and consulted as to what she should do. The guy showed us the device he was gonna use to send the details etc. etc. but my relative declined.

I have no doubt that the guy was legit but even so why should you be expected to hand over sensitive details to some randomer so quickly? Surely there is a better way of doing things.

(Not quite sure what the deal is with naming the company)

Most of the savings your elderly relative would be making is the discount they give for signing up to pay by DD. If you pay cash they don't offer as good a deal.

Bob Cratchet · 26-06-2011 12:12am

Cummybaby wrote: »

It is nothing to do with a bukkake on a baby. It is a fusion of my last name and the fact that I am the youngest in my family. You must work for the Catholic Church to come up with that notion? Ex-priest maybe?:D

Are you sick ?

Forest Master · 26-06-2011 10:35am

Cummybaby wrote: »

<SNIP>. It is a fusion of my last name and the fact that I am the youngest in my family.

<SNIP>

Apologies mod - but I believe he's trolling. <SNIP>

MagicMarker · 26-06-2011 10:44am

Agent_99 wrote: »

The better way to handle it would be for the interest to be registered by the Energy company involved and a letter to sent out with DD mandate and T&C for the customer to read and understand, then for the customer to call or reply back in writing their agreement to switch providers. This would give the customer a chance to cool off or consult a partner/relative on the prospective deal. rather than the heavy handed tactics employed on the doorstep by field sales agents.

That's pretty much the worst way possible tbh.

OP, if you were happy that the salesman was legit and the savings were good then what exactly was the problem with giving DD details?

dudara · 26-06-2011 12:13pm

Forest Master Please stop dragging this thread off-topic. If you have an issue with a post, the use the Report Post functionality.

Bob Cratchet Same goes for you.

dudara

Bob Cratchet · 26-06-2011 12:23pm

dudara wrote: »

Forest Master Please stop dragging this thread off-topic. If you have an issue with a post, the use the Report Post functionality.

Bob Cratchet Same goes for you.

dudara

I have reported it, nothing was done.

booboo88 · 26-06-2011 12:29pm

Forest Master wrote: »

Apologies.

RangeR wrote: »

You've obviously never been on the bad end of trying to cancel a direct debit or been put onto a Direct Debit PLUS scheme when you thought it was a normal Direct Debit one.

dd works for some, not for others,
for me dd on a bill the fluctuates to the extent leccy or gas bills do i wouldnt dream of, but green star and sky are on dd. cuz i know how much, and when its going to be taken.
But I would never hand someone my details at the door, you have no clue what happens to those details in transit, if you remember the bord gais laptops that were stolen.

Forest Master wrote: »

<SNIP>

he has no need to justify his username to you, its YOUR peverted mind that came to that conclusion.

Forest Master · 26-06-2011 12:45pm

booboo88 wrote: »

he has no need to justify his username to you, its YOUR peverted mind that came to that conclusion.

<SNIP>

Bob Cratchet · 26-06-2011 12:47pm

Cummybaby wrote: »

<SNIP>

Do people really find these types of posts acceptable and relevant to this thread ? I've already reported them some time ago.

dudara · 26-06-2011 2:02pm

And yet despite my earlier warning, this stupid argument continues.

I saw the reported posts, I investigated the OP and I saw no reason to suspect that they were trolling. I then posted here asking people to cease and desist. But could you do that? No. Actually listening to the moderator was beyond your ability.

Infractions awared to Forest Master and Bob Cratchet.

If you have a genuine issue with the OP's username, then take it to the Helpdesk or Feedback forums.

Bob Cratchet · 26-06-2011 2:19pm

dudara wrote: »

And yet despite my earlier warning, this stupid argument continues.

I saw the reported posts, I investigated the OP and I saw no reason to suspect that they were trolling. I then posted here asking people to cease and desist. But could you do that? No. Actually listening to the moderator was beyond your ability.

Infractions awared to Forest Master and Bob Cratchet.

If you have a genuine issue with the OP's username, then take it to the Helpdesk or Feedback forums.

I don't have an issue with anyone's user name, I do have an issue with the irrelevant muck that was written on a thread about consumer issues. Why are you twisting it ? All you had to do was remove the irrelevant and offensive talk of Bukkake, child abuse etc. when it was reported. Let's leave it at that.

dudara · 26-06-2011 2:27pm

Let me clarify - Forest Master received an infraction for going off-topic. You re received a warning for back seat modding.

Any further comments or discussion, please take it to the Feedback forum.

dudara

booboo88 · 26-06-2011 2:32pm

Forest Master wrote: »

<SNIP>

<SNIP>

back to topic, is this an new supplier?

Bob Cratchet · 26-06-2011 2:53pm

dudara wrote: »

Let me clarify - Forest Master received an infraction for going off-topic. You re received a warning for back seat modding.

Any further comments or discussion, please take it to the Feedback forum.

dudara

I don't mind the infraction. Hopefully you'll learn something from it, and boards.ie will be a better place. Interesting that Cummyface received no infraction for his language, or for going off topic.

dudara · 26-06-2011 3:00pm

Infraction awarded to Bob Cratchet for continuing to go off-topic.

dudara

Better way to do business

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