Electrical District #3 OUTRAGEOUS CHARGES! NOT WILLING TO WORK WITH YOU TO KEEP YOUR ELECTRIC ON! Maricopa Arizona
Before I moved to Maricopa, I was told that utility charges would be high (water. electric). That being understood, I must say that I have never dealt with such a horrible, monopolistic, rude, inconsiderate company as Electrical District #3.
I live alone in a smaller home. I keep my thermostat at 80 degress for most of the summer. I have no pool or anything that would have a large draw on the power, yet my bills are consistently in the $300 range per month. $300 dollars? Really? Electrical District #3 is aware they have a monopoly on the electricty here and charge ridiculous rates to prove it. They are ripping of the people of Maricopa.
That leads me to my next point. Not only are the rates high, but they have no regard for life circumstances (losing job). If you cannot pay by their terms they will cut your service immediately. They are not willing to let you make arrangements that will fit your financial circumstances. It doesn't matter if you've paid regularly in the past. Apparentlly, it doesn't matter if someone elderly is in the home or if you have infants or pets in 115 degree temperatures.
Off your service goes. They also will add a $50 recconect fee and a $50 deposit to the already ridiculous charges. You must pay it all, up front before your service will be reconnected. The customer service agents are rude and uncaring. I was told to go to Salvation Army if I needed help paying my bill. The Salvation Army?
My current bill was due on the 8th. They called me on the 6th and said if I didn't pay the current amount that day (the 6th) by 5pm, my service would be disconnected immediately. What??? The bill wasn't even due yet. Their reply was that it was part of my repayment agreement that couldn't be changed. A payment agreement that they set up, not me.
Living in Maricopa is nice. The utility companies are not. I can't wait to move away from Maricopa at the end of the month!
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Robert
Irvine,California,
Really?
#3Consumer Comment
Mon, September 09, 2013
So first off you are told that your rates are going to be higher, and seemed shocked when you move and your bill hits $300. Well first off just doing a quick search I will take your "higher" rates any day. According to their updated schedule you are paying $0.0915/kWh. To give you a comparison..where I am I am paying $0.013/kWh but it can increase up to $0.31/kWh depending on how much electricity I use. So let's see 9 Cents vs. 13+ Cents..yea you sure seem to be getting Ripped Off.
Of course since we have no idea where you are coming from, or the exact situation who knows if the rates are actually higher or you are just using more electricity. After all even though you are keeping your house at 80 degrees..that is still 30-35 degrees cooler than it is outside. Perhaps this house has worse insulation or is situated in such a way that causes the A/C to be no more. Perhaps you have an older A/C Unit, one just 10-15 years old could use as much as 25% more electicity than a newer model.
But then we get to the real issue. You are late and upset at them that they won't let you basically pay what you want when you want. Well here is the facts..they are not Charities they beleive it or not are a business. It doesn't matter what utiity you go to..yes even the utility in the next city you move to would treat you the same way.
Oh and as for your Reconnect fee and Deposit. You are getting off easy compared to other utilities. You can read many reports where people have been required to put down a several hundred dollar deposit for just being late. Yet you are complaining about a $50 deposit after being disconnected? Oh and one final thing on this..because of your payment history with this utility, expect your next utility to require a substantial deposit before they will even start up service for you.
Ken
Colorado,You were told rates would be higher, but moved anyway...
#3Consumer Comment
Sat, September 07, 2013
Here's a question for you..why would a utility be obligated in any way to forgive late payments because of any or all of your "situations?"
If you (or anyone else) doesn't pay their bill others will ultimately have to make up the difference so the company remains profitable and in business. They are NOT a non-profit organization. Call Obama about it, he is heavily into socialism (those that have paying for those who can't/won't).
I positively assure you, any other utility will operate exactly the same way. It would be impossible to administer accounts by noting every customers medical, financial, or other "circumstances." Sorry for your hard times, but that's as far as that goes, I don't want to pay ANY of what you don't pay.