Direct Energy is at it again, pretending to be Direct Energy

[Thorin]

I just had a guy at my door.  He's wearing a toque that says Direct Energy, a jacket that says Direct Energy, an employee ID card on a lanyard around his neck that says Direct Energy, and has paperwork that says Direct Energy.

Thorin: "Yeah?"
Guy: "Hello sir, I'm from Direct Energy, just checking that you've got your winter cap on the bill.  Are you the homeowner or renter in charge of paying the bill?"
Thorin: "Why?"
Guy: "And you get an orange bill?"
Thorin: "Why?"
Guy: "Could you get your bill so we can check that you're already getting the winter cap?"
Thorin: "If Direct Energy wants to see my bill, they can call me"
Guy: "But Direct Energy is here now, checking bills"
Thorin: "If Direct Energy wants to see my bill, they can call me"
Guy: "Sir, I'm from Direct Energy, and I'm just checking your bill"
Thorin: "If Direct Energy wants to see my bill, they can call me"
Guy: "Yes sir, I'm just checking your bill to make sure you're getting the winter cap"
Thorin: "I am not showing you my bill and get off my property"

He looked real butt-hurt when I closed the door in his face.

rule 1: if they ask to see any paperwork, TELL THEM TO GET LOST

rule 2: most people get gas from Direct Energy Regulated Services (DERS or frequently nicknamed Direct Energy), and that's not the same company as Direct Energy (note that's the actual name not the nickname).

[Tom]

Hm, well I'm actually with "Direct Energy Essential Services" or so says my bill payment thing. Either way they gave me a good deal

[Mr. Analog]

I'm so glad we have the "No Soliciting" sign, even when people get through I can send them out on their heels

[Thorin]

Hm, well I'm actually with "Direct Energy Essential Services" or so says my bill payment thing. Either way they gave me a good deal

Yup, it's certainly possible that I turned down a good deal.  But then again, here's this guy pretending to be from my gas provider wearing clothing with a very-close-but-not-quite-the-same name and logo, saying he wants to see a piece of paper that has one of my account numbers and my full name and address on it.  And if he's really from my existing gas provider, why does he have to see my bill?  They'd have all my information in their system already.

I might get lucky and have this guy not be someone who would take advantage of me.  That's not likely, though.

It's shady, underhanded, and there are lots of reports on the ol' Al Gore about people at the door writing down an account number and then switching it over from DERS to DE (which might be the same as DEES?).  And guess what?  None of those reports are from happy people or say anything about money savings, but it does come out that the sales people at the door get commission for everyone they sign up.

[Tom]

I thought they were actually related businesses to be honest. Like some kind of licensing deal or even closer ties.

But yeah, if they were attempting to "slam" you, you did everything right.

I think they are slightly less shady than another place that likes to come around here claiming "green energy" ( I think that might be their name cant remember), and other things. It's ALL lies. Every single thing they tell you at the door is a lie, and some of the people will go to lengths to get you to switch. Comcast retention style lengths.

[Thorin]

Here's someone who went public to shame Direct Energy, who suffered basically the same fool at the door except they fell for it: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/customer-accuses-direct-energy-of-misleading-sales-tactics-1.3057836.

That article also explains the relationship:

Direct Energy of Houston, Texas, has two subsidiaries: Direct Energy Regulated Services, and Direct Energy Marketing Limited.  And there's probably a third subsidiary, Direct Energy Essential Services.

[Lazybones]

They are making the rounds here as well...

The basic math on the fixed rates shows how horrible they are...

If you can luck out and OUT PREDICT a long term increase it is good however all other times it screws you over. Remember they are very good at predicting in order to make money on this.

[Thorin]

I wouldn't mind so much if they represented themselves as an alternative to the current regulated services, but the door-to-door salespeople represent themselves as being the same company you're with now, then read your account number from your bill and switch you over without telling you so that they get their commission.

Direct Energy paid around $500,000 in fines and had to submit a change plan as part of a permanent public record.  That was six years ago, and their salespeople are still up to the same tricks.  I hope they get fined ten times as much this time.  Unfortunately, that'll just mean my bill goes higher even though it's "regulated".  They'll just up the fixed-cost admin fees.

Man, I wish they would go back to a regulated electrical and natural gas market.  Bills were lower back then, even as workers for the regulated companies were getting paid more.  Deregulation has done nothing good for the average consumer, it's only helped the rich owners at the top of the pyramid.