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03-25-2008, 06:14 AM | #16 |
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In the 80's I had a car wash that was attached to an auto service center. My only gas appliance was a 20 gallon water heater. I was getting $200-300 gas bills even when the car wash was closed due to cold. Long story short, the gas company was getting the two side by side meters confused. After we finally unraveled their mistakes they owed me $3000 +. I had to threaten to sue them to get the refund. Good luck to you. Utility companies are a bitch.
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03-25-2008, 06:19 AM | #17 |
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Read your meters every month and keep a record.
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03-25-2008, 07:53 AM | #18 | |
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03-25-2008, 08:37 AM | #19 | |
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03-25-2008, 10:37 AM | #20 |
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I talked to a bill pay tech this morning and she was of little help.
She told me that the came up with the amount owed based on my usage for the 1 good month of reading they have on the new meter. That month was Jan-Feb and I used 52 therms. Even taking this usage, from one of the coldest periods of the year, and multiplying it by the number of months they estimated I still come up with 260 therms, well below the 384 therms they estimate I used for the months Aug - Jan. When I mentioned this they offered to reduce the amount I OWE THEM by 25%. I laughed at the lady and pointed out that in looking at the facts they most likely owe me a credit based on the amounts they've been charging me for estimated usage seeing as that I only used 52 therms during one of the coldest periods. She told me 25% was all she was authorized to reduce the amount by and said she'd be glad to have her boss call me w/in 3 days. I accepted this offer and told her that I was not being antagonistic, but wanted them to know I would be filing a complaint regarding this matter with the Missouri Public Service Commission seeing as that they were trying to drastically overcharge me on an amount they immediately admitted was high and refused to delete this charge when confronted with facts that show I most likely overpaid for usage. She told me that was my right, but they hoped I would wait to see how her boss handles the situation in a few days. I didn't plan on filing a complaint immediately, but wanted them to know this was something that I am contemplating and really wanted to light a fire under their arses. SO, I'm waiting for the big boss to call and also am waiting to file with the Mo Public Service Commission. |
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03-25-2008, 10:51 AM | #21 |
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Hopefully the boss will be more helpful. I can't imagine they wouldn't take more than 25% off if the numbers you gave are correct.
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03-25-2008, 12:36 PM | #22 | |
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03-25-2008, 01:38 PM | #23 |
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I had a similar thing happen when we built our new warehouse. I have a 50kw generator that has a 350 chevy for a powerplant. I speced out the sizing for the gas line after talking with the manufacturer. When the guy from the gas company installed my gas service he went way over what I had specified and did a massive 2" supply at like 2 pounds of pressure. So I had to install regulators at all my appliances to make them work... a real pain in the ass.
The only things that use gas at my warehouse is the generator, and heat. Well, because of the huge service the tech installed (double what I had ordered) I was getting nailed almost $90 a month, just for a connection. I paid $90 even if I used no gas. It took 2 years of bitching and finally a threat to disconnect and install propane to finally get it adjusted. I now pay $30 for the privledge of being connected to the gas line. They did credit me for the $60 difference. Still, since the adjustment I've never had a $90 gas bill. Shows how bad they were dicking me. DT |
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03-25-2008, 07:48 PM | #24 |
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Yeah, based on them immediately admitting the "estimated" usage was too high it appears they try to get away with murder and only get reasonable when a customer is willing to call them on it.
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03-25-2008, 07:50 PM | #25 |
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Damn, you keep your thermostat at 65? That's pretty damn cold.
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03-25-2008, 08:41 PM | #26 |
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The cost of law school necessitates the low temp, plus I'm not around much except late at night. A spaceheater and sweatshirt actually make it quite comfortable.
Thanks to all for the responses. The main thing I was hoping to find was someone who could verify the fact that the gas company couldn't obtain a better reading by taking apart the meter and this was provided (thanks Chief52). When I initially questioned the tech about their ability to do this today they backed off that previous statement and switched to the estimated usage reasoning, which I definitely have them beat on. |
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03-28-2008, 04:53 PM | #27 |
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So how goes the battle with the gas company? Did you get the call yet?
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03-28-2008, 05:55 PM | #28 |
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Sound advice Mr. Donger. I go out and read my gas, electric, and water meters every two weeks and keep a detailed log. Ive caught my electric company once and my water company 3 times in the last year and a half trying to screw me on my bills.
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03-28-2008, 07:18 PM | #29 | |
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SO, long story short, nothing new and I'm playing the waiting game again. The positive is I don't have to pay for gas for another month or so . |
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04-22-2008, 09:07 AM | #30 |
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Alright, for those who followed or care, I settled everything with the gas company yesterday. I got them to admit they had no way of finding out usage from the broken meter. I also got them to agree to estimate my usage by looking at the 2 good months of usage they now have on the new meter, rather than on the usage from prior years when I lived here. It all saved me a little more than $200. They also agreed to set up a payment plan for the outstanding balance by taking the amount owed (since I haven't paid for gas since early December because of this dispute) and dividing it over a 5 month period.
Everything has worked out as good as could be. Thanks to all who provided helpful info, including blueballs for feeding my ego. |
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