Alternate electric charges. Are they a good deal?

Is this just in Maryland or is it some or all other states, that the
electric company has been forced iiuc to buy electricity from other
companies and customers can buy from those companies but get billed by
Baltimore Gas and Electric, or whatever is the usual local supplier?

Anyhow, one of the salesmen for an alternate company Palm Electric or
some such name, called just now. This is the second time.

I asked him what rate he was charging but he wouldn't tell me until I
got my electric bill. Finally, just as the bill was appearing on the
screen, he told me my crrurent rate is 8.8c/ kwh and he want s 7.9c.

That's a little more than 10% less although only on the kwh part which
is less than 2/3 or fhe bil. Still, it would have made the bill $4
less.

But the guy was annoying, presumptuous, and I didn't like him, so for
that reason alone I said no. Plus I need to ask you guys, etc.


Can I count on the alternative supplier being cheaper in the long run?

When this choice first came out, the supplier that BGE already had
(itself?) and was pushing was actually the cheapest.

I presume this goes back and forth, and if everyone signs up with the
alternative, their price will go up and the others' prices will go down.
I can't keep changing my supplier every 6 months. At least I don't want
to.

I am asked about this frequently by my customers. These companies buy power from the same places as your utility company at the same rates. They try to knock a few micro cents off by keeping their overhead down. However for them to make any kind of money they must do a tremendous volume of business. They are nothing more than billing companies. Your current utility would still service the power lines. I have seen these companies come and go.. My sister told me that one of her friends is now selling discounted power on the side and has become annoying due to sales tactics.

I suggest that you contact your current utility and see if they have any plans that work for you. I have time of day service where my rates are very cheap at night and on the weekends, but very high during the day. This works for my household.

John Grabowski
http://www.MrElectrician.TV