Beware Airtricity pushy door to door salesmen

thejuggler

I had an unpleasant experience with two 'pushy' salesman from Airtricity who called to my door last evening. My other half answered the door to be asked if she had heard of Airtricity. She had and the spiel continued - "we're 13 % cheaper thatn ESB blah blah". While this was going on his accomplice had opened our meterbox and was taking notes (of the reading I presume). Saleman number one asked for an ESB bill and was phoning up the ESB on his mobile to transfer our account there and then.
At this stage I came to the door and said could he give us a leaflet and we would think about it. He said they were only around for the evening and would call back later to us.

Of course he didn't call back but this form of pressure selling (not to mention reaidng your meter without permission cannot be ethical or legal)

Anyone else seen them. This was in the Ballincollig area of Cork. Beware if they come to your door.

Their form of selling would put me off the company for ever more regardless of price.

thejuggler

I had an unpleasant experience with two 'pushy' salesman from Airtricity who called to my door last evening. My other half answered the door to be asked if she had heard of Airtricity. She had and the spiel continued - "we're 13 % cheaper thatn ESB blah blah". While this was going on his accomplice had opened our meterbox and was taking notes (of the reading I presume). Saleman number one asked for an ESB bill and was phoning up the ESB on his mobile to transfer our account there and then.
At this stage I came to the door and said could he give us a leaflet and we would think about it. He said they were only around for the evening and would call back later to us.

Of course he didn't call back but this form of pressure selling (not to mention reading your meter without permission cannot be ethical or legal)

Anyone else seen them? This was in the Ballincollig area of Cork. Beware if they come to your door.

Their form of selling would put me off the company for ever more regardless of price.

Fnergg

I would complain to the Commission for Energy Regulation about such tactics if I were you. You can email them here:

http://www.energycustomers.ie/contact_us/index.aspx

Regards,

Fnergg

Fnergg

I would complain to the Commission for Energy Regulation about such tactics if I were you. You can email them here:

http://www.energycustomers.ie/contact_us/index.aspx

Regards,

Fnergg

calex71

Problem here is in this country folks are just too polite to folks that call to the door. Theres no need to be nasty but we should not let ourselves be bullied at our front door for the sake of politeness.

dotsman

To be honest, I would complain to Airtricity first to see what their response is. These "salesmen" might not be directly employed by Airtricity who, in turn, might not be aware that this is going on.

I'd only go to the regulator if Airtricity's response is unsatisfactory.

Sponge Bob

You gave them the meter number so they made their sale and you are probably now an airtricity customer .

If you want to change back then contact www.cer.ie and complain , they will say you should follow a complaints procedure but if you are not an airtricity customer then there is no reason why you should is there ??

dudara

thejuggler - Please refrain from posting in multiple threads about this issue.

I will split your posts out from this thread and merge them with the other thread you created.

dudara

thejuggler

Sponge Bob wrote: »

You gave them the meter number so they made their sale and you are probably now an airtricity customer .

If you want to change back then contact www.cer.ie and complain , they will say you should follow a complaints procedure but if you are not an airtricity customer then there is no reason why you should is there ??

I didn't give them anything. They opened the meter box without permission. They wanted me to give them an esb bill and request the ESB to change over by phone which I refused.

They can hardly switch me over without even knowing my name.

I have complained to both airtricity and CER.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Sponge Bob wrote: »

You gave them the meter number so they made their sale and you are probably now an airtricity customer .

If you want to change back then contact www.cer.ie and complain , they will say you should follow a complaints procedure but if you are not an airtricity customer then there is no reason why you should is there ??

I hardly think they'll switch you over without some payment arrangements being made.

Fnergg

Cheyenne Defeated Thesaurus wrote: »

I hardly think they'll switch you over without some payment arrangements being made.

You'd be surprised.

When the electricity market first opened to small and medium businesses Airtricity employed door to door salespeople to get customers to switch.

Some of these salespeople were unscrupulous. Many customers complained that after expressing only mild interest to the salesperson, or offering to think some more about it, the found themselves getting closing accounts from the ESB. When they queried why their accounts were closed they were told they had switched to Airtricity much to the surprise of the customers themselves.

I udnerstand that the Regulator had to warn Airtricity - who, in fairness, did not (and do not) countenance such behaviour - at the time about the tactics of some of their salespeople and the situation improved after that.

The same thing happened in the UK in the early days of competition there. Salespeople were employing all sorts of tricks to get customers to switch. Again, OFGEM, the UK Regulator had to warn the companies concerned.

There is a risk for companies using such people. They are probably paid per customer sign-up so the danger is that some of them will employ underhand tactics to increase their hit rate.

So, be very wary if they come to your house. By all means sign up if you are happy with the offering but otherwise don't commit to anything and certainly don't sign any form if you do not wish to switch.

Regards,

Fnergg

Mrs H

I had a similar experience to thejuggler. So beware people! There were two salesmen in the Swords area of Dublin on Monday August 10th. So they may be doing the rounds this week. I usually avoid opening the door to strangers but I happened to be standing at my porch and one of the salesmen was peering through the glass panel, ringing my doorbell while banging on the door! I felt I had to open the door and was so sorry I did.

The fella was very pushy and straightaway launched into his boring sales pitch ''13 percent less than ESB'' etc. I could not have looked less interested if I tried. But he carried on regardless and asked if I had an ESB bill handy. I was a bit taken aback by that. I don't usually show random strangers my bills. When I said I didn't have one handy he told me to go and look for one and he'd call back later! He asked what time would suit and even though I said I had a baby so 'was very busy', he said he'd be there at about 6pm/7pm. At this stage I was closing the door in his face and didn't think he would call back. But he did. He was there at 6pm banging my door down, and did the same again at 7pm while I dived into my kitchen. (I wish I had remembered to close the curtains) I was a bit freaked out the second time and felt it was very aggressive behaviour. I just wish I had been more pushy myself and told him I wasn't interested. But I guess it's an irish thing. We are too polite to tell sales people to go away sometimes.

Dan133269

Mrs H wrote: »

I had a similar experience to thejuggler. So beware people! There were two salesmen in the Swords area of Dublin on Monday August 10th. So they may be doing the rounds this week. I usually avoid opening the door to strangers but I happened to be standing at my porch and one of the salesmen was peering through the glass panel, ringing my doorbell while banging on the door! I felt I had to open the door and was so sorry I did.

The fella was very pushy and straightaway launched into his boring sales pitch ''13 percent less than ESB'' etc. I could not have looked less interested if I tried. But he carried on regardless and asked if I had an ESB bill handy. I was a bit taken aback by that. I don't usually show random strangers my bills. When I said I didn't have one handy he told me to go and look for one and he'd call back later! He asked what time would suit and even though I said I had a baby so 'was very busy', he said he'd be there at about 6pm/7pm. At this stage I was closing the door in his face and didn't think he would call back. But he did. He was there at 6pm banging my door down, and did the same again at 7pm while I dived into my kitchen. (I wish I had remembered to close the curtains) I was a bit freaked out the second time and felt it was very aggressive behaviour. I just wish I had been more pushy myself and told him I wasn't interested. But I guess it's an irish thing. We are too polite to tell sales people to go away sometimes.

jesus christ these are salespeople not hired mercenaries. I live with the folks but if I had my own place or if they were bothering us I would deal with it. Explain them in a firm manner that you are not interested and you do not want them to come back to your house. If they return in blatant disregard of your instruction, this is trespass and they are criminally liable. There is no 2 ways about it. If that situation were to arise and if I was in a particularly bad mood, I would go straight out and punch that person square in the face forcing him to leave my property. Simple as. If more people did this, then these intrusive salespeople wouldn't get away with it as much.

Mrs H

Dan133269 wrote: »

jesus christ these are salespeople not hired mercenaries. I live with the folks but if I had my own place or if they were bothering us I would deal with it. Explain them in a firm manner that you are not interested and you do not want them to come back to your house. If they return in blatant disregard of your instruction, this is trespass and they are criminally liable. There is no 2 ways about it. If that situation were to arise and if I was in a particularly bad mood, I would go straight out and punch that person square in the face forcing him to leave my property. Simple as. If more people did this, then these intrusive salespeople wouldn't get away with it as much.

I am merely up here to warn people not open their doors to them. These sales people are pests. I am not saying they are evil criminals or anything. But they are annoying.

And I am sure if they call to your parents house one day, you will be as irritated as I was by their behaviour. Although as you are not the bill payer they probably won't be bothered talking to you. It's your parents they will want to talk to.

dudara

Dan133269 boards cannot tolerate the advocation of physical violence. Please refrain from making such comments in future.

dudara

Cabaal

These door to door salesmen actually don't work for Airtricity directly and actually are a third party sales company which just does door to door stuff.

Basically one week they are selling Airtricity the next Eircom, while this doesn't mean Airtricity is free from any problems with how the sales people operate it is worth knowing

Elessar

Yeah one of these a**holes called to my door yesterday evening. Ignorant, cheeky b*stard. I live at home and my mother doesn't take crap from these salesmen so she told him where to go. He left laughing to himself, but in a way which you know he was defeated. One of these holier-than-thou people.

Cabaal

Lads these are door to door sales people, they are not hard to get rid of or to tell them your not interested.

Its not rocket science.

Thoie

Mrs H wrote: »

I just wish I had been more pushy myself and told him I wasn't interested. But I guess it's an irish thing. We are too polite to tell sales people to go away sometimes.

No thank you, I'm not interested, now if you'll excuse me <close door>

That's not being pushy, it's simple, to the point, and polite. There's no need to swear or shout at sales people. A smile and a "No thanks" is all it takes. Honestly, I'm thinking of taking up door-to-door selling of "No thank you" signs - I reckon I could sell loads.

Scottie99

Seems one of our friends had one of these salesmen at the door(Navan). When she said no and tried to close the door, he put his foot in the door.:eek: He then said he'd call back.

Thoie

Scottie99 wrote: »

Seems one of our friends had one of these salesmen at the door(Navan). When she no and tried to close the door, he put his foot in the door.:eek: He then said he'd call back.

My door is very heavy. While in the normal course of events I'm all for the politeness, I do have to admit that the last person to do that to me (a political canvasser, not a salesman) got the door slammed on his foot. Normal social conventions work both ways.

Longstaff

The Airtricity door-to-door guys are offering households the opportunity to save 13% on energy bills while lowering your carbon footprint.

If you people took as much time listening to what they had to say rather then whining about them on the internet you might actually realise that they are there to help you and the planet.

If you want to continue paying ESB more to burn fossil fuels that's your business but advertising your stupidity by denegrating the messenger is just plain sad.

These guys work on commission only and it's very tough job thanks to people like you.

dirtynosebeps

Longstaff wrote: »

The Airtricity door-to-door guys are offering households the opportunity to save 13% on energy bills while lowering your carbon footprint.

If you people took as much time listening to what they had to say rather then whining about them on the internet you might actually realise that they are there to help you and the planet.

If you want to continue paying ESB more to burn fossil fuels that's your business but advertising your stupidity by denegrating the messenger is just plain sad.

These guys work on commission only and it's very tough job thanks to people like you.

most people dont have a problem with these reps trying to earn a living ,what we do have a problem with is the understanding or lack of ,of the word NO. i haven't had the pleasure of the airtricity crowd calling but i've bad experiences of H20. if you say NO to alot of these reps they seem to take it personally and their tone changes straight away and in my case i was on the verge of calling the guards to get this particular rep out of my house.
now judging from whats been said maybe thats what needs to be done. these guys go around the housing estates. so if they being pushy kindly ask them to leave, if they dont call the gurds and explain that whats after happening (they're basically trespassing after being asked to leave). i'm sure they'll be close by when the guards come a calling.

Rev. Kitchen

Dan133269 wrote: »

jesus christ these are salespeople not hired mercenaries. I live with the folks but if I had my own place or if they were bothering us I would deal with it. Explain them in a firm manner that you are not interested and you do not want them to come back to your house. If they return in blatant disregard of your instruction, this is trespass and they are criminally liable. There is no 2 ways about it. If that situation were to arise and if I was in a particularly bad mood, I would go straight out and punch that person square in the face forcing him to leave my property. Simple as. If more people did this, then these intrusive salespeople wouldn't get away with it as much.

And end up in prison as assault is still a crime it makes no difference if you own the grass under your feet or not.

Cabaal

Dan133269 wrote: »

I would go straight out and punch that person square in the face forcing him to leave my property. Simple as. If more people did this, then these intrusive salespeople wouldn't get away with it as much.

Plain and simple your extremely foolish to think such an action is legal, the law will be very much against you if you assault someone like this

Regardless of what you may personally believe you'd be a complete and utter idiot to do this to anyone, the only thing it will land you is a criminal record as you can be assured that the company who employee's the sales rep will press charges as well as the employee themselves

farney

It seems door to door sales are increasing. Some of these people are quite agressive and pushy, I have heard of elderly people who agreed to buy something just to get rid of them.

Its important for people to know that there is a cooling off period for such purchases/contracts. If you sign up for something where a salesperson called to your door out of the blue then you can cancel the sale/contract without giving a reason within 7 days, even if you have received the product.

To avoid any problems later make sure you put the cancellation in writing. This doesn't apply in cases where you responded to a flyer/ad and invited them to your home.

bcirl03

Longstaff wrote: »

The Airtricity door-to-door guys are offering households the opportunity to save 13% on energy bills while lowering your carbon footprint.

If you people took as much time listening to what they had to say rather then whining about them on the internet you might actually realise that they are there to help you and the planet.

If you want to continue paying ESB more to burn fossil fuels that's your business but advertising your stupidity by denegrating the messenger is just plain sad.

These guys work on commission only and it's very tough job thanks to people like you.

Do you work for Airtricity?

Eurorunner

Door to door sales should be banned pure and simple. If people have a need for something, they will surely get themselves the shops/phone/web and go and buy it.

GerardKeating

Longstaff wrote: »

The Airtricity door-to-door guys are offering households the opportunity to save 13% on energy bills while lowering your carbon footprint.

If you people took as much time listening to what they had to say rather then whining about them on the internet you might actually realise that they are there to help you and the planet.

If you want to continue paying ESB more to burn fossil fuels that's your business but advertising your stupidity by denegrating the messenger is just plain sad.

These guys work on commission only and it's very tough job thanks to people like you.

Did you actually read the origional post, the issue is not the concept of Door to Door sellers, it was the unethical and pushy actions of the sellers in question...

Tim M-U

I have heard of this with Eircom Phonewatch too! i think its the same croud your dealin with (a sales company).

I have switched to Airtricity and very happy with the service, im saving and being good for the environment!!!!:pac::pac::pac:!!


so dont look at Airtricity that way, Airtricity dont know if the sales persons are being pushy!

di2772

I had 2 pushy Airtricity salesmen out the other day. I said i wasnt interested but they didnt seem to want to leave. They just walked in.

I was going to smack them, but then i had a better idea.

I said we keep the bills and stuff in the garage, come on out. I got them out in the garden going towards the garage, turned around and locked the back door and went into the living room to watch tv.

They knocked on the back door and windows for about 45 minutes and got no response. Eventually had to go through the trees and and the muck and over the back wall. Im sure their lovely suits were ruined. I doubt they'll be back.

I love messing with salesmen. They are scum is all.

PCPhoto

di2772 wrote: »

I had 2 pushy Airtricity salesmen out the other day. I said i wasnt interested but they didnt seem to want to leave. They just walked in.

I was going to smack them, but then i had a better idea.

I said we keep the bills and stuff in the garage, come on out. I got them out in the garden going towards the garage, turned around and locked the back door and went into the living room to watch tv.

They knocked on the back door and windows for about 45 minutes and got no response. Eventually had to go through the trees and and the muck and over the back wall. Im sure their lovely suits were ruined. I doubt they'll be back.

I love messing with salesmen. They are scum is all.

are you trolling?

Tim M-U

Hi di2772,

The salesmen always are around in big citys/areas, I think its a company which are paid by eircom phonewatch and the likes...

So don't look at Airtricity like that, Airtricity are great! i save and a get a lower carbon number on change.ie!

I dont work for airtricity, just use em!

Ian Beale

Here's how you get rid of the pushy salesmen that go around for airtricity and eircom,

For airtricity " I've already switched to Bord Gais"
For eircom " I already have an auto dialler that cost me less then your installation fee never mind the savings I'm making by not having to pay a subscription fee every month for it" /Close door

di2772

Tim M-U wrote: »

Hi di2772,

The salesmen always are around in big citys/areas, I think its a company which are paid by eircom phonewatch and the likes...

So don't look at Airtricity like that, Airtricity are great! i save and a get a lower carbon number on change.ie!

I dont work for airtricity, just use em!

They were Airtricity salesmen. Doesnt matter what other company they worked for, they came to my door under the Airtricity name. Thats who i blame.
If Airtricity dont want to be a ssociated with them, dont hire them.
The buck stops with Airtricity on this one. No point trying to pass off the blame.

I have switched to Bord Gais by the way.

Tim M-U

di2772 wrote: »

I had 2 pushy Airtricity salesmen out the other day. I said i wasnt interested but they didnt seem to want to leave. They just walked in.

I was going to smack them, but then i had a better idea.

I said we keep the bills and stuff in the garage, come on out. I got them out in the garden going towards the garage, turned around and locked the back door and went into the living room to watch tv.

They knocked on the back door and windows for about 45 minutes and got no response. Eventually had to go through the trees and and the muck and over the back wall. Im sure their lovely suits were ruined. I doubt they'll be back.

I love messing with salesmen. They are scum is all.

did they look like they were trav*****?

di2772

Tim M-U wrote: »

did they look like they were trav*****?

Not Unless the travellers are going around with Airtricity Ids nowadays and asking for bills.

Are you sure you're not an Airtricity salesman. You sound like one.

bungler

dotsman wrote: »

To be honest, I would complain to Airtricity first to see what their response is. These "salesmen" might not be directly employed by Airtricity who, in turn, might not be aware that this is going on.

I'd only go to the regulator if Airtricity's response is unsatisfactory.

they are not employeed by Airtricity,they are employeed by one of these promotion companies wont mention their name, but they are ONLY paid on commission so they will do anything for the sale

ring the CER and complain

di2772

bungler wrote: »

they are not employeed by Airtricity,they are employeed by one of these promotion companies wont mention their name, but they are ONLY paid on commission so they will do anything for the sale

ring the CER and complain

So then Airtricity should stop paying them then. The buck stops with Airtricity. Use different companies to sell your product.

bungler

di2772 wrote: »

So then Airtricity should stop paying them then. The buck stops with Airtricity. Use different companies to sell your product.

just hire people who are decent not jockstraps who will do anything for the sale,but as you said the buck stops with them and if they are bad management then itsd going to pass on to the reps

eamon234

Longstaff wrote: »

The Airtricity door-to-door guys are offering households the opportunity to save 13% on energy bills while lowering your carbon footprint.

If you people took as much time listening to what they had to say rather then whining about them on the internet you might actually realise that they are there to help you and the planet.

If you want to continue paying ESB more to burn fossil fuels that's your business but advertising your stupidity by denegrating the messenger is just plain sad.

These guys work on commission only and it's very tough job thanks to people like you.

I have a forest I don't need to lower my carbon footprint
Also worth noting that both Airtricity and Bord Gais buy most of their electricity wholesale from the ESB.

Bill-e

Haha, a good friend of mine just got a job with these guys. He has to go door to door and all that. He's a very sound and outgoing guy and I couldn't imagine him being an as$hole about it. Think they have to make 4 to 5 sales from about 100 houses a day just to beat minimum wage rates.
Not the kind of job I could ever do!

Sleipnir

Longstaff wrote: »

If you people took as much time listening to what they had to say rather then whining about them on the internet you might actually realise that they are there to help you and the planet.

Door-to-door salesmen are not there to help me and the planet. They are there to make money and nothing else.

corkproducers

Here's the easiest way to get rid of them.

Tell them that you, or the mrs., is working for either the esb or bord gais,

and that you're getting a staff discount.

They wouldnt be long moving on to the next door, trust me.

Lemlin

One called to my door and I simply opened it, told him I wasn't interested and closed it. I heard him mutter something about "you must have already switched then" as I closed it. The whole event took all of thirty seconds.

I hate people doing door-to-door calls. Even charity people or canvassers at elections. If I want to give money to charity/vote for a particular political party/change my energy provider, I'll research it and do it myself. My mind won't be swayed by some idiot calling to my door.

Recently I saw one of these callers in my area taking a list of what people were home and at what times. When he called to my door, I took his card and told him I'd be giving it to the guards. I'm sure he had a laugh about it and thought it was funny but it really angered me - these salesmen shouldn't be walking around taking down lists of when people are in their homes.

annoyed001

di2772 wrote: »

I had 2 pushy Airtricity salesmen out the other day. I said i wasnt interested but they didnt seem to want to leave. They just walked in.

I was going to smack them, but then i had a better idea.

I said we keep the bills and stuff in the garage, come on out. I got them out in the garden going towards the garage, turned around and locked the back door and went into the living room to watch tv.

They knocked on the back door and windows for about 45 minutes and got no response. Eventually had to go through the trees and and the muck and over the back wall. Im sure their lovely suits were ruined. I doubt they'll be back.

I love messing with salesmen. They are scum is all.

I dont like that company either and good one with the garden and stuff.
But while I would never accept that behaviour. Its a little harsh to call all salespeople scum. I sell services door to door and our company sticks to very high standards with regards to calling to doors. The main one is one call only once unless otherwise requested. But thanks for telling me that after loosing my job and taking up a sales job to feed my family by working 60 hours a week, that I am now scum. Cheers
ps. What do you do.

AlekSmart

The Airtricity door-to-door guys are offering households the opportunity to save 13% on energy bills while lowering your carbon footprint.

If you people took as much time listening to what they had to say rather then whining about them on the internet you might actually realise that they are there to help you and the planet.

If you want to continue paying ESB more to burn fossil fuels that's your business but advertising your stupidity by denegrating the messenger is just plain sad.

These guys work on commission only and it's very tough job thanks to people like you.

Longstaff may well be correct in his belief that these D2D`s are acting in our communal best-interests BUT if I do not wish to partake of their munificence then my POLITE "No Thank You" should suffice.

In my case it did not, and I was subjected to a continuing attempt to sell their wares.

I`d be quite happy to pay a 13% premium to keep these people away from my door.
I already have recieved mail-shots.
I can view the company`s print media adverts.
Watch their TV spots AND visit their Web Site should I WISH to avail of their services.

That should be enough......or do I sense some form of panic ?

annoyed001

AlekSmart wrote: »

Longstaff may well be correct in his belief that these D2D`s are acting in our communal best-interests BUT if I do not wish to partake of their munificence then my POLITE "No Thank You" should suffice.

In my case it did not, and I was subjected to a continuing attempt to sell their wares.

I`d be quite happy to pay a 13% premium to keep these people away from my door.
I already have recieved mail-shots.
I can view the company`s print media adverts.
Watch their TV spots AND visit their Web Site should I WISH to avail of their ser
That should be enough......or do I sense some form of panic ?

there is a certain insurance co that really p's me off even do i go door to door myself. i think 8.30 should be the cut off by law. A guy frightened the life out of my wife last week at 9.45. crazy

Lemlin

annoyed001 wrote: »

I dont like that company either and good one with the garden and stuff.
But while I would never accept that behaviour. Its a little harsh to call all salespeople scum. I sell services door to door and our company sticks to very high standards with regards to calling to doors. The main one is one call only once unless otherwise requested. But thanks for telling me that after loosing my job and taking up a sales job to feed my family by working 60 hours a week, that I am now scum. Cheers
ps. What do you do.

Why not just call to someone if they ring and request it? Surely if someone wishes to order your product (whatever it may be), they can look up your website, advertising, promotional flyers etc. and contact your office if they're interested.

di2772

annoyed001 wrote: »

there is a certain insurance co that really p's me off even do i go door to door myself. i think 8.30 should be the cut off by law. A guy frightened the life out of my wife last week at 9.45. crazy

There should be a law like in the US where if you put up a sign saying "No Soliciting", then they cannot knock on your door.

stepbar

Lemlin wrote: »

Why not just call to someone if they ring and request it? Surely if someone wishes to order your product (whatever it may be), they can look up your website, advertising, promotional flyers etc. and contact your office if they're interested.

Because people don't work that way Lemlin. Some people aren't as proactive as you would be. It's called inertia. If companies didn't go out and look for sales, most would have probably folded long ago.