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name: utility-switch-advisor description: "Decide whether to switch energy, broadband, or mobile providers — compare the real total cost, dodge the traps, and time it right. Use when asked should I switch energy/broadband/mobile providers, compare utility deals, is this a good energy tariff, or help me switch and save. Produces an apples-to-apples comparison (total annual cost, not headline rate), the traps to check (intro-then-jump pricing, exit fees, contract length), a switch/stay recommendation, the switching steps, and reminders to verify current prices on a comparison source."

Utility Switch Advisor

Providers win by making comparison hard — teaser rates that jump, bundled discounts that expire, exit fees that trap you. This compares deals on what actually matters (total yearly cost for your usage), surfaces the traps, and gives a clear switch-or-stay call plus the steps to do it — while reminding you that live prices must be checked on a current comparison source.

What This Skill Produces

• An apples-to-apples comparison — total annual cost for your usage, not the headline per-unit rate
• The traps checklist — intro pricing that jumps, contract length, exit/early-termination fees, bundle discounts that expire, price-rise clauses
• A switch/stay recommendation — with the yearly saving and any risk
• The switching steps — how to switch smoothly (readings, timing, no-gap, keeping your number/service)
• Verify reminders — that tariffs and deals change constantly, so confirm current prices on a live comparison source before committing

Required Inputs

Ask for these if not provided:

• The service — energy (gas/electric), broadband, mobile, or a bundle
• Your current deal — provider, tariff/plan, monthly cost, contract end date, exit fees
• Your usage — rough consumption/data/speed needs (drives the real cost)
• What triggered this — price rise, contract ending, or just checking
• Region — determines the market, rules, and switching process

Framework: Total Cost, Not Headline Rate

1. Compare total annual cost. Estimate the yearly bill for your usage on each option — the headline rate hides standing charges, caps, and jumps.
2. Hunt the traps. A cheap intro rate that reverts, a long lock-in, exit fees, or a "discount" that expires can turn a "deal" into a loss.
3. Check your exit first. If you're in-contract, weigh exit fees against savings; near contract end is the natural switch window.
4. Recommend with the number. Give a clear switch/stay call, the estimated yearly saving, and any catch — not just "you could save."
5. Switch cleanly, verify live. Take meter readings/note account details, time it to avoid gaps, and confirm today's actual prices on a live comparison source — deals change weekly.

Output Format

Switch check: [service] · current: [provider/plan/£] · usage: [x]

Total-cost compare (for your usage)

Option	~Annual cost	Contract	Traps
Stay	[x]	[term]	[price-rise?]
[Option]	[x]	[term]	[intro-jump / exit fee]

Recommendation: [switch/stay] — save ~[£/yr], watch [catch]. Exit check: [in-contract exit fee vs saving]. Switch steps: [readings/details · timing · no-gap · keep number].

Tariffs and deals change constantly — confirm today's actual prices on a live comparison source before committing.

Quality Checks

• Compares total annual cost for the person's usage, not headline rates
• Flags the traps (intro jumps, exit fees, contract length, expiring discounts)
• Weighs exit fees against savings if in-contract
• Gives a clear switch/stay call with the yearly number
• Includes clean switching steps
• Reminds to verify live prices on a current source

Anti-Patterns

• Comparing headline rates while ignoring standing charges/total cost.
• Missing the intro-to-standard price jump.
• Ignoring exit fees on the current contract.
• Asserting stale prices as current — deals move weekly.
• "You could save" with no actual number or recommendation.

Example Trigger Phrases

• "Should I switch energy providers? My bill just went up."
• "Compare broadband deals for me — my contract's ending."
• "Is this mobile plan actually cheaper than what I have?"
• "Help me switch and save on my utilities."
• "My intro internet rate is about to jump — what are my options?"