NYSEG vs energy service provider??

[BringBackFergy]

I don’t understand this. I get a bill from NYSEG, but I get an offer from Agway Energy offering to be my “service provider”. Is this a good thing to do? Confused. 
 

Please explain as if I’m a five year old. 

[BillsFan4]

No. Don’t go with a service provider. It’s a scam. NYSEG is never allowed to charge more than whatever the current hourly rate for energy is, where as with service providers like Agway they can jack up your hourly rate as high as they want.

 

They usually offer you a cheaper rate for a short period of time to entice you to switch to them. But then the rate will start to go way up until you are paying way more per KWH than what NYSEG is legally allowed to charge.

 

We somehow got switched to a service provider years ago. No clue how. Our electric bills eventually ended up sky high and that’s how we found out we were getting our service through some other company and they were charging almost 3x more per KWH. 

[BringBackFergy]

Thx. Appreciate the info. 

[eSJayDee]

I think you're being vague w/ your terms.  I assume NYSEG DELIVERS your electricity.  AFAIK, each region only has 1 company services them in this regard so you're stuck w/ them for that.

Likely, this 2nd company is offering to SUPPLY you w/ electricity.  There are MANY companies that supply it & you can select whomever you choose.

Looks like you live in Saratoga. You'd still get only 1 bill (from NYSEG).  They would charge you for delivery as well as supply (which would then be provided by your supplier of choice & the payment forwarded to them).

If you do opt for a different supplier, read the fine print on the contract.  Some can capriciously change the price & it takes months to change suppliers so in the mean time, you may be paying a ridiculously high rate.  That said, you can usually find a (much) cheaper rate using a different supplier, thereby saving 10% or more on your overall bill.

[BringBackFergy]

Thx. I’ll take another look. Yes, I get one bill - NYSEG. Agway is the company asking if I want to sign up with them for their service.