Thunder Bay Hydro urges caution with energy marketers

Some Thunder Bay residents are questioning the sales tactics of energy marketing companies after a salesperson told a homeowner he needed to check something called the Global Smart Meter Adjustment.

But a Thunder Bay Hydro spokesperson suggested the Global Smart Meter Adjustment will leave most consumers scratching their heads.

Tim Wilson manages consumer services at Thunder Bay Hydro a competitor to energy marketing firms.

"Global adjustment [is] some technical jargon from the industry that they're throwing out there which would not mean anything for any customer," he said.

Wilson noted that it's likely a tactic to get a foot in the door and make a sale and that he hadn't heard of this particular tactic until now.

Another Thunder Bay resident told CBC a salesperson for the same company Just Energy pressed him to show his bill, saying he might qualify for a discount. He said he was wary of the overall approach.

Wilson said homeowners are not obligated to let a salesperson in the door or to produce a bill.

Just Energy declined an interview with CBC. But in an e-mail statement, a spokesperson said it offers customers competitive choices in their energy supply.

The Better Business Bureau has received nearly 200 complaints in the last three years about the company from Ontario residents most of which have been about sales practices.

The Ontario Energy Board has established a 10-day cooling-off period on signed contracts to protect any customers having second thoughts.