Looking to save some power on your hydro bill? Better Business Bureau would like to warn the South Asian community about telemarketers who are selling bogus energy-saving devices.
P$aver photos are courtesy of Omni TV, who also provided information to the BBBP$aver (pronounced P-Saver) is a product that company representatives say can help consumers save at least 30 percent off their heating bills. Electric utilities provider, BC Hydro, does not verify these advertising claims. In fact, there is no evidence that these products can even have moderate energy savings beyond one to two percent, let alone the 30 percent.
“The concern is that this telemarketing targets the South Asians in Punjabi language,” says Lynda Pasacreta, BBB President and CEO. “Often new Canadians will trust those who can speak their native language and put faith into what products they are selling and won’t have anyone to turn to.”
Consumers have spent from $169 to $199 for these products that appear to be an adapter which plugs into your power outlet.
According to its invoice, P$aver is supposedly based in Washington State and has a 206 area code phone number. However, another company named Psaver in Ontario appears to be linked to the same company marketing in BC. Psaver in Ontario has an F rating reliability report due to 19 complaints.
BBB urges consumers to do their homework before they agree to any energy saving sale's pitch.
Don’t buy into ad speak. Be wary of any ad claims and testimonials or slick website ads as they can present misleading information. Check with a third-party source to verify claims.
Do your homework. Check for a BBB company Reliability Report at www.bbb.org.
Never wire or do a money order to a company/person you do know. Find out the physical address of the company before doing business and check to see that the company has an actual office listed at the location.
Don’t be swayed by incentives. Cases like this one often have incentives, like free gas cards to entice consumers into purchase. Often the supposed ‘free’ gas cards either do not arrive or have strings attached making them difficult to redeem.
Get tips on energy saving you can do at home. BC Hydro’s Team Power Smart has Green Your Home Guides and Tips which will show you free ways to reduce energy consumption. Go to: www.bchydro.com/powersmart
Report misleading advertising. Canada has guidelines for advertising that can be visited at the Competition Bureau website: www.competitionbureau.gc.ca