You’re enjoying a quiet afternoon at home when suddenly you hear a knock at the door. “Who could this be?” you ask yourself as you walk over to find out. You open the door to greet your mystery visitor, only to discover it’s a salesperson, who, for many people, is classed as an unwanted visitor.
Door-to-door salespeople from energy retailers are particularly prevalent these days and while some door-knockers may offer legitimate value, others might leave you trapped in a bad deal. In this guide, Canstar Blue discusses what you should do when a door-to-door salesperson comes to your home.
Compare energy prices
Here are some sponsored deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Ausgrid energy network in Sydney but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 3900kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area and to see other products in our database that may be available. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
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11% Less than reference price |
$1,614 Price/year (estimated) |
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18% Less than reference price |
$1,491 Price/year (estimated) |
Go to Site |
Here are some sponsored deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Citipower network in Melbourne but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area and to see other products in our database that may be available. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
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10% Less than VDO |
$1,304 Price/year (estimated) |
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Here are some sponsored deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from our referral partners†. These costs are based on the Energex network in Brisbane but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4600kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area and to see other products in our database that may be available. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
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4% Less than reference price |
$1,990 Price/year (estimated) |
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Are door-to-door sales legal?
Yes, door-to-door selling, including door-to-door electricity sales, is completely legal in Australia. However, door knockers must adhere to strict requirements under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL).
When a door-to-door salesperson approaches you, they must first tell you their name, the name of the organisation they are representing, and the purpose of their visit. They must then inform you that you can tell them to leave, and if you do so, they must leave immediately and not return for at least 30 days. Further, there are restrictions on when a salesperson can visit. They cannot attend:
- Before 9am or after 6pm on weekdays
- Before 9am or after 5pm on Saturdays
- On Sundays or public holidays
To prevent door-to-door salespeople from coming to your home entirely, you can print and display a ‘do not knock’ sign. This sign can be downloaded from the ACCC website. If a salesperson ignores this sign, attends your property at a restricted time, or does not leave immediately, then that person may be trespassing and could be in breach of the ACL.
How to recognise scams
While many door-to-door energy salespeople are legitimate, it’s important to beware of potential scams. Here are some key warning signs to look out for:
- Lack of identification: Legitimate energy salespeople should provide clear identification and company details.
- Unrealistic offers: If an offer seems too good to be true, then it might be.
- Pressure to act quickly: A common tactic of many scammers is to push consumers to make a decision before they have time to think things through properly.
- Requests for sensitive information: Beware of any energy salesperson that asks for your personal details without proper explanation.
- Refusal to leave: Be wary of a salesperson that refuses to leave or attempts to re-engage after you’ve declined their offer.
If you suspect that you’re dealing with a scammer, you should report the issue to ScamWatch or local authorities. Always remember to trust your instincts.
How to deal with door-to-door salespeople
When a door-to-door energy salesperson arrives, they should immediately provide their name and company details as required by law. Remember, you are perfectly within your right to ask the salesperson to leave at any time.
Door knockers from energy companies will typically ask you a few questions to first ascertain whether or not it’s worth their time trying to sell you something. For example, they may ask whether you’re the homeowner or if you have the authority to switch energy providers at the property. You may also be asked who your current energy retailer is, and if you’ve switched in recent years. It’s okay if you don’t know this information – many Australians don’t. What’s important is that you don’t accept everything the salesperson tells you at face-value.
For example, door-to-door energy representatives are likely to offer you a ‘discounted’ energy plan and may claim it could save you hundreds of dollars a year. If that happens, ask them for more details, such as:
- The terms and conditions of the discount;
- The contract length (called the benefit period) of the contract;
- How they calculated the claimed savings;
- Exit fees and late payment fees;
- The retailer’s hardship policy;
- Available rewards programs
If, after hearing the salesperson’s pitch, you are satisfied that you want to switch, then you should be across some additional consumer rights. Under the ACL, a sales agreement needs to be in writing. This agreement must:
- Be signed by you and the salesperson
- Set out the full terms and conditions of the agreement
- State the total price payable
- Clearly state that you have a right to terminate in the cooling off period
- Include the ABN and contact details of the seller
Customers who switch providers have a 10-day cooling off period within which they can cancel their new energy contract. There are no consequences for exercising this right.
Energy retail door knockers
Many energy retailers claim to no longer engage in door-to-door marketing activities. This is due to the fact that a number of retailers have previously been fined for illegal door-to-door energy sales activities. Various smaller retailers, such as Smart Energy, Simply Energy and Alinta Energy, still use door-knocking sales as an affordable way of engaging with potential new customers.
- Keep in mind that the energy salesperson who knocks at your door may not work directly for the power company they are representing. It’s common that companies will pay third parties to do this on their behalf.
Rather sign up online?
If you are looking to compare energy plans, check out the offers below.
Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Ausgrid network in Sydney but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 3900kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Citipower network in Melbourne but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Energex network in Brisbane but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4600kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the SA Power network in Adelaide but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Should you accept a door-to-door sales offer?
While you might find door-to-door energy salespeople a little annoying, they are not all out to rip you off – in fact, some could possibly offer you a good deal. This is especially the case if you’ve never changed electricity providers before and you’re stuck on a standing offer. With that said, you should certainly view door knocker sales pitches through a lens of healthy skepticism.
- While they might be offering you a good deal, you have no way to determine this for yourself at the time.
- If you are tempted by an offer, you should ask the salesperson to leave the details, so you can call back at a later date once you’ve studied the offer.
- The nature of door-to-door sales means you are caught off-guard and unprepared for what you are about to be told. With this in mind, you should only agree to the terms presented if you are confident you’re making the right decision. Even in this event, it doesn’t hurt to wait a couple of days and seek further guidance before signing up.
It is not advised to sign up to any energy deal before comparing other offers on the market – that’s why Canstar Blue compares prices from a wide range of providers, so you can find and assess the information you need to make an informed decision. You can start by following the link below.
Original reporting by Kelseigh Wrigley.
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