Electric Bill - Not Paid Since August: We have an awful electric company here - Central Hudson. People get bills for several thousand dollars, rather than $100. Those with AutoPay get...

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

We have an awful electric company here - Central Hudson. People get bills for several thousand dollars, rather than $100. Those with AutoPay get into a real mess.

My last payment for electricity was in August. I no longer get paper bills or email notices, so I have to go to their website and pay online. I've been paying since August, but they never give me credit. At least they don't charge my CC or checking account. I'm always "Past Due," though. Right now, I owe for September, October, and November. I'm going to phone them this morning, but from what I've heard, that means being "on hold" indefinitely. To make things worse, it's Monday.

The County and State have been investigating the company and denying it rate increases, but they still can't operate correctly.

fourlocks Loc: Londonderry, NH

Wow! I have the same problem with my car finance company but if they somehow think I'm 3 months behind, they might repossess the car. Big deal. In your case, shutting your power off could be a death sentence in upstate NY in the winter.

When I used to write paper checks, I always had the cancelled check to show payment. How do you prove payment when you pay electronically?

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

fourlocks wrote:

Wow! I have the same problem with my car finance company but if they somehow think I'm 3 months behind, they might repossess the car. Big deal. In your case, shutting your power off could be a death sentence in upstate NY in the winter.

When I used to write paper checks, I always had the cancelled check to show payment. How do you prove payment when you pay electronically?

I called, and I was amazed to get connected (to India) very quickly. The problem was that they were using my old CC number, even though I had entered the new number every time I paid. The new number is registered with them, and I'll be getting paper bills.

ken_stern Loc: Yorba Linda, Ca

No matter what -- At least for Utilities and Banking - We are big fans of Paper Bills & always pay by Ck.

Keep the Paper Trail alive as much as you can!!
It's really not old fashion no matter what "THEY" say -- It's just smart business

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

ken_stern wrote:

No matter what -- At least for Utilities and Banking - We are big fans of Paper Bills & always pay by Ck.

Keep the Paper Trail alive as much as you can!!
It's really not old fashion no matter what "THEY" say -- It's just smart business

And it helps USPS and the paper industry.

BebuLamar

jerryc41 wrote:

And it helps USPS and the paper industry.

But I heard people steal the mail and changed the amount on the check.

Mr. SONY Loc: LI, NY

fourlocks wrote:

Wow! I have the same problem with my car finance company but if they somehow think I'm 3 months behind, they might repossess the car. Big deal. In your case, shutting your power off could be a death sentence in upstate NY in the winter.

When I used to write paper checks, I always had the cancelled check to show payment. How do you prove payment when you pay electronically?

Easy.
After you authorize a payment, they respond with a screen which shows the transaction no. and payment authorization number.
And a few other detail about the bill you paid.
Copy & paste that information and save it.
Now you have proof of payment in case you need to prove you paid just like a copy of a cancelled check.
.

One Rude Dawg Loc: Athol, ID

jerryc41 wrote:

We have an awful electric company here - Central H... (show quote)

No mystery to me why people get shot. Kind of like the crap " Wells Fargo " gets away with and is still in business. Makes you wonder who's getting paid under the table.

sodapop Loc: Bel Air, MD

I pay my bills via the bank via the Internet. Print a copy of their confirmation as proof. Has worked for me for years. A lot safer than a check via mail

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

BebuLamar wrote:

But I heard people steal the mail and changed the amount on the check.

Not difficult to do.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Coincidentally, our power went out yesterday, and I wondered if it was just our house. Even though the payment had just been accepted, I was afraid that they cut me off for not paying in three months. I checked with a neighbor, and about a thousand houses lost power - for two hours.

Morry Loc: Palm Springs, CA

jerryc41 wrote:

We have an awful electric company here - Central H... (show quote)

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

jerryc41 wrote:

We have an awful electric company here - Central H... (show quote)

Jerry, use a Speaker Phone, make the call, and place the phone by your computer. Then go about your day . . . . .
Brutal advice, I know,
JimmyT Sends

Morry Loc: Palm Springs, CA

Dealing with large companies such as this story has become such a nightmare . . . and it seems that nothing can be done about it. Perhaps if all of us customers complained by letter they would sit up and "notice".

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Jimmy T wrote:

Jerry, use a Speaker Phone, make the call, and place the phone by your computer. Then go about your day . . . . .
Brutal advice, I know,
JimmyT Sends

Yes, that's what I do when I'm on hold. This time I got a quick connection, though.