gair rhydd - Issue 707

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Free Word 707

gairrhydd Cardiff’s Student Weekly

GEORGE HARRISON 1943-2001 Music pay homage to the legend

Monday 3 December 2001

SEAL OF DISAPPROVAL

BAWDY STORIES

Features investigate the links between fashion and fur

Arts get sleazy with Act One

BEST CAMPAIGNING NEWSPAPER IN THE GUARDIAN STUDENT MEDIA AWARDS

STUDENTS TRICKED BY ‘DEPLORABLE’ SALESMEN gair rhydd EXCLUSIVE

gair rhydd reporters uncover unscrupulous electricity salesmen conning students into unwittingly changing suppliers by James Bladon and Chris Wathan STUDENTS HAVE been left outraged after sneaky salesmen attempted to con them on their own doorsteps. gair rhydd has discovered that representatives working on behalf of London Electricity are deceiving students in to unwittingly signing change of supplier contracts by passing them off as surveys. Michael Pearlman, a third year sociology student living in Roath, was coerced into signing a contract with London Electricity in October. However it wasn’t until a letter arrived several days later that he realised he had unwittingly agreed to switch gas suppliers. Mr Pearlman said “At first I didn’t understand why the letter had come. As far as I knew I hadn’t signed a contract”. He continued, “I then remembered someone had come round saying he was from ‘the electricity board’ and asked me for some details to update their computers because we were living in a low power usage area. I never really saw the contract, as he was filling all the information in for me, so when he

handed it to me I just initialled it and he went. There was no mention of it being a contract”. Mr Pearlman subsequently cancelled his contract with the company, and then received a stinging letter of acceptance from London Electricity. Mr Pearlman was not the only student to be targeted by the representatives of London Electricity. Matthew Hampton of Cathays was targeted by a salesman from London Electricity in November. However Mr. Hampton refused to sign the contract after he realised what the representative had been filling out on his behalf. “The guy had told me he was only checking details, but once he gave me the form to sign I realised straight away it was a contract, despite the salesman vehemently denying it. He then became very surly and snatched the clipboard from me, before slamming my own front door in my face.” Mr Hampton subsequently made complaints about the salesman to EnergyWatch, the industry’s watchdog, and to London Electricity themselves. “I was incensed to think that they were preying on people in this way. The whole incident left a very

“I was incensed to think that they were preying on people in this way” FOOT IN THE DOOR: Students conned into signing over contracts by pushy salesmen

sour taste in my mouth”. Despite Mr Hampton’s complaint, gair rhydd has learned of several more incidents involving the company. As recently as last week salespersons were at work in Colum Road informing students that they were gathering data on residents, but filling out forms with the word ‘Contract’ clearly stated on the top. Robert Anthony, Director of the gas and electricity consumer council, EnergyWatch Wales said, “This type of practice is deplorable and causes massive inconvenience, we simply do not condone bad selling practices”. However Mr Anthony went on to explain that, despite a contract being signed, it is only honourable

providing the customer has full and total knowledge of what he or she is agreeing to. A spokesman for London Electricity, Derek Salter, agreed that examples of so-called ‘erroneous transfers’, a result of rogue salesmen signing people up against their will, do exist. But he stressed “this sort of behaviour is totally unacceptable”. He continued “We take a tough line if people do misrepresent customers. If the details are brought to our attention we can identify the agents and they may be disciplined or dismissed.” London Electricity went on to apologise to any students who believe they have been the victim of an ‘erroneous transfer’. Mr Salter said “We apologise for

that behaviour and we will transfer them back to their existing supplier at no cost to themselves.” A local landlady who owns several houses let to students at the University voiced concerns over the sales practices of such representatives. The landlady, who wished to remain anonymous, told gair rhydd, “It’s appalling for the companies to behave in this manner. It seems as if the companies are deliberately targeting students and the elderly, who are being well and truly conned”. Mr Salter of London Electricity denied the accusation, but admitted, “we do go into certain areas of cities where we think that there may be • Continued on page 3

JAW BREAKERS AND RECORD MAKERS: SO SOLID CREW GIG CANCELLED: SEE PAGE 3


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