Switch energy and earn cash as a side hustle? Would love feedback on our new app!

Associatedhiredgun @ Billcrunch on 15/08/2020 - 20:58
Last edited 16/08/2020 - 13:49 by 1 other user

Hi fellow OzBargainers!

Long time OZB lurker, I've spent the past year working on building out an easy to use, digital native experience for comparing and signing up to new energy providers and allowing users to earn some $$$ on the side. It started out as a little proof of concept, that got some legs. I

The goal was simple;

  • Be transparent - Offer a wide variety of energy providers in a clean interface to allow users to select retailers and save on their energy bills in under 90 seconds
  • Build the platform to allow friends and family to earn CASH per switch to refer mates as a side hustle. Refer a mate, they get $50 and you get $50 (dual fuel). Some users who have been on our early beta are already at over $900 earned !

Would love for you to take look and grab some feedback from you all

Link to the app

Some questions:

  1. General feedback?
  2. Was thinking of building out an Machine Learning Model to scrape bills so you can just email a copy and we would do the comparison for you. Would that be useful?

Cheers

Mod edit: Referral link removed

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Comments

  • dust on 15/08/2020 - 21:02
    +1

    How do you guys make money?

    • Associatedhiredgun @ Billcrunch on 15/08/2020 - 21:05

      We get money from the providers but it's the same across the board (so we are not playing favourites) ,and we hand the majority back to the users.
      We don't have a lot of loaded costs as we have no call centre etc, so it allows us to run really lean :)

  • SnoozeAndLose on 15/08/2020 - 21:07

    Some users who have been on our early beta are already at over $900 earned !

    How many out of some users got $900?

    2 out of 200?

    • WoodYouLikeSomeCash on 15/08/2020 - 21:17
      +2

      Maybe OP meant:

      Some users who have been on our early beta, are I’m already at over $900 earned !

  • haslo on 15/08/2020 - 21:22
    +1

    Nice clean interface. I'll grab my bill just to double check but looks good. How long does it take to get cash referral ?

    • Associatedhiredgun @ Billcrunch on 15/08/2020 - 21:54

      Thanks for the feedback!
      31 days for you to be able to cash out the referral after provider switch acceptance - once it's confirmed on our side we make the $$$ available to you. This goes for any referrals also.

  • WoodYouLikeSomeCash on 15/08/2020 - 21:33

    I entered my details and the plan showed was actually a lot dearer than what I pay at the moment.

    • Associatedhiredgun @ Billcrunch on 15/08/2020 - 21:42

      Thanks for the feedback - what provider are you with at the moment ? Do you have a concession discount or something over the top?

      • WoodYouLikeSomeCash on 15/08/2020 - 23:23

        Currently with Momentum and have no concession or special discounts on top.

        • Associatedhiredgun @ Billcrunch on 15/08/2020 - 23:34

          Momentum is also on our panel (I do like them, used them for years due to the renewable factor) but generally not the cheapest. Happy to help you look into the details if you want - I'll DM you

  • cauilfield on 15/08/2020 - 22:13
    +1

    Do not confuse simple if else with Machine learning…

    • Blue Cat on 15/08/2020 - 22:17
      +1

      Companies now call "AI" and "Machine Learning" anything programming related (or like you said, just hundreds of if else statements…) - it's a buzzword that gets boomers/zoomers excited I guess?

      • Associatedhiredgun @ Billcrunch on 15/08/2020 - 22:23

        For sure @Blue Cat - Using ML to identify and scrape form data is pretty well documented nowadays and accessible. I'm sure there are easier ways to do it though, just wanted to feel out if it was worth investing more time in it.

  • 0FoxGiven on 15/08/2020 - 22:25

    I liked your clean interface. But there isnt a bill comparison happening to see if the providers suggested works out to be cheaper that what I have. Solar Feed in doesn't seem to be accounted for (even if the user selects the option that says he has solar).

    In my case, the suggested (cheapest) provider was Tango for an estimated monthly bill of $117 for my last billing period, But I paid only $40 with my current provider Amaysim

    • Associatedhiredgun @ Billcrunch on 15/08/2020 - 22:32

      Thanks 0FoxGiven - Appreciate the feedback!
      The Solar Filter option ensures you get listed plans that do get plans with Feed-In Tariffs enabled (not all providers / plans do)

      What if we put in (Under the usage screen) a place to list your feed-in amount for that period in kw/h?

      • 0FoxGiven on 15/08/2020 - 22:35
        +1

        Would probably have to account for the amount in kw/h AND the tariff as well. I'm currently on a slightly higher rate $0.20/kWh.

        • Associatedhiredgun @ Billcrunch on 15/08/2020 - 22:37
          +1

          Great stuff - I'll get working on that!

  • sintro on 15/08/2020 - 23:53

    Interesting… So I need to sign in first to refer a friend?
    Just a bit of security concern with entering all the details through the website though.

    • Associatedhiredgun @ Billcrunch on 16/08/2020 - 06:29
      +1

      Yep need to have switched with Billcrunch in order to do referrals - couple of reasons but mainly to avoid abuse of the service, and people signing up then spamming.
      The details we ask for are needed for retailers to churn providers.

      • bobwokeup on 16/08/2020 - 20:05

        I just did a search and found no deals in WA?

  • bazingaa on 16/08/2020 - 00:35

    Shows different ones than https://compare.energy.vic.gov.au and my Excel analysis. Coincidentally. just changed my provider after 2 hours analysis and saw this thread. Seems that it is not taking TOU into account and only shows flat rate plans.

  • vivmahi on 16/08/2020 - 00:42

    After comparing I'm so glad I'm associated with Globird. I'm approximately 20% cheaper on both gas and electricity as compared to Tango, the first one in the list.

  • mrpcgeek on 16/08/2020 - 07:29

    Very simple and easy to use interface. Are you looking to add other comparisons services like phone plans?

  • jackofspade on 16/08/2020 - 10:39

    Looks like a clone of econnex

    • DoctorCalculon on 16/08/2020 - 21:25

      Just had a look at https://www.econnex.com.au/.

      You are absolutely right. Some of the UI elements are uncannily similar.
      Econnex has two extra providers: Powershop and Sumo.

      OP, do you also work for Econnex?

  • DoctorCalculon on 16/08/2020 - 21:18
    +1

    Sorry, OP.
    I am not seeing the value offering from your service that https://compare.energy.vic.gov.au already provides and does a better job.

    Also, your current provider list is too small. Some notable providers that are missing are Powershop, Kogan Energy, Amaysim Energy, GloBird Energy.

    (mod: edit spelling/ grammar)

    • Associatedhiredgun @ Billcrunch on 17/08/2020 - 08:08
      +1

      Hi Doc,

      Thanks for the feedback
      Few key differences with us

      • Energy Vic only does…Vic
      • They don't allow you to actually switch service
      • They don't pay you to switch ($50)
      • They don't have a referral system

      Our provider list continues to grow, we are soon onboarding Powershop also.

      • DoctorCalculon on 17/08/2020 - 19:55

        • They don't allow you to actually switch service

        Seriously, I would not use their website to switch even if they offered the service.

        • They don't pay you to switch ($50)
        • They don't have a referral system

        These two points are almost the same. Totally not worth it unless I am changing providers every 3 months.

        Who is footing the bill ($100) for each switch? Is it the gaining provider?
        Also, people would have to switch both energy types to the gaining provider in order to qualify for this monetary incentive, right?

  • robberbutton on 17/08/2020 - 18:04
    +1

    I know people have already referenced the VIC gov website, but what about the national site: https://www.energymadeeasy.gov.au/

    Aside from a small kick-back, what benefit does your site offer, especially when it doesn't list all providers, and from other comments, doesn't seem to do the best job in accurately showing who's cheapest?

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