Switching business energy should save you money. Done badly, or by the wrong people, it can do the opposite. The energy market has its share of sharp practice, and a bit of know-how goes a long way. Here is how to spot mis-selling and protect yourself.
The classic pressure call
You know the one. A caller says your contract is ending, you need to act today, and they happen to have a great rate ready to go. The urgency is the tell. A genuine adviser will give you the numbers in writing and let you take your time. Anyone rushing you toward a verbal yes is doing it for their benefit, not yours.
If a call feels off, you are allowed to hang up. Delete the email, do not return the call, and never hand over card details to a cold caller claiming to be your supplier.
Auto-renewal traps
Plenty of contracts roll over automatically if you miss the renewal window. That sounds harmless until you realise the rollover rate is often well above market, and once you are on it your negotiating power drops. Knowing your renewal window, and acting inside it, is one of the simplest ways to stay protected.
Hidden commission
Brokers get paid. There is nothing wrong with that. What is wrong is hiding it. Some brokers quietly fold their commission into an inflated unit rate, so you never see what they are earning or what it is costing you.
The fix is simple: ask. If a broker will not tell you plainly how they are paid, treat that as a red flag and walk away.
For the record, here is how we work. We’re paid by the supplier when you switch, never by you, and we will tell you that to your face every time.
Do not ignore the standing charge
A lot of mis-selling hides behind a shiny unit rate. The standing charge is the daily fixed cost you pay regardless of usage, and it can quietly undo a headline saving, especially for lower-usage sites. Always look at the unit rate and the standing charge together, never one on its own.
Your checklist before signing
Run through this every time:
- Confirm who you are talking to. Call the supplier or broker back on a number you found yourself.
- Get the quote in writing. Unit rate, standing charge, contract length, exit terms.
- Ask how they are paid. A straight answer is a good sign.
- Check your renewal window. Know the dates so nothing rolls over by accident.
- Never agree under pressure. A good deal is still there tomorrow.
What good looks like
A fair switch is transparent. Commission disclosed, comparisons laid out clearly, renewal dates tracked so you are never caught out, and no one breathing down your neck. The savings are the point, but so is better service and a contract that actually suits how you run the place.
That is the standard we hold ourselves to across Devon and Cornwall, because most of our clients come from people they know, and that only works if we play it straight.
What to do this week
If you have had a pushy call recently, or you are not sure your last switch was done properly, get a second opinion. Upload your bill at /upload-bill/ and we will check it over for free, show you the real numbers, and tell you straight whether you are getting a fair deal.