Constellation Energy Variable Rate Scam New Jersey

I switched my electric suppy service to Constellation Energy 20 months ago because of their lower electric rates.  In April 2013 I received a renewal email for a 6 month term and I renewed.  In November I did not receive a renewal notice by mail or email and that's when the trouble began.  My fixed rate of 11.9 cents per KWH changed to 21.48 cents per KWH variable rate.  This cause my electric usage bill to go up $200 on the most recent bill.  

I immediately called and the representitive I spoke to said she could renew me at 11 cents per KWH fixed for another 6 months but that it would not apply to the amout already charged.  I requested to cancel and was told that canceling would take another 2 billing cycles.   This will result in $600 of extra charges before I can get away from this company.

This electric choice thing is looking more and more like a blatant ripoff.  One slip up or "forgotten" renewal email and they can legally scam you for hundreds of dollars.  

When the variable rate is more than double the fixed rate and you are held hostage for a long period when you try to cancel, that indicates that the way this company makes money is to get as many people into their sky high ripoff variable rate as possible.  When you need to opt back in every 6 or 12 months that makes it easy for them to get people into that situation.

Do not switch to this company.  You will be burned sooner or later.