utility warehouse

[Surfer01]

I would never ever lump all my services with one provider. To do this I would think that you would be very naive, but then it is the salesman's job to con this type of person.

[littleun]

Hello again, just thought i would update you as to what has happened so far. I have had a letter from the credit department asking me to provide new direct debit details.....lol

They were not aware why i have cancelled my original direct debit, would you call that a breakdown of communication again. Surprisingly enough i received a welcome pack from utility warehouse this morning along with terms and conditions booklet and your guide to membership, the letter is dated the 18th January 2011........... make of that what you may. Oh well at least i got it even if it was almost 2 months late, it looks to me as if utility warehouse are trying to cover their tracks by sending backdated post that i should have received initially now. No problem there then, funnily enough there are no clauses or anything close about fair usage policy.

I was just thinking that if the tariff that i selected in the 1st instance was governed by a fair usage policy eventhough it stated unlimited minutes and texts then surely there would have been something in the paperwork to inform me as to how i could find out how many minutes and texts i had used. Maybe a certain number that i could dial or something else where i could check how many mins and texts remained.

No one even mentioned that to me not the representative, angela o,donnell or customer services.

I am a stickler when it comes to reading small print and terms and conditions and i know utility warehouse got it wrong so why are they acting as if they have done everything by the book.

I have not heard further from utility warehouse and will wait to see how long it takes the company to get in touch with me, probably about payment not my complaint.

I shall endevour to keep you informed as and when i know more.

[MARTIN3030]

Thanks for update-look forward to the conclusion....

[watchinginvestigation2011]

ps. Cue the UW reps infantary that will arrive, they do love their company

[kia]

sorry but my post and your answer seem to have gone so ill post it again to be sure xxxkia

[nevos]

Correct there over the warning of giving the long card number on a debit card, my bank warned me its called a cpa and virtually hard to cancel apart from cancelling the card as a last resort. You would hope a company would only use it as a one off, but hey in case with any company can you trust them?

 

Your spot on here...they wull just help themselves to your money anytime they like and you can do nothing...your bank will confirm this..

 

If you need to change tarrif for a mobile, they will charge you a tenner...after you will find they didn't change it or they will add 2 to 3 months advance rental on to the bill...it's a nightmare.

 

I'm sure they make the rules up as they go along...problem is: You give your card details on sign up, we had to cancel the debit card to stop them...

 

We had tried to change my wifes tarrif since last October they said " Oh yes we changed it and now you get free text" we said no, we didn't ask for free text my wife doesn't text people we asked for the free minutes tarrif....

 

My Mum is 84 and had thier broad band which she just cancelled...she went back to BT because she can get the special low cost deal for people on pension support...Telcoms Plus Utility Warehouse have charged her the standard payment plus 10 for cancelling and her bill is over 50 normally about 27...

 

BT told my Mum that, she had better start her BT service 14 days before Utility Warehouse ends or she will probably lose her number...

 

Finally, the letter sent says " Send back our equipment or we will charge you for it" that's fair enough however, I bet they charge for it anyway..as they have her debit card on file..

 

Just be aware of a couple of things with these people:

 

1. You need to really read the small print.

2. You will be giving your debit card they will charge it if your DD fails.

3. You will get one large bill if you went for all the services which may play hell with your cash

flow and budgeting.

4. They have a host of weird and wonderful terms & conditions all meant to make them money.

5. The customer services are hit and miss sometimes you get a very switched on person another time

you get a person who doesn't know which way is up..

 

Just consider, in the light of the press the energy companies are getting then IMO they are all taking the P...

[watchinginvestigation2011]

Bump

 

We can easily all read posts on similar subjects by similar posters Cant we shining light?

 

Stop being personal xx

[shining Light]

We can easily all read posts on similar subjects by similar posters Cant we shining light? Stop being personal xx

:???:

[kia]

well a quick update to this ive informed the agent whos a friend too ( i know dont mix friends with business golden rule ) to cancel it and as its within the 2 weeks easily this should be an end to it but watch this space on this hot subject xxxkia

[watchinginvestigation2011]

Glad to hear your okay kia xx

[watchinginvestigation2011]

:???:

 

'Quit pro quo'

 

You dont find this post relevant to this thread, ah ha, you get it. I dont find your post relating to my supposed giving tesco or sky a hard time as relevant to me posting on a utility warehouse thread, hence the we can all read a posters posts, but do try not to get them confused as relevant on another thread will you shining light or it could be seen as getting personal and not relevant

you didnt reply on the other UW thread or answer my question, why is tesco or sky relevant so I will answer you. It isnt and a personal dig to me despite your refuting so, so grow up and let other posters post unless you have a relevant reply, night night xx

 

Childish digs show a child throwing a dummy when a person dares question your commision payer. You have to be commended however for kissing **** where your commsion payer is concerned, truly commendable devotion. They should pay you for this or maybe they shouldnt thank you for such posts you see they might get more respect or be shown to actually doing something if they answered at higher level, as in registered properly with site team as having a judged fair right to post on behalf of company.

 

Or in plane speak making an effort, I notice scottish power and I believe eon have registered!!!!!!

 

They seem to have replied to posters issues rather than play bate the thread or protect with no valuable progress.

 

You see you shining light you only have a right to be of valuable help your own clients and do not speak for UW as there seems to be not threads gaining progress other than at the hands of the op themselves. You just seem to pop up an quote UW do not say they are the cheapest,when reps clearly are saying this. You firstly appeared when an op was saying they were having troubles, and gave the impression this was unusual, when you can only talk based on your own clients. Unless you are deeper in UW than you claim as you say you make loads of dosh a month. Maybe UW should sponser you to speak on their behalf as you have so many clients then you could officialy sign up as their voice, surely.

 

I must say out of all the reps who turned out to be reps you have talked the most sence, but let yourself down when needing to get personal to posters with an opposite but informed opinion based on their experience.

 

If your post is more important than any of mine on the issue, then show where a post of yours has led to sattisfied op with issue resolved. No you cant as not your client, you can only give informed opinion based on your experience of how you like to treat your customers. Hence I post based on how we should be treat, just as viable that probably gets as far as yours xx

 

Maybe UW could do with removing the rep commission, going back to that of paid wage for hours earnt and remove the risk akin to door step sellers only interested in getting you to show them your meter to get the number no matter what told. I bet we would see less poster who later admit to be reps rubbishing what told by op, more profesional replies might appear.

Edited March 28, 2011 by watchinginvestigation2011

[MadKit]

What a superb post! I'm with you watchinginvestigation2011 and fully agree with your comments. Bring it on!

 

MadKit

[MadKit]

What a superb post! I'm with you watchinginvestigation2011 and fully agree with your comments. Bring it on!

 

MadKit

[x19]

I have just finished researching Utility Warehouse after been given a DVD buy someone at the Gym. My reaction is NOT to go for this, it might help you make a decision if I explain my reasoning:-

1) I did a price comparison on gas and electric which included the Telecom Plus tarifs - this was a link from the Utility Warehouse website. It works out that my utility bill would be £98 more per annum with Utility warehouse than with my current supplier (Scottish Power). This is a major problem, if the underlying product is not very competitively priced I would not be willing to attempt to sell it/recommend it to others.

2) The network marketing approach reminded me of 'Amway' marketing methods. Some of the early people in the network became seriously rich but it is highly dependent upon building the network/pyramid. I know it is not Pyramid selling but the money is made by building the network pyramid. The DVD is selling the business model not the product (ie the utilities). In the case of Amway they were selling cleaning products - at least these were not just competing on price.

3) It only really works if the network keeps expanding as the underlying product is not particularly competitive (see point 1) in a very undifferentiated market, ie gas is gas after all. So price becomes the main factor in choosing a supplier.

 

This would make the actual product hard to sell so you end up attempting to sell the business - using enthusiastic positive emotional selling. Some people will go for this and therefore money can be made but for me if the underlying product is not very competitive the sale would be very tough. The entry cost is low but if they can sell to enough agents/customers then some will make money. Good luck if you decide to go for this, the entry costs look low but the end product (which I believe a business must still have) does not appear price competitive, at least using my energy use as a comparison. This business would be highly dependant on your network and selling ability, preferably to people who do not use the internet price comparison web sites.

[watchinginvestigation2011]

Yep they are good at 'enthusiastic positive emotional selling' as you refer to it, as well salesman and woman ususally are when taking a cut

 

but crap at helping their customers when have issues. I have never read one thread on here where a postive result has been arrived at. When chased up the op seems to still be in a battle with them.

 

Glad to see you looked into it and saw in your case it did not fit the bill rather than fell for the sell and later found out xx

 

One poster on here used to tell us he made quite some dosh on the commision

[MadKit]

I speak as an ex UW Rep who thankfully saw the light but made no commission at all. What I did get was an incredible amount of debt, distress and pain, so if you are thinking of UW my advice is steer clear! But softly softly catchee monkey (or something like that) - I'm on the case and will very soon be their worst enemy. More info to come.

 

MadKit

[Spookman01]

I have perused this thread with great interest and thought I would offer my own meagre contribution.

 

Firstly, let me state for the record that I am not a UW distributor,employee or customer…..Yet.

 

I happened upon this thread whilst researching UW. I was approached by a distributor earlier today and invited to attend a get together function tonight.

 

I am a member of the ‘Which’ consumer group, a highly reputable and creditable organisation as I am sure you will agree and their survey results recently posted reflect positively for UW.

 

 

Utility Warehouse shares the joint top spot with Ovo Energy in this year's survey, compared with the second highest customer satisfaction score last year.

 

Utility Warehouse operates a discount club for landline, broadband and mobile as well as energy, so you can get overall discounts for bundles of services and cover most utilities with one bill.

 

It got top marks in all but one of the areas it was rated in, and a reasonable three stars for efforts to encourage energy efficiency.

 

 

 

The above results do not invalidate the issues that have been raised and it is clear from the anger and frustration that some of the experiences could only be described as outrageous.

 

I do feel that the above information warrants inclusion as it offers a broad and wide-ranging opinion.

 

I have decided to attend this evenings meeting. I will be armed with the information gleaned from this thread and ready to challenge any unwarranted or unsubstantiated claims, but perhaps more importantly, I will take an open minded and objective perspective.

[nevos]

Hi spookman01,

 

Do hope you enjoyed the meeting! and agree one should keep an open mind when evaluating companies such as Telecomplus/UW... do you really work for Which?

 

Since posting in this thread earlier, I have learnt that a friend is being persued for £700 in gas/electric charges by Utility Warehouse for an empty house..naturally, this does not surprise me one bit as they are very much a shoot first ask questions later operation..and they are empowered by law to do so..

 

My advice for what it's worth is this: If you have any issues with these people then put it in writing to them so at least you have some evidence, do not rely on the telephone calls!

 

Those sign up meetings are full of hype however, it is very easy to get sucked in by the speakers..hard to find out exactly what you will earn in commissions as no one I met ever wanted to tell me..

 

Go to the meetings but, don't make a decision there and then..take the information home, sleep on it and really think it through..ask a few of your friends and family if they would be willing to change suppliers and see what reaction you get..

 

Read the contract/agreements etc the small print..you will be expected to put pressure on friends and family to sign up for services..they will get a big catch up bill from their current supplier..they may not appreciate this fact..

 

Also ask your prospects if they would like all their services on one large monthly bill rather than spreading the costs..some people can't handle rent/mortgage and a big utility bill at the same time of the month etc..again, check your finances and budget..

 

Now, after considering all the facts..and how much your friends and pals will be annoyed at you for constantly trying to sell them services..and your still hell bent on falling in to a trap because you need extra cash then..please go and see your doctor right away..you need help!

 

PS: Here is anextract from another CAG thread on the topic :

 

I have just finished researching Utility Warehouse after been given a DVD buy someone at the Gym. My reaction is NOT to go for this, it might help you make a decision if I explain my reasoning:-

1) I did a price comparison on gas and electric which included the Telecom Plus tarifs - this was a link from the Utility Warehouse website. It works out that my utility bill would be £98 more per annum with Utility warehouse than with my current supplier (Scottish Power). This is a major problem, if the underlying product is not very competitively priced I would not be willing to attempt to sell it/recommend it to others.

Edited June 30, 2011 by nevos

[shining Light]

Hi spookman01, I haven't been on here for a long time but having read your post I thought I would just say......do make up your own mind and don't be swayed by the negative comments of others. Is it something you would be happy to do? Can you see the medium/long term benefits it offers?

The business does work but it isn't for everybody. You need to be self motivated and willing to work the business consistently, be that 2 hrs a week or 5 hrs a week.

 

UW now offer a "price guarantee" to new customers and their new mobile deals are cheaper than just about everybody else.

 

I have never "hassled" friends and family. Sure I mentioned it to many of them and some did become customers (a couple of friends became distributors too) but if they weren't interested then I left it at that. I still have customers after 5 and 6 years, happy customers, but the majority of my customers are people I had never previously met.

 

Only you can decide if it is for you. Consider your situation/circumstances now (and how you see your future) and if you think it is worth a try, then go for it. You can get your small investment returned in full as many are now doing and then the business owes you nothing, so whether you earn £50pm or £10,000pm (in time) doesn't really matter a great deal. If you don't think it is for you then walk away, there are other ways to earn money I guess.

 

Hope this helps.

[Spookman01]

I thought I would post an update to on how my evening went.

 

Firstly I better clarify that I do not work for Which? Ltd but I am a member. I am a professional photographer, I run my own business and I also work for John Lewis. I also have over 20 years’ experience operating high volume businesses within the customer service industry.

 

There were approximately 20 people at the seminar and I have to say it was mostly very predictable. The presentation focused mainly on selling a lifestyle. We were shown a series of videos and images exhibiting the trappings of wealth; abound with fabulous holidays, homes and cars. However, it was stressed that these were examples of what could be achieved and that it can take 5-7 years to establish a reasonable income.

 

The multi-level marketing structure was explained, the potential income figures offered were sensible and no outlandish claims made.

 

During the presentation there was no mention made of how leads are generated or what method is applied to acquire clients but through further discussions with a group leader it was explained that the technique was my choice but all literature must be approved before use. This was to safeguard against unwarrantable and unjustifiable claims.

 

The training system was briefly discussed. The majority of instruction is delivered online but there is a mandatory initial training session that must be attended in person. There was no mention made that an expected standard has to be reached or that there was any regulation to ensure certain criteria’s were being observed. This does not mean that these do not exist and it was suggested that I attended the training session as many times as required.

 

All the discussions were relaxed and no pressure was applied. I was informed that I needed at least 6 clients before I was eligible to earn commission and that I would have to gain 1 new client per month thereafter.

There was no expectation placed on me to make a decision that night, I was given a contact number should I wish to proceed or just want to discuss the matter further.

 

In conclusion

 

This is just another Multi-Level Marketing system and with many MLM schemes you get out of it what you put in to it. These are not ‘get rich quick’ schemes; it requires hard work and dedication. Utility Warehouse does not claim it to be anything else but it would be refreshing if they were more forthcoming with what is entailed.

I would have preferred the recruitment seminars to have expended a greater amount of time conveying the commitment required to succeed rather than eulogising over the accoutrements of prosperity.

 

Self-employment is not for everyone, perseverance, endurance, determination and personal conviction are just a few of the qualities required to manage your own business and you will find that those individual assets will be needed here as they would be for starting and running any business.

 

The company has an excellent independently recognised reputation and although it is obvious from the experiences of some people on this forum that things can and do go wrong the high level customer satisfaction consistently delivered should not be ignored.

 

If you feel you have the passion and enthusiasm and believe you can thrive through your own endeavours then Utility Warehouse offers a great way to discover that. The cost of becoming a representative (currently £199.75) makes this a very attractive and accessible proposition and provided you enter into this association with an appreciation for the requirements then there should not really be any surprises.

Edited June 30, 2011 by Spookman01
Correcting formatting

[shining Light]

Spookman01, thanks for your feedback, it's interesting to hear an independent observation. I have to say I don't disagree with anything you said.

 

The presentation focused mainly on selling a lifestyle.

The "lifestyle" is obviously an important factor after all, it's the reason everyone works isn't it, to pay the bills etc and have enough money left over to do what you want. Not everyone wants to be "Rich" and drive a Ferrari, and for some an extra £100pm every month is all they need to do or pay for something extra without having to worry about it.

There was no mention made that an expected standard has to be reached or that there was any regulation to ensure certain criteria’s were being observed.

 

This does become evident during training and also from the application forms and certain things you can or can't do, especially in relation to the energy market. Anyone caught deliberately mis-selling would be terminated. The restriction on advertising for example is an obvious safeguard to ensure there are no false or even slightly misleading claims being made.

 

and that I would have to gain 1 new client per month thereafter.

Only until you have 50 after which you receive full commission every month regardless of whether or not you have done anything that month.

 

I would have preferred the recruitment seminars to have expended a greater amount of time conveying the commitment required to succeed rather than eulogising over the accoutrements of prosperity.

The thing is, everybody has a different idea of what is "success" which is probably why they don't go into it and certainly why they don't say "I earn £ xxx" because as I said above, some will be happy with an extra £100pm, others may want £1,000pm and others as much as they can get. The potential is only limited by your own individual commitment. Like you said, self employment isn't for everybody. I have met many people over the years who have said ..I really want to do xxxxx" or "I really want to earn £ XXX" but when it comes down to it, make no real effort to achieve it. But this doesn't just apply to UW or MLM in general, it applies to life overall.

Edited June 30, 2011 by shining Light

[watchinginvestigation2011]

Even though to be fair their does appear to be people happy with UW, can I ask why both of the two well known forums have come to the conclusion that UW are carp once something goes wrong?

 

Because they ignore the customer.

 

I recently was miss sold a mobile phone contract from orange and I had to conclude the reasons for doing so were that of what the rep would gain from the sale. He told me himself that he had sold the most of the phones in the store and got a reward, the reward in that instance was the very phone I was looking at and he proudly wore it around his neck on a chain akin to a necklace.

 

What was wrong with that you may ask?

 

He was so taken up in selling the brilliant phones which he no doubt wanted to keep the record for I assume for gain as in the next freebie or goal, that he neglected to correctly describe the terms of the proposed contract or in fact even embellished it to that of foolishness that I later proved was the norm in other sales areas too. When queried why they would do that I was told they explained it properly, untill I offered them the tapes of the calls and made them aware I had the recordings for proof.

 

Point is when personal gain from level of just one rep or distributor of no matter what the customer is at risk of being misled or to be fair we could even say errors happen in all businesses. But when they do does the company help and reply or make the situation worse by trying to fobb off the customer.

 

From complaints on here and another forum and when I myself was looking into what offered by a UW rep and looked into it to realise the claims were not true in my case, then the excuses came as to why suddenly they were not the cheapest in my case. BUT they were happy to try and sign me up on the limited information that they had and expected me to accept it would be a saving to me. When I asked this rep politely to respond to why they did not quote information accurate to the details I gave them, they became rude and abusive.

 

From that I say I would not recomend UW, also the fact that many of the good experiences reported on forums tend to always weed out that they are distributors themselves even down to almost advertising and one email to me asking me tot contact them if wanted to sign up, hence my bad experience when first came accross UW.

 

So I didnt come to this forum with a dislike for UW and was open minded myself, I found in my case I could not trust a word the reps were saying.

 

Why akin to vodafone and other companies does not UW offer a head office liason on these forums to show that such issues are being dealt with, threads could then be showing as resolved etc......and people could make a judgnement that when things do go wrong at least UW do seem to take it seriously. But they will always have a bad rep untill then in my book.

[nevos]

Some interesting comments!

 

It's very true that you get out what you put in however, having been both a customer and a distributor for UW...I've experienced both sides of the coin..

 

They operate in much the same way as a lot of other big companies operate i.e. front line staff can't make a decision..I realise that this is a great tactic for maintaining profit..

 

For example, I asked for a mobile tariff change, the operator said OK no problem however, they failed three times to actually do it, eventually after some months and more phone calls they did it but, promptly charged 3 months advanced rental plus £10 admin fee...

 

There are numerous systemic failures with UW but, they are all loaded in their favour for sure!

 

They do have a training forum of their own here (Distributors only & strictly not for public viewing. Unless you are a current Utility Warehouse ID, do not use this site) I had asked questions in there before but, never really got a proper response to customer service issues which, had been relayed to me by existing customers..this may have improved by now..

 

When you look at the cost of set up no £200 is not a lot to start a business but, many people forget to factor in their time spent cold calling, telephoning, on going sales materials etc..UW do not recommend distibutors to advertise though, they do have standard type ad copy available from the extranet site..

 

One method of getting leads was to take mobile phone numbers from vans such as plumbers, builders etc and text them... Hey Bob the builder how would you like to save money on your utilities bla bla..

 

At the mandatory training session you will be asked to go outside and call all your contacts within your mobile phone with...Hi friend/family I have just started a new business and wondered if we can meet up to discuss it...

 

I was also told not to push thier mobile phones because they are way too expensive! also, had a lot of questions about the actual contract people signed but, all fell on deaf ears..

 

The cash card never appeared to work at Sainsbury's so never actually got to use it though, we prefer to shop at Morrisons..The cash card is a pre paid credit card which you pay into set amounts monthly...I'm sure a lot of people may well have had a good experience with them however, I'm yet to meet them..

 

What really killed me was the fact that they could use your debit card to pay any bills due as per the contract..plus, my Bank agreed it was my own fault for authorising them..

 

Now, the question is this: Why are UW not listed on uswitch? UW will say as do all the distributors "We refuse to pay them to be on the list" but wouldn't you want to be on their list, I sure would if I were a utilities comapny..and one that was open and transparent about pricing..

 

The really good news is : Thanks to this forum and others like it people get to make a choice based on real feedback and not spammy sales patter...

[shining Light]

Nevos, some of your comments are valid but not all.

 

Regarding mobile phones, when I started in the business i didn't really push them because I didn't think my customers or potential customers would benefit hugely, there were many better deals around but....that is not the case now, the new tariffs are fantastic!

 

You mention the £200 start up. This is extremely cheap when you consider the potential earnings. Also, you can get your money back as many are now doing so you can effectively start for FREE. There are a few ongoing costs but they are not high, and if you started your own business (plumber, builder, restaurant etc etc) your start-up costs would beway more and your ongoing costs also. Can you run any business without ongoing costs?? I don't think so.

 

You mention "cold calling." Why would you need to be doing that? However, should you choose to so, if your calls are FREE, it doesn't actually cost you anything does it?

 

UW are not the only company who don't pay uswitch, I know Tesco didn't for one (whether that has now changed I don't know). I have found that uswitch will offer you a cheaper option to the one you are on but not necessarily the cheapest!

 

As I said before, it isn't for everyone but the fact is, like it or not, it does work and there are many people earning a fantastic income now to prove it. .

[nevos]

shining Light, yes I agree with you no worries..start up is quite low that may explain why you have so much competition for the sales..e.g. I know at least 10 distributors within a 3 mile radius of my home..

 

I'm out of touch with the UW biz but, can you tell me this: a customer spends say £120 per month on gas/electric how much exactly does the distributor get from that one customer?

 

also, how do you explain the catch up bill situation to prospects?, most folks are on a monthly plan where you pay a fixed price per month based on your average bills..our catch up bill was £ 450..

 

IMO it's better to give your meter readings every month and pay for what you use..at least then your up to date..

 

UW opportunity is very much the same as any other MLM it's fantastic for those who got in early..established a good downline, I do know some make a lot of money per month one guy told me he makes 66K..

 

I have to think of it like this..if one supplier were better than the other then everyone would want to switch right? sadly, they are all probably ripping us off like crazy lol...