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Beware of Ontario Comsumers Home Services Inc-Bait and Switch Scam-Diane Plant, Broker Forest Hill Real Estate

By
Real Estate Sales Representative with Forest Hill Real Estate Inc, Brokerage

 

I had a very interesting experience yesterday. Know that I am a very cautious person when it comes to answering my door to strangers.

 

Two men, with official looking tags rang the bell. My son answered through the window. He thought I should speak to these people because they seemed to be dealing with one of the services connected to our home.

 

I looked at their tags and felt that this was safe-it was-but in fact they were scammers. We have Enbridge gas as our supplier and Direct Energy for our hot water tank rental. (Ontario Consumers Home Services is an approved hot water tank supllier to Enbridge). No one really takes the two as separate because the bill comes in together-gas charge and rental so it is just Enbridge that we think of as our provider.

 

One of the men explained to me that I might be eligible for an upgrade to an energy efficient water heater at no extra charge to what I was already paying. Well that sounds great to me. He gave me a pamphlet. He asked if he could see me current water heater and he assess it that because I had it installed in January 2010 I was eligible to get a newer one, energy efficient at not extra cost. He said that the piping was good and no replacement was needed.

 

He took all the information from me, explained that the water heater rental agreement would be for 120 months, he specifically did not say 10 years-that would have sounded too long. He also said that if I sold the home it would transfer to the new owners. I told him that was not my problem and that they were not involved in the deal.

 

We agreed to have the new heater put in Saturday. He phoned it in to his dispatch and then handed the phone to me so the dispatcher could verify I was the home owner and that the rental was going to be for 120 months. A "bell went off" in my head. Why were they emphasizing this 120 months. I looked at the guy standing next to me and said “You aren't my provider right now, are you"? He answered no. I was infuriated. I told him he should have said at the very outset that his company was not my provider and this is what they would like to offer me. His answer “I gave you a pamphlet" My answer "I was talking with you-I have not had a chance to read it" He shrugged his shoulders.

 

I took the water heater contract agreement from him and ripped it up. When he left I called Direct Energy to ask if my water heater was energy efficient. It turns out that all water heaters from 2009 are.

 

So beware Torontonians, Ontarians, Canadians, when Ontario Consumers Home Service Inc comes knocking at your door beware of the scam-almost bait and switch.

 

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Comments (9)

Edward Gilmartin
CRE - Boston, MA

Beware of everyone that knocks on your door..And never let them into your home! If you call them for service that is one thing but never let anyone into your home who knocks on your door.

Feb 22, 2012 09:09 PM
Diane Plant
Forest Hill Real Estate Inc, Brokerage - Toronto, ON
Broker, TorontoHomeSearch: Forest Hill Real Estate

Thanks for your comment. Our neighbourhood is currently upgrading all services-Hydro, water and gas. We have many servicemen knocking at the door to advise us that certain changes, or trucks, or men will be disrupting services, cutting into our lawns and driveways etc. So this did not seem out of the ordinary. We actually never open the door or let anyone see us when we are looking out to see who is there.

Feb 22, 2012 09:21 PM
Brian Madigan
RE/MAX West Realty Inc., Brokerage (Toronto) - Toronto, ON
LL.B., Broker

Diane,

Initially, they say as them introduce themselves...."I'm from the gas company", and needless to say, they don't offer any more information than that.

Brian

Feb 23, 2012 03:58 AM
Anonymous
Ashley Bomingfield

This is not true at all. Ofcourse, Direct Energy would mislead you and say that because they want to keep you as a customer. Ontario Consumers upgraded my water heater and airconditions and have only provided me with outstanding service. Such a shame you experienced something different, the man who was at your door was only trying to save you money. There products are also better for the Earth ( eco- friendly )

 

Ontario Consumers is not a scam. They are a great company that helps save the Earth and genuinely cares about their customers!

Jan 07, 2013 11:10 AM
#4
Anonymous
Steve

Hilarious, Ashley.

Just like all the other forum and blog posts letting everyone know about OCHS's scamming tactics - here is yet another post from someone claming that OCHS is the best thing since sliced bread. Even more amusing is that all the posts made - whether here or somewhere else - are all the same; Poor grammar, spelling mistakes and improper sentence structure.

If you are going to try and spin the situation, at least put some effort into it.
These lame attempts are nothing short of pitiful.. just like OCHS.

Jan 29, 2013 10:38 AM
#5
Anonymous
Noel

I had Ontario Consumers replace my old water heater which was 12yrs old. The girl came around 3pm knocked my door and said all those things. She never said she was with gas company but said I got billed there. She did tell me about the 120mth term but I dont have a problem with that. She said in 10yr they will replace it again. Direct eneergy never came to check my tank, when I called them before they said if I replace my tank I will have to pay 300$ for new pipes. The girl said when I get a new tank I will not be charged for the pipes.

So I got free pipes, a new energy star tank and every 10yrs I will get a new one. I got 2 months free.

Also she helped me lower my Direct eenergy gas I was on which I thought was enbridge all this time.

I've been with them over 8mths. The only problem I had was that for 2mths I was billed by Direct eenergy and Ontario Consumer but they credited my account after.

I really dont see where the scam is.

 

 

Feb 06, 2013 04:15 AM
#6
Anonymous
Shibu

Ontario Consumers Home Services did manage to fool me to get my business. Before I signed the dotted line -- yes, I was a fool -- I assumed they have taken over from Direct Energy (who ahs the time to do all the due dilligence - we trust people in Canada) but did ask if there will be any rate increase. They said NO! The first bill was $2.00 higher (15.99 from 13.99) than that of Direct Energy. After two billing periods, it has gone up to $16.66. These people are crooks and deserves to be boycotted by the society. They have no legitimacy!

Mar 07, 2013 12:37 PM
#7
Anonymous
Tinkers

I just got a knock on my door by Ontario Consumers.  I was told they were installing new energy effecient water heaters in our area according to the Ontario Green Energy Act and they needed to inspect my water heater to determine what extra supplies would be needed.  

I told her that I own my water heater and didn't believe that the Government of Ontario would be insisting I replace it.  I was told it was part of the Act and I didn't have a choice.  I asked for something in writing.  She had nothing other than a list of addresses on a clipboard and a bunch of handwritten "NO"s written by each one.  

No money was ever mentioned until I flat out asked "What's this going to cost me?".  I was told $17/month for the warranty as the woman tried to push past me, claiming she needed to inspect my system.  I pushed her back outside and told her "It's your lie, tell it anyway you want, but not here.".

Slammed the door and promptly called my neighbors in the direction she was headed.  A couple of the guys on our street started following her and she eventually called someone to pick her up and left our neighborhood.  

Ontario Consumers is a scam.  Direct Energy is just as bad.  Why would anyone rent a water heater??  Look up the prices and do the math.  Buy your own and put these horrible companies out of business!  

 

Mar 19, 2013 07:38 AM
#8
Anonymous
Ferris Dwight

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Mar 14, 2017 09:35 AM
#9