In Which My Father Ejects Door-To-Door Gas Salesmen From His Property, Has Lunch
Apparently, Chicagoland is under siege by door-to-door salespeople from "the gas company" who want to "see your gas bill." My father, Edgar, demonstrates his technique for tossing them out of the house.
Dad emails:
I'm in the basement making a temporary kitchen (don't ask) when your mother calls down to say there are two men from "the gas company" and they want to see our bill.
"How odd?" I thought.
I go upstairs to find two guys in blue carhartts with photo ID around their necks.
"Say, you guys aren't from NIGAS."
The short fat one says "Ho no, we're from American gas."
"Right, I've heard of you."
"Oh really, on the TV?"
"No on the Internet, get the $%# out of my house."
"..but sir I'm just doing my job you don't have to be rude."
"Your job is to screw people, go do your job someplace else, get the @#$% off my property!"
Your Mother said, "Gee, that went well. Would you like some lunch?"
Here's some good news for others living in Illinois who are tired of these jokers, the state has just passed a law aiming to crack down on deceptive gas salespeople. The new law includes language that aims to prevent them from claiming to be from a utility company.
From MSNMoney:
Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s office has received more than 2,500 consumer complaints against alternative gas suppliers. Some suppliers had promised significant savings on consumers’ gas bills but didn't deliver, according to Madigan’s office, which has filed four ongoing lawsuits against suppliers since 2005.
The newly passed amendment to the Alternative Gas Supplier Law will:
* Require sales solicitations to clearly disclose prices, terms and conditions;
* Prohibit suppliers from misrepresenting their affiliation with a gas utility, governmental body or consumer group;
* Provide consumers with a right to cancel 10 days after the gas utility notifies them of the switch and 10 days after the date of the first bill if they find that the service is not as promised;
* Limit early termination fees to $50 and require disclosure of the total cancellation fee.
Dad went on to say that he was almost suckered in by a similar sales technique a few years ago — only to find out that had he signed up there would have been a large cancellation fee and an increase in his gas bill.
Don't Be Fooled — Natural Gas Not A Cheaper Alternative [WBBM]
Ill. law cracks down on deceptive gas sales [MSNMoney]
(Photo:stirwise)
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Comments:
Heh. Sounds like the same thing my dad would have done.
it is one of those speculators who got stuck with a bunch of delivered crude. hes gotta get his money back some way. lol.
My dad would have done the same. In fact, so would I. Good to hear not all older people fall for silly scams...
Heh, Meg's dad is awesome. I know I'm not supposed to ask, but why a temporary kitchen in the basement?
South Jersey Gas has setup a company called South Jersey Energy with the same logo since it is a sub company of South Jersey Gas, except when you sign up for South Jersey Energy, you pay more money and are stuck in a yearly contract.
"..but sir I'm just doing my job you don't have to be rude."
Bullshit, they know exactly what they're involved in. If they don't want to put up with the rudeness, they should take another job.
I don't care how bad the economy is - if you take up with scoundrels for employment, you deserve whatever you get coming to you. And that goes for telemarketers, too.
And what did Moms serve for lunch? I'm hungry...
Hmmm - photo IDs around their necks! They must take their "job" seriously! Good for Dad Marco!
@missdona: Actually the most disturbing thing is that it took me waaay to long to figure out why you thought that was disturbing...and what a feeble sounding "oh..yeah." it was.
I have a better solution. Just don't answer the door. I never answer the door in my house unless I am expecting a visitor. If its a ligament utility company they will leave a notice on your door. Then check the phone number on the notice against the number on your bill. If in doubt call the number on your bill.
My family all have keys to my door and none of my friends would stop by without calling first so I really don't even look when the door bell rings unless I am expecting someone.
@rpm773: And the people who attack you with lotion, etc. in mall kiosks and don't understand that no means no, and no, you don't want them to lotion you.
Ha - that's a great letter. Nice job, Meg's dad!
Meg: Your Dad rocks.
@lannister80: Yep, I figured it out all on my own. It just not all that clear when you're not from Northern Illinois, and you're just browsing through the story.
Did she let them in the house or did she leave them on the front step? I wouldn't let anyone like that actually in the house.
That reminds me, spring is right around the corner. Time for the creepy magazine, raffle and cleaning products door to door crews of meth heads to start showing up.
Me being rude? Let me remind you sir, that YOU are the asshole in this situation. Good day,... I SAID GOOD DAY!
@RobertW.TX:
Sometimes burglars go around ringing bells to see who isn't home.
Always answer the door, just don't actually open it for strangers, but let them know you're at home!
Why do we still have to put up with door-to-door? I'm not being sarcastic, I really want to know. Are there any localities with ordinances against it? I'd like to suggest it to my county supervisor.
I am SO happy that we don't have these jokers in California - yet! My mom would totally fall for this.
@Greasy Thumb Guzik: When they ring my bell they will hear 2 large dogs go crazy and bounce off the door. In my case I think I am fine.
Not that dogs are a huge impediment to burglars but if you had the option of robing a house with dogs and one without which would you choose :).
In the SF Bay Area we have a regulated monopoly for our electricity/gas and it seems to work pretty well; we don't have door to door sales people trying to 'save' us money on our bills.
@RobertW.TX: That's the method I always use. Chances are if they're knocking, then I don't know them, which means it's an unsolicited call and I don't need/want to hear their spiel.
Ain't no law that says you have to answer the door (well, unless it's the police).
@Wit: I think those people are amusing. One day after work, I'm walking through the mall. I'm 6', a bit overweight, long ponytail, hadn't shaved in a week on top of my goatee, so I'm looking helluva scruffy. I've got a torn leather jacket and a faded t-shirt and jeans on, and I'm carrying a bag from GameStop. I don't think I could have looked like more of a loser unless I was carrying a bottle in a brown bag. Yet they STILL try to sell me perfume/cologne/whatever.
Best part is, I was there to buy perfume for a Christmas present... just not from them.
And this is why I don't answer the door to strangers.
@RobertW.TX: I'm just wondering, what's a "ligament utility company." It certainly sounds interesting. :)
When I first saw the title, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia came to mind. Anyone else? The Gang Solves the Gas Crisis?
More importantly - what did dad have for lunch? Kicking people out of the house (especially Fresh Prince style) works up an appetite.
@RobertW.TX: dear robert,
i stopped by to give you a million dollars, but no one was home.
sorry,
ed mcmahon
Cue Clint Eastwood with a shotgun:
"GET OFF MY LAWN!"
We just had the "my customer wasn't home would you like a great deal" meat salesman scam come through a few days ago. I called the cops on them.
@tc4b: For some municipalities, you do need a permit. You can get ticketed or fined without one. I used to put out "doorhangers" when I worked as for a home security system for a short time; I never got the permit for the town that required them but then again I didn't knock on doors, I just hung the flyer on the doorknob. Still I should have had the permit.
@rpm773: What if someone paid me to shit on people's porches? Technically I'd also be "doing my job."
@RobertW.TX: I'm with you. It's far too much of a pain to stop what I'm doing, corral the dogs, and open the door just to have someone try to sell me something I don't want or need.
@missdona: I really don't see an issue with this. When I first saw it, the pronunciation "Nigh-gas" was my first thought.
But then if it weren't for gutters, our minds would be homeless, yes?
The most disturbing thing is that the real gas company is abbreviated "NIGAS".