Last spring, we wrote about door-to-door salesmen pressuring people into switching their energy providers. Here’s another, recent account of similar activity, this time by representatives of Commerce Energy, that left a neighbor, Sarah, upset and made her believe that it was a scam.
We should point out that Commerce Energy is a real company and a major player in electricity. The Inquirer includes them in a list of alternative suppliers here. But their sales tactics have angered many consumers. Sarah’s description of her encounter echoes the experience of many others.
“We have had two Commerce Energy representatives come to our door tonight saying that they wanted a copy of our PECO bill and wanted to sign us up to Commerce Energy whereby we can get lower rates. By way of protection do not sign up with them and do not hand over your PECO bill, as it is an absolute scam as they are basically trying to sign you up for a new energy company and lock you into a 5 year agreement… They are still walking around West Philly trying to sign up other people… They are also quite aggressive and harassing so just tell them to leave.”
October 24th, 2012 at 5:29 pm
I had this experience too. Really super pushy. If it wasn’t a scam it sure felt like it. Don’t show anyone your bill! There’s private information on there.
October 24th, 2012 at 5:47 pm
We had them come by here, too. The one guy said that folks in the neighborhood weren’t in compliance and were being wrongly charged higher rates, blah, blah, blah. Sounded like such a scam.
October 24th, 2012 at 6:36 pm
It certainly feels like a scam and as a woman, I do not feel comfortable when salespeople come to the door after dark. Unfortunately, if you try to ignore then, they will ring many times, or even worse, come to the door right after the see you go in.
October 24th, 2012 at 7:11 pm
The company that was on my block last week was from ISG. They claimed they had a contract with the city to check peoples’ electric rates. She instructed me to go get my utility bill so that she could verify the rate. Uh, huh. I told her it sounded like she was trying to change my utility company. By the way, if you do agree to sign up with one of these companies, you can get out of it. They are not supposed to be doing this.
October 24th, 2012 at 10:20 pm
Ditto here, a young woman. Thankfully I saw warnings on another mailing list and shut her down pretty fast. I wish I’d taken some pics/video.
October 26th, 2012 at 2:12 pm
I resent any company, non-profit, etc. that uses the unsolicited door to door salesman tactic, especially the ones who target people who are just getting home from work and finally settling down. The last kid who came to my house who asked to see my PECO Bill I had to tell a few times that I was not interested and they should go.
I love Green Technology and the environment. I care about the whales, the trees and restricting fracking. I am as liberal and progressive as the next West Philadelphian. But I hate people who get paid to interupt me in my home on my own private time. Whether they are a telemarketer, a pollster, the Philadelphia Orchestra, an environmentalist or some new electricity provider. If that’s your company’s main sales tactic it’s time to get into a new business.
May 7th, 2015 at 2:37 pm
SFE is sending out their harassment team again! They are all over West Philly, SW Philly and Delaware County. SCAM: they come to the door and identify as PECO employees (which they ARE NOT) and ask to see a PECO bill because you have been over charged and they have you on their check list to make sure you get a refund. BELIEVE IT!?!!? They hood-winked several elderly folks on my block into giving over their personal information. They are supposed to be wearing a uniform and ID that identifies them as SFE employees, but they don’t. The woman that came to my house yesterday was unpleasant (mildly put). When I told her I was not interested and closed the door, she rang again. I told her I was not interested and please stop ringing the bell as it upsets my dogs. I closed the door and she laid into my door bell. I called police, who confirmed that she had a permit to hawk SFE services, but no to LIE and tell people she is an employee of PECO and she is there to make sure they get a refund. I called SFE management and spoke to Jeff Donnelly – SFE Director of Regulations and Compliance. At first he was appropriately appalled. He told me he would check into it and call me back. He called within the hour but was far less appalled and became cagey. Artful Dodger! He must have gotten a smack-down from a higher up who knows EXACTLY what these scammers are doing. It must be working because they come back every spring. It si unbelievable. I called police and reported it, will be reporting to State Attorney Generals Office. Avoid these scammers and warn your neighbors.