2020 has been an awful year for many reasons, but it’s also been a big year for many people around the world. While 2020 will surely be remembered as a year with a fraught, divisive election, a global reckoning about racial injustice, and a devastating pandemic, it will also be remembered by many as the year they were able to get their finances in order or become first-time home buyers. If you’re aspiring to achieve that latter goal in 2021, it’s not too late. Mortgage rates will likely stay at historic lows for a bit longer, so there’s still time for you to read up on how to find your dream home and make an offer on a property you love. That being said, committing to that kind of goal will require some shifts in your current personal finances.
One area of personal finance that many people neglect when looking for ways to save money is their utility providers. After all, your water, heat, electricity, and sewage service are all necessities, so it’s easy to just consider these costs non-negotiable. That being said, just because it’s important that you pay these bills each month doesn’t mean that you can’t save money in the process. Here are a couple of ways to determine whether or not it’s time for you to switch your electricity provider.
The competition is offering a better deal.
One of the clearest reasons to switch electricity providers is if you can find a competing utility company that can give you a better rate. After all, the main reason you’re probably looking to make a switch in the first place has to do with saving money so that you can put your dollars to work saving up for a down payment and closing costs on your dream home. It stands to reason that if you can find a good deal from a comparable provider, it makes sense to jump at the opportunity.
How do you go about finding better deals in your area? The good news is that there are dozens of websites out there that can help you compare electricity providers in your specific geographic region. The process is simpler than you might expect, too. All you need to do is head to your favorite search engine, type in “electricity Melbourne” (or whatever city you live in), and input your zip code. From there, you’ll be able to compare a variety of electric plans, ultimately finding the price, features, and type of contract that you’re most interested in having. This not only helps you save money; it also helps you exercise your own power of choice and agency in picking an electricity provider that truly meets your needs.
You’ve had a terrible customer service experience.
Speaking of truly meeting your needs, another time you may want to switch electric providers is if you’ve had a terrible customer service experience. There are all sorts of reasons that you may need to talk directly with your utility company, and the way that they handle that interaction can say a lot about their business. It’s important to feel valued as a customer, and if you think that you’re not being treated right, you’re well within your rights to cancel your service contract in favor of another company that has your interests at heart.
Whether you’re upset about the attitude you received when calling with a question about a service interruption or are dissatisfied with the explanation you got about a higher-than-average electricity bill, there are dozens of reasons to find fault with the customer service your utility company offers. As you compare your other options, make sure to see if you can find testimonials or reviews from actual clients about their customer service so you don’t run into this kind of issue again.
