How to save money on your power bill with just one call

A SINGLE phone call is saving power customers up to $560 a year off their bills and a Sunday Herald Sun investigation has found retailers drop their rates for customers who demand a better deal.

A SINGLE phone call is saving power customers up to $560 a year off their bills.

As families grapple with soaring power prices, a Sunday Herald Sun investigation has found retailers drop their rates for customers who demand a better deal.

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Experts say the fightback couldn’t be easier as long as customers do their homework.

The Sunday Herald Sun had three householders phone their power providers. All walked away with a better deal.

Chris Stiles of Pearcedale scored a 33 per cent discount — equating to $564 a year — after demanding Red Energy match a rival’s offer.

“It’s easy — all I said to them was I wasn’t very happy with my bill and they just went top shelf straight away,” Mrs Stiles said.

“I’ve already told all my friends to do the same.”

Daniel Grant of Melton scored the next best deal, convincing Energy Australia to agree to a 12 per cent discount that will save his family $261 a year.

“I told them that Alinta was offering a better deal and they went 1 per cent better,” he said.

“I highly encourage people to give it a go. Most don’t make the effort but it’s honestly worth it.”

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Chris Stiles has learned how to save money on her power bill. Picture: Stuart Milligan

And it took just 20 minutes for Hurstbridge resident Sue Adams to walk away with a 5 per cent discount, saving her $92 a year on her Red Energy account.

“All I did was take my research back to Red Energy,’’ she said.

Penina Petersen from the Savings Room said customers should check online comparison sites before phoning their providers and asking them to match or better the best deal.

“Comparison sites like Electricity Wizard are great — they can show you what other companies in your area are offering so you can either switch or get your provider to match them,” Mrs Petersen said.

Alex Wilson from finance website savingsguide.com.au said customers should be firm on what they wanted when speaking to their energy company.

“Energy companies would much rather keep a customer than try to obtain a new one,” he said.

“It’s also important to be fair as well when dealing with companies on the phone.

“Just remember that the person on the other end of the line has the power to most likely help you save money.”

After the investigation, Mrs Stiles was so annoyed she had been left to languish on high rates she opted to switch power companies despite her provider offering to match the deal.

“They told me they have deals for loyal customers, but they’ve never once offered it to me, so I thought, ‘That’s nice, you’ve just lost me because of that’.”

Daniel Grant , with his wife, Bree, and son, Bailey, 8. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

HOW TO GET A BETTER DEAL

TELL your provider you’re not satisfied. It costs them more to lose you than to find someone else.

ASK about discounts for bundling electricity and gas. This also gives you more leverage if you’re threatening to leave.

REGULARLY ring up and ask if you’re getting the best price. Some companies have offers for loyal customers that are only available to those who ask.

RING around to see what others are offering, then take it back to your provider. If they can’t offer you the same deal or better, maybe it’s worth switching.

BE assertive but not authoritative. Companies have hidden deals, but the operator is less likely to share them with you if you’re being rude.

IF you do manage to negotiate a better deal, ask if they can backdate it. This could carry extra savings on to your next bill.

Source: savingsguide.com.au

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