Numerous clients have consulted the Municipal Consumer Office (OMIC) in Calasparra following an announcement by the Ministry of Industry that domestic cusomters hould take advanatge of the free market.
Many electricity companies have launched publicity campaigns to try and attract new customers following the Ministry’s announcement that millions of clients on the “tarifa de último recurso” must “shop around” for a better deal.
But the Head of the local consumer office, Esperanza Marín, warns that customers should “carefully study the offers and read the small print before signing anything.”
She says: “Many people have consulted OMIC in the same week after changing their provider several times and are confused.”
The arrival of Natural Gas in Calasparra has also resulted in offers from different providers which customers find confusing.
“Some of the offers are deceiving in that customers are offered conditions by the salespersons which are not reflected in the contract. Everything offered should be in writing.”
Further the Consumer Office warns that the liberalization of the regulate tariff for the majority of consumers could mean an increase of 30%, some 1,000 euros annually. For this reason the OCU, through its webpage, has launched a petition calling on the Government to reverse the decision that customers must buy through the free market and cannot benefit from the regulated tariff.
The OCU warns that there are only three electricity companies: Endesa, Iberdrola and Gas Natural Fenosa, which share the majority of the market and will probably take advantage of the disappearance of the regulated tariff.
