when "cancel" means "proceed" !!!!!! (Scottish Power)

Member Name: Angry Alan

Product:	Scottish Power
Date:	19/08/09 (165 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: there are NO advantages

Disadvantages: Once theyve got their hooks into you they dont take NO for an answer

I am appalled at the "selling" tactics of this company. I was pressured into signing up with them when I was cornered in a shop doorway as I waited for the rain to ease off, big, big mistake !!
When I got home I read through the leaflet and saw that I could cancel the agreement within a 7 day cooling off period. I had signed on a Friday and on the following Tuesday I sent them an email simply saying "I hereby give notice that I wish to cancel my contract for the supply of Gas & Electricity, entered into with you on 04/07/09.
Regards"
I don't think I could have been any clearer, do you ?
I had to work away for the next week and was away for a weeks holiday after that, when I got home I found a letter from Scottish power telling me that they had set up a direct debit and money would be taken from my account !!
Cutting a long story short, they had replied to my email the day after I sent them my cancellation saying this "Thank you for your email.

I'm sorry that you have requested we cancel your application to join ScottishPowers' Online Energy. As a valued customer we would be grateful if you would reconsider your decision given the benefits we can provide:

We would encourage you to take our Savings Challenge and find out the great savings Scottish Power can offer. You can complete the Savings Challenge by clicking on the following link:

www.theenergypeople.com

If you still want to leave us after considering these benefits, please call us free on 0800 027 6565 and we will deal smoothly with your cancellation .

Because I had been away and therefore didn't ring the number, they proceeded with the transfer !!!!
I have now cancelled everything with them and have been told that I owe them for 14 days worth of electricity and 23 days worth of gas.
The girl from the complaints department rang me to tell me that this money must be paid and I would be receiving a bill through the post once it was calculated.
To say these people are operating "sharp practice" is an understatement, if I say NO, then I mean NO and I should only have to tell them once.
Legally speaking, I have no doubts that I will have to pay up, however I will be making a formal complaint to Off Gem, and also contacting the Watchdog program, God help the next sales rep who accost me when I'm out shopping,
The bottom line - DON'T TOUCH SCOTTISH POWER WITH A BARGE POLE !!!!
Angry Alan

Summary: Disgraceful sales tactics, signing up customers against their wishes