OT: Utility Situation UPDATE

Got my 2nd bill and the difference is striking:

Kilowatt Hours: 237 (vs. last month "1,433")

Water, Gallons: 610 (vs. last month "3,690")

However, when I went to the city office to pay the larger bill (which was
due today) and pointed out the discrepancy, and assuring them I will
eventually get to the bottom of this and prove that I did not use so much
water and power in March, they refused to waive the late payment penalty
which is imposed when one does not pay the entire bill by the due date. I
asked if I could pay half now, and spread the other half evenly over the
next 3-4 months, and avoid the penalty. The answer was no, I still have to
pay the penalty - which amounts to 10% of the entire bill.

sriddles...

So what's their explanation for the drastic decrease in the bill?
Magic? Or do they think you just unplugged everything? :-)

Pat...

They had no explanation to offer.

Sherry

There's for sure something fishy going on.... I did email that Dawson fellow
NMR suggested, at the Orlanda Sentinel, and he has not replied, or even
acknowledged the message. (From the website: "Greg doesn't mean to be rude,
but because of volume he can't respond to most calls and letters.")

I guess I really need to find the equivalent sort of person in this area.

EvelynVogtGamble(Divamanque)...

Suggestion: Try the phone first, of course, but if they
give you a run around, show up at the newspaper/TV studio in
person, and ask to see him/her. If you look "normal", not
like some sort of nut, you might have better luck that way.
(Sort of like meeting celebrities by hanging around the
stage door until they leave.)

Pat...

If I'm having trouble paying a $100 electric bill, where will I find the
cash to travel to Orlando? I think it's around a thousand miles away!

jmcquown...

I think Evelyn meant find out if there is such a person at the local TV
station and call them and/or drop in for a visit. One of the Memphis
stations has a person like this who does help people get issues resolved
when they are getting the run-around from the employees.

EvelynVogtGamble(Divamanque)...

You don't have a local newspaper or TV station? Is your

Pat...

How is asking a question "snapping"?

Pat...

There was no feeling or intention of rudeness on my part. Incredulity,
yes...

mayor in Orlando, too? (You might try camping out on HIS
doorstep, if all else fails.)

mlbriggs...

********
When you went to pay, whom did you talk to? The person at the cashier's
desk or the top person in the company? Try to talk to someone at the top
or as near the top as you can get. If you cannot do it there go to the
State Public Utilities Commission. Don't give up! MLB

Adrian A...

It's obvious to anyone that the first bill was wrong. It's a pity you don't
know what the meters said the day you moved in. Still sending lots of purrs
that you get this problem resolved.