Energia Door to Door bluffer

Rmgblue

Recently had a rep from Energia at the door. Was only in from work so didn’t have any interest in engaging with him but went along with it anyway. Long story short I told him I thought I was in contract with Electric Ireland and I’d need to check. He used an iPad there and then to ‘check’ for me and informed me I was out of contract. I’m not normally such an ejit but took his word for it. FF a week or so (but still within my 14 day cooling off period) I get a disconnect fee of €50 X2 of Electric Ireland as I was actually still in contract! I phoned Energia to highlight this behaviour and informed them I’d be going straight back to EI unless they covered the disconnect fees. They told me on the phone they would apply the credit - I agreed to stay. They applied €50 credit only and are now challenging ever agreeing to the full €100. Not in a million years would I agree to that. So it’s now getting investigated and waiting to hear back. Anyone a similar experience? Disgraceful carry on of their door to door staff

walterking

These are 3rd party sales companies and like any dodgy door to door sales person, they will tell you a load of rubbish to get you to sign up. They work on commission, so they have the incentive to lie to you.

Also remember that Energia have the highest standard rates in the market. 20% off 47c is more expensive than 10% off 38c

Rmgblue

Il be more alert next time. Really shouldn’t have entertained him

...Ghost...

I worked for a couple of different companies in the past doing the same thing. Unfortunately, there is always a risk that someone either hasn't a clue what they are selling, or they tell bare faced lies to land a sale. The good news is that bad D2D sales people don't last long because complaints rack-up within a few weeks and the chancer gets the boot. They might move on to a another company or two, but in my experience, they fizzle out before too long.

If you haven't reported this to the CRU, you should do this. I would be asking for a copy of the recorded call where they agreed to cover the change-over fee.

L1011

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119820552#Comment_119820552

It would be the CRU, and they are actually worse than Comreg. They will tell you to complain to the provider, and they would consider the providers actions here to be case closed.

I had one pretend to be a meter reader before, obvious their sales nonsense was going to be based on "oh, that's a lot, I can sell you something cheaper". Didn't get through the door, but CRU accepted the suppliers excuse of "they weren't following instructions, we'll endeavour to stop this recurring".

...Ghost...

Post corrected. I worked in both comms and energy....slip up of regulators. Dealt with CRU and not as effective as comreg, but they did push both flogas and EE when my energy credit went astray this year. They gave me the info I needed and it got sorted in the end. Flogas hadn't issued the credit and took them over a month to figure it out and longer to issue a cheque.

Regarding D2D sales people. My advice is to verify everything they say. Sign nothing (even if there is a cooling off period) until you are satisfied the info is correct. To be fair, there are more customers who don't listen to the details than there are dodgy D2D sales people. I always circled and co-signed with the customer beside the important details to save me from some idiot who couldn't remember I said they were signing a 12 month contract with $50-€100 early exit penalty only like 10 times during the course of the interaction. My carbon copies saved my a$$ on more than one occasion.

Cabaal

The best advice for these door to door sales people is just never to interact or sign-up to anything they have to offer.

Outside of the clear lies that you can be sold there's also issues about effectively giving a stranger your personal data.

colm_mcm

There was a time when D2D salespeople had exclusive offers. Pretty sure all the offers are available online these days.

DownByTheGarden

I have a cousin that worked for one of the utility providers and did door to door. She went to everyone in the family including older relatives and even her own parents with tears about not being able to make their targets and would they sign up to her companys offer and she would get them a good discount. Well, including the discount everyone ended up paying way over what they were previously on. These salespeople have no shame.

...Ghost...

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119822413#Comment_119822413

I think that's pretty poor advice. D2D sales people can be a nuisance, but can also be the push people need to sign up to a better deal. With regards to personal dats; This is what you hand over regardless of whether you sign up on the door, over the phone, or in a store.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119822431#Comment_119822431

That's mostly true. They sometimes have exclusive deals, or deals no longer available using other sign up methods. In my opinion, the benefit is that they encourage people to take action rather than be complacent. If that means you say no at the door and take action by signing up to it, or something better online, then that's a good thing. I've done it myself a few times after forgetting to switch energy provider. Usually SSE Airtricity calling around....I never sign up to them, but I go to Bonkers if out of contract and sign up. Not everyone wants to go through the hassle of doing it online either....and a D2D caller does the leg work for you.

It's just important to verify everything before signing. Feck the cooling off period they spout all the time.

Muahahaha

Signed up to Energia with a door to door salesman a few years back, I had only just moved in to the house so didnt have my own connection so thought why not just to get it done. Took a note of the unit rates he was offering and lo and behold on the first bill two months later the rate I was being charged was about 30% higher than what Id signed up to. Rang Energia and they honoured what Id been sold but since that experience I wont have anything to do with door to door salesmen.

Had a solar panel salesman along a few weeks back and I reckon that was a total scam where they get money off you as a deposit and then you never see them again. Reason being is solar panel companies are up to their eyeballs in business at the moment, two I dealt with took 6-8 weeks to get back to me they are that busy. So if someone is going door to door proactively selling solar I reckon it was likely a scam.

Atlantic Dawn

I have a rule to never ever ever conduct unsolicited business at the front door, doesn't matter how good it sounds.

Jim_Hodge

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119841242#Comment_119841242

Same here. Even if I had just said I must buy or install something and the doorbell rang with a guy selling it, I wouldn't gave him any time other than to name the business so I can check it out in my own time.