We Know You've Got Questions...

Here are the answers.

Q: Who are you?

A: Cost Containment Intl.’s staff includes consultants with more than 20 years experience in the energy industry. We have been energy providers. We have been energy system developers. We were promoting green energy generators and alternative energy financing plans long before most people were aware they existed. We developed Cost Containment Intl. because we recognized the emerging need for experienced, savvy guidance for consumers in the deregulated energy markets.

We have served thousands of clients across the country, from pizza counters to the John Hancock Center in Chicago.

Our procurement specialists have been certified by both The Association of Energy Engineers and The Association of Energy Services Professionals.

Q: Why would I need a procurement specialist?

A: The deregulation of the energy markets has turned what was once the most predictable expense a business faced into one of the most complex and confusing decisions they must negotiate. The choices are many, the technology is beyond the understanding of non-experts, the language is deliberately baffling and the economic stakes are extremely high. Make the wrong choice, and you’ll be dreading your energy bill for years to come.

At the same time, there are opportunities for substantial savings available to those who know how to get them. Energy providers are looking to maximize profits, but they are also fiercely competitive. This means highly favorable deals can be obtained through careful screening and negotiating. But it’s no place for amateurs; a high level of industry expertise is needed simply to understand what is being offered.

Q: Handling multiple vendors is part of doing business. You send out multiple requests, you get multiple bids. Why is energy different?

A: The classic “three bid” approach? Highly effective when the playing field is level. Not so effective when each supplier uses different terminology and a different breakdown of costs, making apples-to-apples comparisons impossible. The compartmentalization of the standard energy bill is a wonder to behold. But Cost Containment, Intl. knows how to cut through the clutter and zero in on the real price you’re being offered.

Our relationships with suppliers mean we frequently send out for more than three bids. We have agreements with hundreds of providers.

More importantly, Cost Containment, Intl. does a thorough analysis of your energy use, called a SEAP (Strategic Energy Asset Plan). We help you understand how you’re using energy, and which of the many energy plans on offer fits best with the way you use energy. If you don’t start with the right plan, you’ll never get the right price. Providers are not going to go out of their way to give you this information: "let the buyer beware" is very much the rule. We give you an extra set of very well trained eyes.

Q: How can this possibly be a no-cost service?

A: When Cost Containment Intl. is managing your procurement, providers are competing for your business. The winning supplier pays us a business origination fee over the term of your contract. Some customers prefer that our fee be in the form of a shared savings agreement. No matter what, we don’t earn until your savings have been secured.

Q: Why do providers offer you deals they won’t offer me?

A: Volume. We give providers access to thousands of potential new customers; as we said before, this is a fiercely competitive field. All providers have tiered price structures based on the size of the customer. We’re a very big customer. Also, we’re aware of moment-by-moment trends in the industry, and our SEAP allows us to match you with plans you probably would not have known to ask for.

Q: How can this possibly be a no-cost service?

A: When Cost Containment Intl. is managing your procurement, providers are competing for your business. The winning supplier pays us a business origination fee over the term of your contract. Some customers prefer that our fee be in the form of a shared savings agreement. No matter what, we don’t earn until your savings have been secured.

Q: Isn’t changing providers risky?

A: There is no risk. Your energy will never be shut off as long as you pay your bills. If an alternate provider goes out of business, you simply revert to the standard offer from your Utility. They won't penalize you for choosing a different provider. You're simply back to where you started.

We only work with providers who have proven themselves in the industry. You have the added confidence of knowing your provider has been thoroughly screened by industry experts. When you get your savings through Cost Containment, Intl., you keep them.

Q: What about time and resources? Will I have to spend more time managing my energy?

A:Not unless you want to. We handle all aspects of the transition, so all you do is keep paying your bills. In some cases you will have two bills instead of one; a bill for your energy provider and a bill for the utility which delivers your energy to you. In some cases, you will continue to receive one bill. The only thing that will be different is that it will be smaller than before!

Cost Containment Intl. will also audit your bills, to make sure the rate you expect is the rate you receive.

We encourage our customers to take an active interest in managing their energy; these are the customers who save the most. The choice is yours.

Q: Do you have residential customers?

A: We specialize in the procurement of natural gas and electricity for its commercial, industrial and institutional clients. The current state of the deregulated residential markets make it very difficult to beat the utility rates, which is why residential participation has dropped off pretty much across the board. However, we have a number of high-occupancy clients, such as condo associations. Speak to your association, or to your building owner, and have them contact us.

We may also be able to help you through an energy management consultation. Use our contact form and explain your situation. If we can’t help you save money, we’ll tell you straight up.

Q: How much of a commitment do I have to make to you?

A: None. If we can’t find you the savings you want, you walk away. All we need to start are a few old bills and a signed Letter of Authorization, allowing us to solicit bids on your behalf.

Q: Where do I have to be located to do business with you?

A: We do business throughout the United States. We primarily serve the deregulated energy markets; look here to see if you’re in one of them for electricity, and here to see if you're in one of them for natural gas.

Q: I’m locked in right now. How can you help me?

A: It is sometimes possible to renegotiate or to restructure and existing energy plan. We may be able to find you savings in other business services immediately, and energy savings later. If you start now, we’ll be in a position to move quickly when you’re ready, to take maximum advantage of the existing market. And Cost Containment Intl. can help any business find ways to save money through more efficient energy use. We can always find you some way to save money.

Q: How much time and resources will I have to give to the Strategic Energy Action Plan?

A: We encourage you to take an active role; we have found that the most actively involved customers always end up saving the most money. But we do most of the work, and your involvement will never impede your ability to do business as usual.

Q: Why is an energy expert selling telecom services?

A: Our exclusive procurement system has proven effective in a wide range of professional service markets. Few industries are as complex as the energy industry, so we were easily able to acquire the necessary competencies to negotiate the ins and outs of contracts in these other areas. Our experience with energy has helped us build a network of providers in other areas, which we now leverage to find you the best savings.