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Commercial switching sites - conflict and misdirection

Why you should not trust switching sites

Switching sites (like Finder, iSelect, comparethemarket & Trivago) profit by enticing customers to switch to electricity retailers that pay them referral fees, their self interest over powers real advice.

Diamond Energy does not believe it is in the best interest for consumers to utilise commercial comparison sites as their only means of decision making. Government or truly independent sites are more likely to deliver a more appropriate recommendation for their customer’s individual needs.

Our independent rating

Since 2009, we have consistently ranked as a top renewable energy company by Greenpeace, an independent, globally recognised and not-for-profit organisation. View the latest Green Electricity Guide here.

What does the Government think of switching sites?

The ACCC Retail Electricity Pricing Enquiry final report June 2018, summarised their view with the following:

“third party intermediaries do not always make recommendations that are in the best interests of Consumers and third party intermediaries do not always adequately disclose the number of retailers and offers that they consider in making a recommendation to a consumer.”

Skewed non-independent analysis

Often survey scoring methodologies are skewed (particularly if not independently verified) to give a desired outcome for the switching site and the targeted (referred) commercial enterprise, this can be materially different than the approach adopted by independent organisations.

Our view

Diamond Energy does not participate in switching site, competitor analysis surveys, we believe that competitive rates, independently audited renewable credentials and ongoing discounts that don’t disappear, ensure that our customers achieve a better overall outcome for their electricity spend.

We are proud of our history and brand and do not seek to legitimise “profit incentivised switching company’s” that may deliver misdirected referrals to increase switches by directing potential consumers to “their” fee paying electricity retailers, usually regardless of what may be the best option for that particular consumer.