Direct Energy

Shawn Juris · Post by **Shawn Juris** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 6:54 pm

Beware those that knock on your door promising a savings on energy. While Dominion costs are high and NOPEC sounded like a bad deal to me at first, Direct Energy was not forthright with their sales pitch and frankly should be prohibited in my opinion from canvassing in Lakewood.

Jim DeVito · Post by **Jim DeVito** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 7:24 pm

Shawn Juris wrote:Beware those that knock on your door promising a savings on energy. While Dominion costs are high and NOPEC sounded like a bad deal to me at first, Direct Energy was not forthright with their sales pitch and frankly should be prohibited in my opinion from canvassing in Lakewood.

Interesting... Care to elaborate?

Shawn Juris · Post by **Shawn Juris** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 8:28 pm

Sure, the salesmen knocked on the door and after looking over the bill, promised they could save me 7% off of my energy bill. They left out that their rates were lower than Dominion which is a whopping $18/MCF but were 40% higher than the $9.99 that I had with NOPEC. Odd thing is I rarely if ever take an offer, I scrutinized this compared it, double checked it and still was screwed. Fortunately, this was the month with a very little gas used so, big deal couple bucks. Problem is now I have to re-establish what I had before and it's just a headache. So consider this a pre-emptive advil. Of course it's buyer beware as in all cases but if anyone is shopping their energy rates and are approached by Direct Energy, keep shopping.

Missy Limkemann · Post by **Missy Limkemann** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 9:55 pm

You know I had some guy knock on my door and ask to see my gas bill, I just looked at the guy like he had 3 heads. LOL. Then I told him "Oh I am just the babysitter, you will have to ask the home owner when they get home." Thankfully Lucy and Batman were standing next to me giving the look "I will eat you if you come near us" look.
I dont like people coming to my door asking for my personal info. That is just scary.

Diane Helbig · Post by **Diane Helbig** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 12:46 pm

Get the form from them and call the number on the back. I complained to that number - a lot.

I worry about the people who don't read the document well - they are about to get suckered. Isn't there a way to protect the residents against this kind of thing? How are they getting a license to solicit?

We also have a 'no soliciting' sign on our screen door. Amazing how no one sees it!

Shawn Juris · Post by **Shawn Juris** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 3:44 pm

The permit to solicit is what I would prefer to go after. I don't have a problem at all with those that knocked on the door. They're doing a job as they were trained to do. What I have a problem with is Direct Energy. Both reps that I complained to there stood by the shady sales tactics of presenting a savings (relative to the local utility) where in fact it was a 40% increase.
The deregulation of utilities created all kinds of confusion and given that gas in particular is measured in units that I still don't really get and the rate may or may not include tax and transportation fees, it seems that you need a degree in mathematics to read the bill. I can't believe that I am suggesting this but maybe NOPEC's efforts in negotiating rates really did have some value.

Mark Timieski · Post by **Mark Timieski** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 5:15 pm

Comparing rates between gas suppliers is extremely confusing.

I spoke to "Johnette" at Nopec today (888.848.7914). She said the Nopec rate is currently $11.235 per MCF, add to this sales tax of 7.75% and a transportation charge of $2.9046 for a total of $15.010 per MCF. NOPEC rates are not published, only available over the phone.

The Dominion rate is currently $14.545, plus a gross receipts/surcharge of $0.7121 and the transportation charge of $2.9096 for a total of $18.167 per MCF. This information is available of the PUCO website: http://www.puco.ohio.gov/puco.cfm

Note that when suppliers call, they rarely (if ever) mention tax and transportation charges. This makes it sound like their rate is much lower than it actually is.

Joe Sgambellone · Post by **Joe Sgambellone** » Thu Aug 07, 2008 12:02 pm

Mark Timieski wrote: ...Nopec rate is currently $15.010 per MCF...The Dominion rate is currently .. $18.167 per MCF. This information is available of the PUCO website: http://www.puco.ohio.gov/puco.cfm

Note that when suppliers call, they rarely (if ever) mention tax and transportation charges. This makes it sound like their rate is much lower than it actually is.

Thanks for the analysis and info. Very helpful.

Joe

Diane Helbig · Post by **Diane Helbig** » Thu Aug 07, 2008 3:21 pm

Join COSE - or ask your company to join. I locked in a low rate thru their benefits program last year and my gas bill was A LOT lower than the previous year.

THey also have an electric savings program.

I'm pretty sure the programs are available to employees as well as their companies.

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