Fighting a Power Company

stdreb27

stdreb27

Active Member
Originally Posted by usirchchris
http:///forum/post/3107419
Maybe I have no real gripe..dunno, where I come from you put stuff back the way you found it or you don't touch it, and if there is a problem you raise it to someones attention. Dogs or no dogs it's not the point. The dog situation compounded the problem, but the issue was laziness and or incompetency. You just don't re-arrange someones property and leave it because you couldn't figure it out. How moving a piece of concrete 6 inches and twisting a tie wire is confusing is beyond me. The previous 8 months of meter readers figured it out
. Doesn't matter it's locked up for now and I will call monday to reach a resolution. I have a post up above describing why I cannot do a gate at the moment. It's common courtesy I am asking for...not special treatment, and they can shove their sympathy up there ..... that is not what I am looking for. I just can't lay back and accept that people can be lazy and inconsiderate, I will continue to raise a fuss over such issues. Maybe if more people did it would not be considered an acceptable norm.
Thanks for participating all

I'd be ticked. If you can't open and close a gate, when that is basically you're job you're an idiot. Meter readers make a decent amount of money for what they really do.
 
U

usirchchris

Guest
Originally Posted by stdreb27
http:///forum/post/3108587
I'd be ticked. If you can't open and close a gate, when that is basically you're job you're an idiot. Meter readers make a decent amount of money for what they really do.
You and I are apparently in the minority with this opinion. Even being a hillbilly gate, it is only a two step process...unfortunate...now where did I see that accountability go??
 
stdreb27

stdreb27

Active Member
Originally Posted by usirchchris
http:///forum/post/3108630
You and I are apparently in the minority with this opinion. Even being a hillbilly gate, it is only a two step process...unfortunate...now where did I see that accountability go??
two things, before you make it unaccessable, you need to go read what your T&C's and find out what happens when they are deemed unaccessable, and what a reread will cost you. Because they can hit you for that.
Second the power company isn't going to do a dang thing about it.
It is time to make the meter reader a huge glass of lemonaid, and figure out if this is the typical route, and grease the wheels, so that you stand out in a positive way.
Kind of like we feed our parcel delivery people, when they show up they get a coke, ice cream or whatever we have in our kitchen at work. And they in turn they go the extra mile.
 
U

usirchchris

Guest
Originally Posted by stdreb27
http:///forum/post/3108717
two things, before you make it unaccessable, you need to go read what your T&C's and find out what happens when they are deemed unaccessable, and what a reread will cost you. Because they can hit you for that.
Second the power company isn't going to do a dang thing about it.
It is time to make the meter reader a huge glass of lemonaid, and figure out if this is the typical route, and grease the wheels, so that you stand out in a positive way.
Kind of like we feed our parcel delivery people, when they show up they get a coke, ice cream or whatever we have in our kitchen at work. And they in turn they go the extra mile.
That would go against every fiber of my being. Huh uh, no way, no how. Couple things...1. I never signed anything with my power company. I called them up and told them to put it in my name, but I never signed any agreement, and was never sent any agreement. 2. I am not trying to make it unaccessable for them...this was never my intention. I just need to know when they are going to be there. They have meter reading dates on my bill I just got...so long as they stick to that we will have no problem. I will pull the locks off on that date and leave the gate open all day. Next day the locks will go back on, if they don't make it on their date, I need to know. If they contact me to let me know they could not get in...my mission is accomplished. I just can't have them popping in unexpectedly if they can't close a gate. I need to know. If they did try to fine me, because they don't make it on their date...bankruptcy is always an option
. As far as lemonade for the DB meter reader...if it is the same person, they will not be stepping on my property
. I am not done with my tirade if I ever see them again. I was sidetracked by trying to find my dogs. I may well end up with my power being shut off...we'll see. I can feel the blood pressure rising just thinking about it. You have got to have convictions, and stand up for them.
 
nina&noah

nina&noah

Member
Be careful, my mom got hit with a huge fine because her black lab was in the back yard when the meter reader came. My mom was at work, so the guy was afraid to go in the back yard. (The dog was pretty intimidating.) Anyway, my mom recieved a letter and a fine because her meter was "unaccessable". They went even as far as to say that if it happened again, my mom would have to pay to have the meter moved to an "accessable location." This was years ago, but I'm just sharing her story with you.
 
U

usirchchris

Guest
Originally Posted by nina&noah
http:///forum/post/3109143
Be careful, my mom got hit with a huge fine because her black lab was in the back yard when the meter reader came. My mom was at work, so the guy was afraid to go in the back yard. (The dog was pretty intimidating.) Anyway, my mom recieved a letter and a fine because her meter was "unaccessable". They went even as far as to say that if it happened again, my mom would have to pay to have the meter moved to an "accessable location." This was years ago, but I'm just sharing her story with you.
Thanks for sharing. I will get it all settled before I run into that situation I hope, and if need be...I will just get it moved. A couple hundred, or a couple grand, or whatever the cost, is worth not loosing my dogs.
 
zelfin

zelfin

Member
Chris,
I work for a large electric company. I have dealt with people that call, just like you, who are angry or upset about something. It sounds like a legitimate gripe, however, maybe not as serious to them as to you. I am not saying this is not important to you. I am just saying they see the meter reader deny it, and even if she doesnt it was a mistake. What can they do to fix what already happened?
What i would suggest is to call them and request a note be made on your account. Ask them to notify you anytime they are coming to your property. I do not work for a company in Ohio but the one i work for does this as a customer service without hesitation. Customers who are aware of people on their property do not get as upset.
If you have further questions feel free to Message me. As I said, i do not work in Ohio but i will help how i can.
 
U

usirchchris

Guest
Originally Posted by Zelfin
http:///forum/post/3109151
Chris,
I work for a large electric company. I have dealt with people that call, just like you, who are angry or upset about something. It sounds like a legitimate gripe, however, maybe not as serious to them as to you. I am not saying this is not important to you. I am just saying they see the meter reader deny it, and even if she doesnt it was a mistake. What can they do to fix what already happened?
What i would suggest is to call them and request a note be made on your account. Ask them to notify you anytime they are coming to your property. I do not work for a company in Iowa but the one i work for does this as a customer service without hesitation. Customers who are aware of people on their property do not get as upset.
If you have further questions feel free to Message me. As I said, i do not work in Iowa but i will help how i can.
The only thing I want them to do from this point on...is stick to the dates posted on their bills, or let me know if it is going to change. You are absolutely right...If I was aware I would not be upset, and I would not have been upset if they had just told me the gate was a complication. They don't need to...or can't fix anything...I just can't have the same mistake made, and so long as it isn't, I will be fine. I will work with them as much as I can, and had they asked I would have helped to begin with. My intention is not to make their job difficult by any means, but by the same token, they need not complicate my day either. Thanks for the offering of help. I appreciate the insight from an insider
 
stdreb27

stdreb27

Active Member
Originally Posted by usirchchris
http:///forum/post/3109138
That would go against every fiber of my being. Huh uh, no way, no how. Couple things...1. I never signed anything with my power company. I called them up and told them to put it in my name, but I never signed any agreement, and was never sent any agreement. 2. I am not trying to make it unaccessable for them...this was never my intention. I just need to know when they are going to be there. They have meter reading dates on my bill I just got...so long as they stick to that we will have no problem. I will pull the locks off on that date and leave the gate open all day. Next day the locks will go back on, if they don't make it on their date, I need to know. If they contact me to let me know they could not get in...my mission is accomplished. I just can't have them popping in unexpectedly if they can't close a gate. I need to know. If they did try to fine me, because they don't make it on their date...bankruptcy is always an option
. As far as lemonade for the DB meter reader...if it is the same person, they will not be stepping on my property
. I am not done with my tirade if I ever see them again. I was sidetracked by trying to find my dogs. I may well end up with my power being shut off...we'll see. I can feel the blood pressure rising just thinking about it. You have got to have convictions, and stand up for them.
Well, you have some T&C's whether you like it or not. Legally speaking that argument isn't going to get you anywhere.
I don't know about your readers, but mine NEVER come on the same day. They usually come during the same week.
The question isn't convictions, the question is what is best for your dogs. If you aren't just some faceless number, you'll get treated a little more like a real person. This falls under one of Ruben's rules to live by imo, "Always make friends with the cook and the janitor. Because you never know when you'll be hungry or need to get back into the office."
Originally Posted by nina&noah
http:///forum/post/3109143
Be careful, my mom got hit with a huge fine because her black lab was in the back yard when the meter reader came. My mom was at work, so the guy was afraid to go in the back yard. (The dog was pretty intimidating.) Anyway, my mom recieved a letter and a fine because her meter was "unaccessable". They went even as far as to say that if it happened again, my mom would have to pay to have the meter moved to an "accessable location." This was years ago, but I'm just sharing her story with you.
Who in the world is scared of a lab?
 
U

usirchchris

Guest
Originally Posted by stdreb27
http:///forum/post/3109360
This falls under one of Ruben's rules to live by imo, "Always make friends with the cook and the janitor. Because you never know when you'll be hungry or need to get back into the office."

I agree 100%. I understand what you are saying...hard headed as I want to be...things will be as they are. If there T&C dictates that they do not have to respect my property...they can keep the power and I will move out of state...the place I work has buildings in every state and multiple countries
. I talked with my gas company today, and they said I can call in my numbers or enter them online so that a reader does not have to come to my house. I was unable to get ahold of the electric company before closing, but I suspect I can do the same with them. I don't really think I am going to have any issue.
 
stdreb27

stdreb27

Active Member
Originally Posted by usirchchris
http:///forum/post/3109800
I agree 100%. I understand what you are saying...hard headed as I want to be...things will be as they are. If there T&C dictates that they do not have to respect my property...they can keep the power and I will move out of state...the place I work has buildings in every state and multiple countries
. I talked with my gas company today, and they said I can call in my numbers or enter them online so that a reader does not have to come to my house. I was unable to get ahold of the electric company before closing, but I suspect I can do the same with them. I don't really think I am going to have any issue.
lol, I thought I was bull headed when I got ticked.
Moving because you're ticked at a power company.
 
U

usirchchris

Guest
Originally Posted by stdreb27
http:///forum/post/3109849
lol, I thought I was bull headed when I got ticked.
Moving because you're ticked at a power company.


You see this is what I don't think people are understanding in my situation...I was not ticked....it was a state of unconscionable blind rage...there is only 1 other time in my life I can recount being so mad, and that involved someone messing with my brother. My dogs are my family. Perhaps I should not be so attached, but alas, I am. You can call me names, and stick a fork in my eye, and ultimately I would probably forgive you the next day...but don't mess with my family. Or my fricken gate
 
U

usirchchris

Guest
So I talked with my power company today...called them and very calmly
explained my situation. They are going to send someone out next tuesday to put an electronic reader on my house, so they can just drive by and get the reading. Now they won't have to go in my backyard
. They are going to do it no charge
Very pleased
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
Originally Posted by usirchchris
http:///forum/post/3111335
So I talked with my power company today...called them and very calmly
explained my situation. They are going to send someone out next tuesday to put an electronic reader on my house, so they can just drive by and get the reading. Now they won't have to go in my backyard
. They are going to do it no charge
Very pleased

Good for you
 
jackri

jackri

Active Member
Originally Posted by usirchchris
http:///forum/post/3111335
So I talked with my power company today...called them and very calmly
explained my situation. They are going to send someone out next tuesday to put an electronic reader on my house, so they can just drive by and get the reading. Now they won't have to go in my backyard
. They are going to do it no charge
Very pleased

Now that wasn't so hard was it? A little kindness and calmness goes a long ways
 
U

usirchchris

Guest
Originally Posted by small triggers
http:///forum/post/3112328
My vote was to put a DANGEROUS DOGS sign on the outside of the gate, lol but a reader will be good.
My 10 pound min pin will rip your head off...out of the other two...one would lick your remains, and wonder why you don't like to play, and the last would keep a fair distance while looking very skeptically at you.
 
U

usirchchris

Guest
Originally Posted by jackri
http:///forum/post/3112341
Now that wasn't so hard was it? A little kindness and calmness goes a long ways

I happen to be a very pleasant individual

this only comes out in rare occasions
 
jackri

jackri

Active Member
Hypothetical question and no offense meant here or anything so that aside...
As much as you totally love your dogs... say my daughter just learning to stand/walk was outside and one of them came over, jumped up on her knocking her back (dog just being playful) and gave my daughter a concussion from hitting her head on the cement and I went into a blind fury rage (because dog love comes no where close to how much I love my daughter) and grabbed my baseball bat and beat your dog to death would it be justified under the blind rage?
What would I really do? Take my daughter to the hospital and expect bills paid for and an apology as I know this would be an accident (and hope the dogs were better contained in the future).
If it happened a second time? Then the owner gets strung up by toenails.
 
U

usirchchris

Guest
Originally Posted by jackri
http:///forum/post/3112406
(because dog love comes no where close to how much I love my daughter)
Interesting. How does one measure this? Does this mean your emotion is more important?
This hypothetical is on the edge of a slippery slope that could offend many if expounded upon. I have never raised my hand to anyone in my life, and one would be hard pressed to ever justify physical violence, let alone bludgeoning a living thing. Don't really know where you are going with this, but I respectfully bow out of taking it any further.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top