Deml

I bought a furnace and air conditioner from Direct Energy. I also purchased the extended warranties for both of them. The salesman indicated that the first year check for both units was included for free, which sounded great to me.

What I didn't realize is that the "1st year check" means that you are signing up for Direct Energy's heating and cooling maintenance plans. I was never informed that I was signing up for this plan and the salesman left no literature related to it.

After a year, Direct Energy automatically started charging $20/mth on my gas bill. When I called to enquire what this was, they indicated that I had signed up for their maintenance plans and they had sent me reminders and terms and conditions after I had purchased the furnace/air conditioner. To be honest, I can't remember if I received any of those, and if I did, I would have thought they were the normal junk mail that I get from Direct Energy and threw them out. They may even look suspiciously like their junk mail to fool you.

I asked to cancel the plans since I don't need them for brand new units with extended warranty protection. They informed me that I would be charged a penalty for cancelling and that I needed to continue the plan until the annifersary, which is a year away.

BUYER BEWARE! When the salesman offers you a "free" first year check on your Direct Energy units, it is a scam. Their sales pitch is misleading and they will never inform you that you are signing up for their monthly maintenance plan, which automatically kicks in after a year unless you cancel it.