Switching energy companies

I'm thinking of switching to a deal I got in the mail from AGL- 28% discount on electricity and gas ( made up of various discounts but the electricity would be 18% with an 8% pay on time discount and similar but less for gas).
I just phoned my current provider who I am getting 10% and 7% off,the best they could offer me was 13% and 7% on a new contract.

It sounds like a good deal with AGL but I cant really be bothered doing an indepth study on comparison prices etc, all I really want to know is- is there a catch??

Has anyone taken up a deal like this before and found any problems? I pay on time and won't be moving house etc, I just don't want to swap if it's dodgy. Very annoyed at my current provider too, no doubt I've been ripped off for years.

I hate this stuff!!!

We just switched. Like you I did not want to do the compair everyone thing. I found one that would beat our current providers discount and went with them. I figured, any savings is still savings, yeah I could get more but I was happy with what I found. Nothing dodgy with the switch or deal. They genarally have exit fees for the first 2 years but with what you said that wont be a problem. They all have cooling off periods so you can read over their fine print too. If they don't have a cooling off period then I would think something dodgy.

Thanks Kazzo, I think I will go for it- there's a cooling off period and also the exit fee only applies for one year. Should have done it ages ago probably.

I just signed up for that AGL deal last week.

We were with Origin and I compared the actual rates without including any discounts and they were cheaper. Plus discounts = considerable savings!

You're right, there's only a fee if you leave them within the first 12 months and it's only $75 anyway.

We were with AGL but swapped they were happy to match the offer but they kept skipping bills and would then send us a double one. We are with Energy Australia and get 30% if we pay on time.

That's funny, energy australia are my original company who only offered 13/7 %

I think it depends on who you speak to, what day it is and which way the wind is blowing...!

Just make sure you are comparing the rates before all the discounts. I was looking at Dodo because they're discount % was high, but when I looked at their rates, it worked out I would be paying about the same.

You can also convince a provider to give you a bigger discount if you tell them you are looking to change gas AND electricity providers.

We moved house and when we moved they gave us an additional % on top of the 13/8% to make it 30 across the both. It really makes it frustrating when different sales people offer a different discount.

I agree, the woman I spoke couldn't have cared less!