Comments on: Guide to Saving on Your Electricity Bill http://www.watchdognation.com/blog/texas-electric-bill-savings-guide/ Consumer Protection against Scams and Fraud Fri, 03 Sep 2010 03:00:24 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Dave Lieber http://www.watchdognation.com/blog/texas-electric-bill-savings-guide/comment-page-1/#comment-1770 Dave Lieber Fri, 05 Mar 2010 01:31:34 +0000 http://www.watchdognation.com/blog/?p=490#comment-1770 You definitely have nothing to lose by calling and asking TXU to bargain with you. In fact, it's the natural next step. If you sign a contract, make sure the rate is in the 9's or 10s, though. About your "contract:" They slide you into various plans. Many people don't know how they got in the plan they are in. They didn't understand the choices. They bought it from a door-to-door guy (WORST way to buy electricity) or from a heavy-handed phone solicitor. You have to ask them specifically what you have and then go look it up for more information. Every plan has a "Terms of Service" which tells you exactly what you are getting. It's the legal document. And also a basic label that gives you the barebones. You definitely have nothing to lose by calling and asking TXU to bargain with you. In fact, it’s the natural next step. If you sign a contract, make sure the rate is in the 9’s or 10s, though.

About your "contract:" They slide you into various plans. Many people don’t know how they got in the plan they are in. They didn’t understand the choices. They bought it from a door-to-door guy (WORST way to buy electricity) or from a heavy-handed phone solicitor. You have to ask them specifically what you have and then go look it up for more information. Every plan has a "Terms of Service" which tells you exactly what you are getting. It’s the legal document. And also a basic label that gives you the barebones.

]]> By: Lynne T http://www.watchdognation.com/blog/texas-electric-bill-savings-guide/comment-page-1/#comment-1750 Lynne T Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:13:56 +0000 http://www.watchdognation.com/blog/?p=490#comment-1750 Have you ever had success or heard of others having success asking TXU to match a competitor's rate? I currently have 10.99 for the first 126 KWH and 12.33 for the next level of usage with TXU. Is it worth a call to see if they would match the lower rates offered by competitors, even if it means I have to sign a contract? Also, if you've had service with TXU for many years as I have, how can I have a contract unless it is a month to month? I have never signed anything or agreed to anything since I started service years ago. And I actually read everything they send me. There has never been any mention of a new contract, etc. Have you ever had success or heard of others having success asking TXU to match a competitor’s rate? I currently have 10.99 for the first 126 KWH and 12.33 for the next level of usage with TXU. Is it worth a call to see if they would match the lower rates offered by competitors, even if it means I have to sign a contract?

Also, if you’ve had service with TXU for many years as I have, how can I have a contract unless it is a month to month? I have never signed anything or agreed to anything since I started service years ago. And I actually read everything they send me. There has never been any mention of a new contract, etc.

]]> By: Dave Lieber http://www.watchdognation.com/blog/texas-electric-bill-savings-guide/comment-page-1/#comment-1507 Dave Lieber Thu, 04 Feb 2010 03:24:06 +0000 http://www.watchdognation.com/blog/?p=490#comment-1507 Yes, you are right. With more customers, they would have a ratio of more complaints that should not reflect poorly on them. (But if you talk to their disgruntled customers, maybe it should!) 12.3 is good, but if you can get a niner, you should consider it. Yes, you are right. With more customers, they would have a ratio of more complaints that should not reflect poorly on them. (But if you talk to their disgruntled customers, maybe it should!)
12.3 is good, but if you can get a niner, you should consider it.

]]> By: Dave Lieber http://www.watchdognation.com/blog/texas-electric-bill-savings-guide/comment-page-1/#comment-1506 Dave Lieber Thu, 04 Feb 2010 03:20:08 +0000 http://www.watchdognation.com/blog/?p=490#comment-1506 I don't think it would be worth all the trouble it would cause in your life. Plus, there's a 45-day switch that would mess things up for you pretty good. I don’t think it would be worth all the trouble it would cause in your life. Plus, there’s a 45-day switch that would mess things up for you pretty good.

]]> By: SW Arlington http://www.watchdognation.com/blog/texas-electric-bill-savings-guide/comment-page-1/#comment-1487 SW Arlington Tue, 02 Feb 2010 03:00:21 +0000 http://www.watchdognation.com/blog/?p=490#comment-1487 Dave, Is there any way to take advantage of the promotional rates of these companies by switching providers every month? SW Arlington Dave,

Is there any way to take advantage of the promotional rates of these companies by switching providers every month?

SW Arlington

]]> By: Jim W http://www.watchdognation.com/blog/texas-electric-bill-savings-guide/comment-page-1/#comment-1481 Jim W Sun, 31 Jan 2010 17:09:57 +0000 http://www.watchdognation.com/blog/?p=490#comment-1481 Dave, when going through all the information under power to choose, I see there are many, many more complaints about TXU than there are about other companies, for example Reliant Energy. Is it safe to assume that is because TXU serves a whole lot more customers than the other providers, or is that not a reasonable assumption? I looked at my bill to see it is .1233 per kwh.....I figured the difference to go to a company charging 10.9c per kwh....and it's only about $8 based on my usage in December (475 kwh)....Is it worth it? Dave, when going through all the information under power to choose, I see there are
many, many more complaints about TXU than there are about other companies, for example Reliant Energy. Is it safe to assume that is because TXU
serves a whole lot more customers than the other providers, or is that not a
reasonable assumption? I looked at my bill to see it is .1233 per kwh…..I figured the
difference to go to a company charging 10.9c per kwh….and it’s only about $8 based
on my usage in December (475 kwh)….Is it worth it?

]]> By: The Company I Keep « Two Cents At A Time http://www.watchdognation.com/blog/texas-electric-bill-savings-guide/comment-page-1/#comment-1441 The Company I Keep « Two Cents At A Time Sun, 24 Jan 2010 22:51:40 +0000 http://www.watchdognation.com/blog/?p=490#comment-1441 [...] (Sometimes you get on a roll, and decide to take on all of them!) So first thing I did was go to Dave Lieber’s Watchdog Nation site and re-read his articles about saving money by changing electric companies, information I will [...] [...] (Sometimes you get on a roll, and decide to take on all of them!) So first thing I did was go to Dave Lieber’s Watchdog Nation site and re-read his articles about saving money by changing electric companies, information I will [...]

]]> By: Customer Service « Two Cents At A Time http://www.watchdognation.com/blog/texas-electric-bill-savings-guide/comment-page-1/#comment-1064 Customer Service « Two Cents At A Time Sun, 11 Oct 2009 00:35:09 +0000 http://www.watchdognation.com/blog/?p=490#comment-1064 [...] contacted me. This is annoying, but it will be eventually resolved, and thanks Dave, I will take your advice and change electric companies. (That’s a great essay, be sure to bookmark it because [...] [...] contacted me. This is annoying, but it will be eventually resolved, and thanks Dave, I will take your advice and change electric companies. (That’s a great essay, be sure to bookmark it because [...]

]]> By: Dave Lieber http://www.watchdognation.com/blog/texas-electric-bill-savings-guide/comment-page-1/#comment-912 Dave Lieber Thu, 03 Sep 2009 04:22:00 +0000 http://www.watchdognation.com/blog/?p=490#comment-912 The demand charges are levied by the retail providers on businesses. This is the most complicated issue I've ever covered in Texas. When I did a story on demand fees a year ago, even the TXU folks couldn't explain it in a way that anyone understands. This issue is so difficult that I would suggest if you have these questions, you go straight to the PUC. If you have trouble getting anyone, let me know and I will contact them on your behalf. The demand charges are levied by the retail providers on businesses. This is the most complicated issue I’ve ever covered in Texas. When I did a story on demand fees a year ago, even the TXU folks couldn’t explain it in a way that anyone understands. This issue is so difficult that I would suggest if you have these questions, you go straight to the PUC. If you have trouble getting anyone, let me know and I will contact them on your behalf.

]]> By: Harry http://www.watchdognation.com/blog/texas-electric-bill-savings-guide/comment-page-1/#comment-911 Harry Thu, 03 Sep 2009 04:15:26 +0000 http://www.watchdognation.com/blog/?p=490#comment-911 What about commercial accounts with demand charges. Are the demand charges passed directly on by Oncor? If so, are these demand charges the same with every provider or do they add additional percentages on to what is billed to them by Oncor? Not sure if the regulations allow such practices? What about commercial accounts with demand charges. Are the demand charges passed directly on by Oncor? If so, are these demand charges the same with every provider or do they add additional percentages on to what is billed to them by Oncor? Not sure if the regulations allow such practices?

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