Pensioner battles £8,000 bill from green energy company

Sheila Elliott (76) of Bonet Lane, Brinsworth, had solar panels fitted on her home after a visit from MyPlanet UK staff.

She told the cold callers she would not buy from them, but they persuaded her to take up a deal which she believe would cost her £10-a-month, saying the renewable energy installation would save her money in the long-term.

Installers visited Sheila’s home and installed the panels but in a matter of weeks she received letters from Barclays Bank demanding £92-a-month for seven years — an overall bill of £7,728 plus interest.

“I told their people before we even sat down that I didn’t want to buy anything,” she said.

“They all said they understood and it was okay because they weren’t selling anything. I really thought I was getting something for free.

“They must have used some tricky language because no-one said anything about £92-a-month.”

Sheila said she felt bamboozled by four different salespeople who telephoned or visited her home.

“They told me I would make all of the money back in savings over the panels’ lifetime, but not how long that would take,” she said.

“I’m 76 years old — I may not last as long as the panels do.”

Sheila resisted demands for payment, as she felt there was unfair pressure to sign up. She questions the firm’s policy of selling to elderly people who live alone.

“When someone says four times that they don’t want to buy anything, what should you do? I think you should just walk away,” she added.

The company cut £2,000 from Sheila’s bill, but she still refused to pay up. Now the panels are being removed and the finance agreement with Barclays ended.

MyPlanet UK managing director Mark Bonifacio called the move a “goodwill gesture”, but insisted that a contract for £92-a-month had been signed.

“I have a copy, which clearly states the system was being paid for through a finance agreement,” he said.

“Barclays don’t normally give loans to people over 75, if someone’s given a seven-year loan at 76, that’s down to the bank. We submit the forms and they make a decision.”

He added: “The customer signed the finance application and I have no evidence this customer was misled or lied to.”

Asked whether cold calling staff should approach lone pensioners, Mr Bonifacio defended their actions.

“We can’t control what our salespeople say at a person’s home,” he said, “but we have a vulnerable persons policy and we would like to think our processes are quite robust.

“Customers know exactly what they’re signing up for and everything’s above board.”

He added: “Not only would the customer have recouped the initial cost of the system, but over its life she would have made a further £6,000 in savings.”

Sheila was pleased to hear of the firm’s about-face. “I’ll be happy as soon as it’s out,” she said. “I think it’s only right.”