“I used to work on the sales team for an energy wholesaler”

I found the below statement on another forum. I thought it was very interesting reading this from someone who used to work as an energy sales representative aka door-to-door energy sale.

I found the statement here: energy wholesaler

I used to work on the sales team for an energy wholesaler. I was always an honest and integral person. While I was working, most of my time was spent clarifying misunderstanding from the previous sales representative that was at the client’s home. There is much deceit happening in this industry. Inevitably, because of my honesty, integrity, and care for customers, I was earning less than minimum wage. Once or twice a day, I would actually find a customer that preferred a fixed 5-year rate from a wholesaler, as compared to their current fluctuating market price. These sales numbers would translate to a paycheck of $300 a week for working 6 days, sometimes 7 days, and 9 hours each day. This includes after dark, in 6 feet of snow, precipitation and freezing rain, and in temperatures that people did not even want to open their doors.

The working conditions are horrible. I would say the worst in the world, but recently I have been reading articles about working conditions in China. For example, the person that put together your computer keyboard, has 3 seconds to insert 7 keys into their position. They are not allowed to make a mistake or their pay is reprimanded. Their muscles cramp as they work 12 hour shifts each day. They are not allowed washroom break. The factory has bars on windows and the doors are locked. There are security guards to make sure no one leaves. And to top it off, at the end of the day, the factory workers are congratulated for being a part of a larger picture and contributing to the success of the company. At night, they share a room with 7 other people. They are served tasteless moosh. On Fridays, they are spoiled with two chicken wings and rice. And they are paid 20 cents a day.

On many points, working as a sales representative for an energy wholesaler, you are subject to similar working conditions. Including the end-of-day and beginning-of-day brainwashing, that will have you feeling guilty and hopeless, so you continue working there even when you are earning less than minimum wage. It is a hopeless career, employing hopeless people, that translates into hopeless customers.

Having had the experience of working at an energy wholesaler, would I ever sign up for a 5-year fixed term myself? Nope. The wholesale price is always higher. Yes, during a 5-year term, the fluctuating rate might increase in the future or under severe market conditions. But generally it has not been enough to provide clients with any savings. In said 5-year period, the majority of months the market rate will be lower than the fixed rate. As for electricity, there has not been a politician willing to ruin their political career by removing the government subsidy on electricity. Sure, the debt continues to grow, our children will be paying it off — or not, as we see in the US, debt magically vanishes; debt is imaginary numbers after all — but I like to remain optimistic that if such a catastrophic time arrives, being able to afford electricity will be the least of our worries.

There are only two reasons of which I can think to join this program.

1) You prefer a fixed rate so you can budget for your future expenses.
2) Your views on abundance translate to “This company creates additional jobs for our Canadian economy. Sure, paying a wholesaler might mean I pay a little more. But it is worth the benefit to our economy.” Even this reason I find hard to justify. I would prefer Energy Sales Associates to work in a field that actually interests them and creates value to our economy, or standing in a bread line, instead of invading people in their home.

How to get rid of your unwanted gas and electricity contract:

1) Blame it on the sales representative. FACT: Most of them tell absolute lies, half-truths, or omit required information. When you blame the sales representative, the company will attempt to save face. Some ideas:

a) misrepresented themselves, or did not show their identification noticeably;
b) referred to the contract as an “application”;
c) did not clearly communicate the rate;

d) made false claims; “The rates always go up!” No they don’t. If they said this, or communicated in such a manner that made you think this is what they were saying, you have grounds for fraud.

2) Request a photocopy of the original contract.

a) if they don’t have it or can’t find it, the contract is no longer valid. In the US, a bank tried to evict an occupant from a home. Because they could not find a copy of the mortgage contract, the court ruled there was no mortgage.
b) If they send you a copy, compare their copy with the carbon statement that was given to you by the sales agent. If the copies do not match, the contract is not valid. Specifically a blank agent name or agent license number should send red flags.

3) State to the company that you are going to escalate the problem to the Ontario Energy Board. If they do not comply with canceling the agreement, actually file a formal complaint with the Ontario Energy Board.

4) Should none of that work, move into a rental unit where gas and electricity is included in the rent. I am pretty sure when you move out, even to another place where you pay gas and electricity, they cannot transfer the contract to the new address. I was sure to mention this point to the clients that I did register. I verified the point with my sales manager several times. If they claim otherwise, once again, say the sales representative made this claim. And try to cancel because of false claims by sales representative.

Best of luck in your future endeavors.

P.S. The best way to save money is to keep it in your pocket.