I have a bad feeling......... - Page 2

Marcellus · 05-03-2005, 09:08 AM

I recieved a water bill for $2800 yesterday. I think there is some mistake with a few decimal points right so I call the city (thats who handles our water here).
Come to find out, the dillhole who reads the meters has been estimating my bill for the last 6.5 years because he was scared of my dog. Well he didn't bother to inform anyone of this including me. My dog died a few months ago and I have since removed the fence form my yard. Well I guess they decide to do a real reading and now say I have been underbilled $2800.

The lady I talked to sounded like she didn't think I would have to pay that ammount but she needed to talk to the city attorney to see how to handle it. I have a bad feeling I am about to get bent over.

It would be different if they would have complained to me about my dog at some point. The gas and electric company had no issues reading my meter.

Kyle401 · 05-03-2005, 10:58 AM

Looks like the experts agree. You need to contact the media with your story and use public opinion to influence the City to reduce your bill.

Also you may want to contact a lawyer. I would think that the City's negligence in their responsibility to furnish you with an accurate water bill could absolve you of financial responsibility. The City employed the meter reader, and maintains an easement on your property to access the water meter. Therefore, I don't see what excuse they have for not providing a bill with an accurate total, dog notwithstanding. Had they informed you that they were unable to access your meter, it would be a whole different ball game, but I don't see how they are holding any of the cards here.

They are basing their entire case on a meter reading that is over 6 years old? Seems like a good lawyer could poke holes in that pretty easy.

cmh6476 · 05-03-2005, 11:00 AM

hire an attorney.

I'm sure there are a few here...

C-Mac · 05-03-2005, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fire Me Boy!

Working for the media, let me say this: because we LOVE shit like this. Help out the everyman and screw the city all in one swoop. Makes for great TV.

**Bwana** · 05-03-2005, 11:05 AM

Raise hell! Call the radio and TV stations as well as the papers in the area and tell them your story. I fthat doesn't put enough heat on them to drop it, hire a lawyer to at least write a letter. If that doesn't work, hire me to pay them a visit.

Kyle401 · 05-03-2005, 11:07 AM

Oh, and to avoid paying a consultation fee if there really isn't much you can do, I would contact your state AGO. They may have some idea of how these situations have been handled in the past. They should be able to tell you what you should do.

Kyle401 · 05-03-2005, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bwana

Raise hell! Call the radio and TV stations as well as the papers in the area and tell them your story. I fthat doesn't put enough heat on them to drop it, hire a lawyer to at least write a letter. If that doesn't work, hire me to pay them a visit.

I say skip the rest and go straight to this!

**Fire Me Boy!** · 05-03-2005, 11:11 AM

Don't forget to write at least ONE letter to the editor of your local newspaper. Try and get AS MUCH media coverage as possible.

**Bob Dole** · 05-03-2005, 11:12 AM

Bob Dole's average monthly water bill is only about $7 higher than what they are saying you've underpaid each month.

What have you been paying monthly?

**Skip Towne** · 05-03-2005, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bwana

Raise hell! Call the radio and TV stations as well as the papers in the area and tell them your story. I fthat doesn't put enough heat on them to drop it, hire a lawyer to at least write a letter. If that doesn't work, hire me to pay them a visit.

You will need to submit your bid just like the rest of us.

Marcellus · 05-03-2005, 05:02 PM

My water bill has been about $46 a month. Going off what they say I owe, it's another $37 a month I owe them. Thats more than double the water rate because the trash service is included in the $46.($13)

I also think there is an inflated rate after usgae over a certain ammount per month wich is being ballooned into this months bill.

I don't think their "adjustment" number is accurate.

I had a coworker point out that I have no idea of knowing when the last time my meter was actually read. Maybe before I bought the house. I wonder if I ask them for proof of the last actual reading if they can give that to me. If not I am going to try to claim they have no proof their numbers are accurate.

Probably won't work.

PastorMikH · 05-03-2005, 05:13 PM

Something else, probably won't work, but worth considering just the same. Over the extended period that the meter wasn't read, how much have the water rates gone up? Are they charging you today's rate for all of the water instead of averaging out usage from cheaper rates?

Also, I'd request the meter to be tested. The local city here has had water problems and one of the things they are looking at is changing out meters every 10 years because they say that they are starting to give inaccurate usage readings at that age. Who knows, if they test the meter and it shows that it is reading more than the actual water flow, you might be able to talk them into a discount.

**Rain Man** · 05-03-2005, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phobia

Why would the media care? Dude accepted goods from the city and through no fault of their own had been misbilling He owes the money. It's a legitimate bill. I'm sure they'd be willing to work out a payment arrangement.

I'd argue that I would've been actively conserving if my water bills were that high. Since they weren't, I didn't. Therefore, the City deceived me via incompetence.

This is the equivalent of getting a great deal on a Corvette lease for $99 a month. Five years later, can the dealer come back and say, "I made a mistake. Your lease amount is $599 per month. You owe me $30,000."? Don't think so, vicious dog or not.

jspchief · 05-03-2005, 05:21 PM

I'd say you owe the money (assuming the rates and such are accurate), but you should be given an equal amount of time to pay it pack. For instance, if they've been estimating your bill for the last 5 years, you should get five years to pay it back.

One question? Didn't you find it odd that you were using the exact same amount of water every single month for the last 5+ years?

That being said, I'd say the water company has some culpability for letting this go on as long as it has.

ChiefsFire · 05-03-2005, 06:27 PM

that is extremely high..i guess...

no water leaks right???

no unwanted fountains appearing in ur yard??

lol

C-Mac · 05-03-2005, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcellus

My water bill has been about $46 a month. Going off what they say I owe, it's another $37 a month I owe them. Thats more than double the water rate because the trash service is included in the $46.($13)

I also think there is an inflated rate after usgae over a certain ammount per month wich is being ballooned into this months bill.

I don't think their "adjustment" number is accurate.

I had a coworker point out that I have no idea of knowing when the last time my meter was actually read. Maybe before I bought the house. I wonder if I ask them for proof of the last actual reading if they can give that to me. If not I am going to try to claim they have no proof their numbers are accurate.

Probably won't work.

Thats averages $83 per month for water and trash?
Good lord, do you have a swimming pool that you empty and fill every couple of weeks?
Also you could have a slow leak but had know way of knowing unless it perked up from the ground.
I still say call the media and a lawyer, it was there employees that were the incompetent ones that didnt read the meter.
Its like going to an Exxon station and buying some gas for your car and getting a call a year later from Exxon saying that the attendant had set the pumps wrong and they need $20 more.

05-03-2005, 09:08 AM
Marcellus Diablo Negro Join Date: Sep 2003 Casino cash: $2572662	I have a bad feeling......... I recieved a water bill for $2800 yesterday. I think there is some mistake with a few decimal points right so I call the city (thats who handles our water here). Come to find out, the dillhole who reads the meters has been estimating my bill for the last 6.5 years because he was scared of my dog. Well he didn't bother to inform anyone of this including me. My dog died a few months ago and I have since removed the fence form my yard. Well I guess they decide to do a real reading and now say I have been underbilled $2800. The lady I talked to sounded like she didn't think I would have to pay that ammount but she needed to talk to the city attorney to see how to handle it. I have a bad feeling I am about to get bent over. It would be different if they would have complained to me about my dog at some point. The gas and electric company had no issues reading my meter.
Posts: 69,801

05-03-2005, 10:58 AM	#16
Kyle401 1st Round Bust Join Date: Feb 2005 Casino cash: $10004900	Looks like the experts agree. You need to contact the media with your story and use public opinion to influence the City to reduce your bill. Also you may want to contact a lawyer. I would think that the City's negligence in their responsibility to furnish you with an accurate water bill could absolve you of financial responsibility. The City employed the meter reader, and maintains an easement on your property to access the water meter. Therefore, I don't see what excuse they have for not providing a bill with an accurate total, dog notwithstanding. Had they informed you that they were unable to access your meter, it would be a whole different ball game, but I don't see how they are holding any of the cards here. They are basing their entire case on a meter reading that is over 6 years old? Seems like a good lawyer could poke holes in that pretty easy.
Posts: 788

05-03-2005, 11:00 AM	#17
cmh6476 Keep Camp Home! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: St Joe MO Casino cash: $2106277	hire an attorney. I'm sure there are a few here... __________________ from September to February! from November to April! from April to October! 2024 Adopt-a-Chief: Xavier Worthy
Posts: 9,766

05-03-2005, 11:05 AM	#19
Bwana It's Five O'Clock Somewhere Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Billings, Montana Casino cash: $2138993647	Raise hell! Call the radio and TV stations as well as the papers in the area and tell them your story. I fthat doesn't put enough heat on them to drop it, hire a lawyer to at least write a letter. If that doesn't work, hire me to pay them a visit.
Posts: 69,829

05-03-2005, 11:07 AM	#20
Kyle401 1st Round Bust Join Date: Feb 2005 Casino cash: $10004900	Oh, and to avoid paying a consultation fee if there really isn't much you can do, I would contact your state AGO. They may have some idea of how these situations have been handled in the past. They should be able to tell you what you should do.
Posts: 788

05-03-2005, 11:11 AM	#22
Fire Me Boy! Cast Iron Jedi Join Date: Nov 2004 Casino cash: $9999900 VARSITY	Don't forget to write at least ONE letter to the editor of your local newspaper. Try and get AS MUCH media coverage as possible.
Posts: 35,253

05-03-2005, 11:12 AM	#23
Bob Dole King Shit of **** Mountain Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Texarkana, Texas Casino cash: $2024497	Bob Dole's average monthly water bill is only about $7 higher than what they are saying you've underpaid each month. What have you been paying monthly?
Posts: 48,820

05-03-2005, 05:02 PM	#25
Marcellus Diablo Negro Join Date: Sep 2003 Casino cash: $2572662	My water bill has been about $46 a month. Going off what they say I owe, it's another $37 a month I owe them. Thats more than double the water rate because the trash service is included in the $46.($13) I also think there is an inflated rate after usgae over a certain ammount per month wich is being ballooned into this months bill. I don't think their "adjustment" number is accurate. I had a coworker point out that I have no idea of knowing when the last time my meter was actually read. Maybe before I bought the house. I wonder if I ask them for proof of the last actual reading if they can give that to me. If not I am going to try to claim they have no proof their numbers are accurate. Probably won't work.
Posts: 69,801

05-03-2005, 05:13 PM	#26
PastorMikH Will KC ever be better? Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Land of Red Dirt & Necks Casino cash: $9925087	Something else, probably won't work, but worth considering just the same. Over the extended period that the meter wasn't read, how much have the water rates gone up? Are they charging you today's rate for all of the water instead of averaging out usage from cheaper rates? Also, I'd request the meter to be tested. The local city here has had water problems and one of the things they are looking at is changing out meters every 10 years because they say that they are starting to give inaccurate usage readings at that age. Who knows, if they test the meter and it shows that it is reading more than the actual water flow, you might be able to talk them into a discount. __________________
Posts: 20,454

05-03-2005, 05:21 PM	#28
jspchief BAMF Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Your Face Casino cash: $9998710	I'd say you owe the money (assuming the rates and such are accurate), but you should be given an equal amount of time to pay it pack. For instance, if they've been estimating your bill for the last 5 years, you should get five years to pay it back. One question? Didn't you find it odd that you were using the exact same amount of water every single month for the last 5+ years? That being said, I'd say the water company has some culpability for letting this go on as long as it has. __________________ Courage is not the absence of fear but rather the judgment that something is more important than fear. The brave may not live forever but the cautious do not live at all.
Posts: 27,207

05-03-2005, 06:27 PM	#29
ChiefsFire Eh Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: on top Casino cash: $10004900	that is extremely high..i guess... no water leaks right??? no unwanted fountains appearing in ur yard?? lol __________________ Rock Chalk Championship.
Posts: 3,033