Universal Gas & Electric reviews and complaints

Yes, I got *** by Universal Gas and Electric. I said no to the salesman at the door, only to have received a piece of mail my mailman dropped off stating this is from your gas company, I need a signature. These people are crooks and ***. I had to pay the $250.00 cancellation fee to get out of the bunk contract. Any body have leads or know where I can sign up for a Lawsuit. Let me know.

I would like to report a complaint about a company called Universal Gas & Electric in Michigan. The salesperson lied to me and told me that he would save me money on my heating bill by locking in my current Consumers Energy rate and that it would NEVER go above a certain rate for 5 years. Lo and behold, two months later, my heating bill is $30.00 more than it was the previous month and it's because Universal is showing up on my bill and they're already billing me for the higher rate. They were supposed to keep me at my current lower rate until Consumers soared above and then Universal was supposed to "protect" me and keep me from any rising rates. Instead, they put me at a higher rate already. The salesperson lied to me to get my business and it's not fair.

I am a single mother who worries about heating costs. I work part-time and most days even with the heat is on 70 degrees, we're cold. Having my heating bill go up even more than it should is a hardship. I tried to cancel Universal but they tell me I have to pay them $250 to cancel, despite the fact that my signing up with them in the first place was based on lies. They are preying on lower income people like me every day. This complaints board has tons of comments about them and I wish I had seen these complaints before the man came to my door. Something needs to be done to protect us consumers and also help those of us who were swindled be able to cancel without a penalty. They are using tactics that should be illegal.

I think the reason the cancellation fee is $250 is because they know their sales tactics are based on lies. What better way to swindle people and keep us signed on except by charging high cancellation fees. If it was a $50 or less cancellation fee or even no cancellation fee at all, you better believe they'd be out of business. Not one of us would have kept them as our gas supplier after seeing the truth.

I signed up on January 21, 2017, and called two days later to cancel the contract, and I was assured that it was so. I then received a letter in the mail dated January 28, 2017 stating a welcome as a customer with a contract number of [protected]. There was a phone number to call if I had any questions [protected]), and it asked for a "code" of which I haven't any idea. Thus no communication was possible. The letter says I have until February 2o, 2017 to cancel or pay $250 in "termination" fees. This seems to me to be an obvious scam.

We were told our heating bills would be cheaper by signing with them when in fact they are over a third higher. Also told if DTE came in cheaper they would adjust the price to beat theirs so when I called was told they never said that and of course they didn't give any paperwork or mail any as promised. At that time I told them to cancel and was led to believe it would be done. Instead today a paper came stating we would have to pay a 250.00 fee to terminate the contract. This is fleecing and needs to be taken care of by the government. How long will this company get away with this crap? We're retired people who cannot afford these prices.

Is there any update on what happened?

I signed up for UGE in 2017.My bill was higher but I wasn't paying attention.I learned about what a scam this company is when a representative from Commerce Energy came to my house I told her I had UGE. She said they could save me money and that they would pay all transfer fees.I got a letter a few months later saying I owe UGE $250!I called Commerce because she said that they would take care of this ...Come to find out UGE and Commerce are the same company.I looked up the company on the internet and found a lot of bad reports on UGE but not Commerce everyone needs to know they are the same company.Through one of these reports I got the number to the Michigan Public Service Commission..I called they said they would investigate.A week later I get a bill from a collection agency for Commerce Energy.I called MPSC again they said they talked to the company UGE and they said since it was their fault they would put me back on the old contract!I don't see how that solved my problem it solved UGE's problem...The person at MPSC was very patronizing and acted as if they had done me a favor..I put up with months of harassment from this company..I at least should have been able to keep the contract with Commerce for 2 years and they are not able to charge as much to get out of the contract.Now I am stuck with the one that would cost $250 to get out of..I am so angry I would pay $250 to get them out of this State...Sharron

I'm in the same boat. A year and a half ago, I signed up with these crooks. At the time, I was putting in a lot of overtime and did not pay much attention to my bill. I lost my job recently and have to move.

I called them and told them I was moving and will be living in an area with no natural gas lines and I will not be the account holder. They told me I had to submit the information proving this or pay the $250 extortion fee. The first person I talked to was nice to me. As soon I mentioned about terminating the contract, the next person I spoke to was extremely rude and shouted "$250 termination fee!" over and over. I had a hard time understanding him because he could barely speak english.

I still have the "customer care guide" and it does mention the $250 extortion fee. But it does not say anything about submitting any information in order to have the fee waived. All it says if you move out of state or move to an area in Michigan where Universal is unable to provide natural gas, the extortion fee is waived. They only accept cashiers checks, money orders or credit card. No personal checks. There is no way I'm giving those crooks my credit card number. It takes 2-3 billing cycles for the contract to be cancelled.

The state of Michigan should be ashamed of themselves for giving them a license to conduct buisness. It's a matter of time before they're run out of Michigan. They'll probably pack up and move to another state scamming more people.

I don't understand how they are still going out and signing people up and hiring people with all the bad media exposure they got. If you see anyone from Universal at your doorstep, tell them to leave at once. If they don't call the cops.

I too signed up for this company in 2017. I am receiving phone calls from a collection agency that is stating that I cancelled. I faxed the collection agency a copy of my bill with Universal Gas on there for the month of August 2017. I am interested in filing suit with these scam artists.

i m a resident of attapur, hyderabad. recently several times we faces problems with long time power cuts. i complained to electricity department but they failed to respond us properly. And we colony people went to complain office directly to know what is going on . we came across ill treatment and it was happened to see that people having fun having drinks in the corner room with out doing their duty. I again complained to AO officer about the issue . But still action was'nt taken for long time . There is no democracy in INDIA . Shame on INDIAN government that its failing to check its own inappropriate activities happening within it .

alex .

Hi. I am having the same problem all of you have with this company. Seems like they lied and took money from all of us. We tried to contact them and they fed us a line of bull so I'm trying to get everyone who is interested, into a class action lawsuit. I'm going on a risky limb here but please email me directly at Luvinpce@aol.com so I can start gathering everyones input and contact info.
Not to worry, I'm just a stay at home mom of 3 boys and my husband works too hard for his money to be going to these people. We are paying $70-$100 per month more than we should!
Thanks Ü Elizabeth

Energy Billing Fraud Charges vs Multiut owned by Nachshon Draiman! 2
Multiut Admitted to holding money belonging to customers.
It is holding over $1.5 million in Collected City of Chicago Tax on Natural gas and refuses to pay the City of Chicago or refund the customers plus interest.
Chicago Metro Area Consumers are taken for a ride by Multiut – Nachshon Draiman – Energy Billing fraud. Plus Adding charges to a bill without a customer’s approval. This practice is illegal and penalties are enforced.

In a Class Action proceeding initiated in November 2001 - The case after numerous delays by Multiut, is now proceeding.
Gore vs Multiut - IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS Case No. 01 CH 19688
Posted on September 29st, 2007:
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS
COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION
FILED
JACK GORE on behalf of himself and all ) NOV 28, 2002
other persons or entitles similarly situated, |
•
vs. No. 01 CH 19688
DOROTHY 8ROWN CLERK OF CIRCUIT COURT
MULTIUT CORP, an Illinois corporation, } Judge Stephen A, Schiller
Defendant ) Courtroom 2402
RESPONSE TO §2-619.1 MOTION TO DISMISS J/
Plaintiff JACK GORE (“Gore”). by his attorneys LARRY D DRURY LTD., hereby responds to the Motion to Dismiss 2nd Amended Complaint, pursuant to 735 ILCS 5/2-615 and 619, brought as a combined 2-619.1 motion by defendant MULTIUT CORP. (“Multiut”).
Introduction
Multiut is trying to time-bar this case by transforming express a written agency-service contract drafted by Multiut into a contract for sale of goods, and by disputing Gore's allegations as to concealment and discovery of the wrong – but without submitting any Rule 191 affidavit or documentation. This is a class action arising out
of a written contract drafted by Multiut, attached here and to the 2nd Amended Complaint as Exhibit A and B collectively referred to herein as the "contract" or "agreement “ unless otherwise indicated by context): (1)
(A) A service contract to act as Gore's "purchasing representatives" in obtaining natural gas from “off system" suppliers. This contract, entered into on or about December 1990, was titled “Agreement, " Exh. A 1, 3-6, 10. And,
{B} A series of supplemental agency contracts to act as Gore’s agent, in so doing with respect to various Properties. These were entered into contemporaneously with the service contract and thereafter, and titled "Natural Gas Purchasing and Agency Agreement.” Exh.-B. (2)
(1) Similarly Multiut refers to them collectively as “the agreement” in its brief (Mem. p. 2, fn. 1). Although the documents are on separately filed pages, they are mutually inclusive and one could not be entered into without the other; e.g. the service contract refers to and incorporates the agency contracts, wherein Multiut refers to itself as Gore's 'exclusive natural gas purchasing agent'. See Exh. A, third introductory paragraph and 16-17; Exh. B 1,
(2) Exh. 8 one of the series, is dated 1998, Exh. C is Gore’s §2-806 affidavit as to the others. Gore has stated he does not have a copy of each, they are inaccessible to him i.e. no longer in his possession, whether missplaced or otherwise, and cannot be located or returned. 2nd Amd.. Compl. {4; Exh, C, in the 1st Amd. Complaint, Count 4 for breach of oral contract was voluntarily dismissed without prejudice after Gore's deposition of May 8, - 2002, when the service contract and the 1998 agency contract were produced by Multiut and adequately established, Exhs, A-B are the same Exhs. 1-2 attached to the Gore transcript, excerpts of which are attached herein as Exh. D, Similarly the missing agency agreements are likely in Multiut’s possession and will be produced in discovery.
The contract was drafted by Multiut, it unequivocally defines Multiut's role in the transactions, and shows that this case is not governed by the UCC. What is at issue here is not the "good" that Multiut obtained for Gore, but the service Multiut provided as his purchasing agent. Gore is suing upon the service and agency contract – not the natural gas - and has alleged that Multiut breached its duties in two respects;
{1} By falsely and intentionally charging and retaining for its own use funds that were to be applied to a City of Chicago 8% gross receipts tax (“Tax”), which it had promised would be placed in escrow and forwarded to the City. Between December 1990 and January 1995 (after the City of Chicago changed the Tax), Multiut collected approximately $14, 000 from Gore and at least $1 million to $1.5 million from the Class, for this Tax that was not actually imposed upon Multiut. 2nd Amd. Compl. 7-9, '3! Multiut not only failed to inform Plaintiff and
the Class that the money collected was not so applied or escrowed, but also failed to escrow, account for, and refund the funds with interest.
(2) By overcharging for the service of providing natural gas. Multiut was to charge for natural gas actually supplied to Gore and the Class on a set per therm cost basis, plus an amount equal to 1/2 of their respective per therm cost savings per month, instead, Multiut overcharged and billed Gore at least $100.000 and the class millions of dollars and refuses to provide an accounting and refund with interest. Id. 10-11.
Gore has further alleged that Multiut prevented him from discovering the wrongs by intentionally concealing them until at least December 2000, when he discovered the truth and could not reasonably have done so earlier. (Gore testified at his deposition on May 8, 2002 that he first discovered the discrepancies in his bills, the overcharges, the taxes, and failure to escrow the taxes, in December 2000. See Exh, D, pp. 25-28, ) Thereafter he was unable to obtain any refund and based thereon, terminated Multiut’s services on or about June 2001, However, the wrongful acts are continuing to date, in that Multiut continues to 'refuse to provide an accounting and refund with interest to Gore and the Class, all to their detriment and damage. They seek imposition of constructive trust (id. 22), an accounting and damages in not less than the foregoing amounts plus interest (id, 9-13, 23).
Gore filed the original Class Action Complaint on Nov. 20, 2001, and in lieu of responding to a motion to dismiss, filed the 1st Amended Class Action Complaint Feb. 14, 2002, setting forth 4 counts for (1) breach of
3-: The City did not and will not collect the 8% Tax, presumably because of U.S. constitutional restrictions as to the interstate commerce clause and exceptions for interstate pipelines and out-of-state suppliers. As a result in 1994 the City changed the tax from an 8% gross receipts tax to a flat rate tax of 1.4 to 1.5 cents per therm. 2nd Amd. Comp. P 8. in Multiut’s response to First Request to Admit {attached hereto as Exh. F), it has admitted the following statements about this Tax; (8) that Multiut collected approximately $14, 000 in Tax from Gore between [protected]; and (9) that Multiut spent its customers Tax payments on business expenses.. Yehuda Draiman testified to the same effect in his deposition 1-10-02 See transcript excerpts attached hereto as Exh. E, at pp, 36-37, 40, 68, and Exh, 6 thereto.
Activity Date: 8/15/2007 Participant: GORE JACK
CASE SET ON STATUS CALL
Court Date: 8/29/2007
Court Time: 0930
Court Room: 2402
Judge: BRONSTEIN, PHILIP L.
As of March 2008 a third judge has taken over the case. The previous 2 Judges Schiller and Bronstein resigned from the bench under suspicious circumstances.

August 30th, 2007 at 2:25 pm
RE: MULTIUT CORP. FORMER CUSTOMERS!
Multiut owner is Nachshon Draiman of Cook County, Illinois
PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT YOU ARE PROBABLY DUE A REFUND PLUS INTEREST FOR SALES TAX ON NATURAL GAS WHICH WAS COLLECTED FROM YOU AND WITHHELD BY MULTIUT CORP. TEL # [protected] at 7514 N. Skokie Bl. Skokie, Illinois.
MULTIUT IS HOLDING APPROXIMATELY OVER ONE MILLION DOLLARS THAT MAY BELONG TO CUSTOMERS.
MULTIUT HAS OVERBILLED CUSTOMERS ON SHARED SAVINGS FOR THE PAST 14 YEARS.
THERE IS CURRENTLY A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST MULTIUT.
I STRONGLY SUGGEST THAT YOU HAVE ALL YOUR BILLS THAT WERE ISSUED BY MULTIUT CORP. AUDITED THOROUGHLY THERE MAY BE STORAGE CREDITS DUE YOU AND ERRORS IN BILLING WHICH CREDITS MAY BE DUE YOU.
Multiut has admitted in Court that they are holding the money.
Gore vs Multiut 01 CH 19688 Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois
A concerned citizen
For honesty in billing

Fraud, Insolvency and numerous contempt of court orders
anti defamation usa - Home - Justice
Detailing fraud by Nachshon Draiman his alter ego companies such as Multiut, Future associates and more, and justice for all.
www.antidefamationusa.com/

Dynegy Mkg & Trade v. Multiut Corp, Nachshon Draiman et al
On August 16th, 2007: Numerous Federal contempt of court orders against Nachshon Draiman and Multiut
Dynegy Mkg & Trade v. Multiut Corp, Nachshon Draiman et al 1:02-cv-07446.
Multiut Corp and Nachshon Draiman dba Future Associate of Skokie, IL. are withholding evidence of fraudulent activities in the Energy industry and inflated Medicaid billing to the government for Nursing Home patients. Also Bank fraud against their bank by presenting fraudulent and inflated receivable reports in order to get and keep a credit line, Nachshon Draiman was a large stock holder of the bank. Draiman Nachshon • SC 13G • Success Bancshares Inc • On 2/17/98
Filed On 2/17/98 • SEC File 5-53545 • Accession Number [protected]
Court: United States District Court Northern District of Illinois -
Case Title: Dynegy Mkg & Trade v. Multiut Corp, Nachshon Draiman Future Associates et al
Case Number: 1:02-cv-07446
Judge: Hon. John A. Nordberg
Filed On: 10/16/2002
SUMMARY
Case Number: 1:02-cv-07446
Referred To: Honorable Michael T. Mason
Jury Demand: Defendant
Demand: $9999000
Nature of Suit: Contract: Other (190)
Jurisdiction: Diversity
Cause: 28:1332 Diversity-Breach of Contract
Case Updated: 01/20/2005
NAMES
Party Name: Multiut Corporation an Illinois Corporation,
Party Type: Defendant
Attorney(s): Paul Thaddeus Fox
[protected]
Firm Name: Greenberg Traurig, LLP.
Firm Address: 77 West Wacker Drive
Suite 2500
Chicago, IL 60601
Alan Jay Mandel
[protected]
Firm Name: Alan J Mandel Ltd
Firm Address: 7520 North Skokie Blvd
Skokie, IL 60077
03/30/2007 225
NOTICE of Motion by Ira P. Gould for presentment of motion to withdraw as attorney224 before Honorable John A. Nordberg on 4/19/2007 at 02:30 PM. (Gould, Ira) (Entered: 03/30/2007)
04/18/2007 226
MINUTE entry before Judge John A. Nordberg: Motion of Ira Gould to withdraw his appearance on behalf of Multiut Corporation 224 is granted. The motion will not be heard on 4/19/07 as noticed. Mailed (vmj, ) (Entered: 04/19/2007).
For More Information See: www.antidefamationusa.com or www.antidefamation.us or www.nachshondraiman.net

THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO BE BETTER INFORMED AND EDUCATED ABOUT THE OPTION AVAILABLE, GUARD AGAINST FRAUD - FREE ECONOMIC VENTURES FROM REGULATIONS ARE GOOD - BUT THEY NEED ADDITIONAL SAFEGUARDS.

This company scams people into paying higher prices for gas even though the original company of Consumer's Energy is only charing less than half of what this place is. I dont even have a working furnace in my home and I will never use what they are charging me.

I got ripped of by them also. I have no gas in our home it was shut off due to the bill being too high for us to pay. Now Dte says we can not even get on a payment plan and winter is coming soon. I just don't know what we are going to do.

This company is a total scam. I dont even have a working furnace, I am heating my house with a fireplace and getting charged from this company for something I won't even use. If there is a lawsuit I want in. Thanks ladymannn1951@yahoo.com

These people are awful. They will do whatever it takes to get you to sign up. (including lie) I had no idea that i had even signed a contract.
This company has been investigated, TV [protected] I believe.What they do is legal because they trick you. They tell you need to sign a paper to verify you want U.G.E.company to supply your gas. What you actually sign is a contract. I am sure this Just Energy Co. is actually universal gas and electric pulling a fast one.
Please, if a class action lay suit is filed i'm in. I'm tired of freezing because i cant afford to pay this high cost.
People say when times are bad, crooks pray on the weak or poor through fear.

I am ready to jump on a Class Action Suit if anyone has one filed! They are some scammers and just so you all know, they were bought out by another Canadian Company called "Just Energy". They told me the cancellation fee would be $58.99 and I told them it would be the best money I ever spent if I got rid of them for good. So I went and purchased a bank certified check and mailed it the same day. A week later I got a notice from a collection agency in Alabama for the $58.99. I called all of them: the collection agency said they did not inquire any proof from their clients, and the people at Just Energy said that was just they way their system was set up. Scammers!

I was also a victim, When they came to my house the first time i told them no and they are not seeing my bill.
They came back when i was not home and asked my wife and bam they got our account # and switched our gas.
Here is how i got out of paying the $250 fee + $250 Early Fee for canceling.
If you are within the 30 days of them signing you up you can cancel no fee.
If you are not, do the following if you can.
1) Pay current on your bill.
2) Call your supplier (consumers energy, Dte, Other. If they ask why I'm moving nothing else)
tell them you want to transfer your gas to someone else.
Someone that does not have the same last name as you. Universal will try to call and collect after the switch.
They tried twice, I told them they (we) moved never heard from them again. Nothing NaDa
You Can Change back to your name in about 8 Months or so.

I too have fallen victim. I was just visited by another company that stated that a 5 years contract is illegal in Michigan. I also was told about the $250.00 early termination fee. I crunched some numbers and I can actually save over twice as much if I terminate early! I too would like to be a part of this lawsuit!

I agree I was ripped off by Universal gas as well. every winter my bills seem 2 go into shut off cause of Universal Gas.. something needs 2 be done.

Please, If you have a complaint, call the number listed below. There was a lawsuit against Universal Gas and Electric for all of their lies of how your current utility company is going to go up 250% and how you can get the lower price if gas does go down. They don't explain that includes signing a new contract for ANOTHER FIVE YEARS!
Besides, waiting over 30 days to send out the information packet to go with the contract you already signed.

Contact: Michigan Pupblic Service Commission Approves Settlement Agreement in Formal Complaint Against Universal Gas & Electric Corporation
Contact: Judy Palnau [protected]

i wish someone would get a lawsuit going fast. there has to be some attornoy that will take this on .for nothing to save all of us from these crooks.

Ya, this ### comes from Toronto, Canada. This is where I live they are scaming eveyone here and I am on a crusade to stop them. My site here is http://www.freewebs.com/uegscam/

Jalex -

I don't buy what you have to say. Specifically this:

"The people I have ran into at doors who PAY ATTENTION to thier bills every month and LISTEN to what the agent says and READ what the packet they are given says they would know that they NEED to pay attention each month. "

See, the thing is, no one knows what a CCF is. Universal preys off the fact that no one knows the technical aspects of their Consumers bills, and everyone is trying to save money with the price of everything going up left and right.

Also, I don't believe what you said about the agents lying being isolated into one region. Search the internet, you'll see people from all over the state that have been scammed.

Not to mention the shady practices of the main office. I have called the office several times and they are very rude. I called the office on a Friday once, asking for a supervisor and "Nobe" told me that there was no one there, and that she could "put me on hold until Monday".

Also, you have to fight and argue just to get them to listen to you. They are rude, they interupt you, and lie.

This is, simply put, a door-to-door scam. Why would anyone pay double the rate for energy? If you look online at Consumers price of energy per CCF over the past, i don't know, 10 years, you'll see that it has rarely risen over $1.00 per CCF. It would probably take nuclear warefare to make it rise over (and stay over) 1.049/CCF.

Also, why would the salesperson tell the truth when it's in their intrest to "make a sale" and get you to sign the contract. I briefly worked for a door-to-door scam company before I realized that it was a scam and quit. They're all the same, judging by what you said above. They promise big bucks and owning your own business. Then, they send you out on the road where you have to pay for all your expenses and you have to fight for your check.

I would like to end with this thought: you think the salespeople are the ones being scammed? It has cost me well over $1000 more in energy costs over the last 6 months because of Universal. My bill for February ALONE was $804.83. Does that sound reasonable to you? Not to mention that if I had to pay the early termination fee, it would have been an extra $250 on top of that!

O.K. so I have worked for this company for about a week. The people I have ran into at doors who PAY ATTENTION to thier bills every month and LISTEN to what the agent says and READ what the packet they are given says they would know that they NEED to pay attention each month.

The agent (if legitimate) will explain that if you find that you are paying more with the program than you would be with the regular billing you CALL the NUMBER provided and they will adjust it.

Long story short the people who look at what they pay and listened are very happy withthier service. The ones who dont arent.

HERES THE BIG GET

What this company does is allow emplloyees to climb the ladder fast in hopes that they can send them to other branches or NEW branches to run them. In the case of the GRAND RAPIDS, DETROIT, And everything in between HESPERIA and LUDINGTON areas. They promoted some guy to run this western office. HE HOWEVER LIED and also TRAINED his AGENTS TO LIE! If you live in any of these areas and were told that you would be paying .33 cents or were over the age of seventy and were allowed to sign up at your door, or even if you werent explained everything I just told you ODDS ARE YOU MET THIS GROUP... They claim the employees were terminated by the main office, and that the man in charge is no longer allowed to work in this state any longer.

IN ADDITION.

As I said if you are responsible and saved the packet and pay attention to your bills youll be happy and fine! HOWEVER...They treat thier employees like dog crap!

I respondedto an ad in the local paper. There are no jobs in this area and the add stated I could make up to twenty five dollars an hour OR MORE! The office I went to was all the way in Saginaw. I live right around an hour and a half from there. To apply I had to drive there. I did and after the "speed dating" interview process of a room full of eleven people they ask if you are willing to work six days a wekk..Coming from an area with no jobs and now having a possible fall in your lap you more than likely will say yes. I did. Then they say "Well thanks for your time you will recieve a call by this evening if you get the job." Then they take you out in to the hall copy your I.D. and SSN and ask you to look at the photos on the wall. Photos of random people holding 900 dollar puls checks.

You leave after also being told this would be the last time you should have to drive all the way back for anything. I got the call that I was hired. However I was to AGAIN drive all the way back to Saginaw for training. Training took maybey two hours they explain that in your training process you make 1 hundred dollars your first week plus any aplications you get you will be paid 35 dollars for. They claim that you should get an ap an hour. Then week two two hundred and ap pay as the weeks tick to week five the hundres go up till week five where you make five hundred a week plus ap pay. As you can imagine your eyes get big with possibilities.

Then as My co- worker and I left our training his was two days before mine, they say we are looking at you for manager. Apparently according to my co- worker the two managers in this area spilled lots of beans to him then quit that day because a six hundred dollar check wasnt enough for him. Then they sent up two different people on two different days. The first day was day one of training. Litterally entered a town, the two the other trainee and myself head into town with the manager guy. He takes each of us to 1 door and goes up with us. We both stumbled through the pitch and sucked. He then asked "alright ready for the next door?" I said I wasnt sure he said "youll be ok." That was the extent of our training.

According to thier policy we are to meet at nine am and practice for an hour. We only did that our first day. As the days rolled by my co-worker and I picked up on double talk. "Dont go to a town if it had just been visited within the past two weeks." Then once two managers had worked in the area and realized the towns are small and had been hit alot it was "Hit the town anyway".

At that point my co worker devulged that he managers that quit had told him that if we missed a day in our "training period" we get docked twenty dollars of our pay so in your 1st week thats 80 bucks plus whatever deals or aps you wrote. We both had pre existing appointments that week and each missed a day.

Long story short I have spent around 250 dollars on gas alone driving all over the state. Ran into the territories where the branch that was lying to folks hit and made hardly any money. Today I drove over 200 miles with my only car (the family car) and come to find out no manager (the person who would bring me my check) will be up tomorrow which means I spent the last week ragging on my car and blowing gas money like it was water and will get no check till who knows when!

On top of all that the story the managers that my co worker spoke to may have possibly lied. I was told just tonight that "Because I missed a day it reset mytraining week" this could mean 1 of things.
1. I just blew almost three hundred dollars to make THEM five deals and not only lost the one hundred dollars for the first week but possibly all the money from the deals because I am not "trained".

2. I just lost the hundred.

3. Because I missed ONE day and despite the fact that I was the only one of three people two of which were managers who made ANY deal at all except for ONE that the FIrst manager got the ONe day he was up here I will only make 100 dollars in week two plus any deals I write. Either way I just got screwed.

So they really rape thier employees worse than customers. They just leave it up to you to keep track of your bill and probably cross thier fingers you dont!

Hello Bryan,

My name is Garry. I live in Flint, MI and was scammed by this company as well. I want you to know that I was released from the contract without paying the $250. If you would like more information about what I said to them (which was only slight legal terminology) please feel free to e-mail me at:

cardillo@umflint.edu

I would be happy to e-mail or speak with you over the phone. I know how hard it's been paying astronomical electric bills over the winter and just want to help hard-working consumers like myself. I am also in the process of filing a class-action lawsuit: My lawyer's name is Paul Vance, he works out of Flint, MI.

Thank-you and Good Luck!

all the above is the same that happen to me hell i was on the phone and the salesman kept talking to me and i to thought i was getting a good deal, i even told the man i hope i can trust you not to rip me off . and another thing my contract was to be only a year, and its now been 41/2 years. please i want to join the lawsuit.

i to agree i had contract with universal gas and as of today i recicved aletter from collectcorp on behave of universal, saying i own, this was the first letter nothing from unversal telling me i owe them. they also lead me to believe i was saving. i talk to my gas company and ask question, and that is where i found out about the lawsuit. and that the contract i signed [well how do i join the lawsuit?] i agree with everyone else.

Well, all I can say is we've been had. What UG&E told me was a price of 1.04 per CCF. The bill comes and that's what it is. But when you multiply that by MCF (10x), it comes out to 10.49, so I'm paying this HUGE BILL just to have some other company give me what I already was getting but just at a MUCH HIGHER rate! I hear there's a class action lawsuit against them. I'd like to join that! I was only made aware of it yesterday when a representative from Direct Energy stopped by to try to get me to switch to them for 6.40 MCF. With Direct Energy there is NO CANCELLATION charge at any time, according to the rep. When I called Attorney Genral Mike Cox's office some months ago, I was told there was nothing I could do, I was locked into a 5 year contract with them when I tried to call UG&E to cancel. Well, now maybe there is something we can all do. By the way, the phone number for Attorney General Mike Cox is [protected] and his email address is mikecox@michigan.gov. Might be worth a conversation again.

Hello, same thing with this company! I own a small business in the U.P. and was stupid enough to let the salesman keep talking. My rate was set at 1.14 ccf because he assured that prices were going to skyrocket! I asked him what if prices go down? He said that the rate would be adjusted to the lower rate. I thought great! Can't go wrong! Right. After rates dropped to .74 ccf i tried to change back to the previous company. Universal called and said a cancelation of their contract would result in paying the remainder of the 4 years left at 2500.00 dollars. When I talked to them, I asked about the salesman saying they would adjust their rate if everyones rate dropped, and they said they cannot honor anything the salesman said, and they do not adjust the rate. When I switched the other day, Universal called again, stating the cancelation fee will be expected to be paid. I asked about to rate price gouging their doing, know they say if you call in once a year, they will adjust their price, sure they will! They owe us all alot of money back. I'm so sick of these scammers taking hard working people to the cleaners, bunch of good for nothing, lazy, mothers! Get real jobs!

Yup we MUST take these guys to court. They have just turned my account to a collection agency after I moved and didn't have a house to continue their services with. They are charging me a 600.00 discontinuation fee AFTER they agreed to hold off until I had my next house. Of course they were charging extra above the power company all along. So..where do we sign and sue?

I don't feel so alone or so stupid now. I'm registering my complaint now how do I get in on a class action suit? God help us all!

This company is full of bull, there out here going door to door misleading consumers who only want to lower their bills not make them increase. When i noticed i was being scammed, i placed a call to Universal Gas & Electric, however the sales rep. told me there would be a $250 cancellation fee, which was never mentioned during the time i signed up. To me thats false advertising, also they never mentioned the $50 distribution charge on top of my existing bill, as result of me signing this stupid contract my gas has been shut off twice this year, which has never happen before. I would love to be part of the class action law suit against these rip off people. I would advise anyone who see's a rep. from Universal at the door to call the police or slam the door in their face.

I was completely lied to by a door to door salesman, he approached me by walking to my garage in my back yard and asked me what I was paying for my natural gas. I replied and said "about $50 to $70.00 a month" then he asked "if I heard of how the price was going to sky-rocket by next fall with a 75% to 100% increase in small amounts all summer long...due to the greed of the corporations ... just like the auto gas prices ..." and I said yeah? his reply was "I can lock your rate you have right now for five years" I asked how? he replied he was from a group of people that purchased large amounts of natural gas when the prices were very low and are selling it now at the same prices your paying now." guaranteed for five years.
I travel with work, my room mate paid the bill and the following month when I got home I seen next months bill and my gas price has doubled! When I contacted DTE (who bills me) they said that it was my gas supplier's cost! Universal Gas and Electric Corp. I said cancel that and DTE said they could not, contact Universal Gas and Electric and gave me their phone number.
when I contacted them they said I signed a contract and the gas was already purchased for me and I have to pay for it?
or send them $250.00 cancellation fee?
Aren't these people regulated?
He also lied about where they were from, he said up-north where they get the inexpensive gas... when I called they said they we're from Canada?
I won’t be able to afford this very much longer is there any way to change back to DTE?
I feel like a fool for falling for this.
Jerry

My husband signed the contract, the young man stated he was representing our mobile home park through the gas company. We just moved here and have extra expenses but I plan to pay the $250 fraus payment before fall. I have filed a complaint and have called this scam company many times. I do not understand how they can get away with fraud.

I to signed up for this service with the understanding that my monthly gas bill would be lower than my present gas provider and was shown a pamhelet showing a lower rate, by the guy representing Universal Gas and Electric. I am a 73 year old retiree and had the representitives selling this service explained the cancellation procedures properly, and explained the excessive cost involved both in the rates and cancellation fees, I would have declined the use of Universal for my gas service. I was lied to and mislead on the supposedly lower service they said they could provide. I recently paid a $400 gas bill for service to my home for one month, this is the highest bill we have EVER received to heat our home in 43 years living at our home. We are prepared to join in the class action suit against this company who should never had been approved to provide gas service in the State of Michigan.

$0.00 in three weeks !wow! now my in my job [a construction manager] I was caught up in all my tasks so I sat around answered a few calls drank coffee and made approximatley $4500 plus dollars.

I REALLY WANT a job as Univer$al Energy Corporation

hehe

So do you still work for this company? I assume no, mainly because a $0 paycheck does not keep someone working at their location for long. So you might not be a big lier like Don Author, Anthony, whatever, nice handwriting, Agent # [protected].

My problem is that I was lied to, consumers did not go up 35% like I was told. I called to cancel in Dec, but it looks like NOTHING was cancelled! My bill now reflects a 30% uplift.