- Report: #1221036
Complaint Review: Chesapeake Gas - Salisbury Maryland
Reported By:
cold shower diva -
salisbury, Maryland, USA
Submitted:
Updated:
-
Author Not Confirmed
Why?
Chesapeake Gas
32145 Beaver Run Rd Salisbury, 21804 Maryland, USA
Phone:
800-427-0015
Web:
http://www.chpkgas.com/
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Business Rating:
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Chesapeake Gas Chesapeake Utilities /Delmarva Natural Gas Refused Payment Plans even though they know I am on assistance. Salisbury Maryland
Even though this company knew I was unemployed and on a fixed income as well as they are the only utility that got paid throughout the last six months, they have refused to do what they were supposed to do when I got a grant to pay for my gas. They also refused to put me on the monthly payment plan even though I was receiving a grant from Shore Up. When I gave them the voucher they still stated they were going to shut me off if I didn't pay their $220 deposit! So I borrowed money from my relatives who gave me half of their food money because they're on Social Security. And this is now TWO trips to their office. When I paid this, they again demanded another $150.00 even though they KNEW I did not have it or else they would 'cut me off.'
The supervisor relented and I paid my $150 on the agreed upon date as I promised.
They knew the bills were unusually high - and I have been keeping my indoor temp at 60 degrees yet, my bills continued to be $279 a month (at the least.) They knew they were supposed to put me on the payment budget plan but failed to do so, stating it was after January 1. However, they knew I was getting a grant long before January 1. Long before.
After months of going back and forth, today they shut off my services, which includes hot water. Basically, my advice to anyone living in Salisbury who wants to rent an apartment or house, make SURE the heat and hot water are not GAS. Make sure they are electric.
On the multiple trips to the gas company to pay their 'money' I head people on the phone with customers, directing them to Shore Up, the Joseph House, Missionaries etc. and this is not a one time event. This is all the same schultz they told me. And I heard several calls like this as well as witnessed them refusing service to people without paying some exorbinate amount of deposit for their accout to be turned on.
And this company is a MONOPOLY in the area. They have no competitor, so if you are unlucky enough to rent some place that has heat and hot water by gas, you're out of luck to get any services from anyone else.
So, they're a monopoly in a huge gas conglomerate actually based out of Pennsyvania and they extort customers during the winter months when the outside temps are in the single digits and snow on the ground.
And for the naysayers, yes, my landlord had my heating unit and water heater checked - cleared by her repair guy. I've talked to him, and he was surprised my bills were so high, A) because I am keeping my temp so low and B) because the bill was higher than when 5 people lived in my same place. Plus everyone in my building complains about the high prices of this company (who has no competition to keep them in check.)
I have heard on their recording they are under Piper Utilities but who the heck knows who they are because there's so many 'company names' on their bill, it's ridiculous.
Consumer beware. If you can help it, don't rent from any place that has this company supply heating.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Robert
Irvine,California,
USA
A little PS or BS
#2Consumer Comment
Wed, April 08, 2015
You say your bill in September was for $35 and in your words was the same "scenario".
Well sorry to tell you but it wasn't. In September you were not having "single digit" tempertatures, in fact it was probably a good 70+ degrees warmer. Perhaps you are using more hot water than in September. Or you may have actually found the issue. If the Water Heater is older it may not have good insulation. So it looses it's heat a lot quicker than a newer Water Heater would because of colder temperatures. If it looses heat quicker, it will take more gas to maintain the hot water.
If your landlord hasn't done so already, perhaps have them put an insulation wrap around the tank.
You infer that their equipment is wrong. Okay, so did this repairman check their equipment? He should have tools that would be able to verify if the meter is working correctly.
Finally you mention you are trying to keep your temperature at 60 degrees. Okay so if the outside temp is say 10 degrees that is still a 50 degree difference. But say the temperature is 40 degrees and you "boost" it up to 68...that is only a 28 degree difference. So yes even though you have "lowered" the temperature, your heater is still working harder because of the outside temperature.
A Little PS
#3Author of original report
Wed, April 08, 2015
While the money they want is $565.55, now they tell me that for the hot water heater alone, they want $168. Yes, one month, heat off, and the only thing drawing gas is the hot water heater - for ONE person is billing at $168. Need I say more? This is a complete rip off. Just disgusting. Yet, to them, their equipment is never wrong. Right. When I had the same scenario in September, my bill was $35 and change.
