Utilities Company More a Nuisance Than a Service, Neighbors Say

An electric company making its way into Ditmas Park has neighbors up in arms over their on-the-ground marketing practices. 

Liberty Power, a retail electricity supplier and independent energy retailer, has approached numerous residents with what Ditmas Parkers say are vague service descriptions and pushy customer service techniques. 

For months, neighbors have warned each other of the company's practices over the Yahoo group Flatbush Family Network, saying that showing their bill to Liberty Power representatives some times results in an unexpected changing of services from their existing electricity provider to the utility company in question. 

Ditmas Park resident Maggie Galvin has encountered the electric company more than once.

"They're always vague about who they are until I press them for their company name. One guy said he was trying to make sure I 'got my check' which was a rebate from Obama because of 'green energy,'" Galvin said.  

Galvin said representatives then insist on seeing a neighbor's energy bill "because they need to check it to make sure there is nothing wrong." 

"They always ask to see the back of your bill, where account service information/numbers are found," she said. "These are what would be needed to change your service from one service to another."

She said they also avoid answering questions with specifics but always bring the conversation back to seeing a resdident's bill.

"They are generally unprofessional, often rude, always impatient with being questioned. I have a 'No Soliciting' sign on my door, so obviously those who knock choose to ignore that sign, which is disrespectful at the very least. They are singularly interested in seeing the back of your bill."

They have no fliers/handouts explaining what they're doing, offer no information about any program or service they're selling, and so far have had no credentials. Don't even get me started on their body language and speech patterns," she continued.

A message was left with Liberty Power for comment.

According to Liberty Power's website, the retailer has been offering its services in New York State since 2002. 

"Today, New York is the second most active and competitive market in the US, as measured by number of competitors as well as number of customers and size of load switched to competitive retailers," the site says.

"In fact, Liberty Power is the reliable choice of over 20,000 New York small and mid–size business accounts, primarily in the Consolidated Edison service territory, and also serves numerous National Account customers throughout the state," it continues.