• “The fight isn’t over until you win it, Fitz. That’s all you have to remember. No matter what the other man says.” ― Robin Hobb, Royal Assassin

I am sorry for taking so long to post an update regarding the prior post.  Not only I have been extra busy, but I wanted to have a resolution first.

After getting that crazy large bill, I went back and forth with different representatives at Con Edison (ConEd).  They were telling me that the bill was correct and I was telling them that it was impossible no matter how cold this winter had been.  The total bill for the prior 12 months was $2,040.00. How can only 3 months (with a 4th on the way) be $2,651.31?

Eventually a rep agreed to schedule an appointment for a technician to come to my condo and look at the meter.  The next available appointment was April 4^th.  This was March 5^th.  It meant that I had to wait a whole month.  Eventually they moved up a few days and scheduled for March 30^th.  Still I couldn’t imagine waiting that long to get this resolved.

So, for the next couple of days I wrecked my brain trying to figure out what could be wrong.  This was crazy, especially considering I had just spent 15K on a brand new HVAC system a few months prior.  I originally thought that my bill was held up because it was extremely low.

On Saturday March 8, I woke up and decided to call the HVAC company and have them come back and check the new system.  Perhaps it could be something with the new system.  They originally want to send a technician on Monday, I insisted that it had to be the same day.

The technician came and eventually found a broken wire behind the wall that was causing the system to run non-stop.  Coincidence or they make a mistake when they installed?  I don’t know.  The owner of the company questioned why I didn’t call after the first high bill.  I said I never got a first high bill and that is exactly why I think ConEd was negligent and at fault.

I contacted ConEd, canceled the appointment and explained that the problem had been fixed.  I asked them to adjust the bill based on the following points:

• They were negligent in not generating a bill
• I had to call and email numerous times for them to produce a bill
• All their representatives kept assuring that all was fine and that a bill eventually would be generated
• Only when I threatened to file a complaint with the state they generated a bill
• Had I received the first high bill I would have started troubleshooting and would have contacted my HVAC person right away and not incurred additional bills
• The fact that they are not responsive, taking multiple calls and emails to eventually get their attention

After many more emails ConEd proposed a payment plan: 15% down and 12 equal installments on top of the regular bill.   I didn’t accept that.  To me an adjustment in the bill was in order.

This whole situation was really stressful to me.  I like things resolved and not in limbo.  I considered just paying and putting it behind me, since I believe that sometimes it is easier to throw money at a problem.  But it didn’t feel right to just pay it.  So I kept insisting with ConEd that they had some fault in the situation.

After many back and forth emails, I was getting nowhere so I filed a complaint online with NYSDPS – New York State Department of Public Service.  The same day I received a call from ConEd’s executive office.  They had received the complaint and wanted to talk about it.  I explained the situation and they said it was the norm to stop sending bills when the usage is extremely high, so they can review the bill.  I countered with the fact that they should inform the customer of that, and not assure the customer that all was fine. I also mentioned that it seems tricky and disingenuous to let a high bill keep going and then offer a payment plan as if they are doing us any big favors.

Eventually the lady on the phone apologized and offered me a $390.00 discount on the bill. I said that that was not enough.  She asked how much I wanted and I said: $1,700.   She said the most that she could offer me was $750.00, and a payment plan for the rest of the bill.  I accepted that.  I have the feeling that I could have gotten exactly what I wanted and deserved, but I didn’t have the energy to continue to pursue this, and honestly this feels like a win.

So they adjusted the bill.  Since I had already paid the first large bill, as a sign of good faith,  they said I didn’t have to give a payment down and could just pay the balance in 12 equal installments on top of the regular bill.  I chose to pay a large payment down and then have the remainder in 10 payments.

Dealing with NY state has been very positive. If ConEd and I wouldn’t have come to agreement then NY State would have stepped in. I am not sure what the result would be if that was case.

There are so many lessons here.  I am still learning them.  Hindsight is 20/20, so I can see how I could have done more, but I am proud of myself for the continued pressure for ConEd to generate a bill, for troubleshooting and for not just accepting a payment plan.

I am glad this is done and I can mentally move on to other things.  Thank you all for your support and for the guidance!

“There are five important things for living a successful and fulfilling life: never stop dreaming, never stop believing, never give up, never stop trying, and never stop learning.” ― Roy Bennett