I just got the info for the one big switch gas and electricity pricing. I am in Vic so it is a 18.5% electricity discount if you pay on time and 12.5% for gas. This looks better than what I currently get, even factoring the cancellation fee for my current contract, but it is hard to compare rates as they keep changing (going up).

Is anyone else signing up for it? The provider for Vic is TRU who I am not currently with.

We only get 12.5% savings in QLD. I am not bothering as I don't want to be locked into a contract which I heard on the news (but haven't confirmed it for myself) is a condition of the savings

I haven't heard of it, but recently I actually phoned Origin, who we're with, and asked for a better deal.

They ended up giving us 15% off if we pay on time by direct debit (which we do). So I'm happy with that for now.

It's always worth calling your current provider and seeing if they'll do anything for you.

One Big Switch should be called One Big Scam. I followed them closely for some time. Their home loan rates they put out first that they claimed were so fantastic were no better than what I was already getting on one of the big bank's packages.

The last time they put out an electricity deal for Victoria I thought it looked pretty good with the huge percentage discount - until I looked at the rates they were charging which were much higher than what I was already paying. Me and a few others pointed this out and questioned it on their facebook page and promptly had our comments deleted and were banned from their page.

They claim to be doing it to try and get people the best deals but they only direct you to certain businesses so I'm sure they just have a deal with those companies to make money for directing people there.

Energy watch was recently in the news for the same kind of scam.

In my opinion, Red Energy are quite good value for electricity in Vic.

I'd call your current provider and get them to match or better the offer. I'm not signed up for this switch thing, but I got a letterbox drop from TRU with better rates and my energy company matched it. I've heard some pretty shocking things about TRU.

See I've had good experiences with TRU, but terrible ones with AGL.

I guess it depends on the person and the day.

Google the Media Watch episode on them.

I chose my provider by going on iselect and comparing them all. I don't care what their advertising says or how often they send people to knock on my door, I do my own research. In my experience, I have got a cheaper deal with no lock in contract from a company that doesn't spend much money in advertising.

I signed up for it as well & got recommended TRU energy to save 16.5% (NSW) but DH is dubious & sceptical so we haven't done anything about it. I've also never heard of TRU.

That's a great idea about ringing out current provider AGL, will do that next week for sure.

i signed up with Tru in Qld. did not receive a bill in 8months. i followed them up numerous times as i didn't want to get a big bill. i got no response to my calls, i even lodged a complaint that did not get responded too. i finally left for lumo. i still haven't been billed for the 8months, it was around 18months ago now, but i heard they can't bill you if it's more than 12months out or something like that. just my two cents

TRU Energy have been around a long time. they used to be called TXU.

My bold. Iselect isn't comparing all providers only those that have an agreement with them. There may be better deals elsewhere.

Agree. The best way to compare providers is to stay away from all these companies that claim to compare them all without bias. Research who all of the providers are that are available to you and approach each one individually to see what they offer. Then you can truly compare them.