Energy sales and marketing
One of the most common way to find out about energy tariffs is through price comparison websites. These are an easy way to access information about hundreds of energy tariffs from all energy suppliers. For more information about price comparison sites and advice on how to use them, download our leaflet How to switch energy supplier.
If you do not have access to the internet one of the most common ways you will find out about new energy deals will be through ‘face to face’ sales. This is where a representative of an energy company will knock on your door or have a stall in a public place such as your local shopping centre or supermarket.
It is important to remember that sales representatives, unlike price comparison websites, only work for one energy supplier so they will only be able to show you deals from that particular supplier.
When considering an energy deal offered by a sales agent it is important you have access to the information mentioned above or at least a copy of your latest gas or electricity bill.
How can I be sure that I am being sold the right deal?
People that sell energy tariffs to you at your door step or in public places have to abide by certain rules to ensure that you have an opportunity to make an informed decision, these are:
- Information provided during the sales process should be complete and accurate, understandable, appropriate and not misleading
- Sales activity should be conducted in a fair and transparent manner
- Before you decide to sign up to a new deal the sales person has to give you a written estimate and, where possible, a written comparison with your current deal. This estimate should be expressed in terms of the projected cost per year in £’s and be based on you current energy use
- If you use a prepayment meter or the sales agent has promised the new deal will be cheaper than your current energy deal they will have to provide a written comparison
- If you do make the decision to switch, your future supplier is required to: provide you with a copy of the contract; an explanation of what happens next; remind you to check the product is right for you; explain your cancellation rights to you and explain what you should do if you have any concerns
- You have 14 days following your decision to switch to change your mind and cancel your contract
In addition to these rules the six biggest energy companies (npower, EON, British Gas, SSE, Scottish Power and EDF) have signed up to the Energysure Code that sets out clear standards which energy sales agents must follow.
If you have a complaint about the way an energy sales agent has behaved or are worried you may have been mis-sold an energy deal call Consumer Direct for help and advice on 08454 05 06 07.
