Electric Utility Suppliers (Pittsburgh, Washington, Duquesne: apartment, attorney, big house)

[PeterRabbit]

West Penn Power is 7.3

[EveKendall]

I am bumping this to find out if anyone has any updates, or anything to add. I am thinking baout switching to First Energy which locks in a good rate for 24 months. I read the links but couldn't find any negatives. Surely saving about $20 per month with no downside is too good to be true?

[cheezit34141988]

Anyone else get the regular calls from "Greater American Power" asking to switch you over from Duquesne?

[Impala26]

Originally Posted by dtrtrggr13

Anyone else get the regular calls from "Greater American Power" asking to switch you over from Duquesne?

Not that I have any actual facts to back them up regarding this company (and I'm almost positive this was the particular company I have dealt with), but every time I they would call me on the phone they seemed to be very much stuck in the "hard sell" mode and this is just generally a major turn-off for me. For instance, after saying I didn't want to switch but would consider it later and ending a conversation with one of their saleswomen, the VERY SAME woman called back around the same time the next day and restated the hard sell routine AFTER I told her that I talked to her yesterday and came to a conclusion already.

These companies probably offer slightly better savings, but I just don't like the hard selling they do. Let "me" decide what I want to do, don't try to say "you're an IDIOT if you don't sign up with us!"

[Tirade]

The phone calls are starting to annoy this **** out of me. I get the same phone call EVERY DAY asking me to switch electric providers. I tell them to put me on their Do Not Call list every time, but the calls won't stop. I've tried asking them what company they represent, so that I could send a complaint letter, but they dodge the question every time. Very frustrating.

[EveKendall]

So, anyone have any information about the actual service? I have never received a phone call.

[greg42]

I think you only get phone calls if you have a landline, not sure. I get a ton of mailings, most commonly Direct Energy.

I switched and I can't even remember which company it is. I think it's Dominion. Dunno why I'm hedging on the fixed price. If I remember right the one I have is variable but will always be guaranteed at least 15% lower than the last resort (Duquesne Light) price. The First Energy and maybe a couple others can lock you into 2 and at one point even 3 years of a fixed price. The only downside is if the prevailing price actually goes down i the interim. This seems highly unlikely, and yet I guess I am reluctant to let go of the possibility. Looking at the comparison list again on PA Power Switch, it looks like some of the prices have in fact nudged down.

[CaptainPittsburgh]

Originally Posted by raffy71

I am bumping this to find out if anyone has any updates, or anything to add. I am thinking baout switching to First Energy which locks in a good rate for 24 months. I read the links but couldn't find any negatives. Surely saving about $20 per month with no downside is too good to be true?

We switched to First Energy in February and have noticed a significant decrease in the monthly bill. It's a two-year, fixed rate agreement, and their rate is lower than Duquesne. I was skeptical at first (mostly because I seem to be pathologically skeptical of everything, haha), but it's definitely proved to be a wise decision.

I'd encourage you to check out another supplier. Most of them seem to have at least slightly lower rates than Duquesne, and as long as you make sure you sign a fixed rate agreement, you really can't lose.

[gg]

Originally Posted by CaptainPittsburgh

We switched to First Energy in February and have noticed a significant decrease in the monthly bill. It's a two-year, fixed rate agreement, and their rate is lower than Duquesne. I was skeptical at first (mostly because I seem to be pathologically skeptical of everything, haha), but it's definitely proved to be a wise decision.

I'd encourage you to check out another supplier. Most of them seem to have at least slightly lower rates than Duquesne, and as long as you make sure you sign a fixed rate agreement, you really can't lose.

Thanks Captain. I think I am going to look into it. Is there any upfront fees? Any hidden costs that were there when the switch took place? If you go through the two years, what happens if you want to switch back? Will Duquesne sock you for some fee? It just seems so hard to believe that a company can rent the lines and electricity and still make money, but then again, if you watch Duquesne Light workers when they are on a job, I can understand it would be easy to shave money off that laziness. It is shocking to watch them eat 3 hour lunches and hang out in their trucks while people are without power. Again, thanks for the info.

[Scott2187]

I keep having people come to my door asking me to switch suppliers... This happens at 7-8pm when I am not expecting anyone to ring my doorbell. The first time, I told the person I already did it, just so they would leave. They seemed upset when they asked who I chose and I said First Energy.

The most recent time someone came, I just happened to be testing the fit of my new pistol holster. I answered the door, forgetting my pistol was still in the holster (unloaded). The guy didn't stick around too long asking additional questions after I told him I switched suppliers already.

Either way, it's annoying when one of these sales people knocks of the door late in the evening. I don't have a landline, so they can't call me until they figure out my cell number.