Righteous1
gg,#2Consumer Comment
Sun, January 29, 2012
Amanda, Flynrider DID answer you correctly. Normal comprehension requires YOU the reader to step outside of yourself and be able to grasp objectively the information relayed.
It makes sense after reading your response that you are unable to "comprehend" or in any way be WILLING to hear out folks who are giving valid response to aide you.
So Contact Your State Authority to see what avenue you can file for complaint. And by the Looks of where you are located- YOU DO HAVE A CHOICE IN PROVIDERS. Go check out the web and see for yourself. They de-regulated the system over a year ago so you are more then welcome to shop around, that is ...after you accept that as a new customer you may be asked to surrender a deposit.
Hire an attorney if you are that gong h*o on using location as their premise for demanding deposit.
They require one and you simply are taking it personally instead of from a NEW Client stand point.
Amanda
Birdsboro,#3Author of original report
Sun, January 29, 2012
Did you happen to read any part of the beginning of my post before you went off on me about credit "being THE point"? The part where, oh I don't know, two separate employees told me the deposit had nothing to do with credit when I suggested running my fiance?
I UNDERSTAND how they're getting the deposit but I've never heard of anything like it. PP&L didn't hit me with that with that crap when I was a new customer with them. If you want to have a security deposit based on whatever you feel like then fine, do it. But the electric company isn't a cell phone company (which by the way at&t didn't require a deposit for my credit) or any company like that where if you get hit with a deposit you have a choice: be it a choice to pay it, shop around, or just walk away entirely. The elecctric company is the sole provider in the area--you want electric you play by their rules. So preach about expected usage all you want, but I'll never think it's right. The very definition of a security deposit is to protect the seller/provider from nonpayment/damages. Should a deposit then not be based upon your previous history paying your electric bill, even if it is with another company? Maybe you grew up in the world of not doing anything wrong, someone assuming you will and imposing a fee on you because of it but I certainly didn't.
Righteous1
gg,#4Consumer Comment
Sat, January 28, 2012
Actually you are wrong Steve.
each New established account cannot be based on Previous Electric Resident Consumption. New account means just that. If the previous owner had a small business operation going on within the resident that used way more ...then its a justified consumption....but no they cannot "charge" or "Guestimate" what the new electric account holder will consume BEFORE even creating an established history.
The One poster was very accurate in deciphering and making it reasonable for the complainer to grasp the "FACTUAL" reasons that a utility company can require a Security Deposit.
To the Original Person who wrote this report, COntact The State Board for Utilities, They can still regulate how Utilities are to maintain. They may best be able to answer your questions and provide you with avenues to take if you do think you have a complaint against this business.
I have Met Ed and they are not "consumer" friendly but by golly they sure dont want anyone snooping and questioning them from an accounting stand point....After all its never told how much interest is made off of them Collecting the Security Deposit that may or may not be returned to you ....
Steve
USA#5Consumer Comment
Sat, January 28, 2012
The utility company needs the deposit to be in line with how much your monthly bill will be. Where you are living ABSOLUTELY has an impact on how much that will be. For example, if there is crappy insulation, or the place is huge, you will generally spend more than if you lived in a tiny apartment with great insulation. The previous occupant's usage is a good way to gauge this.
Flynrider
Phoenix,#6Consumer Comment
Fri, January 27, 2012
You keep restating that the reason you are being charged a deposit is because of your address. I read your report thoroughly and can't tell if you are deliberately misstating the issue, or cannot comprehend your own post.
Let me break it down for you. You are being charged a deposit because you are a new customer and have no history with this utility. Simple enough?
You requested a waiver of the deposit based on your credit history, but your credit score is not high enough to qualify for a waiver.
The AMOUNT of the deposit is based on the historic use of electricity at your address.
" My credit's a 690, not bad, but certainly not 'excellent excellent'. But apparently the credit is BESIDES the point and now you just have to pay the electric company a security deposit just because of the address you choose to move to. "
690 is not that great. Credit is not "BESIDES the point", it is the point. Yours is not good enough to qualify. What does that have to do with your address? Nothing.