Posted: 2/1/2013 2:35:38 AM EDT
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So, I got a call from WE engeries that my gas meter broke and they replaced it in mid Dec and want $200 more for Oct to Dec.
I got the call a week ago and I am still waiting for the catch up bill. It only goes to Oct as that is when I moved in. I think they found an initial usage change (or rather drop) and thought the meter was "broken" and are trying to take me for more money. Anyone deal with this before? What are my chances for telling them to pound sand? Thanks. |
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Quoted:
If you have copies of you statements from that time I would tell them to pound sand. The statements should have the readings on them and that should be all you need. Nope, they will go back and use the past monthly reads in the last year, compensate using weather and temp data and bill the customer and they WILL win if you push it because they will likely be very close. They tend to underestimate the cost to cover their ass if you want to try and take it to court. I have always found that if a bill is high, people will scream and bitch but if it's low or no use, they will never say a word even though they absolutely know [if you are paying the bill, you know something is wonky when it's far lower then usual a few months in a row] something is amiss. I caught my non reg meter in one month in the middle of the summer because I knew the actual gas usage was almost always right around $7 for the water heater and dryer. BTW, 25 years in the NG utility biz................. They MAY cut you a little break but they are not going to just "forgive" the entire amount. Unless you can prove you went to an alternative source of heat [and yes, I have had orders to go check that] you owe for the usage. |
| If he had lived there the year before that would be fine if they compared to what the readings were then but he said he just moved in in October. Kinda hard to say he has the same usage as the previous person(s). The previous person(s) could have kept their heat set at a higher temp, used more hot water, etc. I would fight it if it were me but you have to decide if it's worth the fight or just pay the $200. If you just roll over and pay it, expect to get screwed if there is ever another discrepancy in the future though. |