power bill (long rant)

**ttistin** · 08-18-2010, 11:52 AM

We got behind at the last house we were living at and they put us on a payment agreement for it. Well out of no where we got a disconnection notice the other day for $564 to get us caught up on the payment agreement. (We got behind on it when dh was out of work with his back and didn't get a regular paycheck for over 2 months) I just sent in a payment of $144 that was also a disconnection to get us caught up on the payment agreement. So I don't understand why we got 2 disconnection notices in one month both saying to get us caught up on the payment agreement.

So we call them up and from what they said (we called 4 times in 2 days) we got behind on our payment agreement and this is to catch us up. We got no notice or bill for it, just a disconnection. We were also informed that we are off the budget billing. Again we received nothing informing us of this.

So after trying to get them to work with us on it and them saying no the only thing we can do is take the money we had put aside for kids school supplies and cloths, the money to fix the car and the little we had to get the things we need for the new baby to pay the bill.

While we were on the phone yesterday with them the guy mentions that our next bill is due on the 26th and it is $433. After trying to get him to understand my question (why is it so high) he finally tells me it is an actual reading for the month. They had guessed last month and only charged us $44 so this was an actual reading.

We don't understand how it is that high. We don't have any air conditioners, we had unplugged the extra fridge a couple months ago. I always go behind the kids to make sure they shut tv and lights off. Never has a bill been that high no matter where we have lived. Even in Alabama when we had the central air and it was over 100 out and I kept the air on 68 was it over $200.

I have no way to pay this bill. We just started a budget and I had put the power at $200 thinking it would be a little extra but it would be ok for a little extra there. The only way I can figure the extra for it a month (if it stays that high) is to pay one bill one month and then another bill the next month but then we have the late charge on it and I am trying to get away from that.

So we have school starting in a few weeks, no school supplies and no money to get them. My oldest turns 12 on the 11th and no money to get him anything.

The only good thing is that I was informed last week that dh's sisters are giving us a baby shower, so that will help out with the baby somewhat.

I know we will get through this and everything will work out but I just don't understand how they can expect us to pay over $1100 in one month. I am trying to get our bills down and then we are surprised with this. Very frustrating

Sorry this is so long

**Momto5RN** · 08-18-2010, 12:23 PM

i wonder if they are counting something that is previously due in that # .
can you look at your account online somehow ?

**angelbumpkin** · 08-18-2010, 01:01 PM

Is it possible to have them test meter or can you or DH read the meter your selves to see if the number even remotely match up.

Pray for you.

**stinkbug** · 08-18-2010, 01:04 PM

I think you need to go down and talk to them and see it all in writing on your account. I hope you have been keeping records of what you have paid?? I'd also question that 433.00??? WTH? I live in 3400 sq ft and have been running the A/C at 74 degrees, and we run a pond pump 24/7...my bill was 146.00.

**frugal is fun** · 08-18-2010, 01:16 PM

I don't work for a electric company but I work for a water company and it is our policy that if a customer is past due and calls to makes payment arrangements and then doesn't keep them, they get shut. i don't believe we renotice, I could be wrong but I don't think so.

I would go down and talk to someone in person and get all the readings, payments and amounts you owe and try to work another payment arrangement.

good luck!

**ttistin** · 08-18-2010, 01:21 PM

I looked online and it will only let me look at this bill, shows amount for the last ones but no details. go figure. Dh and I are going to start reading the meter each month and send in the number ourselves. The one guy I talked to about the $433 bill had me go out and read it and he said it was just a little higher then the reading they had, so it was right.

I have no idea where to go to talk to anyone, they only have the number to call to talk to someone. Which is a good thing cause dh was ready to go off on someone about this the other day lol

We live on a farm, it is supposed to be where the barn is separate then the house. The pool runs off the house but we unplugged that almost a month ago cause the landlord has not bought any chemicals for it in a long time and there was no since in running it for no reason. All I can think of is that somehow they are charging us for the barn also. Something is not adding up to me about this.

**ttistin** · 08-18-2010, 01:50 PM

They won't do anything with the payment agreement until we pay it off, which by the agreement is in November. The only thing that it says on the bills is that if the power is shut off they will take us off the agreement and it will all be due before it is turned back on, also that they will take us off the budget billing. Our power has not been turned off, they did take us off the budget but according to the 4 people we talked to (one being a supervisor) is that we are still on the payment agreement.

I just don't understand how they can send us 2 bills in one month, each saying it is for the payment agreement for such a different amount and have it be a disconnection notice without any kind of a notice before this.

**McD** · 08-18-2010, 02:07 PM

You mentioned that they took you off of budget billing--were they underbilling during the budget billing?

**NikoSan999** · 08-18-2010, 02:11 PM

Originally Posted by MrsMcDowell

You mentioned that they took you off of budget billing--were they underbilling during the budget billing?

Excellent thought! Especially since the one was only $44. Could be they underbilled and with this extreme heat everyone is having it was WAY underestimated and now they are calling it all in.

**alotofgooddeals** · 08-18-2010, 04:15 PM

Sometimes life's sucks but as one of my friends have said... keep thinking positive cause it has to change sometime...
I try to keep positive but i have to make a decision on whether to pay the electric or send some in on the house payment.....i go back full time August 26th....but am so far behind from working just a few hours a week this summer....so....i am going to stay positive and dig out the generator.... just in case.......

**JanieD** · 08-18-2010, 04:22 PM

Sorry you're having to deal with this. Not sure exactly what is going on, but have a few thoughts that may help. Could they have you under 2 accounts (one per address)? Sounds like you recently moved & this could be part of the issue/confusion resulting in 2 notices a month. Also, the change in the billed amount for this month could be the past due amount plus the budget amt (to keep you from getting further behind & get you back on track for the next month). Example you are past due $400 & your budget amt is $150, current bill $550 to get you "caught up". Keep in mind budget billing & how companies handle past dues can vary greatly. I hope you are able to convince them to work with you.
Definitely start reading your meter on a daily basis (same time each day). It can help you to recognize problems in the future. Is there anyway to find out what last year's usage was? Our bill has a chart w/usage for the past 12 months. Prior usage gives you a good reference point to know what is "normal". Good luck getting this cleared up quickly!