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“It’s that sense of powerlessness that destroyed my soul. I cannot be as good as I would like to be, nor as bad as I think I need to be. I think you have the same doubts that your goodness was not rewarded” ― P
I moved to Florida but I still have my apartment in NY, that my sister resides in.
We noticed that we stopped receiving the electric bill in December. Since then I have been calling ConEdison and asking them for a bill. Finally 2 days ago I threatened to file a complaint with the state and they finally sent me the bill.
Originally there was only the dollar amount and there was no bills attached to it, then the 3 bills were uploaded. It was eerie because I was logged into my account when I saw the bills changing from zero right in front of my eyes.
I almost fell off my chair. Keep in mind that for the entire year period of Nov24 through Nov25 the total for 12 months was $2,005.00.
Below is what they are saying I owe now for 3 months:
I wrote them again and they replied that it was based on actual reading so that is correct.
Of course I replied that clearly something is wrong with the meter because a bill this large is ridiculous. Also, it was based on pictures I provided and not on actual reading.
My sister lives alone, works out of the home, so she is only there at night and weekends. She takes cold showers (I know, crazy!), and is extremely aware of keeping bills low, specially growing up in Brazil.
They replied again mentioning the cold winter we are having in the east. I wrote again, asking for a review or someone that I can talk to. So now I am waiting to hear from them again to decide what my next step will be.
This is extremely frustrating and it makes me anxious. It triggers the feeling of powerlessness and lack of control. It is not the money, but the idea of unfairness, of being wronged.
Has anyone experienced anything like this? How was it resolved?
Thank you for letting me vent.
Blessed with a Star on the Forehead 
Ugh, it sounds awful. But it seems like today whenever we need to talk to someone we get someone who has no authority, doesn’t care, and won’t respond to the caller as person to person, but like an automaton. I’m actually getting sick of it. The ironic thing is that I grew up where the expression about bureaucracy was, “We’re going the way of Brazil,” as if Brazil had a monopoly on big government and slow mail. Now of course we have that in the U.S., whether Brazil did/does or not.
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There is zero customer service lately. Gone were the times that you would ask for a manager and get the matter resolved.
Representatives normally have no idea of what they are talking about and no interest either. It is disappointing.
haha “We’re going the way of Brazil,” – interesting and kind of true. Mail is slow and often never arrives; and corruption runs rampant. It is sad because it is such a beautiful country with amazing, friendly and live-loving people.
Thank you for stopping by and a blessed weekend to you!
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Zero customer service and bad attitudes. Yes! That is really sad. I have never been to Brazil, but the photos are amazing.
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Indeed!
I intend to travel more in Brazil, I have to only a few places outside of where my family is.
Blessings!
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I’m on an ‘equal’ payment plan, so the bill is the same each month. If I use less power, at the end of the year I receive a credit. If I use more power (which was the case because of the current cold snap) I will have to pay an additional fee. The additional fee is no way as large as they are asking you to pay. You really need to speak to a person that can review the cost for each month before you pay.
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I never wanted to do the equal payment plan because I was always afraid of getting a surprise huge bill in the end.
But maybe I will look into after this matter is resolved.
Thank you for stopping by and relating your experience. Have a blessed weekend!
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You as well…
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♥♥♥
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Interesting read.
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trying situation 😦
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All I can say is keep fighting!
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oh yes, that is my plan! 🙂
Blessings!
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That is insane and don’t give up, definitely fight it
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Exactly, I can’t believe they keep saying that it is accurate.
I will definitely continue fighting it.
Blessings!
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Customer service has unfortunately gone down the drain. 20-30 years ago, you could talk to people and get things resolved. Customer service was still something that existed and companies took pride in. Today everything is automated answering machines, internet sites that are highly confusing, and if you get to talk to someone they are not interested in helping you, or can’t, like you say. I’ve run into horrible company bureaucracies myself and sometimes I’ve lost and sometimes I’ve won. I don’t have a good suggestion other than being persistent. Show them you cannot be dismissed so easily.
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Hi Thomas,
So right! I miss those times when the customer was always right and the simple mention of “I want to talk to a manager” would get the issue resolved right away.
Now it takes forever to get a live person on the phone and often is someone that it is just following a script of avoidance, and make sure we go away.
I am persisting… I am certainly losing sleep over it. 😦
Thank you and a blessed weekend to you!
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“following a script of avoidance” is a great way to put it. They want money from customers/clients but they don’t want to deal them. A big change from the way it used to be. Have a blessed weekend you too.
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Thank you! 🙂
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I agree. There is no customer service anymore! it is automated and when you get someone, they are not very helpful or empathetic. I wish you luck and patience.
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Hi Clay,
Thank you for the good wishes.
I am an Aries, and we are not known for our patience skills.
I often say: if I have a problem I just want to punch it in the face and get it resolved. But now, I have to wait and to depend on others.
So, thank you for the wishes of luck and patience – both much needed.
Blessings!
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Wow, that is nuts. Definitely something off and you’re good to appeal it and demand a closer look. Good luck, Ana!
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Thank you so much Ab.
I am losing sleep over it. I just want it resolved.
Wishing you a blessed weekend! ♥
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I can only imagine. I hope it is resolved to your satisfaction soon!
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Thank you for the good wishes! I have faith 🙂
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That is terrible, keep on it, there is a mistake obviously somewhere.
I read my meter myself every Sunday so if a surprise comes I have it all documented.
I do hope you can sort it. Check all the breakdown of units etc and standing charges and work it out yourself. Your sister can give you the readings surely. Keep on it! All the best xx
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Hi Ute,
Definitely something is off somewhere, but everyone is using the excuse that it has been very cold in the Eastern US this winter.
Unfortunately it is an apartment building where the meter are locked away in the basement, but I will definitely ask the building’s super if I can read it myself every week.
I have done so much research and investigation into this I could write a book.
I will be posting more information.
Wishing you a blessed weekend! ♥
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The NYS Department of Public Service helps consumers with utility bill issues. Here’s a link to their complaint form: https://dps.ny.gov/file-complaint Wishing you the best of luck!—Bobbi
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Hi Bo,
Thank you so much! That will be my next step!
Blessings!
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I have had my share of problems like this. It is tough standing up to large corporations such as Duke Energy and Townsend. I didn’t always win even though I was absolutely in the right and even though I had witnesses and pictures as proof. No question I was in the right. But I had to pick which battle to continue for my own wellbeing. I just handed it over to karma and God’s judgment.
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Hi Andi,
I agree with you, it gets to a point that we have to choose our sanity over the principal.
I am a big fan of letting go and letting God on matters that I feel it has gotten out of my control.
I will be making a post with some updates on that matter. But I am still anxious and wanting to get to a conclusion asap.
Blessings to you! ♥♥
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that is dreadful: I’ve had battles like this in the past over an unexplained cut to my pension: in the end it resolved but it kept me on tenterhooks for a while; this too will resolve —
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Hi John,
I am glad your issue got resolved.
I know my problem will eventually get resolved as well. I just hope that it will be to my satisfaction and not too expensive 🙂
Wishing you a blessed weekend! ♥♥
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thanks; you too 🙂
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