Central Electric Membership Corporation

They are nice on the phone and helpful. But are outrageously pricey. I since I moved into there network my bill has went up by 50 a month on average. Plus they charge a membership fee and always round my bill up to the nearest dollar. I have no other choice in the area and they know that. I fill they take a vantage of the fact you have no other choice but them.","neu-1

Prices are high and the electricity itself is mediocre at best. There have been times where it would shut off or flicker before the first drop of rain hits the ground as if the electrical grid itself was scared of a little thunder. If we're going to be charged this much, atleast have the quality of the power better than some third world country's power. The only reason I give a 1 on recommendation is because there's no other choice. ","neg-1

Central Electic automatically enrolled customers into a 4H donation without getting approval.Bills are rounded up to the next dollar.My bill is automatically paid with my credit card each month. This is to ensure my bill is paid on time. Each month I look at my total bill & compare it to the previous year. This last month I realized my account was past due. Not possible since I have auto-payment. It seems my credit card expired. This caught my attention so I looked closely at my bill. I got charged an additional $.60 next to that charge was "roundup." I called Central Electric and was informed that this was a donation for the 4H club for customers who could not pay their bill. I was also informed that information was sent in my bill in July 2013. To decline this offer you had to sign the form and return it to Central Electric. Admittingly I do not look at papers inside the bills. Most of it is "junk mail" asking for money or selling products. I am upset that this program, which as a single parent of 2 kids could benefit from myself, do not have the funds to "donate" unwillingly to. I was told that I would be taken off the program but was also told that the funds deducted from previous months would not be refunded. I find this tactful and sneaky. I posted this scam on my facebook page and over 20 customers in my neighborhood alone too were not aware of these charges. I do not know how a company can automatically charge customers for donations unwillingly. Desired SettlementAs petty as this sounds, I would like a refund. I feel taken advantage of. I donate money to church, to boy and girl scouts, and other charities each year. The point is, I did not willingly approve of these charges that were automatically charged and paid through my credit card each month. 9 months of "rounding up" adds up! That money could go towards food for my children or other expenses. Business Response May 9, 2014Revdex.com Complaint Dept.5540 Munford Road Suite 130Raleigh, NC XXXXX-XXXXRe: Complaint Case #XXXXXXXXOperation Round Up is a community development program funded by the voluntary contribution of Central Electric members to the Central Electric Member Care Trust, Inc. Operation Round Up is a volunteer program in which Central Electric members can choose to round up their electric bill to the next whole dollar, in order to help those in need. Charitable donations are made by the Trust Board to worthy projects in the Central Electric service territory [redacted], and [redacted] counties). Operation Round Up donations will target non-profit organizations, groups, and charities that are currently serving members of Central Electric. The guidelines used for awarding Operation Round Up funds address food, shelter, clothing, education, health care, and vital community service needs.Operation Round Up was put in place by Central Electric in July 2013 as a replacement for the former Members Care program. The program operates by rounding up the electric bill to the nearest dollar on a voluntary basis, with an average yearly contribution of approximately $6.00 per participating member. Operation Round Up was launched as an opt-out program for the membership of Central Electric and each member reserved the right and opportunity to opt-out of the program. Leading up to the launch of the program, multiple forms of media were used to inform the membership of the opt-out clause for Operation Round Up. Bill inserts advising of the program and instructions on how to opt-out were included with each member's May and June 2013 billing statements. Central Electric's monthly member newsletter also featured articles regarding the opt-out clause of the program. Headline articles were featured beginning in February 2013 and ran through the program's launch in July 2013. Central Electric's website, cemcpower.com, also featured a news release regarding the details of the Operation Round Up program. Currently, information regarding Operation Round Up remains on the website as well as information on how to opt-out of the program. Numerous marketing efforts were made and continue to remain available to inform the membership of the Operation Round Up program and how to opt-out of the program.In response to the desired resolution of the consumer, Central Electric has already taken measures to offer a resolution to the member. Upon initial request by the member on April 2, 2014, Central Electric promptly removed the member from Operation Round Up. Furthermore, the member was also issued a credit of $4.44 that was processed on April 15, 2014 for all Operation Round Up donations made since July 2013. Under no circumstances is the Operation Round Up program meant to be sneaky, tactful, or a means to take advantage of members. Operation Round Up is a voluntary program and all members are immediately removed from the program upon request.Sincerely,[redacted]Customer Service SupervisorCentral Electric Membership Corporation