I have a bad feeling.........

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.

**Rain Man** · 05-03-2005, 09:10 AM

Yikes.

I don't want to scare you, but there was an identical story on the news here about a year ago (sans the dog - just a lazy meter reader, apparently). The city forced the woman to pay.

**Saulbadguy** · 05-03-2005, 09:10 AM

I wouldn't pay it...but

Have you received a water bill in the last 6.5 years? If yes, was it low? high? normal?

**Donger** · 05-03-2005, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcellus

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.

There's no way in Denver that I'd pay that bill.

05-03-2005, 09:16 AM

Sorry to hear about your dog. Let this be a lesson to you. Replace your dead pets asap.

yunghungwell · 05-03-2005, 09:24 AM

Amnorix · 05-03-2005, 09:26 AM

Yeah, you're probably hosed, but pitching a screaming fit with someone there might help them reduce the bill.

jynni · 05-03-2005, 09:45 AM

Maybe it might be a good idea to put in a call to one of those "Call For Action" type thingys the local news shows are always doing. They love to do stuff along these lines.

ROYC75 · 05-03-2005, 09:57 AM

Chances are you are hosed on this one.....Your only hope is "The inability of the meter reader to do his job has caused a finacial burden on you to pay this" .

I would offer to pay them the negative amount per month $ 35.89 for 6.5 years or offer them $ 1400.00 up front ( providing you have it ) cash buy out.

C-Mac · 05-03-2005, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jynni

Maybe it might be a good idea to put in a call to one of those "Call For Action" type thingys the local news shows are always doing. They love to do stuff along these lines.

Contacting the media is a good idea.

05-03-2005, 10:04 AM

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.

**Skip Towne** · 05-03-2005, 10:04 AM

I assume you have been paying the estimated bill all these years. If what you have been paying is in line with what neighbors pay, I wouldn't give them a damn thing. Chances are the meter has been changed in the last 7 years and their records are all screwed up. I had it happen.

C-Mac · 05-03-2005, 10:17 AM

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.

Because the media thrives on stuff like that?
They would also help with a "sympathy case" if they interview the city also, for the viewers could easily imagine themslves in the same shoes.

**Fire Me Boy!** · 05-03-2005, 10:24 AM

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.

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.

wilas101 · 05-03-2005, 10:49 AM

You don't happen to live in Marceline, MO do you? That crap happens here ALL THE TIME.

A few years ago literally half the town got bills that had been estimated for months on end. Some people were in the same boat as you with well over 1000 bucks added. The downside here is the fact that the city handles both water and electricity so they had everyone by the short hairs.

I really want the meter reader job here in town. I could spend even more time on the planet from what I've seen.

hm... just saw the "Kansas" below your avatar pic. Guess that answered question 1.

Regardless, you got my sympathy. Thats bullsh*t.

05-03-2005, 09:08 AM
Marcellus Diablo Negro Join Date: Sep 2003 Casino cash: $2942662	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: 69,322

05-03-2005, 09:10 AM	#2
Rain Man NFL's #1 Ermines Fan Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $3178491 VARSITY	Yikes. I don't want to scare you, but there was an identical story on the news here about a year ago (sans the dog - just a lazy meter reader, apparently). The city forced the woman to pay. __________________ I'm putting random letters here as a celebration of free speech: xigrakgrah misorojeq rkemeseit.
Posts: 141,566

05-03-2005, 09:10 AM	#3
Saulbadguy When a nightmare becomes real Join Date: Nov 2003 Casino cash: $2496966	I wouldn't pay it...but Have you received a water bill in the last 6.5 years? If yes, was it low? high? normal? __________________ http://www.goemaw.com
Posts: 46,969

05-03-2005, 09:16 AM	#5
Phobia Guest Casino cash: $	Sorry to hear about your dog. Let this be a lesson to you. Replace your dead pets asap.
Posts: n/a

05-03-2005, 09:24 AM	#6
yunghungwell Whip it, whip it good. Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: In a rusty cage. Casino cash: $10004900
Posts: 436

05-03-2005, 09:26 AM	#7
Amnorix In BB I trust Join Date: May 2003 Location: Boston, Mass. Casino cash: $10029808	Yeah, you're probably hosed, but pitching a screaming fit with someone there might help them reduce the bill.
Posts: 43,125

05-03-2005, 09:45 AM	#8
jynni Starter Join Date: Oct 2003 Casino cash: $2196331	Maybe it might be a good idea to put in a call to one of those "Call For Action" type thingys the local news shows are always doing. They love to do stuff along these lines.
Posts: 884

05-03-2005, 09:57 AM	#9
ROYC75 Time For Your Wake Up Call !!! Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Barn Yard Casino cash: $5559400	Chances are you are hosed on this one.....Your only hope is "The inability of the meter reader to do his job has caused a finacial burden on you to pay this" . I would offer to pay them the negative amount per month $ 35.89 for 6.5 years or offer them $ 1400.00 up front ( providing you have it ) cash buy out. __________________ Our society is run by insane people for insane objectives. I think we're being run by maniacs for maniacal ends and I think I'm liable to be put away as insane for expressing that. That's what's insane about it. John Lennon
Posts: 37,001

05-03-2005, 10:04 AM	#11
Phobia Guest Casino cash: $	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.
Posts: n/a

05-03-2005, 10:04 AM	#12
Skip Towne Supporter Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: T-Town Casino cash: $10004900	I assume you have been paying the estimated bill all these years. If what you have been paying is in line with what neighbors pay, I wouldn't give them a damn thing. Chances are the meter has been changed in the last 7 years and their records are all screwed up. I had it happen.
Posts: 69,689

05-03-2005, 10:49 AM	#15
wilas101 Starter Join Date: Mar 2005 Casino cash: $8449487	You don't happen to live in Marceline, MO do you? That crap happens here ALL THE TIME. A few years ago literally half the town got bills that had been estimated for months on end. Some people were in the same boat as you with well over 1000 bucks added. The downside here is the fact that the city handles both water and electricity so they had everyone by the short hairs. I really want the meter reader job here in town. I could spend even more time on the planet from what I've seen. hm... just saw the "Kansas" below your avatar pic. Guess that answered question 1. Regardless, you got my sympathy. Thats bullsh*t.
Posts: 775