Universal Gas & Electric Universal Gas & Electric Grand Rapids Michigan

For a period of 2 weeks I found myself an employee of (actually an independent contractor for, but you'll find out why later) Universal Gas & Electric, due mostly to the poor job opportunities around Michigan at this time. The truth is they are a licensed to sell gas to consumers in the state of Michigan, and they do offer a 5-year fixed rate of $1.049/ccf (cubic feet, AKA; the unit gas is measured in on consumer gas bills). With the average Michigan resident currently paying around $0.80/ccf from Consumer's or DTE, this fixed rate, once into effect, results in the customers bill increasing. However, as the contract (which is SUPPOSED to be provided to customers at the time of sign-up) states, the rate will not go up again for 5 years from the beginning of the contract. It IS, however a legally binding contract that cannot be cancelled without a penalty (I was told $250.00 for residential contracts) once the contract takes effect. The contract is binding 30 days after the consumer signs the contract, hands over a copy of their gas bill, and verifies by phone call that they do want the program. The price is available at a fixed rate because it was bought in bulk years before now at a low unit price. This is all legal, and for the most part fair.

The dark side is the way the company hires, organizes, trains, and rewards/pays their employees. If you, like I have been, are using an online service (Career Builder, Monster, etc.) to locate job opportunities in Michigan, no doubt you have come across their add. In short it is set up to be a vague as possible, while still attracting the interest of the unemployed or higher-wage-seeking browser. It says that people with sales or management backgrounds, will excel and be well compensated for their hard work. Who wouldn't want that? When you call the 800 number provided to set up an interview, they ask only how you heard of them, and tell you only how to get to office (there are multiple offices around the state).

When you get to the office, you find yourself in a room with about 20-40 other people (depending on the date and time, as they have multiple interviews each day) there for the same thing. The good news (or is it), is that you get the job. You ALL get the job. If you can walk, and you want to work, it's yours for the taking. In the initial room with all the other job-seekers a spokesperson for Universal passes out applications (a mere formality, used mainly to get your address, telephone number, and signature on record) to the entire room. They explain that Universal is a great opportunity for the right people (see requirements above), and that they LOVE being a part of it all. I'm sure they do too, as these people are rarely, if ever, doing the job you are being offered. Then they collect your applications and offer you coffee, and possibly donuts (if it's Saturday). At this point nobody in the room knows what the job is, and the spokesperson is not going to tell. You all just sit back and wait to be called one-by-one to the next phase of the process. So, it's off to a one-on-one interview (again, just a formality, this time designed to make you not notice that EVERYBODY gets the job). You go into a smaller room with a manager from Universal, who has reviewed your application moments beforehand. They ask you a few standard questions, such as: Why did you leave your last job? What are your strengths as an employee? After a few of these and regardless of your answers, they follow up with something like; do think you'd like to make a lot of money? Easy answer. Even better, they believe your qualifications make you the perfect candidate to do just that within their company. If you are willing to start anytime in the next few weeks, they offer to have you, go find out what this is all about.' They still don't tell you what IT is, but they remind you that you'd be good at IT, and that IT will make you lots of money. Say yes and they set up a day. Mine was the following day. They told me only to wear comfortable shoes and to be early.

On the first day they have you walk along with a field manager or assistant field manager. Now you begin to realize what this job isDoor-to-door sales. They didn't tell you because (SURPRISE) many people are opposed to that kind of work. A carload of employees and you set out for a random (they don't keep any record of areas that they have been to, and a team can choose to go almost anywhere in Michigan, even places others from Universal have already been, perhaps many times) section of a town for the day (the whole day; 11am-9pm). Upon arrival the carload of people split up, to each take a street or side of a street, and start knocking on doors. On this day, new people just watch the manager at work. After about 5 doors you should notice that he or she is just reading a typed script over and over, and has no real knowledge of what it is they are doing beyond that. If you make it the entire day without complaining (you cannot go home because you didn't drive to wherever) you get officially offered a position. Show up the following day at the office to begin your training and be suited with a uniform and badge, the manager will tell you. He or she might add how good they think you'll be at this.

The next day at the office they put you in a room with about 5-15 people, the survivors from the previous day's walk along that you should recognize from the interview room days before. A spokesperson from Universal once again comes in and hands out form to fill out. This time it's tax forms, and a contract. While you should be reading the contract the spokesperson begins to explain what exactly you will be doing, and how you will be reimbursed for your efforts. If you can read and listen at the same time, you'll learn two very important things; this is commission only, and you are NOT actually an employee of Universal Gas & Electric. You are in fact an independent contractor who will be making money for each successful contract you start with consumers on their behalf. They explain the basics (very basics, just enough to sign people up for their service) of how to read gas bills, how they can offer the set price for 5 years, and how to sing customers up (of course). They say that anybody can do this regardless of what you know about how gas prices and billing works. The truth is they would probably prefer you only know what they tell you. They stress that the scripts they give you are all you need to say to customers, and discourage any ad-libbing. In fact, if a customer has too many questions they recommend you to tell them to look up the website and go on to the next door. They remind you that success is all in your hands. You take turns practicing the script with an instructor. This person knows the script word-for-word, and tells you EXACTLY; how to knock (4 times, very hard and loud), what tone you need to use (demanding, like you're there on business of a timely manor), what volume to speak at (loud), and even when to make eye contact with your prospective customers (so as to avoid the connections that might bring about). They recommend you pretend (yes, pretend) to be writing something down on your clipboard the entire time you're speaking to prospective customers (but you really only need to record the addresses and check off; if you get an answer, see a gas bill, or sign a customer) to make you appear busy, and to explain the lack of eye contact. They tell you to be firm, but professional at all times, and NEVER to walk on someone's lawn. Once you have the basic script and motions down you're off to meet up with your team from the walk along day.

All of this is still legit and somewhat fair for both the employee/contractors and the consumers/potential customers. Now, remember that an independent contractor only receives pay for each successful account signup. This is where the problems truly start. Once out of the training and into the field, people begin to change their official scripts to better convince the customers. Mind you, any false statement that are said could result in the employee/contractor being let go (or whatever it is they do) from Universal. The problem is there's very little in the way of checking on compliance here. The company relies almost solely on customer complaints to find problems. So, in order for an employee/contractor to get in any sort of trouble a potential customer would need to contact Universal, and remember the name of the person that misinformed them. If the potential customer did, in fact, sign the service contract and give their gas bill to a Universal representative, they could tell the customer service person that calls to verify the contract anything out of the ordinary, or contrary to the written contract that the rep. left with them. This would, however, require that the person read their contract in it's entirety before they receive the phone call from Universal's Customer Service Department (in Canada), that takes place typically only moments from when the rep. leaves their front door.

So now there are people supposedly representing Universal and its contract in a truthful manor, doing anything it takes to get bills and signatures to get money themselves. Making things worse off, is that Universal gives out daily cash bonuses for specific sale quotas and competitions. They have daily peep rallies called morning meetings where a former door-to-door-turned-executive of the company shouts about money, money, money for a half hour and gets the whole group going along, and thinking just that. They started off just like you, they say, and they worked hard for each-and-every contract. Their hard work became money, and promotions, and look at where they are now. They get money now from each successful contract you set up. It could happen to you tooBut only if you are one of the best. To be that you'd have to beat all those people that are no longer following the script and are not honest. You cannot prove that others do things wrong, and if you accuse someone, they'll accuse you too. SoIf you can't beat themQUIT.Like I did. Get out of there and don't look back. The truth is Universal is a glorified pyramid scheme. The people at the top don't really care what the people below them do or don't do, because they're making their cut and that's all that matters to them. As for the room full of people applauding the prospect of making a living like that, more than 90% of them will be gone in a month. Management still doesn't care. This company makes it's riches off volume; volume of gas sales, volume of able and desperate workers that never ends, volume of information in their contracts that very few consumers (or employees) will bother to read before signing, volume of doors their army of greedy/probably deceptive contractors can reach (over and over again), and lastly, the volume of states that have (or are going to) deregulate the gas supply. Universal Gas & Electric is an unstoppable moneymaking force coming to a state near you. Look out. Read the contracts (for employees & customers alike), and know what you're getting yourself into.

For a period of 2 weeks I found myself an employee of (actually an independent contractor for, but you'll find out why later) Universal Gas & Electric, due mostly to the poor job opportunities around Michigan at this time. The truth is they are a licensed to sell gas to consumers in the state of Michigan, and they do offer a 5-year fixed rate of $1.049/ccf (cubic feet, AKA; the unit gas is measured in on consumer gas bills). With the average Michigan resident currently paying around $0.80/ccf from Consumer's or DTE, this fixed rate, once into effect, results in the customers bill increasing. However, as the contract (which is SUPPOSED to be provided to customers at the time of sign-up) states, the rate will not go up again for 5 years from the beginning of the contract. It IS, however a legally binding contract that cannot be cancelled without a penalty (I was told $250.00 for residential contracts) once the contract takes effect. The contract is binding 30 days after the consumer signs the contract, hands over a copy of their gas bill, and verifies by phone call that they do want the program. The price is available at a fixed rate because it was bought in bulk years before now at a low unit price. This is all legal, and for the most part fair.

The dark side is the way the company hires, organizes, trains, and rewards/pays their employees. If you, like I have been, are using an online service (Career Builder, Monster, etc.) to locate job opportunities in Michigan, no doubt you have come across their add. In short it is set up to be a vague as possible, while still attracting the interest of the unemployed or higher-wage-seeking browser. It says that people with sales or management backgrounds, will excel and be well compensated for their hard work. Who wouldn't want that? When you call the 800 number provided to set up an interview, they ask only how you heard of them, and tell you only how to get to office (there are multiple offices around the state).

When you get to the office, you find yourself in a room with about 20-40 other people (depending on the date and time, as they have multiple interviews each day) there for the same thing. The good news (or is it), is that you get the job. You ALL get the job. If you can walk, and you want to work, it's yours for the taking. In the initial room with all the other job-seekers a spokesperson for Universal passes out applications (a mere formality, used mainly to get your address, telephone number, and signature on record) to the entire room. They explain that Universal is a great opportunity for the right people (see requirements above), and that they LOVE being a part of it all. I'm sure they do too, as these people are rarely, if ever, doing the job you are being offered. Then they collect your applications and offer you coffee, and possibly donuts (if it's Saturday). At this point nobody in the room knows what the job is, and the spokesperson is not going to tell. You all just sit back and wait to be called one-by-one to the next phase of the process. So, it's off to a one-on-one interview (again, just a formality, this time designed to make you not notice that EVERYBODY gets the job). You go into a smaller room with a manager from Universal, who has reviewed your application moments beforehand. They ask you a few standard questions, such as: Why did you leave your last job? What are your strengths as an employee? After a few of these and regardless of your answers, they follow up with something like; do think you'd like to make a lot of money? Easy answer. Even better, they believe your qualifications make you the perfect candidate to do just that within their company. If you are willing to start anytime in the next few weeks, they offer to have you, go find out what this is all about.' They still don't tell you what IT is, but they remind you that you'd be good at IT, and that IT will make you lots of money. Say yes and they set up a day. Mine was the following day. They told me only to wear comfortable shoes and to be early.

On the first day they have you walk along with a field manager or assistant field manager. Now you begin to realize what this job isDoor-to-door sales. They didn't tell you because (SURPRISE) many people are opposed to that kind of work. A carload of employees and you set out for a random (they don't keep any record of areas that they have been to, and a team can choose to go almost anywhere in Michigan, even places others from Universal have already been, perhaps many times) section of a town for the day (the whole day; 11am-9pm). Upon arrival the carload of people split up, to each take a street or side of a street, and start knocking on doors. On this day, new people just watch the manager at work. After about 5 doors you should notice that he or she is just reading a typed script over and over, and has no real knowledge of what it is they are doing beyond that. If you make it the entire day without complaining (you cannot go home because you didn't drive to wherever) you get officially offered a position. Show up the following day at the office to begin your training and be suited with a uniform and badge, the manager will tell you. He or she might add how good they think you'll be at this.

The next day at the office they put you in a room with about 5-15 people, the survivors from the previous day's walk along that you should recognize from the interview room days before. A spokesperson from Universal once again comes in and hands out form to fill out. This time it's tax forms, and a contract. While you should be reading the contract the spokesperson begins to explain what exactly you will be doing, and how you will be reimbursed for your efforts. If you can read and listen at the same time, you'll learn two very important things; this is commission only, and you are NOT actually an employee of Universal Gas & Electric. You are in fact an independent contractor who will be making money for each successful contract you start with consumers on their behalf. They explain the basics (very basics, just enough to sign people up for their service) of how to read gas bills, how they can offer the set price for 5 years, and how to sing customers up (of course). They say that anybody can do this regardless of what you know about how gas prices and billing works. The truth is they would probably prefer you only know what they tell you. They stress that the scripts they give you are all you need to say to customers, and discourage any ad-libbing. In fact, if a customer has too many questions they recommend you to tell them to look up the website and go on to the next door. They remind you that success is all in your hands. You take turns practicing the script with an instructor. This person knows the script word-for-word, and tells you EXACTLY; how to knock (4 times, very hard and loud), what tone you need to use (demanding, like you're there on business of a timely manor), what volume to speak at (loud), and even when to make eye contact with your prospective customers (so as to avoid the connections that might bring about). They recommend you pretend (yes, pretend) to be writing something down on your clipboard the entire time you're speaking to prospective customers (but you really only need to record the addresses and check off; if you get an answer, see a gas bill, or sign a customer) to make you appear busy, and to explain the lack of eye contact. They tell you to be firm, but professional at all times, and NEVER to walk on someone's lawn. Once you have the basic script and motions down you're off to meet up with your team from the walk along day.

All of this is still legit and somewhat fair for both the employee/contractors and the consumers/potential customers. Now, remember that an independent contractor only receives pay for each successful account signup. This is where the problems truly start. Once out of the training and into the field, people begin to change their official scripts to better convince the customers. Mind you, any false statement that are said could result in the employee/contractor being let go (or whatever it is they do) from Universal. The problem is there's very little in the way of checking on compliance here. The company relies almost solely on customer complaints to find problems. So, in order for an employee/contractor to get in any sort of trouble a potential customer would need to contact Universal, and remember the name of the person that misinformed them. If the potential customer did, in fact, sign the service contract and give their gas bill to a Universal representative, they could tell the customer service person that calls to verify the contract anything out of the ordinary, or contrary to the written contract that the rep. left with them. This would, however, require that the person read their contract in it's entirety before they receive the phone call from Universal's Customer Service Department (in Canada), that takes place typically only moments from when the rep. leaves their front door.

So now there are people supposedly representing Universal and its contract in a truthful manor, doing anything it takes to get bills and signatures to get money themselves. Making things worse off, is that Universal gives out daily cash bonuses for specific sale quotas and competitions. They have daily peep rallies called morning meetings where a former door-to-door-turned-executive of the company shouts about money, money, money for a half hour and gets the whole group going along, and thinking just that. They started off just like you, they say, and they worked hard for each-and-every contract. Their hard work became money, and promotions, and look at where they are now. They get money now from each successful contract you set up. It could happen to you tooBut only if you are one of the best. To be that you'd have to beat all those people that are no longer following the script and are not honest. You cannot prove that others do things wrong, and if you accuse someone, they'll accuse you too. SoIf you can't beat themQUIT.Like I did. Get out of there and don't look back. The truth is Universal is a glorified pyramid scheme. The people at the top don't really care what the people below them do or don't do, because they're making their cut and that's all that matters to them. As for the room full of people applauding the prospect of making a living like that, more than 90% of them will be gone in a month. Management still doesn't care. This company makes it's riches off volume; volume of gas sales, volume of able and desperate workers that never ends, volume of information in their contracts that very few consumers (or employees) will bother to read before signing, volume of doors their army of greedy/probably deceptive contractors can reach (over and over again), and lastly, the volume of states that have (or are going to) deregulate the gas supply. Universal Gas & Electric is an unstoppable moneymaking force coming to a state near you. Look out. Read the contracts (for employees & customers alike), and know what you're getting yourself into.

For a period of 2 weeks I found myself an employee of (actually an independent contractor for, but you'll find out why later) Universal Gas & Electric, due mostly to the poor job opportunities around Michigan at this time. The truth is they are a licensed to sell gas to consumers in the state of Michigan, and they do offer a 5-year fixed rate of $1.049/ccf (cubic feet, AKA; the unit gas is measured in on consumer gas bills). With the average Michigan resident currently paying around $0.80/ccf from Consumer's or DTE, this fixed rate, once into effect, results in the customers bill increasing. However, as the contract (which is SUPPOSED to be provided to customers at the time of sign-up) states, the rate will not go up again for 5 years from the beginning of the contract. It IS, however a legally binding contract that cannot be cancelled without a penalty (I was told $250.00 for residential contracts) once the contract takes effect. The contract is binding 30 days after the consumer signs the contract, hands over a copy of their gas bill, and verifies by phone call that they do want the program. The price is available at a fixed rate because it was bought in bulk years before now at a low unit price. This is all legal, and for the most part fair.

The dark side is the way the company hires, organizes, trains, and rewards/pays their employees. If you, like I have been, are using an online service (Career Builder, Monster, etc.) to locate job opportunities in Michigan, no doubt you have come across their add. In short it is set up to be a vague as possible, while still attracting the interest of the unemployed or higher-wage-seeking browser. It says that people with sales or management backgrounds, will excel and be well compensated for their hard work. Who wouldn't want that? When you call the 800 number provided to set up an interview, they ask only how you heard of them, and tell you only how to get to office (there are multiple offices around the state).

When you get to the office, you find yourself in a room with about 20-40 other people (depending on the date and time, as they have multiple interviews each day) there for the same thing. The good news (or is it), is that you get the job. You ALL get the job. If you can walk, and you want to work, it's yours for the taking. In the initial room with all the other job-seekers a spokesperson for Universal passes out applications (a mere formality, used mainly to get your address, telephone number, and signature on record) to the entire room. They explain that Universal is a great opportunity for the right people (see requirements above), and that they LOVE being a part of it all. I'm sure they do too, as these people are rarely, if ever, doing the job you are being offered. Then they collect your applications and offer you coffee, and possibly donuts (if it's Saturday). At this point nobody in the room knows what the job is, and the spokesperson is not going to tell. You all just sit back and wait to be called one-by-one to the next phase of the process. So, it's off to a one-on-one interview (again, just a formality, this time designed to make you not notice that EVERYBODY gets the job). You go into a smaller room with a manager from Universal, who has reviewed your application moments beforehand. They ask you a few standard questions, such as: Why did you leave your last job? What are your strengths as an employee? After a few of these and regardless of your answers, they follow up with something like; do think you'd like to make a lot of money? Easy answer. Even better, they believe your qualifications make you the perfect candidate to do just that within their company. If you are willing to start anytime in the next few weeks, they offer to have you, go find out what this is all about.' They still don't tell you what IT is, but they remind you that you'd be good at IT, and that IT will make you lots of money. Say yes and they set up a day. Mine was the following day. They told me only to wear comfortable shoes and to be early.

On the first day they have you walk along with a field manager or assistant field manager. Now you begin to realize what this job isDoor-to-door sales. They didn't tell you because (SURPRISE) many people are opposed to that kind of work. A carload of employees and you set out for a random (they don't keep any record of areas that they have been to, and a team can choose to go almost anywhere in Michigan, even places others from Universal have already been, perhaps many times) section of a town for the day (the whole day; 11am-9pm). Upon arrival the carload of people split up, to each take a street or side of a street, and start knocking on doors. On this day, new people just watch the manager at work. After about 5 doors you should notice that he or she is just reading a typed script over and over, and has no real knowledge of what it is they are doing beyond that. If you make it the entire day without complaining (you cannot go home because you didn't drive to wherever) you get officially offered a position. Show up the following day at the office to begin your training and be suited with a uniform and badge, the manager will tell you. He or she might add how good they think you'll be at this.

The next day at the office they put you in a room with about 5-15 people, the survivors from the previous day's walk along that you should recognize from the interview room days before. A spokesperson from Universal once again comes in and hands out form to fill out. This time it's tax forms, and a contract. While you should be reading the contract the spokesperson begins to explain what exactly you will be doing, and how you will be reimbursed for your efforts. If you can read and listen at the same time, you'll learn two very important things; this is commission only, and you are NOT actually an employee of Universal Gas & Electric. You are in fact an independent contractor who will be making money for each successful contract you start with consumers on their behalf. They explain the basics (very basics, just enough to sign people up for their service) of how to read gas bills, how they can offer the set price for 5 years, and how to sing customers up (of course). They say that anybody can do this regardless of what you know about how gas prices and billing works. The truth is they would probably prefer you only know what they tell you. They stress that the scripts they give you are all you need to say to customers, and discourage any ad-libbing. In fact, if a customer has too many questions they recommend you to tell them to look up the website and go on to the next door. They remind you that success is all in your hands. You take turns practicing the script with an instructor. This person knows the script word-for-word, and tells you EXACTLY; how to knock (4 times, very hard and loud), what tone you need to use (demanding, like you're there on business of a timely manor), what volume to speak at (loud), and even when to make eye contact with your prospective customers (so as to avoid the connections that might bring about). They recommend you pretend (yes, pretend) to be writing something down on your clipboard the entire time you're speaking to prospective customers (but you really only need to record the addresses and check off; if you get an answer, see a gas bill, or sign a customer) to make you appear busy, and to explain the lack of eye contact. They tell you to be firm, but professional at all times, and NEVER to walk on someone's lawn. Once you have the basic script and motions down you're off to meet up with your team from the walk along day.

All of this is still legit and somewhat fair for both the employee/contractors and the consumers/potential customers. Now, remember that an independent contractor only receives pay for each successful account signup. This is where the problems truly start. Once out of the training and into the field, people begin to change their official scripts to better convince the customers. Mind you, any false statement that are said could result in the employee/contractor being let go (or whatever it is they do) from Universal. The problem is there's very little in the way of checking on compliance here. The company relies almost solely on customer complaints to find problems. So, in order for an employee/contractor to get in any sort of trouble a potential customer would need to contact Universal, and remember the name of the person that misinformed them. If the potential customer did, in fact, sign the service contract and give their gas bill to a Universal representative, they could tell the customer service person that calls to verify the contract anything out of the ordinary, or contrary to the written contract that the rep. left with them. This would, however, require that the person read their contract in it's entirety before they receive the phone call from Universal's Customer Service Department (in Canada), that takes place typically only moments from when the rep. leaves their front door.

So now there are people supposedly representing Universal and its contract in a truthful manor, doing anything it takes to get bills and signatures to get money themselves. Making things worse off, is that Universal gives out daily cash bonuses for specific sale quotas and competitions. They have daily peep rallies called morning meetings where a former door-to-door-turned-executive of the company shouts about money, money, money for a half hour and gets the whole group going along, and thinking just that. They started off just like you, they say, and they worked hard for each-and-every contract. Their hard work became money, and promotions, and look at where they are now. They get money now from each successful contract you set up. It could happen to you tooBut only if you are one of the best. To be that you'd have to beat all those people that are no longer following the script and are not honest. You cannot prove that others do things wrong, and if you accuse someone, they'll accuse you too. SoIf you can't beat themQUIT.Like I did. Get out of there and don't look back. The truth is Universal is a glorified pyramid scheme. The people at the top don't really care what the people below them do or don't do, because they're making their cut and that's all that matters to them. As for the room full of people applauding the prospect of making a living like that, more than 90% of them will be gone in a month. Management still doesn't care. This company makes it's riches off volume; volume of gas sales, volume of able and desperate workers that never ends, volume of information in their contracts that very few consumers (or employees) will bother to read before signing, volume of doors their army of greedy/probably deceptive contractors can reach (over and over again), and lastly, the volume of states that have (or are going to) deregulate the gas supply. Universal Gas & Electric is an unstoppable moneymaking force coming to a state near you. Look out. Read the contracts (for employees & customers alike), and know what you're getting yourself into.