Utility Co.DON"T BACK DOWN!

[schlepsnort]

What a HORRIBLE morning. Two weeks ago we got a disconnect notice for our electric, we had fallen behind on the payments (our own fault) but I called immediately and asked to set up a payment plan. The very nice person said sure and told me to send in XX amount as a deposit and then once that was RECEIVED AND CLEARED to call back and set up the monthly payment plan. So this morning I was checking our bank online and saw HEY it cleared so I was going to call and make the arrangements for the payment plan. But OH NO, who is at my door? Some lady who is about to DISCONNECT our power!
***? I did what I was told to do, ***? So I pleaded with her to not do it and I think the fact that I was holding the baby and my other 2 soons were peering out the door at her with their big eyes helped and she said she wouldn't do it today but to call the co.
So that's the first thing I did, I called. Well the 1st guy is like OH WELL, you didn't call back SOON enough so it's going to be disconnected unless you pay the ENTIRE past due today. Well we can't, with the way we've had to run our A/C because of DS asthma and my illness the bill is several hundred. I asked why can't I go ahead with the payment plan as was first started, he didn't even want to discuss it. He just wanted the shutdown I guess. Made him feel good to screw people over.
So I hung up on him, crying. I then called a different # and demanded to speak to a supervisor and was told that not a single supervisor is available. But if I wait 1 to 2 business days then one would call me back. But in the meantime they will still shut down my power. ***? You cannot tell me that there is not ONE SINGLE supervisor there in the building.
So at this point I'm crying, I'm panicking. I have medication that MUST be refrigerated or it's useless and costs over $2,000 a month to have. Thankfully the weather has been cool so we don't need the a/c.
So I found the consumer electric bureau # on the back of the elec. bill and take a stab that they can help.

THEY DID! She got on the phone with the company and got one of those mysterious missing supervisors on the phone and I explained that I was not aware that I had missed a timeframe to call back but OBVIOUSLY I did make the downpayment and I took responsibility for my own error but really needed an extension to make up the rest. Suddenly they had no problem setting up the extension and the payment plan, our power will stay on uninterrupted.

So my advice if you find yourself facing this is DO NOT give UP. Do not settle for RUDE customer service. We all have financial issues that complicate daily life but there is no reason to treat someone like garbage just because at that moment they are having a hard time making ends meet. The consumer advocacy group really helped me and cut up the red tape that they were trying to wrap me up with.

Ok I feel better now, had to vent a little. I hope noone flames me because we couldn't pay our bill this summer. We planned on catching up once the fall came because then the bills wouldn't be so high and we could pay extra. The levelized plan for us doesn't help any either.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

ughh they are just rude to deal with all together! they sscwered with our power and we were out for almost 2 days awhile back, in the MIDDLE of summer with 2 babies?!?!! i called and called and called and blahh. I got the same run around with the supervisor crap, but like you i didn't take no for an answer! Good for you! Hope all goes well for you! and wooohoo for cooler weather!!

 

[ILUVMYBRIT]

BTDT
Good for you for not backing down and taking responsiblity.

 

[ducklite]

This is not a flame, but seriously, if you are so in debt that you are having trouble paying basic bills, why are you planning a WDW vacation? Even with free dining, even if someone else is paying for the room, you'll still have incidentals--gas, airport parking, meals not covered by the plan, tips, etc. That could easily add up to the amount that you owe on the power bill--and forgive me if I"m wrong, but I'm assuming you've got some other bills you're behind on.

I know that sometimes life throws you curveballs, but I guess what I'm saying is that maybe with your current financial situation, this isn't the best time to have a Disney trip planned. Maybe it might be a good idea to wait a little longer until your financial situation is a bit more stable?

I hope it works out for you.

Anne

 

[floridafam]

 

[schlepsnort]

This is not a flame, but seriously, if you are so in debt that you are having trouble paying basic bills, why are you planning a WDW vacation? Even with free dining, even if someone else is paying for the room, you'll still have incidentals--gas, airport parking, meals not covered by the plan, tips, etc. That could easily add up to the amount that you owe on the power bill--and forgive me if I"m wrong, but I'm assuming you've got some other bills you're behind on.

I know that sometimes life throws you curveballs, but I guess what I'm saying is that maybe with your current financial situation, this isn't the best time to have a Disney trip planned. Maybe it might be a good idea to wait a little longer until your financial situation is a bit more stable?

I hope it works out for you.

Anne

I understand that to some it would be more fiscally responsible to cancel the trip and just pay off the bill. Actually as it works out at this point the bill is 75% paid off and the remaining amount will be paid immediately after our return from our trip. It's all about the timing of our income that made us fall behind and now we are coming back to the surface.

We have had a horrible year and this trip is needed for a mental break. We have never taken a vacation before, we do not go 'out' at all and it is just work work work 365 days a year. Back in Feb. we paid for this trip in full after paying off other debts. This trip was also to fulfill a promise to our son, when he was in the NICU and the dr. gave us a very dire outlook I swore to my son if he would just come around and stay with us we would go to WDW. Two weeks later he was home and fine. It may be totally unrelated but I made a promise to my child and no matter what we will go. I also promised him a hippo but the trip was more likely. He does have a stuffed hippo though!

I took responsibility for our situation but also have figured out how to settle the debt and still save our trip. If the situation were worse then yes I would cancel and just reschedule for later. But at this point it is not as bad as it may appear. Just one bill that got out of control and is now under control.

I do not speak for everyone but I do think some people will agree that sometimes you just have to do something 'fun' once in awhile to keep up your spirits. If we waited for financial stability we may never be able to go or not until our kids are much older and probably wouldn't want to be seen with their annoying parents.

Not that I have to validate my reasons for continuing on with our plans but DH just got a new job with better pay so any other debts will soon be eliminated so to us it is not a pressing concern. Just today blew me away when I thought I had already taken care of the problem but a misunderstanding threw my careful budgeting out the window.

I did not post to say that we were in financial crisis, just that I had made a mistake despite my efforts to settle a debt the company was making it even more difficult for me to do 'the right thing' which makes no sense to me. They earn interest for as long as I do the payment plan so why make it more difficult for me to utilize the service if it's making them more money in the long run? Though they won't make that much off of us since we already have shuffled the finances and will have the entire remaining bill paid before the next payment is even due.

Not flaming you just maybe clarifying my reason for a post and why we are continuing with our vacation plans as is. I knew that people would tell us to cancel and maybe misunderstand my position but we all come from different view points on $ and I just wanted others to know that if facing a similar situation then do not let the company bully you. You are taking responsibility for the debt and trying to pay it off, that doesn't give them the right to treat people with such rudeness and disregard.

Really hope this thread doesn't turn into a bonfire, just wanted to vent and also pass on advice about contacting a consumer advocacy group for help if the utility company treats you badly or refuses to help when you are trying to settle your debt.

Peace, love, and put down the flame throwers!! =)

 

[ChuckB]

things come up and happen, good for you for not backing down, some electric companies, even co-op, will make a deal in the office but not tell the person in the field, then it is a mess all the way around, and pre paid vactions are hard not to take even when something happens to put a sqeeze on the cash flow ..... not everyone has a silver spoon in thier mouth, and no one ever said life was easy, when it falls pick it up and carry on

 

[Toby'sFriend]

nevermind pointless

I hope you enjoy the vacation and I really hope you don't encounter anymore financial emergencies this winter.

 

[phillybeth]

This is not a flame, but seriously, if you are so in debt that you are having trouble paying basic bills, why are you planning a WDW vacation?

Geez, I see a family taking a much-needed four-day getaway.

 

[ducklite]

Not flaming you just maybe clarifying my reason for a post and why we are continuing with our vacation plans as is. I knew that people would tell us to cancel and maybe misunderstand my position but we all come from different view points on $ and I just wanted others to know that if facing a similar situation then do not let the company bully you. You are taking responsibility for the debt and trying to pay it off, that doesn't give them the right to treat people with such rudeness and disregard.

Really hope this thread doesn't turn into a bonfire, just wanted to vent and also pass on advice about contacting a consumer advocacy group for help if the utility company treats you badly or refuses to help when you are trying to settle your debt.

Peace, love, and put down the flame throwers!! =)

And given your explanation I can see why you'd want to continue with the trip. I agree that they have no right to be rude to you, it happens even when you aren't behind sometimes as well. I called the power company with a question a few months back and was treated rudely for being overpaid on my bill. Sometimes you just can't win. Some people just don't belong in jobs where they deal with the public.

I hope you have a great trip!

Anne

 

[ducklite]

Geez, I see a family taking a much-needed four-day getaway.

I have a friend who the last time she and her husband took a four day getaway, they then kept the heat at 50 degrees all winter because they didn't plan ahead for the upcoming winter fuel bills and spent money they shouldn't have. Oh, and that was on top of having the phone shut off for non-payment two days before they left.

Unfortunately there are a lot of people who put wants before needs when it comes to family vacations, we've seen it over and over on the DIS.

The OP's situation when better explained made perfect sense, it was the only bill they were struggling with and is pretty well paid off before they leave, so in her case, I hope they ahve a great time.

Unfortunately there are a lot of other people who would be in that same boat, and dealing with a variety of other unpaid bills as well who would still be taking that vacation.

Anne

 

[denisenh]

I called the power company with a question a few months back and was treated rudely for being overpaid on my bill. Sometimes you just can't win. Some people just don't belong in jobs where they deal with the public.

schlepsnort, I am happy for you to have gotten things straightened out. Have a great trip!

 

[mrsltg]

Good for you for not backing down. There are some little people running around with too much power. You did really well! Congrats!!!

 

[DisneyGirl4188]

Good for you for not giving up!

I was on an average payment plan with the electric company, but was removed by mistake. I didn't know until I received a bill that was more than double. I called and was told that yes, they realized they made a mistake, but that I couldn't go on the plan until the amount was paid in full. I asked to speak to a supervisor, then manager. Each told me the same thing and gave me a number to call a place that helps pay the bill for you. Well, DH and I make too much to qualify and that wasn't the point. The point was that we should not have been charged that much to begin with. I did finally speak to a manager that was willing to help. (Although, we are still have issues with the company, but again I don't/won't give up until the issue is resolved).


Go on your trip and have fun. You didn't post this to get other people's opinions, but instead to let others know not to give up). Don't let anyone get to you.

 

[Keli]

One time our power company turned our electric off by mistake! We lived in a duplex at the time and I don't really know exactly how it happened but we came home after long day and no electricity.

Since it was nice outside (no storms) dh checked the electric meter and there was some kind of tag on it. We called the electric company and they very quickly sent someone out to remedy the situation. It sure isn't a good feeling to be without power like that.

 

[Makdyn]

I just had a problem with the gas company. I was moving end of august. Need to shut the gas off at old house turn on at new house. Well they made the appointment to shut off the gas at old place on a friday fine cause I was moving that saturday. Well the next appointment to come out and turn gas for new house was the following thursday. So I was like are you kidding me why cant they do it on the same day. Excuse 1 the houses are in two different areas. so i asked if three street down is in a different area? so now the excuse was that there was only one appointment left for that friday and that was to shut off the gas. Well can we which the appiontments and have the gas turned on friday and turned off on thursday. they yes sure but we need access to the old house on that thursday. Well I will not have access to that house after sat. and I dont trust the wack job landlord to let me in. So I ask for a manager. Of there is no manager there and if there was I can not transfer you. ***. So then I pulled out the kid card. I say this because I never use my kids to get something done faster because I have little kids. That day was the first time and I will never do it again cause it did not get me anywhere.

anyways so I stuck to the friday turn off and the thursday turn on. Just thinking maybe I can talk to the gas guy that comes on friday to see if he can just come over and turn on the gas. another road block there, because thegas company gives you an all day appointment. ok fine 9-5, well gues what it was an 8:30 am to 9 PM appointment. nice I waited all day for them to call. nothing. Had to go to second job left phone with my mom. So i could not have asked the guy to go to the other house.

ok I am done. sorry so long

 

[jen0610]

The reply that I get more often than not, when I ask to speak with a manager/supervisor, is I don't have one. And let me tell you, I love that response, as I use the greatest come back. And the last time I had to use it with a Capitol One customer service person, she got sooo ticked off at ME, she hung up, which made it ten times worse on her, when I called back and got her manager. And I have a copy of the disiplinary letter she received, because I not only had detailed notes, but they and well as I taped the conversation.

Any time c.s tells me they don't have a mgr/supervisor, I (in total sarcasum) so I take you are THE OWNER of said company. I always get the reply, Well no. To which I anwer, then you do have a mgr/supervisor and I need to speak with them, 2 minutes ago, when I asked the 1st time around. I always get to the mgr/supervisor real quick.