Still time to turn around Vector’s 'bad year'

Newmarket Business Association

10 August 2006

Still time to turn around Vector’s 'annus horribilis'

The organisation that represents the Newmarket business district has tonight said there’s still time for one prominent Newmarket business to turn around its rapidly decaying public image.

It suggests Vector, as a goodwill gesture, somehow reaches out to its commercial clients after it was discovered by the Commerce Commission that it has in fact been overcharging businesses in recent years.

The Newmarket Business Association describes 2006 as Vector’s 'annus horribilis' particularly when it comes to its relationship with its commercial clients.

Cameron Brewer, head of the Newmarket Business Association, says commercial clients have had to endure a major double whammy from the local electricity lines company this winter.

“It’s been a tough winter for business and they are feeling even sicker after learning that Vector has been overcharging industrial and commercial customers after abusing its monopolistic position.

This comes hard on the heels of another public relations disaster for the Newmarket-based company.

“The Vector Promise dictates that if businesses lose power for more than two and a half hours Vector will deliver a $200 credit. However following the 12 June Auckland power black-out, Vector refused to come to the party leaving a sour taste in many commercial clients’ mouths.

“Businesses are hoping that they’ll be undercharged in the coming years to make up for the recent years of over charging. But in the meantime, Vector needs to deliver more than just reassuring words.

“Given its terrible run of publicity and customer relations, some minor credit or at the least some acknowledgement is long over due. That would go down really well with businesses this winter. I urge their PR department to put out some kind of olive branch and quickly,” said Mr Brewer.

ENDS

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