Author Topic: Sharing my dumbassity, electric/gas edition  (Read 3289 times)

Tom Bri

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Sharing my dumbassity, electric/gas edition
« on: December 12, 2015, 10:09:17 PM »
This is the Badassity forum, but I'd like to give you an example of something stupid I did, and how I got it corrected. Maybe it could be called slow badassity?
We have the option of buying gas and electricity directly from the producer, or through various secondary suppliers. These secondary suppliers offer teaser rates for the first year, and then, in my experience at least, jack up the rates considerably after that first year.
So, my dumbassity, I forgot all about it, and didn't question my rising bills for oh, let's just say 'several' years. I got fed up when my August electric bill shot up to over $180 bucks (double our next highest month), and we NEVER use AC, and almost never use a clothes dryer.
My wife keeps careful records, so I went back over the last few years and noted that every summer it is the same pattern, huge costs, which then drop back down in the fall again. So I call the local electric co and ask their current rates. Shock. Much lower than we were paying. Got my supplier cancelled and back on with the electric company.
Now, the real dumbassity portion. I didn't check my gas bill, until last week. Secondary supplier cost was literally double what direct purchase would have cost. They tried to offer me another teaser deal, a pretty good one actually, but I just don't like to work with a company that screws me once. My own fault for not checking, of course, but still, I let them screw me.
Just a hint, check your costs occasionally, against what other possible suppliers might offer. The teaser deals are fine, for people who are more methodical and better organized than I am.

Dicey

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Re: Sharing my dumbassity, electric/gas edition
« Reply #1 on: December 14, 2015, 02:51:28 PM »
While you're on the phone, check to see if there are any other programs you qualify for. DH uses a C-pap, which enabled us to have a larger baseline number, which saves a considerable amount of money. Apparently, we were supposed to have been informed when he was given the C-pap (for sleep apnea), but it didn't happen. He was on that thing for years before we found out about the program.

Tom Bri, don't fret about that money under the bridge, just keep your focus on your growing 'stache. If you are active on Next Door or any local social media groups, you might want to share your hard-earned wisdom with others served by the same provider so they can avoid the same mistake. There might be some comfort in alerting others to the scam.

Monkey Uncle

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Re: Sharing my dumbassity, electric/gas edition
« Reply #2 on: December 15, 2015, 04:38:15 AM »
Teaser rates are pretty common among insurance companies and phone/internet/cable companies, but that's the first time I've heard of electric and gas utilities doing it.

My experience has been if you call and complain about the rate hike at the end of the teaser period, many times you can get it back down a lot.  Usually not all the way down to the previous amount, but sometimes pretty close.  But in your case, it does seem to make more sense just to go directly to the suppliers.

Rubic

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Re: Sharing my dumbassity, electric/gas edition
« Reply #3 on: December 15, 2015, 10:00:08 AM »
Just a suggestion for future teaser rates:  Use Google Calendar to send you a reminder notification one month prior to when the rates terminate. 

AlanStache

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Re: Sharing my dumbassity, electric/gas edition
« Reply #4 on: December 15, 2015, 10:07:48 AM »
Just a suggestion for future teaser rates:  Use Google Calendar to send you a reminder notification one month prior to when the rates terminate.

Yep I have been adding things farther out more often these days, just easier to remember and see it coming.  Like I always forget about the cars state inspection so I highlighted the entire month next year for it.

Jack

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Re: Sharing my dumbassity, electric/gas edition
« Reply #5 on: December 15, 2015, 11:26:56 AM »
Teaser rates are pretty common among insurance companies and phone/internet/cable companies, but that's the first time I've heard of electric and gas utilities doing it.

We have the option of buying gas and electricity directly from the producer, or through various secondary suppliers. These secondary suppliers offer teaser rates for the first year, and then, in my experience at least, jack up the rates considerably after that first year.

You people are lucky... in my area, I can only choose between third-party "marketers" for natural gas, and they all play these bullshit games with the price. Deregulation in the name of "consumer choice" is a fucking joke; all it really does is create a "confusopoly" that leads to higher costs for consumers of what should be a straight commodity.

StockBeard

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Re: Sharing my dumbassity, electric/gas edition
« Reply #6 on: December 15, 2015, 12:29:18 PM »
Hu, I didn't even know I had a choice in my electricity/gas provider. I assume this varies by city/state. Any useful map of the available services by city existing somewhere, by any chance?