Another Unhappy Universal Energy Gas Marketer Customer

Gas marketers a scam, says resident
Local wants restrictions on door-to-door marketers

By Reporter Margreet Dietz Special to The Chief

Brad Kitchen is angry and he’s fighting back. He’s asking District of Squamish council to make it more difficult for door-to-door marketers to operate in Squamish after he says his wife was pressured into signing a five-year contract to buy natural gas from Universal Energy. ”I was amazed to find that Universal Energy was given a business licence in Squamish to conduct door-to-door sales,” wrote Kitchen in a letter to council.

“Did anyone Google ‘Universal Energy Scam’ before issuing that licence? Is anyone supposed to?” Universal was one of several independent gas marketers fined in August by the B.C. Utilities Commission (BCUC) after customer complaints about aggressive sales tactics and misrepresentation. It has also been the subject of hundreds of customer complaints to the BCUC since it started marketing in B.C. last year, according to the provincial regulator. In addition to seeking an amendment to the local bylaw governing solicitation, Kitchen has filed his own complaint with the BCUC.

The regulator is investigating before it rules on the validity of the contract signed by Kitchen. “I really think this is simple common sense to protect residents from companies like this and predatory sales tactics,” wrote Kitchen. Last weekend other gas marketing companies, such as Superior Energy, had sales representatives in Squamish pitching similar supply contracts. Superior Energy this weekend offered consumers the chance to lock into a rate of $9.99/GJ, comparing it to Terasen’s old rate of $9.78/GJ instead of the Terasen’s new rate of $7.54/GJ. These types of contracts have only been offered in B.C. since 2007, even though they have been in use longer in Ontario, Alberta and Manitoba.

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Gas Marketers in Squamish

E-mail from someone in Squamish sharing their experience with Gas Marketers.

It is too bad that many other communities do not follow Coquitlam and the Township of Langley and create door to door marketing bylaws.

Sent: September 19, 2008 12:52 AM
Subject: Universal Energy

Dear Rick,

I noticed your blog while researching Universal Energy.

UE came to Squamish in July, three neighbors and my immigrant wife were manipulated into signing. My wife fumbled through the TPV and UE is calling the contract valid. I was working overseas for the entire duration and came home after the deadline expired.

My complaint to the BCUC is being taken seriously with an inquiry already launched. UE’s license to operate in BC is up for annual renewal and that renewal is in part subject to their compliance to the Code of Conduct for Gas Marketers as you know. Please contact me if you’re willing to discuss your experience with UE.

The Bill Good show you mention has expired off the Audio Archive – do you have a copy?
(I am sorry, I do not.)

Sincerely,
BK

Direct Engery Rates Increase 78% on Renewals! - Ouch!

Direct Energy Rip-off

The Barrie Examiner

I just received an offer from Direct Energy to renew my natural gas contract for a whopping 58% increase! If I do not respond to the offer in a timely manner they plan to automatically renew without my consent for a 78% increase, all of this with the approval of the Ontario Energy Board.

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Gas Marketers Fined

Gas marketers are still causing problems!

Have a look.

Gas Marketers Slapped with Fines

August 06, 2008 - by Scott Simpson - Vancouver Sun

The B.C. Utilities Commission is cracking down hard on natural gas marketers who fail to follow the rules when they sign up new customers, documents show.

The Commission has this year levied single and multiple fines ranging from $1,000 to $6,000 per offence against marketers including Smart Energy, Direct Energy, Access Gas Services, Summitt Energy, Planet Energy and Universal Energy.

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Cancelling Your Direct Energy Contract May Cost You $800

Cancelled Contracts Carry Huge Costs

Toronto Star - April 19, 2008 - Ellen Roseman

You sign a long-term gas and electricity contract, hoping to save money, but promised savings have not materialized.

In the last two years, anyone who signed or renewed energy contracts has paid more than if they had stayed with their local utility.

Read More

Employee of Superior Engery Tells All

If you are wondering how Superior Energy treats its employee and how they train new employees to get consumers to sign-up. Read this story:

http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/340/ripoff0340527.htm

Direct Engery Increase Rates In Alberts

Gas Bills On The Rise
Monday, March 31 2008

We'll pay a little bit more to heat our homes next month than we did in April a year ago. Direct Energy has filed proposed regulated natural gas rates with the Alberta Utilities Commission. For customers in the ATCO gas south service territory, the typical residential gas bill for April will be approximately $121. In April of last year the average residential bill was $119. This months typical residential bill is $162. The Alberta Government's Natural Gas Rebate program only applies from October to March so there'll be no rebate next month.

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