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.

On 4/16/2015 10:48 AM, micky wrote:
Alternate electric charges. Are they a good deal?


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?


There are good and bad ones.
The good ones have a fixed rate for a period of time, no cancellation
fees and lower rates than the utility.

Sleazy ones have a low teaser rate then screw you after 3 months with
very high rates, high cancellation fees.

Consolidated Edison, Dominion, Spark Energy seem to have some of the
better ratings. Check them out an decide. The state may have a list of
suppliers to choose from.

Here is CT the utility rate is .126, but I can buy at .089 to .109
fixed. Saves a few bucks.

On 4/16/2015 10:48 AM, micky wrote:
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've switched both gas and electric suppliers almost annually, depending
on the plan each is offering. I prefer fixed rate contracts with a 12
month duration. Some providers provide multiple plan options, some with
shorter/longer durations and some change the rate every month pegged to
the market price. I suggest you do some web research on the specific
companies you're considering. Check their own web site as well as
better business bureau, state attorney general's web site etc. and make
an informed decision.

micky wrote in
:

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.


Seems like it would be worth the effort to you to change. That's a $4/month
saving. Not a lot, but the mind-set is important. Save a few $$ here and
a few there and it adds up.

On Thu, 16 Apr 2015 12:10:18 -0400, Ed Pawlowski wrote:

On 4/16/2015 10:48 AM, micky wrote:
Alternate electric charges. Are they a good deal?


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?


There are good and bad ones.
The good ones have a fixed rate for a period of time, no cancellation
fees and lower rates than the utility.

Sleazy ones have a low teaser rate then screw you after 3 months with
very high rates, high cancellation fees.

For now I'll assume the guy was calling for one of the sleazy ones.
(In part because he called me, and in part because he was annoying,
telling me, Get your bill. Get your pen and write this down. Refusing
to give me his rate until I had the bill in front of me. He was
otherwise polite while he did it, but I think it was all in all,
impolite.

But just like my friend gave me one question to ask (What's your rate?)
you've given me more questions, like how long is the rate guaranteed
for? What is your cancellation fee?

And of course since nothing he says on the phone will I be able to
prove, I'll have to skip all these phone salesmen.


Consolidated Edison, Dominion, Spark Energy seem to have some of the
better ratings. Check them out an decide. The state may have a list of
suppliers to choose from.

They sent me one once. They probably have to send one every year, and
probably have the list on the web. The trouble is they also send lots
of junk mail, like Buy a new AC, Get your new smart meter. Come watch
us lock in stocks the people who refuse to get smart meters.

Here is CT the utility rate is .126, but I can buy at .089 to .109
fixed. Saves a few bucks.

That's 2 or 3 times the difference he was offering.

On Thu, 16 Apr 2015 12:29:32 -0400, Peter wrote:

On 4/16/2015 10:48 AM, micky wrote:
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've switched both gas and electric suppliers almost annually, depending
on the plan each is offering. I prefer fixed rate contracts with a 12
month duration. Some providers provide multiple plan options, some with
shorter/longer durations and some change the rate every month pegged to
the market price.

This sounds like too many choices.

I suggest you do some web research on the specific
companies you're considering. Check their own web site as well as
better business bureau, state attorney general's web site etc. and make
an informed decision.

Much too much effort described here. Thanks for reminding me.

On 16 Apr 2015 16:43:57 GMT, Zak W wrote:

micky wrote in
:

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.


Seems like it would be worth the effort to you to change. That's a $4/month
saving. Not a lot, but the mind-set is important. Save a few $$ here and
a few there and it adds up.

I already save money almost everywhere, and indeed it does add up.
But after talking to you guys, I think I'm going to skip this one.

(If it was a one-time change, that would be easy enough, but if it's
going to go back and forth for whatever reasons, too much trouble.)

Since I can't rely on any "promises" made over the phone, I'll probably
tell the next one to call not to call again.

Thanks all.

On Thursday, April 16, 2015 at 3:11:28 PM UTC-4, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
On 4/16/2015 1:22 PM, micky wrote:

Here is CT the utility rate is .126, but I can buy at .089 to .109
fixed. Saves a few bucks.

That's 2 or 3 times the difference he was offering.


Yes, that is why it pays to shop around. Plenty of options and
different prices, fixed and variable. ;On the news a few weeks ago they
were talking about how people sign up for low teaser rates and then get
hit hard after a few months at rates much higher than the utility
standard. To the tune of $10million a year. Get with a reputable
company and you will be OK.

Since no one I ever talked too was happy with alternate suppliers. i just stick with the suppliers supplier.....

heck a bunch of communities got together and got screwed...... they killed it as fast as they could

On 4/16/2015 1:22 PM, micky wrote:

Here is CT the utility rate is .126, but I can buy at .089 to .109
fixed. Saves a few bucks.

That's 2 or 3 times the difference he was offering.


Yes, that is why it pays to shop around. Plenty of options and
different prices, fixed and variable. ;On the news a few weeks ago they
were talking about how people sign up for low teaser rates and then get
hit hard after a few months at rates much higher than the utility
standard. To the tune of $10million a year. Get with a reputable
company and you will be OK.

On 4/16/2015 11:43 AM, Zak W wrote:
micky wrote in
:

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.


Seems like it would be worth the effort to you to change. That's a $4/month
saving. Not a lot, but the mind-set is important. Save a few $$ here and
a few there and it adds up.


Two words: convenience cost.

In short, my time is worth more than I'd save with that amount of
screwing around.

On 4/16/2015 5:16 PM, Moe DeLoughan wrote:


Two words: convenience cost.

In short, my time is worth more than I'd save with that amount of
screwing around.

Your time is worth a lot. I have 30 minutes of time invested and I save
at least $15 a month for the past 3 years. $540 saved for 30 minutes
time.

Congratulations that you can think of $540 as trivial.

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

On Thu, 16 Apr 2015 13:22:34 -0400, micky
wrote:

For now I'll assume the guy was calling for one of the sleazy ones.
(In part because he called me, and in part because he was annoying,
telling me, Get your bill. Get your pen and write this down. Refusing
to give me his rate until I had the bill in front of me. He was
otherwise polite while he did it, but I think it was all in all,
impolite.


When people call me to sell something, I HANG UP!
I do not give them ANY information about myself, my bills, my family,
not even my first name.

If I want to buy something, I CALL THEM. Uf tghey call me AFTER I call
them, that's OK. I invited them to call me!

Getting to the "meat" of this message, I never heard of anyone getting
an alternate electric company. The wires are coming from the company
that supplies my area, so how can I change companies? I think this is
the same for landline phones and natural gas. I cant see how I can
choose these companies, when the wires, phone lines or gas pipes are
FROM a particular company.

But I'm going to ask if this is possible, and how does a person locate
other "legitimate" companies. If this is possible anywhere in the US, I
really want to dump my electric company. I hate the company I have. The
people are all assholes and they charge for every goddamn excuse they
can use to screw their customers. On top of that, they are the highest
priced company in the state, which I was told by the state energy board,
whom I've contacted several times with complaints about the elec
company.

So, I'd change in a second. How do I google alternatives, or look in a
phone book, etc? (If it's possible).

On 4/17/2015 6:57 AM, wrote:
But I'm going to ask if this is possible, and how does a person locate
other "legitimate" companies. If this is possible anywhere in the US, I
really want to dump my electric company. I hate the company I have. The
people are all assholes and they charge for every goddamn excuse they
can use to screw their customers. On top of that, they are the highest
priced company in the state, which I was told by the state energy board,
whom I've contacted several times with complaints about the elec
company.

So, I'd change in a second. How do I google alternatives, or look in a
phone book, etc? (If it's possible).



I can't comment about your area. Where I live, the power
company's web site has a list of alternative providers.

I made several calls. One company gave me their rates
which were lower than the company I was with. Turns out
to be about $100 per month cheaper during the winter. I
switched, and waiting to see the next power bill to see
if there is really that big a saving.

-
..
Christopher A. Young
learn more about Jesus
.. www.lds.org
..
..

On 4/17/2015 6:57 AM, wrote:

Getting to the "meat" of this message, I never heard of anyone getting
an alternate electric company. The wires are coming from the company
that supplies my area, so how can I change companies?

But I'm going to ask if this is possible, and how does a person locate
other "legitimate" companies. If this is possible anywhere in the US, I
really want to dump my electric company.

So, I'd change in a second. How do I google alternatives, or look in a
phone book, etc? (If it's possible).


In PRNY, they call it an "esco" or energy supply company.
I've forgotten where you are, but including ESCO in your
search field may help.

-
..
Christopher A. Young
learn more about Jesus
.. www.lds.org
..
..

On Friday, April 17, 2015 at 7:58:35 AM UTC-4, Stormin Mormon wrote:
On 4/17/2015 6:57 AM, wrote:

Getting to the "meat" of this message, I never heard of anyone getting
an alternate electric company. The wires are coming from the company
that supplies my area, so how can I change companies?

But I'm going to ask if this is possible, and how does a person locate
other "legitimate" companies. If this is possible anywhere in the US, I
really want to dump my electric company.

So, I'd change in a second. How do I google alternatives, or look in a
phone book, etc? (If it's possible).


In PRNY, they call it an "esco" or energy supply company.
I've forgotten where you are, but including ESCO in your
search field may help.

..

There are alternate suppliers here in NJ too. I get
solicitations in the mail all the time. The fact that Jerr
isn't would suggest that there may not be any in his area.
I guess it depends on the state utility authorities. And I
would think googling for "alternate energy suppliers" together
with the state and/or name of the power utility would find
them if they exist.

I doubt he's missing out on any big savings. The power is
about 1/2 the bill and as others have noted, the difference in
rate isn't huge. You might wind up saving 5% or so, which still
could make it worthwhile I guess.

On 4/16/2015 10:48 AM, micky wrote:

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?


I switched, took several weeks to take place.
Last month $287.93, this month $157.12, some
due to milder climate, and some due to the
switch. In either case, I'm pleased. YMMV.

-
..
Christopher A. Young
learn more about Jesus
.. www.lds.org
..
..

On Fri, 17 Apr 2015 06:41:14 -0700 (PDT), trader_4
wrote:

On Friday, April 17, 2015 at 7:58:35 AM UTC-4, Stormin Mormon wrote:
On 4/17/2015 6:57 AM, wrote:

Getting to the "meat" of this message, I never heard of anyone getting
an alternate electric company. The wires are coming from the company
that supplies my area, so how can I change companies?

But I'm going to ask if this is possible, and how does a person locate
other "legitimate" companies. If this is possible anywhere in the US, I
really want to dump my electric company.

So, I'd change in a second. How do I google alternatives, or look in a
phone book, etc? (If it's possible).


In PRNY, they call it an "esco" or energy supply company.
I've forgotten where you are, but including ESCO in your
search field may help.

.

There are alternate suppliers here in NJ too. I get
solicitations in the mail all the time. The fact that Jerr
isn't would suggest that there may not be any in his area.
I guess it depends on the state utility authorities. And I
would think googling for "alternate energy suppliers" together
with the state and/or name of the power utility would find
them if they exist.

I doubt he's missing out on any big savings. The power is
about 1/2 the bill and as others have noted, the difference in
rate isn't huge. You might wind up saving 5% or so, which still
could make it worthwhile I guess.

It appears this is only allowed in these states:


* District of Columbia
* Illinois
* Maine
* Maryland
* Massachusetts
* Michigan
* Montana
* New Hampshire
* New Jersey
* New York
* Ohio
* Oregon
* Rhode Island
* Pennsylvania
* Texas

From:
https://www.electricchoice.com/electricity-quotes/

Stormin Mormon wrote:
On 4/16/2015 10:48 AM, micky wrote:

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?


I switched, took several weeks to take place.
Last month $287.93, this month $157.12, some
due to milder climate, and some due to the
switch. In either case, I'm pleased. YMMV.

-
.
Christopher A. Young
learn more about Jesus
. www.lds.org
.
.
Is Direct Energy doing business down there too? Up here
people have all kinda problems with them. Most of them
regret they switched to Direct Energy. They may be under different
name down there.

On Fri, 17 Apr 2015 22:41:30 -0500, wrote:

On Fri, 17 Apr 2015 06:41:14 -0700 (PDT), trader_4
wrote:

On Friday, April 17, 2015 at 7:58:35 AM UTC-4, Stormin Mormon wrote:
On 4/17/2015 6:57 AM, wrote:

Getting to the "meat" of this message, I never heard of anyone getting
an alternate electric company. The wires are coming from the company
that supplies my area, so how can I change companies?

But I'm going to ask if this is possible, and how does a person locate
other "legitimate" companies. If this is possible anywhere in the US, I
really want to dump my electric company.

So, I'd change in a second. How do I google alternatives, or look in a
phone book, etc? (If it's possible).


In PRNY, they call it an "esco" or energy supply company.
I've forgotten where you are, but including ESCO in your
search field may help.

.

There are alternate suppliers here in NJ too. I get
solicitations in the mail all the time. The fact that Jerr
isn't would suggest that there may not be any in his area.
I guess it depends on the state utility authorities. And I
would think googling for "alternate energy suppliers" together
with the state and/or name of the power utility would find
them if they exist.

I doubt he's missing out on any big savings. The power is
about 1/2 the bill and as others have noted, the difference in
rate isn't huge. You might wind up saving 5% or so, which still
could make it worthwhile I guess.

It appears this is only allowed in these states:


* District of Columbia
* Illinois
* Maine
* Maryland
* Massachusetts
* Michigan
* Montana
* New Hampshire
* New Jersey
* New York
* Ohio
* Oregon
* Rhode Island
* Pennsylvania
* Texas

From:
https://www.electricchoice.com/electricity-quotes/

Thanks. Good to know. (For a while it looked like I'd have to
order new fence rails from Montana. )

I was a lot more polite to these guys than to the ones calling from
Microsoft to rid me of viruses, etc. They're pushy and presumptuous
but not doing anything illegal and might actually save people money.

On 4/17/2015 11:52 PM, Tony Hwang wrote:
Stormin Mormon wrote:
I switched, took several weeks to take place.
Last month $287.93, this month $157.12, some
due to milder climate, and some due to the
switch. In either case, I'm pleased. YMMV.

.
Is Direct Energy doing business down there too? Up here
people have all kinda problems with them. Most of them
regret they switched to Direct Energy. They may be under different
name down there.

I don't recognize that name. I was on Energetix,
and switched to Noco.

Thank you for the head up.

-
..
Christopher A. Young
learn more about Jesus
.. www.lds.org
..
..

On 4/16/2015 6:59 PM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
On 4/16/2015 5:16 PM, Moe DeLoughan wrote:


Two words: convenience cost.

In short, my time is worth more than I'd save with that amount of
screwing around.

Your time is worth a lot. I have 30 minutes of time invested and I
save at least $15 a month for the past 3 years.

Thirty minutes total? Do you mean that you never spend additional time
checking to see if anyone's offering a better deal?

At any rate, my electrical cost and usage are so low that your
$15/month savings would be an approximate 50% discount off my bill.
The few per cent savings offered by competitors in deregulated states
would only mean a few cents a month savings for me. Like I said, my
time is worth more than that.

On 4/20/2015 11:47 AM, Moe DeLoughan wrote:


Your time is worth a lot. I have 30 minutes of time invested and I
save at least $15 a month for the past 3 years.

Thirty minutes total? Do you mean that you never spend additional time
checking to see if anyone's offering a better deal?

Once a year, takes about a minute to scan the web site with all the rates.



At any rate, my electrical cost and usage are so low that your $15/month
savings would be an approximate 50% discount off my bill. The few per
cent savings offered by competitors in deregulated states would only
mean a few cents a month savings for me. Like I said, my time is worth
more than that.

Can't recall the last time my bill was under $100.

On 4/16/2015 7:48 AM, micky wrote:
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.

The wholesale rate for electricity is 2-3¢/KWH so there is money to be
made in selling it at 7.9¢/KWH but of course as you stated the savings
is small because of all the overhead items.