One less knock on the door:

Energy retailer, EnergyAustralia, is slamming the door on unannounced doorknockers selling electricity and gas contracts.

By the end of March, the company will no longer use door-to-door sales to sign up potential customers after complaints.

EnergyAustralia’s Group Executive Manager of Retail, Adrian Merrick, said the company was leading the way when it came to axing door-to-door sales.

“The days of an EnergyAustralia representative approaching someone’s door unannounced to offer them electricity and gas contracts are over,” Mr Merrick said.

“While door knocking is an effective way of selling electricity and gas contracts and deliver us significant sales, households have made it clear that it’s something they don’t like or want.

“The consistent feedback from consumers is that they find door knocking intrusive, and that they want to control when and how they are interacting with energy retailers.

Mr Merrick said it was important all retailers were able to provide customers detailed information about electricity and gas deals but it needed to be done in a way that was acceptable to customers.

Mr Merrick called on other energy retailers to follow EnergyAustralia’s lead and discontinue unannounced doorknocking.

“The challenge is now there for the other energy retailers to follow EnergyAustralia’s lead,” Mr Merrick said.

The Queensland Government welcomed EnergyAustralia’s decision to cease using door to door sales techniques.
 Energy Minister Mark McArdle said it was great to see one of the country’s leading energy retailers listening to frustrated consumers.