Unscrupulous salespeople who try to pressurise customers into switching energy companies are being targeted by The Vale Housing Association. The Association’s scheme managers, who work visiting people in retirement accommodation, are putting residents on their guard after a series of incidents in which tenants complained of feeling bullied and harassed by representatives from energy companies.
The Vale Housing Association is warning its tenants to be careful of changing energy suppliers on the doorstep. David Woodhams, Specialist Services Manager at the Vale Housing Association cautioned, You need time to make an important decision such as changing energy supplier and we don’t advise people to do this at the door. Remember that if you do sign up to anything at an unsolicited visit to your home you have a seven day ‘cooling off’ period to change your mind and the salesperson should tell you this.
The Association advises that if anyone is thinking of changing energy companies it’s better to get impartial advice, for instance from the watchdog EnergyWatch, on what different companies charge. EnergyWatch can be contacted on 0845 906 0708 or by visiting their website www.energywatch.com.
Emily Griffith, Communications and Research Manager, commented, Obviously we know that not all energy companies use these tactics. However we do want to make sure that all our tenants know their rights and are not persuaded into switching energy suppliers unless they are given all facts.
Research carried out by Energywatch, the energy watchdog, indicates that most people regret listening to doorstep salespeople. A survey showed that 9 out of 10 consumers questioned would not be interested in having contact with a doorstep energy salesperson again.
Communications and Research Manager
The Vale Housing Association
01235 536001