Customers prefer not to be cold called by energy suppliers - 11/02/2010

A new survey suggests that consumers prefer not to be cold called by energy suppliers urging them to switch energy providers.

Research conducted by the Trading Standards Institute (TSI) found that 97 per cent of one sample of respondents questioned said they would prefer salespeople not to call uninvited at their house.

Despite this, cold callers are still continuing to knock on doors in no cold calling zones (NCCZ), with the biggest culprits being utility salespeople.

The survey found that large energy suppliers admitted to encouraging their salespeople to ignore NCCZ signs because they believe these notices to not apply to them as they are legitimate businesses.

The TSI called for NCCZ regulations to be strengthened so consumers are not bombarded with unwanted sales pitches.

Ron Gainsford, chief executive of the TSI, said: "This is not an attempt to undermine legitimate businesses but to protect vulnerable consumers who have deliberately made it known they do not wish to have strangers knocking on their doors offering goods or services."

New rules introduced this year stipulate that customers must be given written quotes by energy suppliers before a new sale goes through.

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