This exact culture in the economy has made me go from a 15 year contract with my local utility company to using a service (for any Germans: go look up switchup)

This exact culture in the economy has made me go from a 15 year contract with my local utility company to using a service (for any Germans: go look up switchup) that handles cancelling and getting a new contract with one of the large power companies each year. You'll get market rates and a substantial bonus. I wouldn't have made that step if they hadn't originally increased the price for me while offering better conditions for new customers.