Stealing from the Poor
Earlier this year, we got a really high utility bill. Really high. So, starting in March, we shut off the heater, which is the main gas guzzler in our townhouse. The only other thing that uses gas is our water heater. But we're not cutting back on showers, so that'll just have to stay put. Alright, so Springfield City Utilities sends us a bill a month later, which wasn't terrible, and I thought that was an indication of headway. Nope. Today, we got a $245 bill!!!! Why? After several phone calls and bitch fests with the people at CU, we learn that a technician saw a HUGE drop in our gas usage, so he hiked our bill, thinking it was a mess-up on the meter. Big NO-NO. You'd think they would just adjust the $150 in question. Nope. We got an apology and were told there was nothing else they could do. CU has a monopoly on Springfield, so there's nowhere to turn. They DID say our next bill will be back to normal... well, it better be! Otherwise, I'm calling to shut off my utilities entirely and I'll just live like a caveman. I pretty much already do, you bastards!Update: So I couldn't just sit on this. I called back to speak with a "supervisor" who has yet to call me back. I was also told, interestingly enough (by the same woman as last week), that the error worked itself out and my huge bill shows a usage of 114 therms, b/c of the mis-reading (bring us "back up to speed"). However, when adding that "catch-up" charge to the "goof up," that still gives us a higher per-month average than when we had the gas running full speed. Nothing seems to be adding up, and I can't seem to get any straight answers...??
How is it legal for the utility to charge something that is not on the meter without proof that the meter is malfunctioning?
Then again, who proves the meter is malfunctioning? The utility.
CU has questions to answer.
Posted by
Jason |
5/5/08 10:07 AM
You're a member of the media and you're just going to let this rest?!?! What's wrong with you, Haller!?!?
You can bet that if they overcharge me with a flimsy excuse like that, I'd be up there throwing a BIG hissy fit. $150 these days is nothing to just let go.
Let's hope this same situation hasn't happened to a cash-strapped senior citizen or single mother. Having money like that stripped from their hands because they tried to cut back on their electric consumption should be a crime.
I hope to see a follow-up post about this.
Posted by
Sandy |
5/5/08 12:52 PM
Trust me guys, this hasn't slipped away... it's very much an on-going conversation at work and among my inner circle. I'll keep you posted on how things go... I'm currently waiting for a call back from a "supervisor." I've been waiting 4 hours... hmmm.
Posted by
Brad |
5/5/08 1:29 PM
Whew! You had me worried there for a min.
Go get 'em, dude!
Posted by
Sandy |
5/5/08 2:13 PM
Well, I hope you don't mind but I went to CU about it already for my blog. I'm getting clarification on one final answer before I post anything but if you'd like to see it before I post anything Brad, just call me (if you still have my number.)
Posted by
Jason |
5/5/08 3:40 PM