A setback for Engie.
But also a warning for some of its competitors.
The second energy supplier in France, behind EDF, has in fact just been condemned by the Paris court of law for “deceptive commercial practices”.
A complaint was filed in 2018 by the consumer association CLCV (Consumption, housing and living environment) concerning a weekend offer promising a 30% reduction.
“We had indeed observed that the“ Elec Weekend ”offer presented on Engie's website did not fairly inform consumers about the tariff reduction associated with it, explains François Carlier, general delegate of the association. This offer from Engie is representative of what has been going on in the energy market for several years. "
The liberalization of this market in 2007 did not in fact lead to the drop in prices expected for consumers, as the study by another consumer association, UFC-Que Choisir, published on 20 last May.
Those of electricity, for example, have on the contrary jumped by 50% in ten years.
And the difference between regulated sales tariffs (TRV) and so-called “market” tariffs offered by alternative suppliers does not exceed 6 to 7%, according to the Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE).
Far from the 10 to 15% promised by these same suppliers in their advertisements, who fail to specify that this calculation is made without taking into account the subscription and taxes.
Differentiate yourself, even if it means crossing the red line
"Consequently, not being able to really play on the prices, certain operators have sought to differentiate themselves in another way", continues François Carlier.
Sometimes even if it means crossing the red line, as the national energy mediator recalled in his annual report, published on May 18.
Or by practicing abusive canvassing, like ENI, targeted by a criminal complaint by the same mediator.
This has also resulted in the multiplication of new offers, modeled in particular on the “off-peak-peak hours” model, like the “Super off-peak hours” offer from Total Direct Energie, or “Elec Week-end”. From Engie.
Except that these offers are based on an extremely fine knowledge of the consumption of those who subscribe to them, made possible thanks to Linky.
However, at the time of the launch of these offers, the meter was still far from having been installed in the majority of homes, as is the case today.
"Result, some customers, insufficiently informed, were able to register when they were not yet equipped", deplores the general delegate of the CLCV.
In which case they did not derive any benefit from their change of contract.
“It may even have been quite the opposite,” he warns.
Moreover, if consumers believe they have been deceived, they can contact us.
Their testimony interests us.
"
Savings promised, but not necessarily there
Finally, and this is another point that the conclusions of the judgment handed down against Engie underline: even in the case where a new client has not been the victim of abusive canvassing, and his home is good. equipped with a Linky meter, the promised savings are not necessarily there. And for good reason: they are only made possible at the cost of an adaptation, sometimes very restrictive, of consumption. The court thus asked Engie to indicate to consumers that they could consult the site of Enedis, the electricity distributor, a subsidiary of EDF, to know precisely the off-peak and peak hours of its municipality.
When contacted, Engie does not seem to have the same reading of the judgment: “Engie's commercial message on its
Elec Weekend
offer
was not misleading in that it made it possible to understand that the profit of the minus 30% related to the price of kWh excluding tax. A little curiously, he nevertheless indicates that "certain points of improvement, concerning mainly the form in which the explanatory mentions of the offer appeared on the site, have been brought into conformity". Last point, the supplier did not appeal the judgment.
