Origin Energy to cut out door-to-door sales following moves by other companies ORIGIN Energy will scrap controversial door-knocking sales methods, joining major rivals AGL and EnergyAustralia. All three major electricity and gas retailers, which dominate the energy market, have now pulled the plug on using door-knockers to drum up residential sales. The move follows a widespread community backlash from hounded householders and a major "Do Not Knock" campaign from consumer advocates. Origin Energy will withdraw by September 30. AGL and EnergyAustralia ditched the practice nationwide early this year. Origin's energy markets CEO, Frank Calabria, said the decision followed a "rigorous review" of its "customer engagement and sales channels." "We know that the large majority of customers are now using the internet to engage with energy retailers, and Origin continues to invest in digital products and services, with a growing suite of successful innovations now in market," Mr Calabria said. Today's announcement reflects a further evolution in how we engage with our customers and our ongoing commitment to building a better, more direct relationship with them. The doorknocking industry has suffered from persistent complaints of dodgy staff harassing and misleading consumers. In May, AGL was fined $1.55 million over the misleading and deceptive conduct of two doorknockers operating in Victoria and South Australia. The marketing company that hired the workers under contract was fined a further $200,000. The workers pretended to be from another organisation and exaggerated potential power savings. One was caught out when his conversation was secretly taped as he stood at the entrance of a Victorian man's home. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has also launched separate legal action against EnergyAustralia regarding the behaviour of doorknockers.