In 2004 I signed a 5 year contract with Ontario Energy Savings (OES). At that time, I was told that my present natural gas supplier Union Gas, will be increasing their rates in the coming winter. The OES representative assured me that the rates would be frozen for the 5 years and I would not have to pay the higher rates which Union Gas was going to be implementing. I never thought about this anymore as I kept receiving bills from Union Gas and our account was on automatic payment from my bank.
The 5 year contract expired in February of this year (2009), but the representative came to our house in last year in May of 2008 and had my wife sign the contract extension. I was not aware of it until last month when another scammer, Universal Energy, came knocking and promising the same song and dance. Again I was convinced and signed, not realizing that I was with OES. He asked to see my bill which was the Union Gas bill, and promised to freeze the price of 37.9 cents per cubic meter for 5 years, with a 25 percent rebate until October 31, 2009, wow more savings!
After he left, I phoned Union Gas and they told me that they are not the suppliers, that I have a contract with OES. The lady told me to check the bill in the back and that's where the name and the price are written. It was indeed OES and the price was 39.7 cents per cubic meter. I asked her Union's price and she said it's 20.55 cents per cubic meter.
That was April 16 and I phoned OES, to ask about my contract with them. I told them I do not have a copy of the contract and could they send me a copy, and also send me information on how to cancel or what the cost might be. The gentleman said that he will mail it to me and that I should receive it in the mail within 10 (ten) busines days. Two weeks later I did not receive anything from them, so I phoned again, a different person answered and I asked for the same thing. He said it had not been mailed yet, and that he will make sure that it is mailed. He asked me to verify my mailing address, which I did. I wrote a letter and faxed it to them. A few days later, I mailed the same letter in Registered Mail, with an attachment asking them to cancel my contract if it will not cost me anything.
It is now May 12 and I have not received anything from Ontario Energy Savings.
Where are the savings? Why the name, if they are charging almost double the price!
I phoned the Better Business Bureau and the person there was not too helpful.
I have been ripped off.
Vince
Thunder Bay, Ontario
0 comments