Wannabe Wizard- Grab a coat- they turned my heat off

[Tucker]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x4742044

merwin  (1000+ posts)        Wed Dec-31-08 03:41 AM
Original message
Cascade Natural Gas shut off my gas today... a month after they increased their rates 25%
 Edited on Wed Dec-31-08 03:41 AM by merwin
I was like 45 days late due to my own mistake when switching from Microsoft Money to Quicken... missed the bill completely. We sent them a check through our online e-pay system that i use at my bank, check was delivered yesterday according to the E-Pay system.

I get home today and i have a notice hanging on my door saying that our gas has been shut off for non-payment of account.

They have a number to call, but they close at 5pm, and I got home at 6.

Right now my house is at 67 degrees. It's a really drafty house, especially in my 2 year old son's room. His room is usually a few degrees colder. It's supposed to be in 20's with wind chill tonight (40mph gusts). Should I call their emergency line and demand they come turn the damn thing back on?

(edit)
Here's the link to the post about the 25% increase
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...
 

Skittles  (1000+ posts)      Wed Dec-31-08 03:42 AM
Response to Original message
1. YES DEMAND THEY TURN IT BACK ON
 NOW!!!!!!!!

Yeah right. See where that'll get you.

merwin  (1000+ posts)        Wed Dec-31-08 04:15 AM
Response to Reply #3
5. I called and it wasn't because we were late on our gas payment.
 Edited on Wed Dec-31-08 04:17 AM by merwin
It is because we filed bankruptcy in late October, and they created a brand new account and charged us a $118 deposit that we had missed as it was along with the bill.

So basically, they charged me an arbitrary amount because they think i'm a risk (although I have always paid my bills with them), assess a fee, and use that to turn off my service? I mean, my wife ****ing called them and told them that we sent the check and when it would arrive.

They charge $60 to come out and turn it back on after hours, or wait until the morning.
 

 

aquart  (1000+ posts)      Wed Dec-31-08 05:51 AM
Response to Reply #5
11. Call every representative of any kind you have tomorrow.
 City, county, state, federal. Then call your local TV news and tell them. It relates to the bankruptcies of common people. It relates to the extortionate rate raise. You might get some interest. Because it looks like they're sneaking in extra fees.

The CEO of your gas company get a bonus this year?
 

midnight  (1000+ posts)       Wed Dec-31-08 06:34 AM
Response to Reply #5
15. Call your mayor......

lildreamer316  (1000+ posts)        Wed Dec-31-08 05:01 AM
Response to Original message
6. Do you have space heaters??
 We had to do that in our young son's room when we couldn't afford the oil bill.

Raise holy mufukin hell and call them first thing. Remind them you have a two year old. If that does not work, call the tv stations.
 

merwin  (1000+ posts)        Wed Dec-31-08 05:12 AM
Response to Reply #7
8. Cascade Natural Gas is a bunch of ****ers.
 I just checked WA state law and it's perfectly legal for them to shut you off for non-payment of a deposit (that was required only after filing bankruptcy, had a clean payment record before that) after 20 days. The only way you can avoid getting shut off is if you're low income and have gone through other steps.

The thing that pisses me off the most is that when they called my wife, she then told her that we missed the bill, got how much it was and said we would immediately send the check, and I sent out an E-Check that was scheduled to arrive yesterday.

They're going to demand a reconnect fee of $25, which I am going to bitch and moan about until they waive it. Not stop calling them.
 

merwin  (1000+ posts)        Wed Dec-31-08 06:17 AM
Response to Reply #12
13. I'm fine with the cold, it's my son that I'm worried about.
 He's in the 10th percentile for weight, pretty much skin and bones.

I didn't even notice that it had gone down from 72 (where my wife likes it) down to 67 (when I started this thread). And now it's at 65. So my son's room is probably about 62 degrees.

I'm going to head out into the crap rainy freezing cold windy weather we're having and try to find a space heater in the garage. Just how I wanted to spend my evening 

merwin  (1000+ posts)        Wed Dec-31-08 08:54 AM
Response to Reply #16
18. I checked the law, and technically it's legal, but
 unfortunately after bankruptcy they are allowed to impose a deposit and turn you off if not paid within 20 days of receipt. However, the spirit of the law was for customers who required utilities but owed lots of money to the utility company. Hell, even after Chapter 7, our credit score is still 650. We don't miss payments. We just couldn't afford our current debt because my wife and i both got laid off this year. Rent and utilities and such have been paid on time all the time.
 

What a screwed up thing he is.

Anybody remember this screed?

"I just had to cash out my 401k"


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=4542292

[Carl]

If the gas company was named as a creditor in the banruptcy filings then it is quite possible it would have been illegal for them to continue billing under the old account anyways.
It sounds as if the company did it a favor and no surprise the primitive screwed up.

What a useless lot they all are and as always about have the story has obviously been left out.

[DumbAss Tanker]

Should've actually read your bill, shit-for-brains.  Sucks to be you, able to afford a computer with ISP service, torn between two financial management software packages, AND BANKRUPT.  Get a clue...and some stamps.

[JohnnyReb]

They stiffed the gas company with the old bill....gas company opens them a new account....new account requires a $118 desposit.....they don't pay it.....and the gas company cuts them off......surprise.

[Texacon]

aquart  (1000+ posts)      Wed Dec-31-08 05:51 AM
Response to Reply #5
11. Call every representative of any kind you have tomorrow.
 City, county, state, federal. Then call your local TV news and tell them. It relates to the bankruptcies of common people. It relates to the extortionate rate raise. You might get some interest. Because it looks like they're sneaking in extra fees.

The CEO of your gas company get a bonus this year?

I sure hope so!  Anyone who can squeeze an additional $118 out of a bankruptcy has got to be an awesome CEO!   

KC

[Zeus]

If the gas company was named as a creditor in the banruptcy filings then it is quite possible it would have been illegal for them to continue billing under the old account anyways.
It sounds as if the company did it a favor and no surprise the primitive screwed up.

What a useless lot they all are and as always about have the story has obviously been left out.

Does kinda soundlike the gas company cut em some slack. Handed them the rope and by golly if they didn't loop it around their neck and jump.

I got a chuckle out of the I always pay my bills and filing bankruptcy.

[Tucker]

The Wannabe Wizard is a

[Chris_]

According to my expert in house, his bankruptcy had nothing to do with his gas being cut off.  They do not create a new account because of your personal financial mess.

He had to have been behind 2 - 3 months on his bill. He was sent a notice of shut off and ignored it period.  Now he's got no gas.

If he had called BEFORE they shut him off the gas company would have worked something out with him.

[thundley4]

I'm thinking it's a bouncy.  I'm pretty sure the power company can not shut off the gas for non-payment in the winter.  

[Chris_]

They don't if they can help it but you HAVE to call and make arrangements.  DUmmies think they are special and rules don't apply to them.

[USA4ME]

The primitive sounds like he's gonna shove his kid into the cold room regardless of the heating situation.

.

[BannedFromDU]

I'm thinking it's a bouncy.  I'm pretty sure the power company can not shut off the gas for non-payment in the winter.  

     It can be shut off, but it has to be because of complete nonpayment, eg, fraud. My guess is that this moron is so stupid that he, despite all of his bill-paying software, missed one of the most important bills you have in the winter.

     Other than the bill for hi-speed internet, that is. They NEVER miss that bill, do they?

[PatriotGame]

merwin  (1000+ posts)        Wed Dec-31-08 03:41 AM
Original message
Cascade Natural Gas shut off my gas today... a month after they increased their rates 25%
 Edited on Wed Dec-31-08 03:41 AM by merwin
I was like 45 days late due to my own mistake when switching from Microsoft Money to Quicken... missed the bill completely. We sent them a check through our online e-pay system that i use at my bank, check was delivered yesterday according to the E-Pay system.

I get home today and i have a notice hanging on my door saying that our gas has been shut off for non-payment of account

Yo Mystical Moron: Natural Gas is a carbon based fuel.
Gas - carbon footprint - Owl gWhore:
Do you part to reduce your carbon footprint, keep the gas off and bow to the gWhoracle in the east.

I could really care less if you freeze your ass off. However, if your child is harmed because of the temperature in your home, you should be arrested on charges of child abuse.

[PatriotGame]

merwin  (1000+ posts)        Wed Dec-31-08 06:17 AM
Response to Reply #12
13. I'm fine with the cold, it's my son that I'm worried about.
He's in the 10th percentile for weight, pretty much skin and bones

So much for that new age hippie diet of tofu dogs boiled in week old bong water.
If your son is that skinny you should be tossed on the hoosegow for child abuse.

[Tantal]

What? No mention of nationalizing the gas company??? The DUmmies are slipping.

[Tucker]

So much for that new age hippie diet of tofu dogs boiled in week old bong water.
If your son is that skinny you should be tossed on the hoosegow for child abuse.

Raising another effeminate moonbat. 

[NHSparky]

I know that here in NH during winter months, PSNH cannot turn off your electricity for non-payment unless your overdue balance is greater than $225 unless it's electrically heated, and then it goes to $450, and if you're over 65, it takes written authorization from the NH PUC.  So them getting cut off for what, $50?  I call bullshit.

Oh, and 67 degrees?  Cry me an effin river.  My house is at 60 at night, 68 when I'm there.  Boo-frickin-hoo.

[PatriotGame]

According to my expert in house, his bankruptcy had nothing to do with his gas being cut off.  They do not create a new account because of your personal financial mess.

He had to have been behind 2 - 3 months on his bill. He was sent a notice of shut off and ignored it period.  Now he's got no gas.

If he had called BEFORE they shut him off the gas company would have worked something out with him.

Exactly. They always do, they always do. The utilities will bend over backwards if you communicate regularly with them and work a financial payment plan that YOU can afford.

[PatriotGame]

"I just had to cash out my 401k"


http://www.democraticunde...=389&topic_id=4542292

The Dump: The gift that just keeps on giving.

[Atomic Lib Smasher]

I'm thinking it's a bouncy.  I'm pretty sure the power company can not shut off the gas for non-payment in the winter.  

That might only be here in Illinois, Thundley. Cilco does the same thing.


But yeah, this DUmmy can afford all the banking software, a lawyer for bankruptcy, but not his heating bill? And they wanna run the economy?  

[Texacon]

merwin  (1000+ posts)       
Wed Dec-31-08 07:57 AM
Response to Reply #17

19. This is the week that we're weaning him from that.
 He's getting a real bed for Christmas (comes a couple weeks late for this present), and is learning that he can't just sleep with mommy and daddy when he wakes up in the middle of the night, as I usually end up on the couch because I already have sleeping difficulties as it is (hence, the post at 5am).

We put our only space heater in his room, and i set my electric oven to clean mode, and we're up to 66 degrees in at least parts of the house. My son's room is probably nice and toasty again.

Ok, someone help me out here.  I think this is total bullshit.  Is there anyone here who has an electric oven that will turn on in 'Clean Mode' without locking the door on the oven??

KC

[BannedFromDU]

Ok, someone help me out here.  I think this is total bullshit.  Is there anyone here who has an electric oven that will turn on in 'Clean Mode' without locking the door on the oven??

KC

NO oven should work in clean mode with the door open...that might be per UL requirements, I think, specifically to avoid fire/asphxiation/etc. issues.

This is a complete bouncy, and a terrible one at that. This guy will start begging for money in 5...4...3...2...

[jukin]

They keep their thermostat at 72?  Again, the DUchebags with heat for me and not for thee.  Not very carbon neutral.

The gas company, I'm sure, sent out a red letter or an envelope that said IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED.  The DUmbass did nothing.

I bet that the DUmmy will remember to pay the gas bill next time.

[Carl]

They keep their thermostat at 72?  Again, the DUchebags with heat for me and not for thee.  Not very carbon neutral.

The gas company, I'm sure, sent out a red letter or an envelope that said IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED.  The DUmbass did nothing.

I bet that the DUmmy will remember to pay the gas bill next time.

Nope,they will DUmb Fu themselves again and will cry and whine how mistreated and oppressed they are.
Wonder though after Jan 20th what they will do when they can`t automatically blame President Bush for their every woe.

[USA4ME]

Wonder though after Jan 20th what they will do when they can`t automatically blame President Bush for their every woe.

They'll do it anyway.  It's all they've got.

.