Universal Gas Corporation Yes I sign up they saiod it would lower my consumer bill come to find up my bill up. Michigan
Yes I am warning people not to sign up with Universal Gas because. They are a rip off they keep scam people and that is not fair. I think ever body should get their money back this is what happen to me a man knock on my door. He told me who he is he told me let me see your bill so. I let him see it then he said yes you can sign up your bill would stay the same and it would lower your bill so I said yes so my bill jump from $200.00 dollars to $500.00 dollars then they are going to tell me in order for me to canel I have to pay $250.00 then I told them I am handicap so they said I show proof they would go on and canel with me paying the $250.00. I still think this is wrong bad is it is gas high every thing going up I think it is not far for them even doing this to people and consumer all ready high then when you call them and tell them your problem when ask them why I was charge this much they can't even give you a answer when you ask them why my bill so high you know what they told me that is not they problem.
Quette
Mount Morris, Michigan
U.S.A.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Jo Jo
Bay City,Michigan,
U.S.A.
Take time to understand the program before criticizing
#2UPDATE Employee
Sat, March 29, 2008
In response to Quette's comment, "my bill jump from $200.00 dollars to $500.00 dollars..."
THIS IS BLATANTLY FALSE. First, the most that a customer's rate could have increased would have been 37%, based upon Consumer Energy's lowest recent rate of $0.76714, and Universal's five-year rate of $1.049. However, even a 37% increase would be less than the average increase for all gas prices in Mt. Morris over the last five years.
In response to Quette's comment, "he said yes you can sign up your bill would stay the same and it would lower your bill..."
So, did he say your bill would stay the same?...or did he say it would lower your bill? It sounds like you don't really remember what was said. So, I will briefly explain the program.
GAS PRICES HAVE TRIPLED OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS and Universal Gas & Electric is going to protect your price at $1.049 per Ccf for the next five years. If you enrolled before February 2008, then, INITIALLY, your protected price is higher than your utility company's price. (Because it is a fixed rate for five years.) That means your first few bills will be higher than normal. HOWEVER, GAS PRICES RISE. It is only a matter of time before your utility company's price reaches and surpasses your protected price.
Here are gas prices for Consumer Energy for the last three months (per Ccf):
February 2008 $0.76859
March 2008 $0.76934
April 2008 $0.89547 (12.613 cent increase = 16.4% increase)
May 2008 ???
Since February 2008, Universal Gas & Electric guarantees your price at $1.049 per Ccf for the next five years, with an introductory rate of $0.839 per Ccf for the first three months. What that means is that if a person signed up today, they could actually enjoy a DISCOUNT period through the summer.
As of today, the most a Consumer Energy customer would pay is 17.1% more.
So, when making a decision to enroll with Universal, you have to ask yourself if you believe gas prices will increase 17.1% over the next 5 years. Looking at historical gas prices could help aid your decision.
For example, in April 2001:
Consumers Energy charged $0.28364 per Ccf. Their gas price has INCREASED 316% OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS.
Quette, what evidence do you have that you will not save money with the program? JUST BECAUSE YOUR FIRST FEW BILLS ARE HIGHER DOES NOT MEAN YOU ARE NOT GOING TO SAVE MONEY!
Consumer Energy rates are now at $0.89547 per Ccf. In the last month, rates have went up 12.613 cents (16.4%). What do you think those rates will be five years from now? If you simply continue the trend of gas prices from the past five years, then five years from now Consumers Energy rates would be around $2.167 per Ccf.
Your protected rate is $1.049 per Ccf. Doesn't that rate look favorable right now? Wouldn't you want to be paying $1.049 per Ccf in the year 2013?!
In response to Quette's comment, "They are a rip off they keep scam people and that is not fair."
What's not fair is that someone can post a complaint about a company on an Internet message board and not assume any responsibility themselves.
In addition to what the agent told you Quette, you:
1.) Signed a contract that specifically stated the program details.
2.) Were provided a copy of the contract and New Customer User Guide (same day) that explained the program in even more detail.
3.) Received a verification phone call (same day) that ensured that the agent was professional, wore his identification, explained the program properly, and that YOU UNDERSTOOD THE PROGRAM DETAILS.
4.) Received a Welcome Letter (within 2 weeks) that further explained the program details.
5.) You also had a 30 day unconditional cancellation period that you could have exercised by oral or written consent if you did not want the program.
Quette, while it is virtually impossible to know what was actually said vs. what you interpreted as being said, one thing is clear. You had numerous chances to become familiar with the program and, in fact, through signing the contract, passing the verification phone call, and not canceling in 30 days, expressly consented to understanding the program.
So, either:
1.) You did understand the program and believed it would save you money (thus reinforcing what you claim the agent said) or,
2.) You did not understand the program, yet consented numerous times to having understood the program.
-If 1.) above is true, then I don't understand why you are posting a complaint on ripoffreport.com
-If 2.) above is true, then why are you singling out blame on the agent? You are the one fraudulently misrepresenting your understanding of the agreement to Universal Gas & Electric.