Can a gas company bill you twice in one month?

[CheshireVal]

I hate my gas company-- hate hate hate them. (I've had waaaay too many problems with them to list here, but did I mention I hate them? )

My last two bill due dates were Dec. 7 and then January 2, both of which I paid. Now I've gotten a bill that is due on January 27! Can they really keep bumping the due dates up so that I'm now paying TWO gas bills in January? I'm a teacher so I only get paid once a month... I didn't budget this month for two gas bills out of that one paycheck. Granted, I have the money, but it's really the principal of the matter that's getting to me.

Do you think it would help to call them or should I just suck it up and pay it?

 

[cepmom]

not sure....I did notice that one of my credit cards is doing the same thing. It was always due on the 8th of the month, and they kept moving up the due date little by little. Now it is due on the 31st of the month. I keep meaning to have DH call and have them change it back to the 8th. Have you called them to see why they keep changing the dates?

 

[kilee]

I would definetly call and question the 25 day billing cycle. That is really short and doesn't usually happen.

 

[golfgal]

Is there a notice somewhere about them changing their billing cycle? Do they have a website that you can check? Is there a chance they didn't get your last payment and this is a reminder notice?

 

[CheshireVal]

I just called them and asked why I'm getting two bills in January and they said they just bill based on when the meter is read, and that actually the billing cycle is usually 21 days. I was like, "but that would mean I'm paying like 17 gas bills in a year if that's really true," and she just said those were the rules.

Now, I've been with this company for three years and have *never* had to pay twice in a month like this.

I've been looking at state guidelines for natural gas providers, though, and can't find anything anywhere that says how often they can bill customers.

 

[golfgal]

I doubt you are going to find anything. They could probably bill you weekly if they wanted. Most people/companies do monthly billing because it is easier. It is odd though.

 

[Crankyshank]

That is pretty odd. The holidays might have thrown their billing cycle for a loop though.

 

[Chuck S]

I think utilities (at least in most states) can bill whenever they feel like it. While most do seem to bill once a month, some have shorter billing cycles. However, many compaies have a minimum "monthly service" charge. If your gas company has some notation to that effect on your bills, I would ask why you are paying a "monthly charge" more than 12 times per year. (13 at most, if all months were equal length.)

 

[greenyskp]

What sucks is that there is a "monthly" customer charge. Which means you pay for 17 months, in 12 actual months.

Im currently at war with my gas company too. I have a gas water heater. Thats it. And my bill this month was 230 dollars. Its generally about 40-50. They insist it is right. Theyve checked it, and my meter (or so they say) and they want me to pay the 230. Im at a loss.

 

[C.Ann]

Im currently at war with my gas company too. I have a gas water heater. Thats it. And my bill this month was 230 dollars. Its generally about 40-50. They insist it is right. Theyve checked it, and my meter (or so they say) and they want me to pay the 230. Im at a loss.

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When I was married to my first husband, we briefly lived in an apartment in another city.. For several months our electric bill was right on target and then all of a sudden we received one for over $500! When I called to question it, they INSISTED it was correct.. After looking over the bill more carefully, I found that they had charged us a business rate - rather than a residential rate.. Took me forever to convince them that it was an apartment - not a business - but eventually we got it straightened out and immediately moved..

I would NOT pay that bill until you have proof-positive that it's correct!

 

[EthansMom]

As long as you aren't being charged a "service fee" on both statements, I don't see a huge problem.

I understand that you budget monthly and that this billing is messing with that budget. However, the amount of gas for which you are being billed isn't changing.

My thought, is that the gas company may be billing more often so that the bills are smaller amounts. With rising gas prices, if the gas company goes from 29 day billing to 21 day billing, each individual bill would be for about 27% less gas usage than in the past. While gas customers would still be paying for the high price of gas, their indivigual bills wouldn't increase in price as much. Many folks would never notice that they are being billed more often.

 

[CheshireVal]

As long as you aren't being charged a "service fee" on both statements, I don't see a huge problem.

I understand that you budget monthly and that this billing is messing with that budget. However, the amount of gas for which you are being billed isn't changing.

My thought, is that the gas company may be billing more often so that the bills are smaller amounts. With rising gas prices, if the gas company goes from 29 day billing to 21 day billing, each individual bill would be for about 27% less gas usage than in the past. While gas customers would still be paying for the high price of gas, their indivigual bills wouldn't increase in price as much. Many folks would never notice that they are being billed more often.

I'll have to check about the monthly service fee.

In the long run, I'm not paying for gas I'm not using, so it all kind of evens out. But when you only get paid once a month, you have to keep to a very strict budget. Once I pay all my bills, I see how much I have left for the rest of the month to "play" with, and spend accordingly Unexpected bills can wreak havoc!

 

[C.Ann]

I'll have to check about the monthly service fee.

In the long run, I'm not paying for gas I'm not using, so it all kind of evens out. But when you only get paid once a month, you have to keep to a very strict budget. Once I pay all my bills, I see how much I have left for the rest of the month to "play" with, and spend accordingly Unexpected bills can wreak havoc!

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Is there a grace period (say 10 days or so) where you can slide it over to the first of the next month without incurring a late fee?

 

[CheshireVal]

I was thinking about that, too. I might do that.

 

[MICKEY88]

I'll have to check about the monthly service fee.

In the long run, I'm not paying for gas I'm not using, so it all kind of evens out. But when you only get paid once a month, you have to keep to a very strict budget. Once I pay all my bills, I see how much I have left for the rest of the month to "play" with, and spend accordingly Unexpected bills can wreak havoc!

in reality it's not the extra bill that is hurting you it's higher gas prices, if they only bill you one a month the bill would be higher than in the past, how would you come up with the money then ??

 

[greenyskp]

-----------------------------

When I was married to my first husband, we briefly lived in an apartment in another city.. For several months our electric bill was right on target and then all of a sudden we received one for over $500! When I called to question it, they INSISTED it was correct.. After looking over the bill more carefully, I found that they had charged us a business rate - rather than a residential rate.. Took me forever to convince them that it was an apartment - not a business - but eventually we got it straightened out and immediately moved..

I would NOT pay that bill until you have proof-positive that it's correct!

Theyre coming out Thursday to do an 'investigation' and see if I have a water leak. Its so inconvient, though because now I have to take off work.....

Thanks for the advice. I'll check over my bill when I get home.

 

[CheshireVal]

in reality it's not the extra bill that is hurting you it's higher gas prices, if they only bill you one a month the bill would be higher than in the past, how would you come up with the money then ??

The problem is I can budget better for it when it's all up front. Like I said, I pay all my bills and then whatever I have left is what I can use for extras over the course of the month. Then I'll get paid on the 28th of the month and it all starts over again.

In other words, once I pay my utility bills for the month, I consider them done with and don't worry about it again until next pay period. I don't expect another one thrown into the mix in the same month-- that's really unusual. I hadn't planned for another one so soon! Higher gas prices I can deal with-- but unexpected billing dates throw me off.

Hope that made sense!

 

[jfulcer]

Theyre coming out Thursday to do an 'investigation' and see if I have a water leak. Its so inconvient, though because now I have to take off work.....

Thanks for the advice. I'll check over my bill when I get home.

Do you have water under your heater? If not, you're most likely ok. Is it possible that you have a faucet that drips? If it is dripping from the hot water side, your heater is constantly getting new water to heat.

You also could have a problem with sediment/sludge buildup on the bottom of you heater. This can greatly reduce your heating efficiency. How long have you had the heater and when was the last time you drained it? If it's like mine, the answer is 'forever' and 'never'.

 

[MICKEY88]

The problem is I can budget better for it when it's all up front. Like I said, I pay all my bills and then whatever I have left is what I can use for extras over the course of the month. Then I'll get paid on the 28th of the month and it all starts over again.

In other words, once I pay my utility bills for the month, I consider them done with and don't worry about it again until next pay period. I don't expect another one thrown into the mix in the same month-- that's really unusual. I hadn't planned for another one so soon! Higher gas prices I can deal with-- but unexpected billing dates throw me off.

Hope that made sense!

if you know how much you spent last year, budget for that much this year calculated with higher prices..

 

[cardaway]

As long as they don't charge you twice for the same amount of usage I don't see hwo there is a problem. Same amount of gas use no matter if it's all in one bill or spread out between three.