Utilities deposit refund

[marie1203]

So I been dealing with this for three months now and I am getting really upset. The situation is that we gave the deposit and in the contract it said they refund it after 3 years with no interest. Well 3 years was Feb 29th I been calling since then and still no refund. The refund is a credit to our account which will cover 6 months of our bill. I am getting really upset that I still have to keep paying this bill because they are not doing their jobs. I feel I shouldn't have to pay this months bill and they should know how to figure it out. The lady that I talked today told me my name didn't come up in the report for this month (hello of course it didn't it should have been credited 3 months ago). Now she is saying she can only process this the 1st of each month. Should I pay the bill and just suck it up or should I refuse to pay the bill and go in to talk someone to make it right?

 

[Dax]

So I been dealing with this for three months now and I am getting really upset. The situation is that we gave the deposit and in the contract it said they refund it after 3 years with no interest. Well 3 years was Feb 29th I been calling since then and still no refund. The refund is a credit to our account which will cover 6 months of our bill. I am getting really upset that I still have to keep paying this bill because they are not doing their jobs. I feel I shouldn't have to pay this months bill and they should have how to figure out. The lady that I talked today told me my name didn't come up in the report for this month (hello of course it didn't it should have been credited 3 months ago). Now she is saying she can only process this the 1st of each month. Should I pay the bill and just suck it up or should I refuse to pay the bill and go in to someone to make it right?

Well if you refuse to pay the bill, they may shut your power off...which is bad...I would try to speak to a manager or something and see if you can get it resolved..

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Pay the bill.

So I been dealing with this for three months now and I am getting really upset. The situation is that we gave the deposit and in the contract it said they refund it after 3 years with no interest. Well 3 years was Feb 29th I been calling since then and still no refund. The refund is a credit to our account which will cover 6 months of our bill. I am getting really upset that I still have to keep paying this bill because they are not doing their jobs. I feel I shouldn't have to pay this months bill and they should have how to figure out. The lady that I talked today told me my name didn't come up in the report for this month (hello of course it didn't it should have been credited 3 months ago). Now she is saying she can only process this the 1st of each month. Should I pay the bill and just suck it up or should I refuse to pay the bill and go in to someone to make it right?

 

[MomToOne]

1. Have you asked to speak to a supervisor when you call?

2. Is this a municipal utility company, or an independant company, or a city department ? (I have to deal with all of them where I live, depending on the specific utility - natural gas is PG&E, an independent company; electric is municipal electric co.; garbage and water is a city department) If you are dealing with a city department, call your councilperson - it's amazing what they can get done. If it is an independent company, try contacting your public utilities commission, or whatever the equivalent is where you live, and filing a complaint.

Don't just not pay your bill - that could come back to bite you in the you-know-what (they can post non-payment to your credit report).

 

[LilyWDW]

Pay the bill and then go into the offices to speak to someone face to face. Not paying the bill would only mean you would most likely have your services cut off which is not worth it.

 

[msmayor]

I see you are in North Carolina...

Consumer Complaint Information

The Public Staff of the Commission represents the interests of the using and consuming public in matters pending before the Commission. The Public Staff is an independent agency which is not subject to the supervision, direction, or control of the Commission. The Public Staff Consumer Services Division is responsible for assisting the public with complaints against regulated public utilities.

Their office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

NC Utilities Commission-Public Staff
Consumer Services Division
4326 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-4326
Toll Free 1-866-380-9816
919-733-9277
Consumer.Services@psncuc.nc.gov
http://www.pubstaff.commerce.state.nc.us/pscons/pscons.htm

I worked for five years for a public utility here in NJ, and one of the WORST things was if a consumer contacted the utilities commission with a complaint against us.

I'd make one more phone call to your utility and ask for a supervisor. Tell them that if you do not see the credit in your account in three business days you will be contacting the state utilities commission to file a formal complaint against them...and then follow through if the credit doesn't show.

 

[undertheradar]

OP, is the stipulation 3 years of ontime payments? Have you ever possibly paid the bill late? This may impact the three year holding period. Just an idea.

 

[cglaura]

OP, is the stipulation 3 years of ontime payments? Have you ever possibly paid the bill late? This may impact the three year holding period. Just an idea.

That is what I was going to suggest. The rules for our utility company is of on time payments. So if you were late in May of year 2, then that is the month your 3 year hold would be re-set to. Even just one day late.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I would totally pay the bill.

If you are having difficulty with a refund of a deposit, getting a refund for a late fee won't be a walk in the park either.

 

[marie1203]

OP, is the stipulation 3 years of ontime payments? Have you ever possibly paid the bill late? This may impact the three year holding period. Just an idea.

Yes there is that stipulation and I never been late they have acknowledge that. Also when I called she said the notes only showed I call only once May 12 which is a lie because I can pull phone records with at least 2 call per month since March.

 

[marie1203]

I see you are in North Carolina...



I worked for five years for a public utility here in NJ, and one of the WORST things was if a consumer contacted the utilities commission with a complaint against us.

I'd make one more phone call to your utility and ask for a supervisor. Tell them that if you do not see the credit in your account in three business days you will be contacting the state utilities commission to file a formal complaint against them...and then follow through if the credit doesn't show.

Thank You!

 

[marie1203]

Update: I call them again an told them that I need a solution and I won't hang up until we reach one. Well the lady tells me I have a late fee I tell her that is not possible , she looks into it further and of course it was wrong, then I am transfer again to the rude and unhelpful lady which tell me she can't do anything until the first. Well why no one said that in April? She is raising her voice and I was calm so I hang up and told her I am just going to file a complain with the Utilities commission. I think what makes me angry is not the mistake or whatever it is that is happening, but the waste of my time, the lies they tell and how they treat me. Their notes shows I only call once in May 12th and from that I was supposed to get a call back (in three days) from the rude lady because she is the one that is supposed to do the refund well that didn't happen no one gave me a call back. I am going to pay the bill this month but it won't happen next month I am tired how everything is so one way, if I don't pay the bill then I get it turn off, but if they do not do things on time then nothing happens we should have to deal with it. Ugh vent over.

 

[cm8]

Update: I call them again an told them that I need a solution and I won't hang up until we reach one. Well the lady tells me I have a late fee I tell her that is not possible , she looks into it further and of course it was wrong, then I am transfer again to the rude and unhelpful lady which tell me she can't do anything until the first. Well why no one said that in April? She is raising her voice and I was calm so I hang up and told her I am just going to file a complain with the Utilities commission. I think what makes me angry is not the mistake or whatever it is that is happening, but the waste of my time, the lies they tell and how they treat me. Their notes shows I only call once in May 12th and from that I was supposed to get a call back (in three days) from the rude lady because she is the one that is supposed to do the refund well that didn't happen no one gave me a call back. I am going to pay the bill this month but it won't happen next month I am tired how everything is so one way, if I don't pay the bill then I get it turn off, but if they do not do things on time then nothing happens we should have to deal with it. Ugh vent over.

, I hope that this issue gets resolved for you ASAP. I hope that they at least gave you proof that the late fee was a mistake and it will be resolved. Good luck