Fighting a Power Company

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usirchchris

Guest
How do you do it? Here's the scenario...about three days ago I hear my smallest of three dogs just a yappin' away outside. I go and look and see that the piece of wood and concrete that keep my dogs from getting out are missing, and so are two of my dogs. I fly out the door and see the meter reader about 3 houses down. I start yelling at her...she tried to deny it
but I called bull stuff. Luckily my fiance' found the dogs a few blocks away, so that was ok. I then called the power company ripped the poor kid that answered the phone up and down, and told him I wanted to know who did the meter reading and have a manager call me back. 3 days no call backs. So as of now I have two 6' long 5/8" steel braided cuff locks wrapped around my gate apparatus to prevent the incompetent from taking apart what they cannot put back together. I am sure by law I have to allow them on my property, and that is not really the issue. I was at home when they took it apart...they could have knocked on the door to let me know, and I would not have had a problem with that. Can you make your power company call you before they do their readings? Can you legally charge them with something...say if there actions had led to my loosing my dogs? Negligence perhaps? It does not feel right that they can come onto my property take something apart and not put it back the way the found it. Long enough...you get the idea...anyone have experience with this?
 
jackri

jackri

Active Member
I don't fully understand the situation but sounds like you're trying to go through a lot of trouble for what exactly?
Sounded like an accident and instead of "ripping" into an innocent phone person you could have tried getting your point across politely first.
I can't imagine being a meter reader and dealing with a lot of people's dogs in various yards. Just because homeowners love their dogs doesn't mean everyone else does. I know I'm surrounded by neighbors with dogs and they allllllllll love to bark with the exception of one. Makes my time outside sooo enjoyable sometimes.
 
U

usirchchris

Guest
Originally Posted by meowzer
http:///forum/post/3106736
You can ask them to move the meter on the other side of your fence....
That would seem a process they would not easily agree to. The meter is in the middle of the back of my house...they would have to move it 20-30' to get it on a side. I am guessing I would have to pay for this? That would be great if I could do that though...when I call back on monday I will ask about this. I know in other "districts" for lack of a better word, they can do the readings without even getting out of there cars...I was going to ask about that as well.
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
LOL...funny you say that...the other day I was at a friends, and the meter reader pulled up...never got out of the truck, ansd a second later was gone.....I was like...wth are they doing....they had binoculars..and read the meter from the truck...I would suggest that too...LOL
 
uneverno

uneverno

Active Member
PG&E has readerless meters. Has had for some time.
If you can't get that, Welcome to the Monkey House.
 
U

usirchchris

Guest
Originally Posted by jackri
http:///forum/post/3106738
I don't fully understand the situation but sounds like you're trying to go through a lot of trouble for what exactly?
Sounded like an accident and instead of "ripping" into an innocent phone person you could have tried getting your point across politely first.
I can't imagine being a meter reader and dealing with a lot of people's dogs in various yards. Just because homeowners love their dogs doesn't mean everyone else does. I know I'm surrounded by neighbors with dogs and they allllllllll love to bark with the exception of one. Makes my time outside sooo enjoyable sometimes.
They accidentally didn't put my gate back together
. My dogs are my kids dude...if someone does something to your kids you don't act polite...You react out of fear, which translates to anger. The dogs were not out when the meter reader was there. They were let out sometime after, and got out, the gate is always locked shut so it is not something we check regularly. Just because others don't "love" my dogs does not give them a right to do something potentially harmful to them, or disrupt my property.
 
tangman99

tangman99

Active Member
If you find a way, let me know. When I opened my $616.00 electric bill last month, I wanted to fight someone.
Call them Monday and ask them all the things that might work in your favor that you figure out between now and then and if it does not work ask them one simple question. Ask them what they would do if everything remains as is and you have a couple of rotweilers outside next time?
 
U

usirchchris

Guest
Originally Posted by TangMan99
http:///forum/post/3106744
If you find a way, let me know. When I opened my $616.00 electric bill last month, I wanted to fight someone.
Call them Monday and ask them all the things that might work in your favor that you figure out between now and then and if it does not work ask them one simple question. Ask them what they would do if everything remains as is and you have a couple of rotweilers outside next time?
 
jackri

jackri

Active Member
I guess I don't understand your gate set up..... it just didn't sound like a standard gate type thing and maybe the reader was confused. Regardless the reader should have apologized at least.
My electricity bill has been about double this year -- yeah I added a frag tank and it also adds humidity for the AC...... but double? Have rates gone up that much?
Had my A/C unit checked out and was fine although it's ALWAYS running even when the outside temp is cooler than inside (yeah I know open the window but thats not the point).
 
U

usirchchris

Guest
Originally Posted by TangMan99
http:///forum/post/3106747
Also, you might consider putting up a gate that is easy to secure?
Yes I have thought of this...
two problems at the moment
1. funds
2. the space that the gate is in is very small, and the current posts have adjusted over time in manner non-conducive for a working gate, so I would have to dig out the old to get the new in. Not to say it can't be done, but for me time is not always so readily available. Given time this is what I will do.
 
U

usirchchris

Guest
Originally Posted by jackri
http:///forum/post/3106748
I guess I don't understand your gate set up..... it just didn't sound like a standard gate type thing and maybe the reader was confused. Regardless the reader should have apologized at least.
My electricity bill has been about double this year -- yeah I added a frag tank and it also adds humidity for the AC...... but double? Have rates gone up that much?
Had my A/C unit checked out and was fine although it's ALWAYS running even when the outside temp is cooler than inside (yeah I know open the window but thats not the point).
Here is my set up. It's very hillbilly but it has worked for the past 8 months
. The gate closes within about 4" to the post it is supposed to connect to. I have a 4x4 wedged in that space with a single piece of rebar tie wire that keeps it in place (the wire is very pliable much like a twisty tie). On the back side of the gate I have the base of a bird feeder against it to prevent the dogs pushing the gate out. So, you have to move the base then undo a twisty and you are in. My entire family was home at the time...if she did not want to put it back together she could have knocked on the door and let someone know...then I could have done all this without having to be irrate, and could have politely come to a resolution. Basically the only 3 things I want to know. What are possible solutions? What can be done, if anything, when a power company changes your property without returning it to its original state? and what could be done had my dogs not been found?
My last electric bill was about double as well...that did not anger me though...I love my AC and will pay whatever it takes
 
jackri

jackri

Active Member
Hmmm my A/C bill was double from the same time last year... so it's just rates are up?
I'd have to see your setup to comment again lol :)
 
jennythebugg

jennythebugg

Active Member
that would hack me off too , tell them to move the meter so they cant come in your property anymore...that was just a numnuts move on the meter readers part, what if one of your kids would have got out with out you knowing , or someone elses kid go in and get bit , what if your dog would have bit someone or got in a fight with someone elses pet on their property while it was out , theres all kinds of scenarios there and all it would take is once .your lucky you found out early enough. pitch a fit make them move the meter
 
U

usirchchris

Guest
Originally Posted by jennythebugg
http:///forum/post/3106767
that would hack me off too , tell them to move the meter so they cant come in your property anymore...that was just a numnuts move on the meter readers part, what if one of your kids would have got out with out you knowing , or someone elses kid go in and get bit , what if your dog would have bit someone or got in a fight with someone elses pet on their property while it was out , theres all kinds of scenarios there and all it would take is once .your lucky you found out early enough. pitch a fit make them move the meter
You get it
Thanks
 
U

usirchchris

Guest
Originally Posted by meowzer
http:///forum/post/3106774
I repeat...lol....binoculars..

This would be difficult for them to accomplish. I litterally have a neighbor at every angle of my back yard...they circle my backyard. The one vantage point that may work has trees covering it. Figuring out my gate is far easier than trying to find the vantage point that would allow seeing my meter with binoculars.
 
reefforbrains

reefforbrains

Active Member
Your dogs, your responsibility to make arraingments for them. Granted you own the place, but this makes it YOUR responsibility to create a yard for the dogs that still lets the workers do thier work. The power company has right of way for meter reading in the contract for service you signed.
Huge dogs just get huge fines or headaches for the owners.....
Post a small polite sign to the meter readers and your problems will vanish. You yourself describe the situation with the entrance as "hillbilly" so fix it. Funds or not, find a way to get it fixed properly.
Sorry if I sound abrasive, but going off just the facts YOU are at fault. Painful and not intending to rub salt in the wound but at least you were home when it happened. You could have lost the dogs for good.
Don't waste your time trying to fight the power company about meter reading procedures, it will not translate into compensation or vindication beyond a hollow posturing victory to some random stranger in the customer service sector.
JMO- Glad you were home to corral up the dogs again.
 
alyssia

alyssia

Active Member
Originally Posted by jennythebugg
http:///forum/post/3106767
that would hack me off too , tell them to move the meter so they cant come in your property anymore...that was just a numnuts move on the meter readers part, what if one of your kids would have got out with out you knowing , or someone elses kid go in and get bit , what if your dog would have bit someone or got in a fight with someone elses pet on their property while it was out , theres all kinds of scenarios there and all it would take is once .your lucky you found out early enough. pitch a fit make them move the meter
A couple of years ago in Columbus a meter reader left a gate open and a child wandered into the yard and drowned in their pool.
 
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