The energy company salesman cometh.

This morning we got the now almost weekly ring on the doorbell from the energy company salesman trying to get us to change to his company for our household gas and electricity supplies.

I don't know where the companies get these people from but I wonder if they have them bred specially because they are certainly in a class of their own.They always seem to be young men between about 20 and 30 in a shirt and tie with their ID badge clipped to it and no matter how bad the weather they never wear a coat.As they quite often turn up in the depths of winter,still in shirt sleeves I often ponder just what kind of energy they run their salesmen on!

Anyway as usual the young man had his script to work from and began by asking who supplied our gas and electricity.When I told him he imedialtely gave me the stock reply that my company's prices were due to rise very shortly and his would be much better.Now I don't mind people trying to earn a living and these young men are doing a thankless job by trudging the streets every day cold calling members of the public but it seems that they are given no meaninfull information to work with as when I asked him by how much my company's prices were going to rise he just gave me a very blank look and when I asked what percentage his company would be cheaper by no answer was forthcoming and a look of slight panic began to cross his face.It would seem that his employers just expect him to tell everyone that they will be cheaper and he will be believed.Yes of course he will.we all blindly take as gospel the word of a travelling salesman who has just disturbed our morning,now don't we?So I suppose my point to this post is if these companies are going to send these poor individuals out in all weathers to try and earn a commission only living then at least give them the tools to have a realistic attempt at the job.

Fortunately,just before the recent 40%+ rise in gas prices we signed a 3 year fixed price deal with our current energy supplier and so we are at least safe in the knowledge that no enormous bills will drop on the Smorals doormat for the next 36 months and as much as I pity these young men who spend their days getting doors closed in their faces there is no point in them coming to our door because for the next 3 years we are tied to our current gas and electricity company and so the sign at the main gate of the Smorals estate that advises all comers that we do not welcome hawkers,tinkers,knife grinders etc,now also bears the legend "we have a 3 year deal with our energy supplier".