ELECTRIC SHOCK
First Electricity Bills Since
Price Hike Hit Mats This Month
-
$800 increase in average business electricity bill
this quarter
- 13.29%
increases costs Queensland businesses nearly $40 million[i]
- Higher
bills crippling to SMEs throughout SE Queensland
-
Smart business owner turns to Make It Cheaper and saves
$6K
Sydney - 17 September, 2010: Queensland businesses will feel the
shock of the July 1 price hike as electricity bills hit doormats
this month.
On average, 13.29% means an $800 increase per year for a local
business - and a cost of almost $40 million to the Queensland
business community as a whole.
Tim Wolfenden, CEO of MakeItCheaper.com.au, the independent
business energy price comparison service, believes the high bills
will come as a shock to many businesses.
"Although it may not have seemed much a few months ago, seeing
the 13% hike in black and white will devastate many businesses," he
says.
Research by Make It Cheaper shows that small and medium sized
businesses in South East Queensland are going to be hardest
hit.
The local corner shop's bill will soar by around $320. A
restaurant or cafe that relies even more heavily on its power
supply is likely to suffer a crippling increase of close to $1,200
per year.
"These new prices will be crippling for businesses across
Queensland," he says.
However, smart business owners could see a drop in their energy
bill this quarter.
Rajesh Patel, owner of the Caltex garage in Bli Bli has saved
$500 per month after contacting Make It Cheaper and switching to a
new supplier.
"I knew we were in a competitive market so I should be able to
get a better deal. I looked online and found www.makeitcheaper.com.au and gave them a call.
After a few conversations about my energy use they came up with a
deal that will save me $6,000," explains Patel.
"Many business owners don't even realise they can change their
electricity provider," explains Wolfenden.
"No-one's locked into a contract they can't get out of, and any
penalties for breaking a contract are quickly recouped when ongoing
costs are slashed."
Businesses across South East Queensland can save hundreds if not
thousands of dollars in a matter of minutes by switching their
energy supplier today.
Common Electricity Supplier Myths Busted
- It's too hard to switch: Switching
supplier is easy - it only take a few minutes to complete the paper
work, which can all be done over the phone
- My power will get cut off: Switching
is seamless - your electricity supply will not be affected.
The only difference will be the supplier's name at the top of the
bill, and the price you pay
- There's no saving to be made: There
are nine electricity suppliers operating in Queensland - all of
these are vying for your business, offering cheaper rates to beat
the old traditional suppliers
How to switch with Make It Cheaper:
- Call Make It Cheaper on 1300 95 77 21 and
we'll search the entire market for a cheaper deal
- Fax your most recently electricity bill directly to Make It
Cheaper (including your contact details) on 02 9423
4648. We'll search the entire market and call you back
with a cheaper deal
About www.makeitcheaper.com.au
Make It Cheaper is Australia's first dedicated
business price comparison service. Acting as an independent energy
broker, Make It Cheaper is helping Australian
businesses make their electricity and gas bills cheaper, by
offering a free and independent comparison and switching
service.
- Ends -
Notes to Editors
[i][i] REF: based on average bill of
$6000 per year for 50,000 Qld businesses
For further information contact:
Karen Tearney
Re:Public PR
karen@republic-pr.com
0410 743 151