These people called our business this morning (twice very recently, according to the caller ID.) It was Direct Energy Business, a company that sells electricity through National Grid. The man promised savings because they would give us a lower rate than what we were paying now. (He quoted our alleged current rate and I informed him that I had not authorized him to know what we were paying. He insists it's 'public knowledge,' which I find a little dubious.) Claims the lower rate would be guaranteed for one year but there was no contract so we could cancel at any time. I asked him, if there was no contract, how did I know we would continue getting that lower rate? He insisted the conversation was recorded. I pointed out that WE would not have a copy of the recording. (If he was talking about the conversation we were having that moment, the company is in violation of federal wiretapping laws because that was never disclosed. I assume he meant it would be recorded later.) I asked him if he was aware that his company had an F rating with the BBB. He insisted they have an A rating. I told him, I'm looking right at the BBB site and it clearly says 'F' and even confirmed the company's corporate address to be certain it wasn't a different company. (I actually don't trust BBB ratings but it was fun to goad him with that.) I asked him to send us information and we would look it over. He hemmed and hawed about that then finally said he could fax something over. Unfortunate for him, our fax line is dead. (Truly.) He could email it. I told him I wasn't giving out my email address, asked him to send the information by mail. Get this, he (and his supervisor, apparently) claim they are not authorized to send information through the mail. Say what??? I've never heard of a company that won't do business through the mail. Makes me wonder what they're afraid of. Mail fraud? I told him I would not do business with a company who isn't authorized to mail things, thanked him, and hung up. They might be legit and maybe they could save our company money - the first year - but every instinct I have tells me that the first year would be the only year we'd see any savings. I know how these things work. They rely on human laziness and the assumption that just because you got a good deal the first time, you'll assume it's a good deal every year thereafter.
These butt-wipes called AGAIN. They called our company on April 18 and again on the 19th. When I complained on the 19th, a woman took down our number and promised it would be removed from their calling list. Well, today, at 1659 hrs today, the April 27th, this 'company' called again. I picked up the phone but said nothing, listening to the loud chatter of 'business reps' speaking to other people and making all kinds of promises. After a moment or two, the line disconnected. If they can't keep a simple promise like not calling us again, I can just imagine what their track record must be for their other promises - that they won't put on paper and won't send in the mail for people to look over.
They call day after day looking to talk to the person who handles our national grid bill, I just put them to voicemail but they aren't getting the hint. They are relentless!