"Can I see your utility bills?" guy at the door

[GSRee]

Anybody have one of those "Can I see your utility bills?" guys at the door recently? I couldn't understand the guy that just came to my door so I really don't have any idea what he was trying to accomplish, other than that he kept saying something about a $25 cheque, so I'm thinking that might have been something to do with peaksaver.

But then I'm curious as to why he would have also been interested in seeing my gas bill. Is there some sort of promotion that Union Gas has on right now?

He didn't seem to be a sales guy trying to sell me on a 3rd party supplier, but maybe that pitch would have come if I had shown him my bills.

[CheapScotsman]

Some of them, now that they have your address, your mail and you account number ... switch you to their service and you have to go through customer service hell to get it back ... or live with the service/pricing, etc

If they got your existing account number, phone your current provider, tell them what happened and see if they can prevent any transfer ... if it comes up ... assuming you don't want to transfer.

[samm]

Sounds like what Summit Energy does. Go check out the large thread regarding said name.

[GSRee]

Never thought of that possibility. I don't trust anyone that comes to the door so he didn't get my info (he did have a nice stack of papers from my neighbours though!), so I'm not worried.

It's more a case of I'm wondering if he was legit, and if I'm missing out on some deal! :cheesygri

[woof]

Why would you talk to strangers who come to your door? Slam the door on them and go back to what you were doing.

[GSRee]

Why would you talk to strangers who come to your door? Slam the door on them and go back to what you were doing.

I'll give anybody 30 seconds. One time I was the stranger knocking on somebodies door, letting him know his chimney was on fire!

[Mayoo]

I had my first 'visitor' and i went with my blackberry on his face scaring him that i am recording and for some reason he got freaked out and left .. i actually liked him .. cause i think these guys are quite entertaining ..

[slim_shady]

The way I see it, anyone asking to see my bill obviously doesn't work for the utility (because they would have access to my data), so they can just keep on walking...

[l69norm]

The trick National Home Services (the other 3rd party water heater people) use is that they say they are from the gas company. They then say you received notice in your last gas bill that they would be coming to replace your water heater.

Of course you won't remember seeing the notice, so they then say "bring me your last gas bill and I'll show you where it says this"

[TrevorK]

Maybe I'm crazy, but I can't understand why the provincial government would allow a company to exist that steals a persons information and switches their gas company.

We don't get many of these people in my part of the country (I think our carriers are much more limited), but from reading the forums it seems like a huge problem in Ontario that needs to be addressed by the government.

[woof]

Maybe I'm crazy, but I can't understand why the provincial government would allow a company to exist that steals a persons information and switches their gas company.

Because these companies typically belong to some sort of industry association which has lobbyists to go around knocking on politicians doors assuring them that everything is fine and no legislation is needed and the odd problem is simply due to a misunderstanding or a bad employee and this will be corrected and besides there are undoubtedly more important issues for the government to worry about, etc etc...

[l69norm]

Maybe I'm crazy, but I can't understand why the provincial government would allow a company to exist that steals a persons information and switches their gas company.

We don't get many of these people in my part of the country (I think our carriers are much more limited), but from reading the forums it seems like a huge problem in Ontario that needs to be addressed by the government.

Even through the Ontario Energy Board (OEB= ON government agency repsonsible) regularly fines companies, the practices seem to be widespead:

http://www.thespec.com/printArticle/563727

"....There are 11 licensed active natural gas marketers listed with the Ontario Energy Board (OEB). On the Better Business Bureau website, 6 of the 11 licensed low-volume gas marketers have an F rating with more than 950 complaints in the past 36 months. The majority of complaints involve contract or sales practice issues...."

"....In January, the OEB fined two brokers for making "false, misleading or deceptive statements." Toronto-based Universal Energy was fined $200,000 and Summitt Energy $100,000. Both companies settled, paying out $127,500 and $70,000 respectively..."

"...On April 23, the OEB fined Universal Energy $60,000 (sic: again) and Direct Energy $15,000. Both companies were shown making "false, misleading or deceptive statements" at the door...."

[Big Brother]

Visitor: Can I see your utility bill?
Me: Ok, only if you show me your driver license or any form of gov't issued ID
*Visitor leaves*

[Becks]

A female came to our door back in either August or September, and my mom answered. She said she wanted to see the gas bill to confirm that we are getting a discount, or something. She was very insistent, and said once she checked us off, she would leave. I am more aware of things than my mom, and I was pretty shocked that these gas companies are utilizing such tricky and deceptive tactics to get people to switch over to their fixed rate gas plans. Thank goodness I was nearby. There are a lot of people who don't understand English that well, and it is no wonder that a lot of people just don't even bother answering the door to strangers, even when they are wearing UPS or Canada Post uniforms! Anyways... I hear that the non-fixed gas rate is going down this winter. I am so glad I cancelled the contract that my dad had signed a couple years ago, or else we'd be paying the $9.99 rate.

[DrXenon]

I just say "OK, wait here I'll look for it" and shut the door. Then I go back to websurfing or whatever until they give up and go away.

[stealth]

Because these companies typically belong to some sort of industry association which has lobbyists to go around knocking on politicians doors assuring them that everything is fine and no legislation is needed and the odd problem is simply due to a misunderstanding or a bad employee and this will be corrected and besides there are undoubtedly more important issues for the government to worry about, etc etc...

+1. consumers get very little protection from unscrupulous businesses IMO. The government pretty much turns a blind eye to it, or even enables it and is in complete denial.

When it happens to me, I usually just grumble to them about how I dont have time to go looking for bills or any of their other nonsense. Sometimes they smugly say things like "so you dont want to save $50?" or whatever... I say "ya, thats right" with a big grin.

The key is to get the door closing. They cant keep it open if you dont let them, so you have to dismiss everything they say as noise and close the door.

[afici0nad0]

ya, it's a questionable business practice, and one i've experienced more than once.

i do like the idea of asking for his/her government issued ID. i've love to see the reaction to his/her face.

by default, i don't even open the door if it's someone i don't recognize (unless he/she is in a uniform i do identify).

[jericho129]

The way I see it, anyone asking to see my bill obviously doesn't work for the utility (because they would have access to my data), so they can just keep on walking...

+1

This was always my reasoning... I even had discussions with these people at the door about this. "We need to see your bill to make sure you're getting the discount."
"You work for the company that supplies us with gas?"
"Yes."
"Then shouldn't you have my bill information already?"
"Yes but we need to make sure you're getting the discount."
"Right, but you have all that information already."

[blank stares]

[Jimbobs]

If I have the time, I like to have long pleasant conversations with them. Sometimes they can be amusing. If I am busy, I just say no, thanks and close the door.