Resident warns of pushy gas salespeople
Elderly residents in South Surrey are being warned to be wary of aggressive door-to-door salespeople, purporting to work in association with Terasen Gas.
According to one homeowner, Rob Scagel, one seller last week stopped short of pretending to be from Terasen.
However, Scagel said the salesman tried to trick his way into the house by claiming the visit was scheduled on a Terasen bill.
And all the paperwork and identification carried by the representative bore similar colour schemes and fonts to Terasen’s.
“I’m concerned for the elderly people in my neighbourhood who could easily be misled by this company,” Scagel said. “It’s a very well planned and well executed ruse.”
Terasen has received several similar complaints about a company using their name to get into people’s homes and sell gas and electricity supply.
Scagel, of 133B Street, said the salesperson asked to see his Terasen bills and wanted to come inside to discuss the situation.
“We argued and he wouldn’t leave. I stopped this by shutting the door in his face and he just wouldn’t shut up,” he said. “I believe some of my neighbours were successfully bamboozled.
“I regard this marketing approach as unfair and predatory and should be stopped now.”
Terasen urges customers to contact them or the BC Utilities Commission (BCUC) if concerned about salespeople.
“People should not feel compelled to sign anything on the spot, and keep in mind Terasen would not be going door-to-door,” Terasen spokesperson Joyce Wagenaar said.
BCUC’s Erica Hamilton said the company in question has apologized by letter to the customer.
“It’s natural with door-to-door marketing that there are complaints,” Hamilton said.
“We are still investigating this particular complaint and will decide then if there’s any need for disciplinary or remedial action.”
COMMENTS
Let's keep comments:
We ask that all participants own their words by logging in with their Facebook account. It's a simple process that will take seconds and helps keep our comments free of trolls, cranks, and “drive-by” commenters.
We reserve the right to remove comments from anyone using screen names, pseudonyms or false identities. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.