Investigate the market:

• Obtain a list of licensed suppliers in the market through the Public Utility Commission's website PAPowerSwitch.com.
• Know the local utility's price-to-compare.
• Contact multiple suppliers for bids - two or three should be enough.
• Know the terminology. Visit Common Electric Competition Terms.

Ask Questions:

• Be sure you are comparing apples-to-apples - ask if the price is all-inclusive.
• Understand all of the pricing components.
• Obtain standard contracts ahead of time and garner approval so you are ready to execute.

Set a due date:

• Ask for suppliers to provide pricing on the same trading day and know how long the price quote is good for.
• Secure credit approval prior to the due date.
• Arrange for contracts to be executed by all parties within 24 hours of winning bid selection.