HIKO

I’ve been contacted by phone over the last couple days about saving 10% on our electricity and gas. I’m very suspicious of stuff like this, but the promise of saving 10% on our energy bills is enticing. The rep today told me that this is a NY State approved thing and we’re being called because of being either a senior citizen (not), or by not being on any assistance (we’re not) or that we’ve been faithful ConEd customers (uh, yeah). When asked she said she was from ECP, Energy Choice Program. I pressed a bit and she said her company is HIKO Energy, which I googled and found is a private energy company. Up til then I felt like I was being contacted on behalf of NY state government. Anyway, I gave her all of our Con Ed and Nat Grid account numbers. But during the second part of the call, the verification segment, things got stalled when I refused to say that I had the permission of my partner, whose name alone is on the accounts. I said I would have to get his permission before I would say that and she finally agreed that I could call back later and do the verification. All of this makes me feel like some kind of senile pushover. Is this offer something I should or shouldn’t pursue? I know I’m an idiot for having given out the account numbers; but I don’t know actually what harm could come of it. I guess this was a sly sort of hard sell for switching our energy supplier, but is that necessarily a bad thing? Surely some brownstoner can give some advice on this situation…?

CommodoreStephenDecatur

in Utilities 13 years and 5 months ago

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marysmith | 13 years and 1 month ago

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hiko isn’t a scam. they are a supplier. i’ve had them for a while and i’m saving money. they are just like any other energy supply company like dominion or spark or utlity expense or a dozen more. we as consumers get to select who we purchase our energy from. we get to keep coned as our utlity company and we still pay them each month but we get to pay less most months by selecting a supplier. shop around and pick the one you want. you can get variable rates or fixed rates or incentives like gift cards. whatever floats your boat. its sort of like the long distance wars back in 1996..remember everyone wanting to get your long distance business? i got so many checks for switching companies! same thing now. take advantage. just do your homework. all of them have to send you the bill of rights and you have 3 days to cancel anything in new york so be sure to get the customer service numbers.

psp215 | 13 years and 5 months ago

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Just for clarification — Con Ed has a section on their website devoted to other energy providers that you can switch to, why you might want to, and how to do it. HIKO is on their list of providers, so doubtful it’s a scam. Just old fashioned hard selling.  See the Con Ed site — http://www.poweryourway.com/whatis_poweryourway.asp

CommodoreStephenDecatur | 13 years and 5 months ago

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OP here. Thanks everyone. I was unable to navigate the endless voiceprompt maze at Con Ed in order to put a lock on our accounts. But I have rebuffed the subsequent calls from HIKO. First it was the same saleswoman, and then later her superior. They smell blood and they seem to want it badly, so I’m convinced this is not a good thing.

slopegirl | 13 years and 5 months ago

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from what I’ve heard about these type of places, they do have lower rates for a month or two, then go high. never heard of HIKO but if you’re instincts are telling you it’s a scam, it probably is.

rh | 13 years and 5 months ago

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It’s a scam. They ask for your account # then switch you without your permission. They come knocking on my door all time, preying on people who haven’t figured it out.

daveinbedstuy | 13 years and 5 months ago

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Most of these are scams, Stephen.

BobMarvin | 13 years and 5 months ago

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The fact that the ESCO’s salesperson misrepresented herself should raise enough red flags. It’s almost certainly a scam–don’t be foolish enough to fall for it!

Putnamdenizen | 13 years and 5 months ago

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By giving out account numbers you can be switched to a higher priced provider and have to fight to get back to con-ed.  Put a hold on your account with con-ed.  Then investigate alternate providers and you call them when you are satisfied you want them.

elbow | 13 years and 5 months ago

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I’ve heard that there are a lot of enesco scammers out there.  One of my neighbors signed up with one and within a month started getting bills at a kwh about 6  – 8 cents higher.  Did you google ratings HIKO?