SCE&G Being Screwed Over Hampton South Carolina
My fiance and I recently moved to Hampton, SC. After nearly a month of searching we finally found a house. We both signed the lease for the house and after meeting with the landlord, found that our power company was SCE&G. We both had outstanding balances with SCE&G. My outstanding bill was due to my separation with my ex where the power was in my name. This left me with over a $900 bill. When we went into our local SCE&G office, the representative there explained that we both had to go on the bill for power. With her bill and mine, including a $655 deposit, they explained that it was going to cost over $2000 to have power turned on. We obviously couldn't do this, which led to our break up. Even though I'm living back in Georgia and she is down in Hampton, she is still being told that she has to pay my past due balance before power cam be turned on. I'm not sure if I have ever seen such a misuse of power before in my life. Also, keep in mind that this company is allowed to monopolize the electrical market, being the only company that is allowed to service this address. I am at a loss for words concerning how upsetting this is. She has called the lease customer service hotline, but she is being told that they have to take the word of the representative over her. With these rules, this company can now control who lives in your house. How much power do these people need???
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Robert
Irvine,California,
USA
Good thing you didn't marry each other
#3Consumer Comment
Fri, August 07, 2015
We obviously couldn't do this, which led to our break up
- Be thankful you didn't marry each other, because there is a part of the wedding vows that talk about "better or worse". And if this caused you to break up, you wouldn't have lasted more than a few months..and had another "ex" to deal with.
Anyways back to the issue. There are 3 individuals/groups involved here, and 2 are the scammers. Do you want to guess which two? Well let me give you a hint, you see one in the mirror every morning and the other isn't the power company. That's right YOU and your latest "ex" have both scammed the power company for over $900 and over $400 respectivly. Of course you say it wasn't YOUR fault...but you see you were both on the bill so you are BOTH responsible. If it was your first "ex"'s fault take her to small claims and sue her.
If your latest "ex" doesn't want to be responsible for your bill, then get yourself off of the lease. But somehow I think that won't happen because I would not be shocked if the only way you could afford that place is by having you both on it and the landlord isn't that stupid either.
Oh and even if it wasn't a "monopoly" do you really think any other power company would turn the power on for you with this history? WRONG...even though they are public utilities the are not a charity and just like any other business will not take unneeded credit risks.
Perhaps it is time to "man-up"(or woman-up) and pay the bill you owe. Take a second job, sell some of your possessions, cut unneeded costs(such as cable or internet). You may be shocked how fast you could earn that $900.
Crucible
Arizona,USA
Really?
#3Consumer Comment
Thu, August 06, 2015
" Also, keep in mind that this company is allowed to monopolize the electrical market, "
Actually, that is something that you and your fiance should have kept in mind before you (each) stiffed them the first time.
"How much power do these people need???"
They aren't called a power company for no reason.