Energy Providers

Lately we have been harassed by a variety of utility companies by phone, mail and in person  promising immense savings from our Coned and Nationalgrid bills. I just spent a half our on www.poweryourway.com sorting through a myriad of different companies and offers to see if any of them do in fact provide better prices and reliable service. You guessed – no conclusions. Any actionable intelligence would be highly appreciated. Thanks.

1078dean

in Utilities 13 years ago

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dfgrh | 13 years ago

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I didn’t disclose my bill, ask most of them ask.http://www.mbchief.com I haven’t found a rate lower than ConEd or NationalGrid, so I am wondering what this all ordeal is for. Probably to take old people for a ride.

slopemope | 13 years ago

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Do not sign up with an ESCO directly nor give any salesman your ConEd account number.     In the long run, power is a commodity, how can someone charge you less in the long run.  They are just buying it in the spot and derivatives markets.  I suspect they make money selling fixed rates and terms to people, and taking their cut in the forward market and make a handsome spread (which you would have no way to knowing what is good and what isn’t).  There is one loophole, and that is the lack of sales tax on the delivery charge of what you currently pay on your coned bill.     However, i have been weary to stay on top of these companies month to month and see if they are trying to sneak something in or made some kind of horrible trade or were not hedged, etc.  Basically, my conclusion is that you could *possibly* save a very small amount of money in the long run but have to manage it closely.     Sort of the same conclusion as you.  I picture these small boiler room trading companies like any other industry broker.

1078dean | 13 years ago

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Thanks. I didn’t disclose my bill, ask most of them ask. I haven’t found a rate lower than ConEd or NationalGrid, so I am wondering what this all ordeal is for. Probably to take old people for a ride.

kidbklyn | 13 years ago

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Make sure they don’t get to see your account number, so they can’t slam you. The usual routine is a low-ball introductory rate to induce you to switch. After about three months of that, you get there regular rate. People complain that these rates are higher than ConEd or NationalGrid. Whatever they verbally promise try to get in writing. Of course, they won’t do that.