Choosing A New Electricity Supplier

1
Tips On Choosing An Electric Company
2

• Begin by looking where you are. Your current
  electric company has probably implemented new
  policies and rate plans since you signed your
  last contract. There may be an opportunity to
  switch to a better plan without penalty, but you
  have to ask first.Most providers post a great
  deal of information on their website. Start by
  looking up the newest rates, terms of service,
  and incentive plans. Then, call and ask questions
  and see if you can negotiate a better contract,
  or if you can renew at a lower rate if your
  current plan is up for renewal.If you current
  electric provider cannot fulfill your
  expectations, then you will need to shop around.
  Do not get in too big of a hurry, and do not make
  an impulse buy. Use the process of elimination in
  your favor.Start by looking at prices and
  simply eliminate from your list anything you
  already know is too high. Be aware that the
  cheapest rates may not be all that they seem, but
  for the time being, keep them on your list
  pending further investigation.Next, check
  consumer reviews of each electric company you
  consider. Be aware that you will find negative
  reviews on all of them because there are people
  in the world who thrive on negativity and look
  for nasty things to say about others. Normally,
  the personalities of these people are revealed in
  their words, so you should not take seriously
  anything that is written by an excessively
  venomous person.Look for candor in both the
  negative and the positive reviews and base your
  judgment on fact, not regurgitated emotions.

3

• Next, put the customer service of the electric
  company you are considering to the ultimate test.
  Call them yourself and ask them questions about
  the rates and plans in which you are interested.
  If you cannot get a live person to intelligently
  and patiently answer questions when you are
  trying to give them money, do not expect it to be
  any better once they actually have your
  money.Think beyond price at this point. Look
  carefully at the terms of the contract. You do
  not want to get into something that will cost you
  a fortune to get out of if your job asks you to
  move, or if some unforeseen circumstance gets in
  the way. It is becoming increasingly easy to
  find an electric company that offers rebates,
  incentives, specials, and customized ways to pay
  your bill. It is possible in this marketplace to
  find something very close to what you like, if
  not something that is exactly what you
  like.Choose an electric company that has been
  around for a while. If a new company suddenly
  bursts onto the scene with glowingly low rates,
  they may have the best of intentions, but they
  also may lack the delivery power. Experience is
  necessary for companies just as much as it is for
  individuals. Finally, if the way a company
  operates is really strange, and seems to fit no
  reputable business model, this is a red flag that
  does not need to fly over your house. Move on
  toward an organization with a sound business
  model.