There seems to have been a recent surge in activity from energy broker call centres and individuals touring round industrial estates and commercial buildings using some questionable sales tactics and trying to intimidate businesses into signing long fixed rate contracts for their energy.
I will explain further down why the increase but for those of youin a hurry the key takeaway here is DO NOT GET PRESSURED INTO SIGNING CONTRACTS YOU ARE NOT ABSOLUTELY HAPPY WITH. There are no imminent changes in legistlation or pricing that would warrant this type of action.
Many of these sales people are saying that coming changes in legislation mean customers need to fix their new prices NOW or face huge penalties. Some are even refusing to leave the premises when asked, so desparate are they to make the sale.
The massive increase in these high-pressure tactics is, I believe, being driven by some changes in legislation that are being introduced at the end of this year. These changes are actually designed to protect you, the customer. The first change is that a new business energy customers will have a cooling off period after they sign a contract, something you currently don't have. The second change is that energy brokers will have to declare the amount of commision they earn on each sale.
These two changes will make it very difficult brokers to use these sales tactics once the changes come into effect. They have traditionally relied on a bit of mis-information, scaremongering and pushing for a signature on the spot. These people are seldom held accountable for what they say as it is all verbal and once the contract is signed they are pretty hard to find again. Even if the calls are recorded it is notoriously difficult to obtain a copy of the recording. I actually managed to get to arrive in time to hear one of these individuals in operation. He told my customer that he needed to sign right now as prices were going up in 30 mins and if he is unsure he can always change his mind later. In case you didn't catch it, that was a lie.
These brokers have seen the writing on the wall and so are out, in force, trying to sign up as many customers, with the largest mark-up and for the longest term they can manage. This secures their future income and the customer's misery.
Please do not be pressured into signing anything you are not sure about. There are no such changes that mean you need to make decisions on the spot. The changes being introduced this year are actually designed to protect businesses. I would of course be more than happy to offer a second opinion if you are considering changing any of your utility contracts but regardless of that, please, please do not feel pressured to sign things until you have had time to research and you feel comfortable with what you are signing. Do not take anyone's word for it, get everything you need in writing.
