Direct Energy - Door to Door Scam

[n1zm0]

Originally posted by [Yu]
I'm here to just see how I can solve the issue of having the
"scummy ass salesman" image.

Wait, what's the difference between 'Direct' and 'Just'? both companies use the same tactics I guess?

Last Thursday I had 3 teens come to my door and I answered(unlike when my fiancee answered for Just Energy and almost signed up) , one FOB, one timid guy in the back and a pushy girl. I didn't even catch which of the 2 companies this group was from in the end, after I asked why would you want to see my utility bill, the girl says 'Why not? We are you service provider', I then immediately asked which company they belonged to and they all became super defensive trying to get out of the conversation and promptly went next door.

I know some of these kids think this is a great first job with fantasy skyrocketing potential commission pay, but they're still kids who more or less have no sales experience and maybe a bit of desperation, hopefully those types look back on it when they have a house and think of how absolutely retarded the doctrine of having a stranger ask you 'I'm with YOUR energy provider, let me see your energy bill' as soon as you open the door.

[FraserB]

- Don't make BS claims like "we're from you're service provider" or that I should talk to you because you sell to Enmax and I'm being screwed
- Don't try and claim you're selling "green energy"
- Don't bang on my door after dark so much that you freak my Mom out
- Going with above, don't dress like a POS when you're door knocking

And the biggest one:

- If I ask you to leave, do it. Don't make me offer you the choice of the police being called or me coming outside to remove you.

[pdm111]

Originally posted by [Yu]

2. Tell them you are with Just Energy, and that you have been with them for longer than 2-3 bill periods.

Do this. Had one of them show up. He seemed slightly surprised but left without any issues.

[blitz]

Originally posted by Sugarphreak

You have a hell of a mountain to climb if you want to come off as reputable, I will tell you right now that this isn't going to be a rewarding job for you if you don't have thick skin.

DE screwed a lot of people over, the pushed my poor mom into changing her bill by bsaically lying about the rates and it doubled for 2 years; so I really don't have a lot of respect for them.

Yup, being a reputable salesman for a sleezy company just doesn't work. Find a new job.

[[Yu]]

Ya the stuff I hear from you guys is definitely scummy.

When I first come to your door, I clearly state my name and who I am with. I make a distinction that I am not your service provider, but an arm of Direct Energy is your service provider and I'd like to see if we can improve your rates.

More often then not I don't really asked to see your bill, I just want to see if you're with Direct Energy Regulated Services and if so I want to know if you're happy with your service. If you are, I most of the time just politely say thank you and leave the customer on their day.

It's sad to see how many people here are saying that they have been lied to and how their rates have doubled. If we get to a point where we can compare rates and I notice that you guys have a better rate, I once again stop there and thank you for your time.


I don't know what the plans were like before but they definitely sound a bit different from the ones they are trying to get people onto now.

Our biggest thing is that we offer no early exit fees now and that we offer variable gas rates with a cap.


Thank you for everyones response even though some select seem to have a very emotional response to salesman which I don't blame them.

By no means am I aiming for sales as it isn't something for me entirely. This job is just something different than my usual work for the summer as I am graduating from Business soon. As I have been struggling to find a corporate job with a high GPA and tonnes of extra curriculars, I decided to just take this job.

[FraserB]

Are you advising people that they have a 10 day cooling off period to cancel with no penalties as well and that the guaranteed savings are only for the first 6 months?

[EK69]

Apparently they don't have early cancellation fees now?
Unless "no early exit fee" means something else somehow
And the rate is comparable it seems
Just not sure about the gas rate. Is it always gonna be 5.99 per GJ or it will go below that ever? I read something about the rate plus $2 I think somewhere too? What's that about?

[guessboi]

I personally don't find door to door sales attractive. It will be a good experience for you though. Let us know what your closing ratio is.

[[Yu]]

Originally posted by FraserB
Are you advising people that they have a 10 day cooling off period to cancel with no penalties as well and that the guaranteed savings are only for the first 6 months?

In the Agreement on paper, it definitely says that there are no Early exit fees, but after the 10 cooling off period, there is a required 30 days notice to cancel. With this in mind, the trainer told us that at Direct Energy (not Direct Energy Regulated Services), we don't charge a penalty.

I can't say I can guarantee you savings, as that would be misrepresentation. I just compare your rates and see if its better and if it is something that you want.

To answer another question much more above.

These are the most common providers that I see:

Regulated Providers-
EnMax
Direct Energy Regulated Services

Competitive Retailers-
EasyMax
Direct Energy
Just Energy

Like I previously mentioned I don't say I guarantee you savings, I compare rates across the board.

For example,

I think EnMax is providing fixed electricity for 8.00/kwh, and 5.39-5.99 fixed for natural gas.

Just Energy is providing 8.39/kwh, and 5.99 fixed /gj

Direct Energy is providing rates of 8.59/kwh, and 5.99 capped rate but you enjoy the comfort of variability with the market.

[[Yu]]

Originally posted by EK69
Apparently they don't have early cancellation fees now?
Unless "no early exit fee" means something else somehow
And the rate is comparable it seems
Just not sure about the gas rate. Is it always gonna be 5.99 per GJ or it will go below that ever? I read something about the rate plus $2 I think somewhere too? What's that about?

I'm not sure what the +$2 thing is, I was on the UAC I think it is for the government site and some retailers offer variable + 2 i think?


As for the 5.99 per gj, we cap it. So thus if its over that (as it was in March 2014 at $9.04) you pay the 5.99, if its below it (as it is with most of the year) you pay the market rate.

I can't remember exactly but we have some historical rates, and honestly I don't remember seeing many above $5/gj as most of the time I see it in the 3-4's.

I hope that helps

[nzwasp]

Originally posted by [Yu]




For example,

I think EnMax is providing fixed electricity for 8.00/kwh, and 5.39-5.99 fixed for natural gas.

Just Energy is providing 8.39/kwh, and 5.99 fixed /gj

Direct Energy is providing rates of 8.59/kwh, and 5.99 capped rate but you enjoy the comfort of variability with the market.

Enmax also has floating gas. Not sure of the rate.

I don't see any advantage with going with any company other than enmax. Why would I want all my utilities/city shit on seperate bills.

[Canucks3322]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by [Yu]
BUMP for an old thread.


So recently I just got a job for the summer with DE the competitive retailer side.


I'm here to just see how I can solve the issue of having the
"scummy ass salesman" image.

I am not sure if most of this old thread was for Direct Energy Regulated Services, as that is the Regulated Rate Option (RRO) arm of Direct Energy Marketing.

Problems I see here posted are:
-salesman being scummy to see your bill (I can see how the way a salesman asks to see it can be scummy as this is not what I do as it immediately makes people uncomfortable)
-salesman being too pushy (I'm not gonna lie, I know some people here that keep pressing on even when people say they are not interested. I generally try to tell them "im not here for that" one last time to see their response, if its the same, I just thank them for their time)


I understand how people don't like being interrupted at their homes, as I definitely do not like it either. I was wondering how I can make it a more pleasant experience.

Lastly, Direct Energy itself isn't scummy, but I can't speak for how salesman work as I don't see how everyone does their pitch. We do offer competitive rates, but its hard to just show the customer these without sounding like a "scam".


I apologize in advance if I come to your humble abodes and interrupt you.

Tips to getting salesman to leave:
1. No Soliciting Sign - We are very strict when it comes to these signs, when I see one I just turn around immediately as their are legal ramifications if I attempt to sell to a customer with this sign on their house. There are fines, and in some cases jail time.
2. Tell them you are with Just Energy, and that you have been with them for longer than 2-3 bill periods. As after 30 days from your first bill, to cancel with Just Energy, one must pay a cancellation fee.

Disclaimer: Everything I say does not represent Direct Energy Services, as I am not a representative outside of work. These are strictly my opinions and view on the situation. [/QUOT


Uh what's wrong with just slamming the door in your face or not answering at all?

[FraserB]

Originally posted by [Yu]



I'm not sure what the +$2 thing is, I was on the UAC I think it is for the government site and some retailers offer variable + 2 i think?


As for the 5.99 per gj, we cap it. So thus if its over that (as it was in March 2014 at $9.04) you pay the 5.99, if its below it (as it is with most of the year) you pay the market rate.

I can't remember exactly but we have some historical rates, and honestly I don't remember seeing many above $5/gj as most of the time I see it in the 3-4's.

I hope that helps

With DE you pay the AECO "C" price plus a rider of $2.00/GJ. It's just not going to exceed $5.99/GJ.

So with an AECO "C" rate of $3.99/GJ or higher, you'll always be paying the $5.99/GJ. But there seems to be a date range limitation on the cap rate.

[FraserB]

EasyMax current fixed electrical (5 year) is 8.49/kwh and their floating is 4.235/kwh (average 8.772 over the last 2 years).

Easymax current fixed gas (5 year) is 5.99/GJ and their floating is 4.511/GJ (average of 3.02/GJ). With their $0.99/GJ rider, your average would have been $4.01 for the last 24 months

[Tik-Tok]

Originally posted by guessboi
I personally don't find door to door sales attractive.

The only thing I buy from door to door sales, is girl guide cookies, and only if they're the mint ones at that

The last Direct Energy guy kept asking why I wouldn't show him my bill, finally I just told him "because you're a door to door salesman, and I don't buy from door to door salespeople, have a good one" and closed the door.

My wife heard him through the window, cursing all the way down the sidewalk, lol.

[GQBalla]

Answer your the door with nothing but your underwear on.

People can't wait to end the conversation.

[blairtruck]

tell them you get billby email and if they want to risk coming to you basement for the bill or end up tied up in the closet.

[3drian]

Hey guys, new-ish home owner here, if Direct energy is such a scam as you guys say, I am just wondering what other provider you guys use? or who is the more reliable? Im in lethbridge, if that makes any difference.

[bigbadboss101]

I think the fixed electricity rate looks reasonable and might be worthwhile to go that route by looking at the average for the past 2 years. The gas rate seems a bit high though.

[Cos]

.