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Watch Out! Airtricity about....

  • 10-11-2010 11:23am
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 516 ✭✭✭


    Wait till yous here this; over the last few months Airtricity sales reps have called at my door 3 times.
    1st time….It was a young guy and after my rejection, he left with a very sad look on him (I felt sorry for him) No Problem

    2nd time…A young girl with a young guy called. The girl gave me the “special offer for my area” talk. But after I said “no thank you” she told me she “just couldn’t under stand why I did not want to save money”…After I said no thank you 4 times I asked her to leave….(heres the good bit)…She said as soon as I give her the account No. from my ESB bill she would leave….I refused….She then turned to the young chap and started laughing out load and said to him “do you hear your man”, Then the two off then left laughing away…I wasn’t laughing.

    Theres more…..

    3rd time…The other night at about 8ish a girl called at the door from Airtricity. My wife answered and received the same story. She politely declined. She was asked did she want to save 20% off her Esb and gas bill. That if we signed up for 1 year we would get 10% of electricity and 10% off our gas..But hold on my wife said that’s not 20% that’s 10%! No no she said 20%.. So we used the example::
    Gas bill €100 with 10% off = €10 Elect bill €100 with 10% off= €10
    Total bill saving €20 from €200 = 10% …RIGHT ?..No… she still insisted it was 20%.
    She said she couldn’t understand how we didn’t want to save. (As it turns out we signed up board gas under a similar deal) but we didn’t tell her that…
    And by the way she was rude.

    I was just thinking is this legal or is this not offering a deal under false pretence , I mean can sales reps just say anything to get you to sign up?
    What if you where maybe elderly or perhaps not quick enough to cop on to this ?


«13456

Comments

  • Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional South East Moderators Posts: 28,536 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cabaal


    These people are not employed by Airtricity and instead are employed by a third party company, like any sales reps they will lie to get a sale. This goes for telecoms and energy companys.

    Easiest way to get rid of them is just say your with the company already or plain and simple your not interested and close the door.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 16,713 ✭✭✭✭jor el


    I'm already with Airtricity.

    For electric and gas?

    Yes.

    OK, bye.

    <closes door>.

    Simples.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 20,373 ✭✭✭✭foggy_lad


    jor el wrote: »
    I'm already with Airtricity.

    For electric and gas?

    Yes.

    OK, bye.

    <closes door>.

    Simples.
    i have had them ask for my account number to "check all was well with my account" when i told them i was already with airtricity!


  • Hosted Moderators Posts: 10,661 ✭✭✭✭John Mason


    Just say "no, thank you"

    and close the door - dont bother getting into whys and why nots

    i had bloody eircom at my day again last night, transaction took 15 seconds -

    i opened the door, seen the clipboards and eircom jackets - said "no thank you" closed the door and that was that.

    i really dont understand why people are getting in such a knot about it.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 16,713 ✭✭✭✭jor el


    foggy_lad wrote: »
    i have had them ask for my account number to "check all was well with my account" when i told them i was already with airtricity!

    I would tell them, in no uncertain terms, to Fook right off, if they asked me for those details.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,306 ✭✭✭Zamboni


    jor el wrote: »
    I would tell them, in no uncertain terms, to Fook right off, if they asked me for those details.

    Whilst I do appreciate manners, I completely agree with this.
    I don't understand why people feel the need to even enter into conversation with these leeches.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,619 ✭✭✭✭coylemj


    Have had Airtricity three times also, first was a nice young Indian/Pakistani 19-20 year old, I politely told him no, next was the young couple and third was a bloke by himself. Getting tired of them now to be honest.

    Most weird caller was a fellow trying to sign me up for Vodafone, I told him (truthfully) that I was already a customer.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,669 ✭✭✭Colonel Sanders


    robust wrote: »
    I was just thinking is this legal or is this not offering a deal under false pretence , I mean can sales reps just say anything to get you to sign up?
    What if you where maybe elderly or perhaps not quick enough to cop on to this ?

    I used to have an MBNA credit card. Whenever I rang to query my account they tried to get me to sign up for payment protection. On many occasions they lied to me about things (I work in insurance).

    Have only ever lost the rag with a sales person, someone from Eircom a few years back


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,619 ✭✭✭✭coylemj


    I used to have an MBNA credit card. Whenever I rang to query my account they tried to get me to sign up for payment protection. On many occasions they lied to me about things (I work in insurance).

    MBNA, now there's a company that puts the rest in the ha'penny place, they have to be the Ryanair of the world of financial services.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 62 ✭✭fe1ready


    What I don't understand is how they know that we're not customers.

    Two called to my mother's house a few weeks back and as soon as I saw them I immediately said ''Oh, Im already a customer'' (as I am in my own home). They looked at me bewildered. There was a long pause as if they knew something I didn't. My mother is with ESB.

    Maybe I was just imagining it :o


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 22,565 ✭✭✭✭Tallon


    NTL keeps calling to my sisters house.. Guess who she has internet & BB with?

    She just points to the telly and says nothing. It usually takes them a while, sometimes they leave more confused than when they started


    They are the henchmen of the devil himself


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 10,272 ✭✭✭✭Max Power1


    fe1ready wrote: »
    What I don't understand is how they know that we're not customers.

    Two called to my mother's house a few weeks back and as soon as I saw them I immediately said ''Oh, Im already a customer'' (as I am in my own home). They looked at me bewildered. There was a long pause as if they knew something I didn't. My mother is with ESB.

    Maybe I was just imagining it :o
    They wouldnt know.

    They (the reps) are given areas, addresses and mprn numbers from the (available to all suppliers) esb extranet database to target. These MPRN numbers (as they are taken from the common database) do not include any details with regards to supplier details.


    (disclaimer, I am not employed with, on behalf of, or have any other association with, airtricity. I am currently an electricity customer of theirs but thats all :) )


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,797 ✭✭✭✭Exclamation Marc


    I'm friends with someone who used to work for one of these sales companies who represent some power and some television companies

    The revolving door of employment in them is ridiculous, I'd say the average duration of staff employment is close to a month at most. They work on commission on top of an extremely basic salary and basically will tell you whatever they can to make the sale.

    They're absolute hounds at the best of times and as you said they rarely take no for an answer. They literally get sent to areas and are told to go from door to door throughout the whole estate and "sell like they were saving up for a kidney" (is what my friend said was the supervisors ethos)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,611 ✭✭✭✭Sam Vimes


    coylemj wrote: »
    MBNA, now there's a company that puts the rest in the ha'penny place, they have to be the Ryanair of the world of financial services.

    And I just signed up for a Ryanair MBNA credit card so I'm doubly fooked :D

    They keep asking me about payment protection too


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,842 ✭✭✭Micilin Muc


    These reps have no idea about who Airtricity's customers are. Since I signed up I have had 5 visits from various reps, including the rep who originally signed me up.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 440 ✭✭towger


    If I'm already with Bord Gais for Gas and Electricity, are there any savings to get from switching to Airtricity ?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 365 ✭✭Cerdito


    Before the days of deregulation of the electricity market in Ireland I did three days at this with N-Power, in Scotland.

    It was the shadiest job ever, you were encouraged to be economical with the truth and exaggerate savings etc. (much like the 10%/20% example above). I remember one of the team leaders who was training me signing up a doddery old woman who didn't really know what was going on.

    To get into tenement/flat buildings you were told to say: "Just checking up on your gas and electricity supply" into the intercom - a nice vague phrase to get the door opened.

    All pay was commission based. Back at the office was like being in a cult. You had to learn chants and if you sold 4 or more "pieces" (contracts) in a day, you go to ring an actual bell and run around the room high-fiving everyone.

    I left on the 3rd day, surprised I stuck it that long.

    I know competition is great and that, but the minute I heard of deregulation of the market in Ireland I thought: Here come the door-to-door brigade!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 335 ✭✭Redderneck


    Irish people need to learn that it costs nothing to smile, say firmly 'not interested, goodbye' then close the door. A second, friendly 'goodbye' as the door closes is all that is required. Both parties have wasted minimal time. Nobody's stressed. Everyone gets one with their day.

    FWIW, as a college student I worked telesales for a stint in the US, following on the deregulation of their telecoms market. Long time ago.

    You would not believe the levels of apathy people feel when it comes to their utilities provision. Even when you've been ridden sidesaddle for donkeys, with high prices propping up inefficient business practices and subsidising heavily unionised wages & perks; the vast majority of consumers are too lazy to do anything about saving themselves a few quid.

    This is why the new entrants to the market have to use the Direct Sales route. If they did not, then they would not sign up enough consumers in time for them to be able to survive, let alone thrive as alternative providers/businesses.

    It'd be nice not to have Direct Sales operations - but until people become more proactive about shopping around in general, don't hold your breath.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,072 ✭✭✭pjmn


    Having suffered this type of approach from countless vendors down through the years I've adopted the following approach...

    a) I always have an old Argos catelogue on the hall table...

    b) Once they start their pitch, I grab catelogue, advise them I'm delighted they called as I just happen to have a special offer on at the moment, offer will depend totally on where I open the catelogue; down through the years I've 'offered' specials on lawn mowers, jewellery, watches, bathroom & bedroom furniture...

    c) Neither pitch ever lasts longer than 30 seconds, before they make their excuses and leave...

    {It would appear 'word is out' insofar as I appear to get far less door to door calls than my immediate neighbours...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 516 ✭✭✭robust


    If I'm already with Bord Gais for Gas and Electricity, are there any savings to get from switching to Airtricity ?
    I'm sure a few hundred door to door sales reps could be arranged to call at your door.(Do you want to open that pandoras box?)

    b) Once they start their pitch, I grab catelogue, advise them I'm delighted they called as I just happen to have a special offer on at the moment, offer will depend totally on where I open the catelogue; down through the years I've 'offered' specials on lawn mowers, jewellery, watches, bathroom & bedroom furniture...


    :D I like this...I'm going to try it.

    Irish people need to learn that it costs nothing to smile, say firmly 'not interested, goodbye' then close the door. A second, friendly 'goodbye' as the door closes is all that is required. Both parties have wasted minimal time. Nobody's stressed. Everyone gets one with their day.

    Yes a good idea, but hard to do, when faced with an itch it's had not to scratch it.;)

    I have got a great one for telesales....I tell them Im just on the way to the toilet and have a bad dose of the scutters. I have heard them laughing out loud on the other end of the line....:D


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,797 ✭✭✭✭Exclamation Marc


    Redderneck wrote: »
    Irish people need to learn that it costs nothing to smile, say firmly 'not interested, goodbye' then close the door. A second, friendly 'goodbye' as the door closes is all that is required. Both parties have wasted minimal time. Nobody's stressed. Everyone gets one with their day.

    That only works if both sides act like that. It's the people who are nice to door-to-door salespeople that are barraged with crap.

    If you politely say no thanks, goodybe then they generally push you harder and keep at you, and call back weeks later knowing your nice.

    Whereas if you're a bit dismissive, they get the message.

    I'd know how to smile and I know it costs nothing but it invites salespeople to continue on, which I don't want. When they learn to take a simple no with a smile for an answer, thats all I'll give :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,597 ✭✭✭dan1895


    Cerdito wrote: »
    Before the days of deregulation of the electricity market in Ireland I did three days at this with N-Power, in Scotland.

    It was the shadiest job ever, you were encouraged to be economical with the truth and exaggerate savings etc. (much like the 10%/20% example above). I remember one of the team leaders who was training me signing up a doddery old woman who didn't really know what was going on.

    To get into tenement/flat buildings you were told to say: "Just checking up on your gas and electricity supply" into the intercom - a nice vague phrase to get the door opened.

    All pay was commission based. Back at the office was like being in a cult. You had to learn chants and if you sold 4 or more "pieces" (contracts) in a day, you go to ring an actual bell and run around the room high-fiving everyone.

    I left on the 3rd day, surprised I stuck it that long.

    I know competition is great and that, but the minute I heard of deregulation of the market in Ireland I thought: Here come the door-to-door brigade!

    Did this myself for an Australian company. Hi-fives and bell ringing and going to meetings for hours you weren't gettin paid for. That Cobra shower have a lot to answer for.


  • Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 32,286 Mod ✭✭✭✭The_Conductor


    towger wrote: »
    If I'm already with Bord Gais for Gas and Electricity, are there any savings to get from switching to Airtricity ?

    Keep the electricity with Bord Gais and switch your gas over to Flogas. Maximise your discounts, without tying yourself into any contract (the Airtricity contract is particularly onerus)

    S.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 159 ✭✭JayMul


    Last year after just moving into a new house I heard a ring at door. I was upstairs in bed at the time so I popped my head out the window and the guy at the door looks up and says electricity. I said ok and made my downstairs to let him in so he could check the meters, he then starts giving me a pitch and I'm like hang on a sec I thought you were the electricity guy. He precedes to tell me he's from Airtricity and asks who I'm with? I'm tell him Bord Gais, he then wants to see my bill at this stage completely confuzzled (I was a bit sleepy) I went in and got the bill, let him have a quick glance and then was like why you want to see my bill?

    He then starts saying I can sign up right there and then for amazing discounts if I just give my bank account details. I woke the f**k up and I nearly lost it at this stage, sales-guy standing in my living room asking to see my s**t so I just ushered him out politely (and quickly) out of the house.

    I was enraged and rang Airtricity to complain and find out if he was legit. Also it turns out the meter is actually outside our gaff as per all new houses :rolleyes:


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 831 ✭✭✭bungler


    They have been known to sign people up without them even knowing. A friend of mine said they called to his door and he said he wasnt interested.

    Becuase his meter was on the front of the house they took down his serial number,found out his MPRN and signed him up to Airtricity on a cheque payment basis and he had no idea.

    There was murder when he got an Airtricity bill.

    Bunch of total gangsters


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,061 ✭✭✭10-10-20


    I was effectively being HARASSED by Airtricity. So much so that I had to call them up and threaten to contact a solicitor.
    I was getting callers from them day after day, sometimes in pairs. Some were very pushy and practically scoffed at me for not accepting their offer. It was funny at first, then maddening. I started being rude to the callers, so I decided to call Airtricty them not to approach my house any more. I haven't had a caller since.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,610 ✭✭✭Padraig Mor


    Airtricity really need to cop on. I'm so sick of their (many) lying salespeople that, even if they were cheaper, I wouldn't switch to them! Actually had one guy roll his eyes at me and say that if I didn't want to save money there must be something wrong with me. Same guy blatantly lied that Airtricity customers didn't have to pay carbon tax, but other suppliers did.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 16,096 ✭✭✭✭the groutch


    a good trick to use on them is the old "now's not a good time, give me your home phone number and I'll ring you later while you're having you dinner"


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 846 ✭✭✭tantipie


    I think I'm being harrassed by them!!
    Well not lately but for months they were constantly at my door.
    I like the post about the Argos catalog may try that one:)


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 462 ✭✭elgriff


    I recently did the door to door thing in dublin and couldnt stand it! There is some rubbish being talked in this thread though. We did have the info of who people's suppliers were, so when people said "we already use you", we knew it was 99% not true (note it was not airtricity I worked for).
    Anyone said no to me (or any of the people i worked with), I just said thanks for your time. If someone is not interested from the outset, it is easier just to keep moving. You only sign up about 1 person per 50 houses. Someone said the average time to last is one month and they were bang on, i was gone after 3 weeks! door to door a crap job.
    The worst kind of person to deal with was people who would stand and chat/listen for ten minutes and have no intention of changing! if you are not interested, i dont understand salespeople who try to get pushy (though I do believe it happens).
    If someone calls to my door and I'm not interested, I just say no, thanks and close the door. If they get pushy from there, then you can tell them where to go. One other tip - if someone had a sign up saying "no unsolicited calls", we wouldnt call in.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,797 ✭✭✭✭Exclamation Marc


    elgriff wrote: »
    Anyone said no to me (or any of the people i worked with), I just said thanks for your time.

    You're clearly (and unfortunately) in the minority there I think.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,610 ✭✭✭Padraig Mor


    Another one of these twats at my door tonight. Think I need to get a Rottweiler or something...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,598 ✭✭✭Saint_Mel


    No matter who calls to my door peddling services I tell them that I'm already signed up with them.

    Recently I told a Sky rep that he had actually signed me up a few weeks before. He looked a bit puzzled, said thanks then ticked my address off his list and left :)

    I find that Airtricity reps are the worst.
    About 2 months ago I had the same fella call to my door 6 times in 4 days (Monday twice, Tuesday once, Thursday twice & Friday once).

    Then there are the ones who think than mocking you will entice you to sign up with them ... "Loike you must be really stuuupid not to sign up with this deal"
    Or the guilt ones "Whats wrong with you, dont you want to save the planet"


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,858 ✭✭✭CuppaCocoa


    I don't have that problem as I have an intercom on my door! "No thank you" and hang up! :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 136 ✭✭dubbie82


    I worked for one of those marketing companies on behalf of Airtricity last year. I left because I didn't agree with their "strategy" of selling.
    I heve been told to ring and ask for ESB bill for example and just though, hey I would never show my Bills to a stranger at the door! There are a few other examples tho.

    We have been allocated a houses to work off our list but had not other information so I don't think the salespeople can tell who is with ESB, BG or Airtricity.

    What made things really hard was that Airtricity had so many marketing companies and teams working the area, there was no communication whatsoever and I can understand that people get pissed of if the Doorbell rings every hour because team 1 didn't know team 2 was there a already.

    I found most people where quite nice, if they were not interested I just said thanks for your time and left....yes I am probably a bad Sales person :-)

    I don't agree with some of the replies here, there is no need to be abusive to the salespeople, they just do their job. I was fortunate enough to have a nicer job but many people have no choice. Most of them are commission only so no sale no food on the table so they have to be persuasive... no need to be pushy tho.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 10,272 ✭✭✭✭Max Power1


    dubbie82 wrote: »
    I worked for one of those marketing companies on behalf of Airtricity last year. I left because I didn't agree with their "strategy" of selling.
    I heve been told to ring and ask for ESB bill for example and just though, hey I would never show my Bills to a stranger at the door! There are a few other examples tho.

    We have been allocated a houses to work off our list but had not other information so I don't think the salespeople can tell who is with ESB, BG or Airtricity.

    What made things really hard was that Airtricity had so many marketing companies and teams working the area, there was no communication whatsoever and I can understand that people get pissed of if the Doorbell rings every hour because team 1 didn't know team 2 was there a already.

    I found most people where quite nice, if they were not interested I just said thanks for your time and left....yes I am probably a bad Sales person :-)

    I don't agree with some of the replies here, there is no need to be abusive to the salespeople, they just do their job. I was fortunate enough to have a nicer job but many people have no choice. Most of them are commission only so no sale no food on the table so they have to be persuasive... no need to be pushy tho.

    there is a need to be abusive when they out and out lie, misrepresent 10% of gas bill and 10% of electricity bill as 20% total savings (its 10% you idiots, 10% of x + 10% of Y = 10% of (x+y). Not 20.

    Also most of them dont take no for an answer. Its fine for people like me (i previously worked in the industry), however older people may not be as wise.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 331 ✭✭misterdeeds


    robust wrote: »
    Wait till yous here this; over the last few months Airtricity sales reps have called at my door 3 times.
    1st time….It was a young guy and after my rejection, he left with a very sad look on him (I felt sorry for him) No Problem

    2nd time…A young girl with a young guy called. The girl gave me the “special offer for my area” talk. But after I said “no thank you” she told me she “just couldn’t under stand why I did not want to save money”…After I said no thank you 4 times I asked her to leave….(heres the good bit)…She said as soon as I give her the account No. from my ESB bill she would leave….I refused….She then turned to the young chap and started laughing out load and said to him “do you hear your man”, Then the two off then left laughing away…I wasn’t laughing.

    Theres more…..

    3rd time…The other night at about 8ish a girl called at the door from Airtricity. My wife answered and received the same story. She politely declined. She was asked did she want to save 20% off her Esb and gas bill. That if we signed up for 1 year we would get 10% of electricity and 10% off our gas..But hold on my wife said that’s not 20% that’s 10%! No no she said 20%.. So we used the example::
    Gas bill €100 with 10% off = €10 Elect bill €100 with 10% off= €10
    Total bill saving €20 from €200 = 10% …RIGHT ?..No… she still insisted it was 20%.
    She said she couldn’t understand how we didn’t want to save. (As it turns out we signed up board gas under a similar deal) but we didn’t tell her that…
    And by the way she was rude.

    I was just thinking is this legal or is this not offering a deal under false pretence , I mean can sales reps just say anything to get you to sign up?
    What if you where maybe elderly or perhaps not quick enough to cop on to this ?
    pain in the neck the lot of dem they called to me 5 times last week had to run them the quy said to me im just calling to see if u got your 2 free weeks electricity i said dont want it and looked him in the eye and kept stering at him tbh i think i freaked him out and then i said good bye !! havent called since


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,503 ✭✭✭smelltheglove


    With sales people, unless I am genuinely interested its either, oh Im already with you guys or sorry I dont own the house I only rent it! Always works.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,610 ✭✭✭Padraig Mor


    Max Power1 wrote: »
    there is a need to be abusive when they out and out lie, misrepresent 10% of gas bill and 10% of electricity bill as 20% total savings (its 10% you idiots, 10% of x + 10% of Y = 10% of (x+y). Not 20.

    Also most of them dont take no for an answer. Its fine for people like me (i previously worked in the industry), however older people may not be as wise.

    Got this too (in the last week I've have 2 twats at the door and 2 on the phone). Picked up phone and was asked whether I wanted to save "30%" on my gas + elec........ Of course when you ask the twats if their standing charges are higher the BS really starts.....


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 42 daravinny


    ask then where they get the electricity from, when the wind does not blow.

    For months, wind generation has substantially underperformed, do they have enough generation to fulfill the contacts, only they know. What they do in this situation is buy electricity at cost price from the ESB, bord gais and other real generators. Why do the ESb do this? because the regulator makes them to further the 'green agenda'. What happens when there is still a loss encoured in these situation? ESB customers pay subsidies to protect wind generation.

    So, in my opinion and I would love to be contradicted by facts, wind generation is dreadfully unreliable(when the wind does not blow, no electricity is generated) and therefor can only exist as long as the ESB is shackled its customers are paying subsidies. This will stop as soon as The ESB have lost a certain % of their customer base, I think the figure is 30% but I could be corrected. At this time, the ESB will be able to contest the prices , the green will be out of government and wind generation will slip back down the hole it came from.

    The ESb also plans to move into the gas market some time in the new year, so then, they too will be offering a double deal on elec and gas.

    So, bottom line, when these idoits knock on your dooe, ask them where they get the power from when the wind does not blow, and then ask them how can they offer a discount on ESB electricity when they actually have to buy the same stuff themselves.

    after that, its a question as to whether you buy into subsidised money losers or not.

    http://www.eirgrid.com/operations/systemperformancedata/windgeneration/
    here is a link to total wind generation on the grid, currently less then 200MW, which is shocking levels of performance.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,634 ✭✭✭Mayo Exile


    They called to me last night. Sent them on their way. And they they've been around my estate all afternoon today as well.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 130 ✭✭irishfeller


    robust wrote: »

    The other night at about 8ish a girl called at the door from Airtricity. My wife answered and received the same story. She politely declined. She was asked did she want to save 20% off her Esb and gas bill. That if we signed up for 1 year we would get 10% of electricity and 10% off our gas..But hold on my wife said that’s not 20% that’s 10%! No no she said 20%.. So we used the example::
    Gas bill €100 with 10% off = €10 Elect bill €100 with 10% off= €10
    Total bill saving €20 from €200 = 10% …RIGHT ?..No… she still insisted it was 20%.



    I had this 10%-20% conversation with a person from Airtricity too when they came to my door. They were saying I would save 20% as I would get 10% off my gas bill and 10% off my electricity so I would be saving 20%. I explained to her how I would need to be getting 20% off both gas and electricity to save 20%. She says "Are you a mathematician or something?"!!

    They have a tough job so I am always polite with them, and they have to be persistent to get anywhere.

    If they are rude or over persistent then just shut the door in their faces.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 634 ✭✭✭jimoc


    The two strategies that have worked for me are :

    1. I just switched last month, thanks.
    Dont tell them who to, just that I've switched, they all know the contracts lock you in for 12 months so you're not going to switch again and leave.

    2. 'Sorry, I can't talk now, the cat is on the boil' and close the door. :)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,784 ✭✭✭Dirk Gently


    elgriff wrote: »
    The worst kind of person to deal with was people who would stand and chat/listen for ten minutes and have no intention of changing! .
    I do this :)

    (usually after my "no thanks" after the first 5 seconds was ignored)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 67 ✭✭weemammy


    I used to do work myself, although in Holland.
    Even though I can honestly say I have NEVER told a lie at the door, I can't believe I used to do this work!
    Today again a guy from Airtricity, the exact same pitch I've used so many times myself, only in English.
    I wanted to cut his story short and save him the bother, so I told him, Look I'm grand where I am, I don't want to switch..and he cut me off!!
    He goes, yeah, that's why I'm here, I'm making sure that for you and all your neighbours, everything stays the same, only on a lower rate.
    So I went: Look, I know what you're doing, you're here on a saturday afternoon, in the pissing rain, desperately trying to sell me something I don't want, besides, I know you haven't signed up all my neighbours as I've seen you walking around all day, not being invited in by anyone, so please...
    Then he started to name all the people around the green I live that he 'signed up'.
    I said, I don't care that they want one bill from ESB for all the service and maintenance and then another one for the supply, I Do NOT want it!!!!!
    and he just walked off, completely pissed off.

    I always try to be nice, because I know what a hard and spirit crushing job it is, but this lad was taking the micky.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 32,688 ✭✭✭✭ytpe2r5bxkn0c1


    weemammy wrote: »
    I said, I don't care that they want one bill from ESB for all the service and maintenance and then another one for the supply, I Do NOT want it!!!!!
    .

    Just to clarify. You do not get a bill from ESB for anything if you switch. It is a single bill from the supplier. I'm not with Airtricity but we need to ensure you do not mislead people.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 67 ✭✭weemammy


    Just to clarify. You do not get a bill from ESB for anything if you switch. It is a single bill from the supplier. I'm not with Airtricity but we need to ensure you do not mislead people.

    LOL Kara Damp Hairpin! you DO get a bill from ESB for the maintenance of all the pipes that are being used. Do you honestly think that if you switch, Airticity suddenly comes out to fix any defects with the network?
    Or that ESB just does the service and maintenance for free?
    And what exactly do you mean with 'misleading people'. Correct me if I'm wrong, but when someone comes to my door and tells me I have to sign for something to keep everything exactly the same, and that all my other neighbours are doing it, I think the person MISLEADING, is the salesguy, but it was probably you,a dn don't worry, I've put in a complaint already.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 32,688 ✭✭✭✭ytpe2r5bxkn0c1


    weemammy wrote: »
    LOL Srameen! you DO get a bill from ESB for the maintenance of all the pipes that are being used. Do you honestly think that if you switch, Airticity suddenly comes out to fix any defects with the network?.

    You do not get a bill from ESB if you are with a supplier other than ESB Customer Supply. The other suppliers pay a DUOS (Distribution Use of System Charge) that pays ESB for the use of the Distribution and Transmission system and for meter reading. It is in your unit and standing charge from your supplier. ESB Networks, who look after the cables and wires side of the business, does not bill any customers for their service.
    ESB Networks restores supply during faults, and handles outages, irrespective of what supplier the customer is with. The ESB Networks technicians don't even know which supplier the customers involved are with.
    You really need to update yourself on the split of the Irish Electricity
    Market before you make public statements like that.

    Oh, and I work with ESB Networks if that makes any difference.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 67 ✭✭weemammy


    That's interesting...especially because he admitted that you get two bills if you switch to Airtricity.
    Besides that, I think I can make whatever statement I want, it's a forum right?
    I was mislead, not the other way around.
    So if I've got a fact wrong, that's only human and you're more than welcome to correct me, but please don't call it misleading, ok?

    Oh, and I don't really care who you work for, if that makes any difference.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,584 ✭✭✭TouchingVirus


    weemammy wrote: »
    That's interesting...especially because he admitted that you get two bills if you switch to Airtricity.
    weemammy wrote:
    I said, I don't care that they want one bill from ESB for all the service and maintenance and then another one for the supply, I Do NOT want it!!!!!

    Hmm, it seems to me that you were the one floating the two bills idea...
    Besides that, I think I can make whatever statement I want, it's a forum right?

    Within reason, yes. But you will be called on incorrect information, just like you were.
    So if I've got a fact wrong, that's only human and you're more than welcome to correct me, but please don't call it misleading, ok?

    It's been corrected, and your post was misleading - deliberate or not is a different story.
    Oh, and I don't really care who you work for, if that makes any difference.

    It wasn't mentioned because you care, it was mentioned to back up the fact that the poster knew what they were talking about as they're directly involved with one of the companies supposedly sending out bills.




    Now, back on topic.... *swooosh*

    I really do hate these door to door sellers. I'm with Airtricity and have been called upon about 5 times now by people selling it to me. The most recent tactic is to ask who we get our ESB and Gas from before showing any credentials or a clipboard or anything. The day I say Airtricity and it's a Bord Gais rep I'll shut the door, no time for that malarky


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