Utility Warehouse

[pontiouspilates]

Can anyone feedback to
me on this company? I've just seen a salesperson an it all felt a bit MLM as he was at least as keen to recruit me to sell it than he was to supply me with a deal on energy!

It’s an MLM.

I got cornered by a salesman for this at a fete. I filled in my details to 'win a mini' as why not? Then he started the pitch. As he was waffling on I saw the small print on the competition form said the draw was pulled March 2017. This was August 2018!

Will not be engaging with them again.

Thank you- he denied they were an MLM when I asked him outright. I made it very clear that I wasn't interested and he then proceeded to offer me some vouchers for referrals

I am a customer of Utility Warehouse, have been for 6 years. I think they are cheaper for us, we have gas, electric, broadband, landline and 2 mobiles with them. We also use their cashback cards. Yes, they recruit people to try to sign up more customers, but you don’t have to, you can just be a customer. I rate them pretty highly and they have won Which award too. Their customer service is good.
I get that all the gimmicky stuff puts people off but actually we are very happy customers with them.

I'm a customer too and agree customer service is good. Been with them a few years.

He told you it wasn’t an MLM?

That’s bad. I’m sure they have pros and cons as a company but I wouldn’t appreciate being lied to.

This is quite interesting, even if just to demonstrate that Joanna Lumley will promote anything

www.theguardian.com/money/2017/jul/08/get-rich-quick-utility-warehouse-energy-scheme-joanna-lumley

The reason why utility warehouse is competitive is due to the fact they don't spend ££££ on marketing and it is MLM in the way it's commission works but you don't have to buy anything to sign up to be a partner (or whatever it's called).

I've been a customer for over probably a decade now, keep an eye on costs and comparison sites and it still works out good value for us for our usage - gas, electric, broadband, home phone and 1 x mobile sim only.

Customer service has always been good, moved Home twice and it was smooth.

They do win a mini on an annual basis so hopefully the sales guy was just using old forms that were still valid!

Worth considering, certainly the person I became a customer through wasn't hard sell and she always goes above and beyond for her vulnerable customers - completely her choice. Her approach is to go through your current usage and needs and it may or may not work out cheaper there aren't any hidden catches.

Sorry you've had a bad sales experience with them!! I have no desire to be an agent or whatever although I probably could have made money through it if I'd signed up years ago

I'm a customer but haven't promoted them or anything. They have great customer service which is why I have stayed for 6 years.

We've been with them nearly 20 years and as a utility company they're great. We were signed up by a friend of DH who fortunately didn't try to recruit us. Someone did try a few years ago at a school fete but took no for an answer very quickly.

I think the reason the aren't quite the same as most MLM is basically because the product they sell is actually something nearly everyone does need IYSWIM. There is absolutely no need for hard sell the product truly all you need to do is look at whether they can offer you a better deal or not.

I think a fair bit of what they make their money on is the new partners paying £200 to join, which is pyramid scheme pure and simple.

On the energy front, the ofgen report doesn’t make happy reading www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications-and-updates/standard-variable-tariff-comparison-28-november-2016

I like their suggestion that they’re more competitive because they don’t advertise. I can’t remember when I last saw an ad for SSE, and I don’t think SSE are paying for celebrity endorsements!

I am sure there are very good partners out there, but honestly every one I’ve met come across so spammy, and are exactly the sort to sign people up to the variable rate and leave them there.

But yes I totally agree that if I had to pay an MLM for something I would rather it was heating for my house than an aloe hand cream or a mascara that will give me an eye infection...

Yeah we definitely need to be on one of the "special" tariffs to make it worth it but as we're stuck with needing a home phone every time I shop around for everything we can save like £10 for the first year only!

Looking forward to getting my lightbulbs replaced though

Would be interested to see if you can complain about people pushing you to sign up? I also know that you receive your commission on the customers you sign up for "forever" I'm sure my friend said something about passing it on to her daughter? Still wouldn't be something I would do!

The only other MLM product I would buy is Tropics as it's vegan and it seems to have performed well in various awards.

Hi,

My husband and I are in the process of trying to bring the activities of Utility Warehouse to the attention of the relevant Energy Ombudsmans for investigation.

We were effectively lied to at the point of sale.

We were told that the services (especially broadband) would be better, whilst costing less. This wasn't the case and we had to cancel the broadband as it wasn't fit for purpose.

This cancellation exposed us to a myriad of hidden charges and price hikes, none of which was explained at the point of sale by a 'self employed' sales agent who we have learned get commissions by signing new people up. So, there is an incentive to lie.

If you have had a bad experience of UTILITY WAREHOUSE, please sign our petition hereand don't forget to share it on social media, thank you!

www.change.org/p/the-rt-hon-greg-clark-mp-calling-for-an-investigation-in-utility-warehouse-discounts-clubs-business-practices

I have also learned that the Ombudsmans can't look at a joint civi action however, if they get enough complaints they will investigate the company.

So, if you have had an issue with any of the services of Utility Warehouse, or the way it was sold to you, please visit the following to raise your complaint as there is a growing number of complaints we need your help to get them investigated:

Energy Complaint: ombudsman-services.org/sectors/energy/complain-now

Broadband Complaint:www.ofcom.org.uk/complain-to-ofcom

If you want something to be done and your experience looking into, please raise a complaint and remember to like and share this post on social media and to your friends.

Thank you.

Kelly