Energywatch deals with thousands of complaints from small businesses every year.  Many of these complaints are either about, or result from, energy sales activity – either over the phone or by door-to-door salespeople.

Following the advice below will help stop you experiencing some of the most common sales-related difficulties.

• Agreeing over the phone can constitute a legally-binding contract, so be very careful not to agree to anything unless you are completely satisfied and understand all the implications.  Most energy contracts offered to small businesses are for fixed periods of up to five years, with penalties for early exits – if you sign you could find yourself trapped in an unsuitable contract.
  
  
• Before giving any information to anybody who telephones or calls inviting you to change supplier, and certainly before agreeing to anything at all, find out who the call or visit is from, and take down all the details of the person you are talking to and who they represent.  They could be from an energy supplier, but they could also be from an agent or broker looking for your business.
  
  
• Remember the onus is on you, but the choice of supplier is yours – do not give in to pressure or threats.
  
  
• Try to do some research, or use an energy broker or agent you trust to help you.  If you do it yourself, discuss your needs with a potential supplier before making a commitment, and make sure any contract you agree to meets your needs.
  
  
• If you move premises, find out who the current supplier to the property is and make your own arrangements as soon as possible, but there is no deadline to doing this after which you will be disconnected. A common tactic used by dishonest salespeople is to say your supply will be disconnected unless you sign up immediately.

Three things to remember about sales:

• Be very careful what you agree to over the phone
• Try to be proactive in choosing your supplier
• Take all the details of the salesperson