ENERGY FACTS: GUIDE TO NEGOTIATING

is the base rate before the discount? You should consider the total cost of the energy, not just the size of the discount. " If the retailer is offering you a discount or other benefit, do you understand what you need to do to qualify for the benefit and how it will be paid?<br><br> For example, do you only receive the benefit if you pay by direct debit or pay all your bills by the due date? " Are there additional charges, such as a penalty fee for terminating the contract early? " Will the contract continue if you move house?<br><br> " How and when will you be billed and do bills have to be paid in a certain way, such as via direct debit? " Will prices change during the contract term and, if so, how will you be notified? " If you have entered into a dual fuel contract (where the same retailer is supplying you with both electricity and gas), will you receive separate bills for each fuel or a combined bill?<br><br> A retailer should always be able to explain the terms of their own contract to you and, if they cannot, you should consider whether this is the right contract and retailer for you. You are Still Protected All energy contracts with small retail customers must meet certain minimum requirements set out in the Energy Retail Code. For example, all contracts must comply with the requirements for complaint handling and dispute resolution.<br><br> Likewise the obligations on retailers in relation to disconnection cannot be varied. When marketing a contract to you, the retailer is required to explain any differences between the proposed contract terms and the Energy Retail Code. Checklist 3 Before taking up an offer " Have you read the offer carefully?<br><br> Are there any terms that you do not understand? " Have you compared prices using the amount of gas and electricity you actually use? Be careful to consider for seasonal variation and the impact of GST.<br><br> The Commission 9s Energy Comparator can help you compare ( www.esc.vic.gov.au/yourchoice ). " If you are already on a contract, do you know whether or not a termination fee will be payable if you accept another offer? " Do you know how the terms and conditions will apply if your circumstances change?<br><br> " Do you have a copy of any written material supplied to you? You should keep all this information and anything that you sign, for future reference. " Take your time before deciding.<br><br> The retailer must give you time to consider whether the offer suits you. " Consider verbal offers very carefully and always double check that the written terms and conditions match what you were told. List of Retailers Energy Retailers Phone No.<br><br> Fuel AGL www.agl.com.au 131 245 Electricity & Gas Australian Power & Gas www.australianpowerandgas.com.au 133 298 Electricity & Gas Click Energy www.clickenergy.com.au 1800 77 59 29 Electricity Country Energy www.countryenergy.com.au 132 356 Electricity Energy Australia www.energy.com.au 131 502 Electricity & Gas Jackgreen www.jackgreen.com.au 1300 465 225 Electricity Momentum Energy www.momentumenergy.com.au 1300 662 778 Electricity Neighbourhood Energy www.neighbourhood.com.au 1300 764 860 Electricity Origin Energy www.originenergy.com.au 132 463 Electricity & Gas Powerdirect www.powerdirect.com.au 1300 307 966 Electricity Red Energy www.redenergy.com.au 131 806 Electricity & Gas Simply Energy www.simplyenergy.com.au 138 808 Electricity & Gas TRUenergy www.truenergy.com.au 133 466 Electricity & Gas Victoria Electricity www.victoriaelectricity.com.au 1300 136 749 Electricity & Gas If you decide to change retailers, don 9t forget to notify your current retailer. You may be required to give notice of up to 2 8 days, depending on the terms of your existing contract. <br><br>

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