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Forum Index > Provincial > Ontario Forum

Universal Energy Scam: Rates Higher than Local PUC (166 posts)

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KingstonKitten
New Member Registered	Have you been scammed by the Universal Energy Corporation? Someone from their corporation knocked at my door on April 12, 2006. I live in a "security" apartment building in which solicitation is prohibited. The landlord has signs posted stating that fact. Before I even opened the door more than a crack with the chain on and before I could ask him, the man immediately advised me that he was not a salesman. I told him that solicitation was prohibited in the building and I would not open my door to "salespersons". He advised and repeatedly assured me that he was there to inform consumers about the deregulation of utilities by the Provincial Government, how the first increase in July would be from 5 cents/kwh to 10 cents/kwh (100% increase) , and how it would increase by 2008 to 20 cents/kwh (400% increase). He further advised he was acting as a consumer advocate and stated that, if I signed up immediately for a "fixed rate", I would be protected from the bloated electricity rate increases, by having my rate frozen at 8.63 cents/kwh. While he was here, we discussed many different ways to conserve energy (not just electricity), and I told him many of the ways I personally conserve energy, for example by using all fluorescent bulbs. Several times I again asked if he was a salesman just to be sure, and he repeatedly assured me he was not, that he was a consumer advocate, going door-to-door to simply educate consumers. He certainly educated me! Like a moron, I even offered and served him a cold beverage believe it or not, while this "jerk was nailing me to the barn door". I received my Electric bill from the local utilities company in July. The rate had increased from 5 to 5.8 cents/kwh. I had unknowingly signed a "contract" with an independent utility company for a much higher rate, without even knowing it! Of course he did not tell me that!!!!!! Someone please advise me if you think I am wrong about this. The document which allegedly fixed my electric rate at 8.63 cents/kwh is supposed to protect me and keep my electricity rates frozen at a fixed rate, subsequently saving me money immediately and forever. The Ontario Energy Board set the rate at 5.8 cents/kwh. Am I actually saving money??? Of course not. It is costing me nearly 3 cents/kwh more than that set out by the Provincial Government OEB, all profit to Universal Energy, especially since the billing is still done by the local utility company! That was on July 14/06. Straight away, I contacted Universal Energy to file a complaint and cancel the contract immediately. They refused to cancel it. I was told that I would have to contact their Compliance Dept. When I asked to be transferred to the Dept., I was advised they have no telephone extension and, even if they did, there was no one on site to speak with at any time. I asked for an e-mail address, so I could cancel the contract immediately and was advised they have no e-mail address. I was provided with an address and told that I had to fax or send a letter by "snail mail" to cancel. I asked to speak with a manager or someone in a position of authority, but the woman to whom I was transferred was equally uncooperative about all of my above concerns. Immediately I telephoned the Ontario Energy Board and lodged an official complaint. Jeremy at OEB advised me that the way I was treated was typical and advised me to send the letter to Vanessa Anesetti, the Manager at Universal. I did it that afternoon. As of today, Wed. Aug. 16, 2006, they are refusing to cancel the contract, even though I have repeatedly explained how their rep misrepresented himself right from the beginning. They refuse to put anything in writing and are argumentative, insolent, and uncooperative on the phone. I have spoken with others at their office, but mostly with Anesetti. Please go to http://universalenergycorpscam.blogspot.com/ to see some of the e-mail complaints I have made, not only to Universal Energy, but also the OEB and even Premier McGuinty. This information will be posted there, followed by copies of some of my correspondences and written complaints. I am sure that I am not the only person, not only in Kingston, but also in Ontario, who is being scammed by these people. You may file complaints with the Ontario Energy Board at www.oeb.gov.on.ca (e-mail info@oeb.gov.on.ca) if you were also scammed by Universal Energy. Perhaps if enough people file complaints, they can do something about them. I don't know if it will help, but you may try contacting McGuinty at http://www.premier.gov.on.ca/home/default.asp?lang=EN. I personally have not found him (or my local MPP) to be helpful with other issues, but you never know, he may surprise me this time. He used to have an e-mail address, but there is a link on the page to contact him and you may submit your complaint directly through his site. If anyone doubts the voracity of what I have stated, contact Universal Energy yourself. Pit Bulls were banned in Ontario, and yet these more ferocious and disreputable companies are not! If anyone out there has any success, please let me know. They are refusing to cancel my contract, and I have been trying to get it cancelled since July 12, 2006, following their explicit cancellation instructions!
quote / posted 20 August 2006 8:02 PM
markanddina
New Member Registered	i was actually happy to see i wasnt alone in this....sorry to hear what happend to u....it happend to us here as well.......this woman came to the door...told my wife that if she signed with them.....Ontario Energy Savings l.p. the our electric bill would not increase as much as the hydro rates will be in a few month...so so figured to save some money shed sign...and we got our first bill..double.....from 5 to 5.8....to 9.89....form 300 dollar hydro bill.........to 600. i called them right away after talking to the local p u c... now here is the kicker.......the contract my wife signed had our names...adress...and puc account number only......there is a section on the contract that you check off for either a 4 or 5 yr term.its blank on our copy......there is no agent name....no date on the contract at all......but on the copy that this company has its all filled out.......we have the carbon copy.......the ahent who came to our door filled it out after they left....so i have been calling this company in toronto with no luck......on hold for hours....sent from person to person....being told it takes 3 to 5 days for them to recieve a fax ect.....this is a HUGE SCAM and our government needs to stop this....we are getting it from energy companies bad enough without this crap going on as well.....we are going to sue this company to be released from this fraudulent contract...and try to get our money back.....BEWARE.....PEOPLE BEWARE!!!!!
quote / posted 30 August 2006 8:31 AM
mxmcknight
New Member Registered	No, you are not in this alone. Mine got even better. I just got home from buying school supplies for 3 of my 4 children and was attempting to make supper when an Universal Energy Agent came to my door. They had come here more than a few times and immediately told her that I was not interested. At that time, my four year old was attempting to get back out of the house while she stood there at the front door. She asked me why I wasn't interested. I told her that several agents had been here on prior occasions, and I was definitely not interested. She would not leave and then told me that my son was outside for the past two hours and could have been hit by a car. At this point (I thought I lived in bizarro world), I told her to mind her own business, he is almost five and was on the sidewalk riding his bike as I watched him from the kitchen window. In addition, I told her that he has been in and out of the house (mostly in) since we got home. She walked next door and I then asked her name so that I would report her to her employer. From twenty feet away she showed me her badge and asked if I needed glasses. At that time, I just disregarded her and she again returned and again informed me she was calling Children's Aid Society as my son was outside playing. I told her then if she did not leave I would call the police. She finally continued on down the street continuously talking on and on to herself. Quite Bizarre. I tried to call Universal's customer's support and they told me that I needed to get her name for any type of action. This is one bad company!
quote / posted 07 September 2006 3:51 PM
b_12
New Member Registered	Just letting people know that you are all looking short term when it comes to power rates, I am not sure who Universal Energy is, but My mom is on the program with Ontario Energy Savings, and all it does is ensure you are paying a 2006 price for power until 2011, It is obviously not going to go down as demand grows and summers get longer. It changes monthly for the next 5 years, if your not registered on a fixed price program, so all it is free insurance that your gas and power rates will be protected from many possible increases. The electricity is a new concept, but hundreds of thousands of natural gas customers have saved a lot of money from signing a contract so when you people that complain paid 42 cents per m3 this past winter some of those who signed up only paid 18-24 cents, so ask yourself should you really be complaining and trashing a program that you know nothing about. I know you were taken advantage of by Universal Energy, and always read the fine print and ask many questions so all your objections are answered, with any luck you would know exactly what you were getting into, so I would say this is also some of your own fault as well. Make sure forms are filled out correctly and you always have to reaffirm a contract throught a telephone call at the time it was signed or in 2 to 3 weeks, so whoever signed this obviously knew exactly what they were doing. Thanks and don't mis inform people of a valuable program before you even look into its obvious belefits, like PEACE OF MIND, that your power rates wont increase. Out West their rates have already exceded 9.7cents/kwh. SO I bet you that 8.38 cents doesnt look so bad now I suppose. Signed. tHE INFORMER
quote / posted 26 September 2006 10:32 PM
Acquiesce
New Member Registered	quoting: b_12 Just letting people know that you are all looking short term when it comes to power rates So according to your theology, we should pay for goods and services at a proposed future rate instead of current prices? You mean to tell me when you go to Canadian Tire, you expect to pay $30 for a hammer when the tag says $20? You are wrong. quoting: b_12 It is obviously not going to go down as demand grows and summers get longer. Your statement here only proves that you are representing an electricity retailer, why else would you say this? Don't forget about the people who have the ability to stop subsidizing hydro rates like Premier Dalton McGuinty who did just that back in April 2006. You are wrong again. quoting: b_12 The electricity is a new concept, but hundreds of thousands of natural gas customers have saved a lot of money from signing a contract so when you people that complain paid 42 cents per m3 this past winter some of those who signed up only paid 18-24 cents, so ask yourself should you really be complaining and trashing a program that you know nothing about. Of course you moron! It's called deceptive soliciting. I bet those people who paid 42 cents per cubic metre (m3) in the winter paid 10-16 cents in the summer, thereby balancing the overall difference. So who wins? Not the average working class family/consumer of course, paying Univeral Energy Corp. the extra earnings instead of using it towards other expenses. You are wrong again. quoting: b_12 I know you were taken advantage of by Universal Energy, and always read the fine print and ask many questions so all your objections are answered, with any luck you would know exactly what you were getting into, so I would say this is also some of your own fault as well. With any luck? If people knew what they were getting into then how is this luck? The fact of the matter is, the solicitors for UEC are the most pathetic people on earth. The majority of them do not have families and if they do they should be ashamed of themselves for convincing hard working Canadians to try to save some money, only to lead them down a one way street with no way of getting back. Remember this, I know it's difficult for you to follow "b_12" so listen carefully, UEC relies on people like you to make them money. They don't care how and they don't care what their sales people do to get the contacts signed. You are wrong again. quoting: b_12 Make sure forms are filled out correctly and you always have to reaffirm a contract throught a telephone call at the time it was signed or in 2 to 3 weeks, so whoever signed this obviously knew exactly what they were doing. Thanks and don't mis inform people of a valuable program before you even look into its obvious belefits, like PEACE OF MIND, that your power rates wont increase. Out West their rates have already exceded 9.7cents/kwh. SO I bet you that 8.38 cents doesnt look so bad now I suppose. Signed. tHE INFORMER Let's face it. The phone call is to affirm the agent got the number right. UEC hires illiterate sales people and by calling and confirming the residence, it's their way of making sure the information on the contract was spelled correctly, that's all it is. To bind someone to a contact simply by placing a phonecall would not hold up in a court of law, it's hearsay. So all in all, what did we learn from your rant? I quote the great James Downey as The Principal... "What you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul." Oh, and I forgot, YOU'RE WRONG AGAIN b_12? (BTW, nice username you idiot) To the people who are currently stuck with UEC, here's the only way to get out of your contract; GET SEPARATED FROM YOUR SPOUSE (on paper anyway). The UEC does not require both signatures of the residency on the contract, only the person who's paying the utility bill. UEC cannot force someone to honor a contract if this person is not residing at the locaton on the bill. This process will take a long time but at least you're making a point not to pay these bloodsuckers and to stop them from getting rich off of the working class. I wonder, are the shareholders of UEC also under contract for their residency? I think we all know the answer to that question.
quote / posted 25 October 2006 10:37 AM
DavidPayne
New Member Registered	We had an oriental lady appear this evening at our farm around 8 pm. Her presentation began just like those discussed in this blog. She was clearly coached in how to deceive and manipulate. "No this is not a sales pitch; I'm here to complete a brief survey and ensure you are treated fairly as a power consumer"; "it's a 'legal requirement' to ask people if they wanted to prevent hydro hikes". She asked to see our bill to ensure "we were protected". She added "this is a no fee / nothing to lose" proposal to ensure we were not being overcharged down the road. We showed her our bill and, surprise, surprise, she declared, "No you are not protected" She immediately pulled out this paper and began filling in personal info re address, phone, etc. She wanted us to sign on the spot "to save and guarantee lowest possible rates". I laughed and asked her why it was so important to sign anything at this late hour when we weren't even expecting a visit. She declared the mail had been unreliable and people weren't returning their notices. I firmly told her we weren't signing anything until we read the fine print. She tried to represent herself as part of Hydro One and was incredulous at our refusal to immediately sign. I told her that I didn't really care what she thought, especially since she had parked her car on our lawn to save a few steps. I also told her we did not make a choice under pressure and we doubted her facts. She finally departed and left me the info. (The sudden appearance of our 115 lb german sheppard may have hastened her departure). I checked out Universal Power on the Net and made some calls. The results were telling. The fine details are clearly in favour of UEC and the saving (if any) would be a true long term gamble. The presentation was in fact very misleading. Beware friends ... better still tell the UEC commission-driven rep to seek out another mark at the outset.
quote / posted 12 March 2007 8:21 PM
damncute
New Member Registered	Our story goes much the same as the rest except to add that no one signed any contract. When the agent came by I was home, the hydro is in my roomates name so I couldn't sign even if I wanted to (I didn't). Still our hydo went up outragously. Upon inquiry we have so far found out that we are recieving our hydro from this universal energy and that they apparently got the go ahead to sign us up from some phone comformation that no one remembers. We are just starting our fight but appreciate any help that we can get.
quote / posted 16 March 2007 10:35 PM
realconsumeradvocate
New Member Registered	Whoever wrote the email supporting Universal Power probably works for them. This company is very underhanded. They are selling a ripoff, make money by gauging, and get customers through deception. While fixed rates are a good idea in theory, especially with the way energy demands are skyrocketing, you dont pay a fixed rate 30% over current rates! As most of the people dealing with this problem (utilities) will also be home owners, think of it like mortages. You can get a variable rate mortage, instead of a fixed one, and gamble the rates will go down instead of up. But, if you take the fixed mortgate, you take it at CURENT prices, not 30% above. This would mean universal charging 6.5 cents per Kwh, not 9!!! THey are gauging. Plus, rates in ontario, for natural gas (which Universal is also into) just went down with our local distributor, not up! The stories from people are always the same. The sales agents use the same lines "we are consumer advocates" "you are not protected" across different cities because they are TRAINED in how to trick people. Any company selling a half-decent product, doesnt need to trick people to get their business! (On a side note - ever try to comunicate with this company through email or phone? THey dont give you their names (first and last, or they give fake first names only. Any legitimate business, has their customer serice people start pheon calls by introducing their name, and sends emails with their full names at the bottom. THis is because they want to take responsiblity if their customers have a problem. Universal doesnt because they have something to hide.) They say the proof is in the pudding. Well, Universal has only been in business for two years at this time. 24 months, and in that time they already have 40 complaints with the Better Business Bureau. That is between 1-2 a month, and that is only the ones registered with the BBB! More than half are related to their Sales practices. See the pattern of behaviour. What help I can offer is limited. Basically, if you signed their contract you have to act fast or else there is not much to be done. First off, when THEY approach YOU to make the sale, as they do when their sales agent comes to your house unannounced, then the contract can not be made legally binding immedeately. Under the Consumer Protection Act of 2002, you have the right to cancel the contract without reason within 10 days of signing it. So, email them, call them, and most of all send a written letter to their head office through registered mail so you can prove it got there and on what day. Also fax them and get a fax confirmation report. Second, undre the Energy Board Act of 1998, with soliciting done like this, the written/signed contract cant be made legally binding until they confirm it a second time (and they must waiting until after the 10 day peried to end before they do it). When they try to confirm by phone, tell them NO. Also, they must make a recording of this call to show that you did reaffirm the contract. Legally you have a right to this recording. So to the person who says above that they dont remember the call, tell the company you want your copy of the recording under your rights protected by the Energy Board Act of 1998. They have to make the recording as proof that you said YES so that they can switch your account over. They have until 61 days after signing the contract to do this, so during that window, if they havent called you, you can call them still (i think) and cancel it. After 10 days you certainly can, between 10 and 61 I think, but after 61 days you are most likely stuck. However, give the Better Business Bureay a call and see if they can help. They are there to help consumers with businesses that act inappropriately like this one. Behaviour like this is also EXACTLY why the legislature like the Consumer Protection Act, 2002 and the Energy Board Act, 1998 were made, to stop dirty business practices like these and protect consumers from being ripped off! Again, never sign anything without reading the fine print. Also, never sign anything under pressure..ask them to leave the materials and come back in a few days so you have time to think it over (if they insist you do it right away, there is your first sign something is fishy!!!).
quote / posted 19 March 2007 6:19 PM
Sorsha
New Member Registered	I was also scammed by these people. They mentioned nothing about a new company, switching providers, or anything like that. They said they were sent by the provincial government (as the OP posted), and that they simply wanted to see if we were eligible for the new program which would reduce our rates - again, no mention of signing up for anything, I what I was filling out was an APPLICATION form, not a contract of any kind. I was told there would be a phone call to confirm we were still interested in the program within 10 days. When they called, I told them to cancel the application IMMEDIATELY. They said "no problem, it's done, no worries". One week later, my roommate and I get a letter in the mail from Universal saying our application has been approved and bsically "welcome on board".. HUH???!!!!! What recourses do we have??!!
quote / posted 22 March 2007 8:47 PM
astone
New Member Registered	I was also scammed in a similar way.I had a person come up to my door that spoke very little english and basically lied to my face. I was basically bullied into signing their "no obligation/just for information" form to get the guy to leave. When my hydro bill went up by approx $600 I called UP to see if I could cancel their services as they were basically costing me an amazing amount of money. They then informed me that it would cost me $700 to cancel out of their contract early. Fantastic. I don't even remember signing a contract with these people ... and now my hydro bills have gone up each billing period. There must be something we can do. Has anyone tried to seek professional help i.e. calling a lawyer and threatening legal action? If so, did it work? They can't just do this to people, it isn't right. I mean how can these people (who I might add cannot speak an ounce of english) sleep at night knowing what they have done to people. If anyone has sucess please e-mail me at wild_froggy@hotmail.com and let me know how.
quote / posted 22 March 2007 9:02 PM
astone
New Member Registered	Just a though. Has anyone tried going to their local TV station. You know how Global, W5, and a couple other stations investigate suspected fraud. If enough of us wrote e-mails and complained they might do an investigation into the matter. What does everyone think?!?
quote / posted 23 March 2007 10:58 AM
my3boyz1girl
New Member Registered	Kitten, I am curious to find out what has happened with your situation? I am a mom of 4 and went through the same thing you all have. A horrible situation, with a guy who said he was 'not-a-sales-person' but an 'advocate & educator'. He started whipping out newspaper clipping from his briefcase with every terrifying heading he could have possibly dug up in the last 10 years. I signed up too in April of 2006 under false pretenses. These people who are defending this company keep saying that 'we've had a verbal phone call' is ludicris!!! This kind of company doesn't call you up and say, "Hey are you on board for paying 40-50% more for Hydro and Gas for the next 5 years...oh yeah, if you stay with your current carrier chances are you will NOT start paying the rates that UEC is going to charge you for about 8-10 years based on historical trends." OF COURSE NOT!!! The call comes in like they are going to review your address and account information. The call comes in like a courtesy call NOT like you are signing up for the contract. The company did not even get a hold of me or my husband...they said they received a verbal from us but in fact they must have been speaking to my 75 year old grandmother who was watching my kids at the time. She vaguely remembers them calling but said she would have never agreed to something like that...she remembers a call from a' Electricity company' that was reviewing our addess and she just said she said yes to that so the company could send our utility bills to the right home. We had just moved so she thought she was doing us a favor by providing our information. Long story short, this company knows how to manipulate. I've complained 3 times, and sent a fax of complaint to the company. The rep's are rude and the last time I complained because nothing was done and a follow-up had not even been sent by email, phone or mail to myself, I was told they never received a fax and leave them alone there is nothing they can do about the people that work for them?????? I was then told the door-to-door rep's are 'commissioned and they will say what they want, we at UEC have no control'. She then said, 'it's too bad...you are locked in for 5 years'. We need more complaints and more complaints from all that have been taken advantage of. NONE of there practices are fair, NONE. Incidentally, my neigbour also signed up in April 2006 and went through the exact same thing we all have...they threatened and faxed and complained. There lawyer said to request from the company a copy of the verbal confirmation (my neighbors also never said OK via phone, possibly the babysitter had reviewed the address with UEC rep). So of course these crooks at UEC NEVER sent the verbal agreement to my neighbors...and now UEC had to cancel the account. My neighbors are clear and free of UEC and finalization of the account closing was only a few months ago. Tell EVERYONE you can about this company, send out mass emails telling them to AVOID UNIVERSAL ENERGY CORP, kick these rep's OFF YOUR PORCH! More and more friends and family are coming out of the wood work to tell there stories of being manipulated by UEC. Even when I spoke to my local Hydro/Gas board they said they have had complaints daily regarding UEC and people need to lodge complaints. And the other posters are right, we need to lodge complaints to get action. And word of mouth is the best advertising good or BAD, IN UEC'S CASE. Knowledge is contagious. I am going the route of a lawyer, like my neighbor, demand the recording and check out the OEB website. Kingston Kitten, let me know how everything went please. If anyone else has suggestions about the route they took please post. Thanks, Concerned Electricity & Gas User
quote / posted 25 March 2007 4:18 PM
ihatescammers
New Member Registered	The sad thing is, you don't even need to sign in order for them to magically transfer you over to them! Someone came to my door back in October telling me about this price protection plan from Universal Energy, he gave me a booklet to read with an application form inside. He said if i wish to take advantage of this, to fill out the application and mail it in.. I have a copy of it at home.. it is only signed by him at the bottom where it says Agent Name and Signature.. nowhere does it show any of my information or my signature.. so i never signed it and i never mailed it to them.... in January, i noticed on my gas bill that my gas supplier is now Universal Energy.... i phone my regular company-Union Gas- the lady said that they received a request signed by the client which is ME asking to switch me over... i immediately called Universal and according to them i signed a contract, i also spoke to someone on the phone..i asked them to provide proof.. send me a copy of the contract with my signature and i want to hear a recording of me saying on the phone that i agree.. obviously i did not receive any of that.. and 2 month later Union Gas received a mysterious cancellation letter again coming from ME asking to cancel Universal Energy services. Couple of days ago, I also had a girl come to my door asking to see my Hydro bill. She said that they've made a mistake and need to reverse a processing fee that they have accidentally charged some clients. When she came in, i didnt' quite catch who she said she worked for so i asked her again and she said she was from Universal Energy.. I said to her that i do not get any services from them and do not wish to have anything to do with them.. she assured me that my Hydro company is aware of this fee error so i said if they are aware of it they can reverse it on my next bill... but i am not showing you anything and please leave.. i called my Hydro company the next day, and the lady was in shock! She said that they would never have anyone come to the door, and there were no errors!!! It's very sad that this company Universal Energy has to go to such extremes in order to get people to use their services! I think i got lucky because at least i am back with my regular companies, i have heard of people who are unable to get out of this universal energy contract which apparently they signed but for some reason the company can not come up with any proof. How can this be allowed? How can this keep happening? Why is the Ontario Energy Board not looking into this?
quote / posted 30 March 2007 9:17 AM
ihatescammers
New Member Registered	I also wanted to add... i think the only way you can get out of this.. is demand proof!!! demand to see this contract that according to them you signed.. also in the booklet with their info.. it clearly states that when the agent comes to your door, if you did sign something its not a contract its an application and they HAVE TO confirm it with you over the phone! otherwise it becomes void after 60 days... adn their website says that you are suppose to receive a written copy of the contract.. if you don't have one clearly something isn't right
quote / posted 30 March 2007 9:23 AM
susyQ
New Member Registered	I too am a victim of this ridiculous "scam". My recent hydro bill was double what it was this time last year. After noticing Universal Power's charges on my bill, my daughter recalled an incident that had occured 6 months earlier; a guy had come knocking at my apt door, (it too, a security buidling with no soliciting allowed). She was just house-sitting my apt at the time, and this guy suckered her into signing on my behalf. I had absolutely no knowlegde of the situation and am just starting what I am sure is to be a crazy process in order to have this so-called contract cancelled. I made the first step and phoned this low-life company and got absolutely no-where. I was understandbly upset by the whole situation and demanded to speak to a Manager, and of course I was denied. I was informed that a Supervisor would return my call within 24 to 48 hours. That was Thursday evening. It is unbelievable to me that one's electrical supplier can be changed without their knowledge or signature! My daughter doesn't pay rent and certainly doesn't pay my hydro bill! With these outrageous hydro rates, I will have no alternative but to give up my apt and move. I would appreciate any direction from anyone who has been or is in a similar situation. I am also making everyone out there to beware of these scum bags.
quote / posted 01 April 2007 1:44 PM
BellyOfTheBeast
New Member Registered	What I don't get here people, is that you sign an application at the door (and it's JUST THAT - an application, they do get rejected by your utility, it's not automatic) and you have TEN WHOLE DAYS to look it over. Did the agent lie to you? Yeah, they might have. Decent chance they did. But they can't possibly sign you up until they reaffirm by phone in ten days. How long does it take to see in black and white on the application what you would pay for five years, and then get out your hydro bill and see how it compares? Does this take TEN DAYS!?!!?!?! Or MORE after the company calls you and you ask for more time? You have Universal's number right on the pamphlet...you have the OEB's number by law printed right on the pamphlet...you have your local hydro company's number printed on your bill, and all three any ANY time in those ten days can tell you what you're paying now. So wait - you took the word of some fast talking salesperson? You didn't take FIVE MINUTES in TEN DAYS to verify what they said was true? To read the material, call people? Didn't realize this is in WRITING what you pay? Didn't realize that the agent could have said magic lephrecauns could show up at your door and sing to you if you sign here, but realize what you are signing to is the PRINTED AGREEMENT? Then after ten days someone calls you, states in black and white what you'll pay, on tape, and without saying "I need more time" or "Oh look I need to check this out...can I get more time?" They state "We are calling to FINALIZE the agreement." What exactly do you think that means? "It's final now...but we'll make sure it's really final tomorrow, and the day after that..." And just to clarify? After 60 days the application is null and void...without a verbal agreement, where they state exactly what you pay, on tape, NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! goes through. As for not saying it's higher? I ask you...does the mortgage guy tell you Xbanx gets you a better deal? Does the shoe saleswoman in the mall say you can get the same pair of Nike's for $20 cheaper at Wal Mart? How many mortgages or shoes would they sell exactly? If you can't price compare, is that the retailer's fault? As for the commenter on hammers...what if you had to buy a hammer every day, and Canadian Tire said "That's $20 today." An electricity retailer says "Ok, I'm going to charge you $30, but every hammer you buy for the next five years will be the same price." Meanwhile Canadian Tire (the only hardware store in town) says "Hammers are now $40. Oh wait - don't like that? Awww...too bad. But that's our price." That $30 hammer sounds pretty good now.
quote / posted 02 April 2007 11:13 PM
BellyOfTheBeast
New Member Registered	Ok wait, I gotta go through this one... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Just letting people know that you are all looking short term when it comes to power rates -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- quote: So according to your theology, we should pay for goods and services at a proposed future rate instead of current prices? You mean to tell me when you go to Canadian Tire, you expect to pay $30 for a hammer when the tag says $20? You are wrong. See my response above. quoting: b_12 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It is obviously not going to go down as demand grows and summers get longer. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- quote: Your statement here only proves that you are representing an electricity retailer, why else would you say this? Don't forget about the people who have the ability to stop subsidizing hydro rates like Premier Dalton McGuinty who did just that back in April 2006. You are wrong again. Actually, what is called the RPP (Regulated Price Plan) which removed the subsidy (and even then not completely) was removed in 2005. And hot weather not putting up hydro rates? Rates went up on May 1 2006 after a hot summer in 2005, when prices spiked. Look up the archives at www.ieso.ca. As for higher rates in the future I could point to a million different sources, including The National Energy Board with the Government of Canada (http://www.neb.gc.ca/energy/EnergyPricing/CurrentMarketConditions/EL_e.htm) the fact that natural gas supplies have peaked in North America (price of gas goes higher = cost to generate electricity from gas goes higher = higher prices for electricity; see http://www.theoildrum.com/node/2157) the fact that fissionable nuclear fuel prices are skyrocketing and may be peaking worldwide (see http://www.theoildrum.com/node/2379) and then of course the whole spectre of Peak Oil...Google that term, wake up, and change your life. quoting: b_12 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The electricity is a new concept, but hundreds of thousands of natural gas customers have saved a lot of money from signing a contract so when you people that complain paid 42 cents per m3 this past winter some of those who signed up only paid 18-24 cents, so ask yourself should you really be complaining and trashing a program that you know nothing about. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- quote: Of course you moron! It's called deceptive soliciting. I bet those people who paid 42 cents per cubic metre (m3) in the winter paid 10-16 cents in the summer, thereby balancing the overall difference...You are wrong again. . Well...actually, YOU'RE the one who's wrong, if you check the price comparison website energyshop.com, or Union Gas' published historical rates on their website here http://www.uniongas.com/aboutus/regulatory/rates/summary/ratesummary.asp. People haven't paid rates in the 10-16 cent range for years. It's all published there, in black and white. quote: Let's face it. The phone call is to affirm the agent got the number right. UEC hires illiterate sales people and by calling and confirming the residence, it's their way of making sure the information on the contract was spelled correctly, that's all it is. To bind someone to a contact simply by placing a phonecall would not hold up in a court of law, it's hearsay. I'm sorry...having the account holder sign an agreement and then have it stated in black and white, on tape, that said person agrees to it after having had a chance to read it after 10 days...is hearsay? Ooooook... quote: I wonder, are the shareholders of UEC also under contract for their residency? I think we all know the answer to that question. If they're smart? They very, very well should be locked in on gas...and electricity will very likely pay out too. I don't think most people have any IDEA what kind of energy crisis we are staring down the barrel of in the next five years. " target="AFFCC742-F1F6-9884-E3005897719FF73E"> If they're smart? They very, very well should be locked in on gas...and electricity will very likely pay out too. I don't think most people have any IDEA what kind of energy crisis we are staring down the barrel of in the next five years.
quote / posted 02 April 2007 11:49 PM
Smvh
New Member Registered	Our family were basically scammed as well. The salesperson came to the door late in the evening ( I know it was a karate night and my husband was home so it had to be after 8:00). I have 3 kids under 8 and the youngest is autistic so it was royal chaos and I had asked the gentleman ( I use that term lightly) if he was selling me a plan, repeatedly he said no and gave me the same scam info you all report. I handed him over to my husband so I could get the kids finished homework and to sleep... finally my husband just filled out the form to get rid of him as the gentleman said it wouldn't be activated until we called. I didn't think anything of it after that as we had no intention of activating it... aparently they called back about a week later (again late in the evening) and asked to just verify some info which my husband did! Apparently this call activated us... the other day my neighbour mentioned something about this company so I called them just to verify that we weren't activated but we were... I asked 5 times!!!! to speak to a manager/supervisor and finally the person on the phone came back and said the manager was on another call... so I told them I wanted the manager to call me back as soon as they were finished on the line. I waited 45 minutes called back and was told by the person who answered that policy is that a manager will return calls in a 24 - 48 hour period. I told her that we were cancelling and that we were filing with the Better Business Bureau. Someone called me yesterday after 24 hours (what a shock) and told me that I should have just told the person at the door to go away and they would have. (yeah right) I was also told that my cancellation notice was sent to a different person and she had no knowledge of it and that it takes that department 10 - 15 business days to review my file and would advise me if I can have it cancelled. Unfortunately I don't hold much hope of that as it was 3 days afer the 30 day bull crap cancellation date. Please file your complaints with the Better Business Bureau. These companies prey on us and use these times late in the evening when things are confusing in a home.
quote / posted 07 April 2007 10:43 AM
sillygirl
New Member Registered	I've been victim to this scam as well and have heard about adding a separate meter installed by your local power company may work. The catch is that this extra meter would be installed for the reason of a in-house apartment. It was recomended to me that you leave a fridge or something on the old meter. If anyone knows or has done this, let me know.
quote / posted 11 April 2007 8:28 PM
universalgoingtocourt
New Member Registered	Universal also scammed/tricked/conned me into signing their contract. I was approached by one of Universal's minion in April 2006, claiming to save me money on my utilities bill. To keep this short, most of us that got conned in signing the contract are familiar with their unethical tactics, that's why we're all posting here. So, I won't go in details. The day I found out they switched me over without my authorization. I flipped and immediately contacted them. It took a couple of days and hours on the phone for me to get the manager as I was persistent. Bascially, they told me the verbal affirmation of the application was the contract when one of their rep called me and interrupted my dinner. He couldn't even speak english that clearly, when he called the way he worded things was affirmation. To me that means they're confirming the info on my application, in actuality when you answer 'yes' to those questions that's where they get you and it's all recorded. You just entered into the 5 yr contract with them. When I spoke to Vanessa (one of the head biatch at Universal) she basically played that recording to me and I'm thinking to myself (you bastards) that was very clever the way I was conned into this contract. Anyways, she told me if I want to get out of the contract I would have to pay roughly $500+. At this point I realized the argument was fruitless so I hung up and immediately contact my lawyer. The court date is set in May for a prelimary hearing. My lawyer said I can have up to 15 witnesses who's been conned the same way I have. I'm going to take them down and I'm also thinking about a class action suit against them. If you're in the Windsor area or close by and would like to be a witness please let me know, right now it's just a small claims court. I will keep everyone posted on the outcome.
quote / posted 13 April 2007 9:30 AM

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