Complaint Review: Orange And Rockland Utility Company

Orange/Rockland Electric had a fire in their plant and then within days a squirrel ate through a wire and both times we had a black out from 8 to 25 hours.

Lost everything in refrigerator

Called Orange Rockland Electric about the loss. I asked how one gets reimbursed for their loss which was nearly $400. I just bought everything for a weekend party. This house is basically used as a country weekend house.

The rep from Orange electric told me exactly what to do.

Take a picture of the loss - did it
Write down everything that was lost - did it
Replace all the items and send them the receipt - did it

I did all of the above. Followed the letter of their law.

Two weeks later I received a letter stating they are not paying for the items lost. The fire was not their fault, they are very well protected by their own rules.

I am not asking for the money back due to the fire. I AM ASKING FOR THE REIMBURSEMENT BECAUSE I WAS TOLD BY THEIR REP WHAT TO DO AND DID IT. I would have never replaced all my loss. Now I spent $400 twice and do not have that money to waste. AGAIN, THEY SHOULD BE HELD LIABLE FOR WHAT THE UTILITY USER IS TOLD.

To add salt to the wound.., the legal dept.,... the attorney told me that their reps due not have to disclose in advance that the consumer might not get reimbursed and in fact repeated exactly what their representative stated. They never used the if... or maybe.

I received a letter from the VP of O/R Electric stating they heard the tape. I wrote back immediately that I want a copy of the recorded tape I called 3 x and I offered to fill out an OPRA report and I never recevied any response. I called and left a message with their attorney as well that I want a copy of the recorded and no response.

I wrote to Consumer Affairs, Consumer Advocate, Politicians and TV Stations and no one will help me. In fact their is not one Dept in the State of NY that protects the consumer with utility companies. Not one... I have all letters.

We have no choice what utility company to use...

Can someone please care enough to help. Again. It is not the fire, nor the squirrel. It is the fact they they are NOT INFORMING their customer what to do and never DISCLOSE that they MIGHT not get reimbursed. I was MISLED, I was LIED too.. they are misleading the public and if nothing else that has to stop.

Thank you

Fran
Forestburgh, New York
U.S.A.