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.