Systrum Energy: Bait And Switch Actually billed me almost 3x PSE&G rate. ( Jan 2014 Bill: @ 27.61c/kWH vs. PSE&G 10.9c/kWH ) Fairview New Jersey

To take advantage of energy deregulation,  I signed up with Systrum as 3rd party supplier in July 2013 based on their 6 month published historical rates they advertise on their website.  I was assured by Mr. Alex Tullo of Systrum Energy that besides them being a local NJ based company, Systrum had consistently beaten PSE&G over the last 4 years.  As per the 6 month rate comparison posted on their website, Systrum boasted a significant savings of approx. 2c / kWH compared to PSE&G actual rates.  However, Systrum has failed to publish the rates for last 3 months and instead put a generic comment "CALL FOR PRICE";   The reason is very simple.  In Jan 2014, without warning, Systrum slapped consumers like myself with 3x rate @ 27.61c/kWH compared to PSE&G rate of 10.97c/kWH.  The end result was I got billed $1608.87 for a single month compared to $639.36 which is what PSE&G would have billed me if I had *not* elected a 3rd party supplier.

The bottom line is that the energy deregulation program was intended to save the consumer money.  It does quite the contrary by allowing these companies to indulge in "bait and switch" tactics by publishing historical rates which are nothing more than teaser rates during the first few months of the enrollment.  These predatory practices were once used by mortgage lenders not long time ago that eventually resulted in home mortgage crisis in the nation.  When I confronted Systrum about their unconscienable practices,  the customer service agent defended Systrum position by blaming it on a brutual winter. Unfortunately, Board Of Public Utilties does *NOT* regulate 3rd party supplier rates, so the only way is to file a consumer affair complaint or realistically dispute the bill is by filing a consumer fraud claim in the court.  You can also check online the number of class action suits against many suppliers as more and more consumers are falling victim to this predatory practice.  

The consumer fraud statue allows for treble damages for a consumer if you are able to prove to the court one of these:  1) affirmative misrepresentation - false advertising, intentional misrepresentation 2) knowing omission - concealment, suppression or ommission of material facts 3) ascertainable loss.    When I confronted Systrum customer service, he defended Systrum position by saying the company would vigorously defend themselves in court.   I will surely post the results once I have filed complaint in the court.   For right now, every consumer needs to educate themselves and understand that SYSTRUM is a total ripoff.