I reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ***, and find the resolution is satisfactory to meHowever, it should be the responsibility of Columbia Gas to INFORM customers of these charges and BILLING dates upon establishing servicesAgain, if I would have been given the information, I would have waited the days and started on day one of the next billing cycleI have paid the full amount to avoid any late fee and will look forward to seeing the adjustment on the next billing
[To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the responseIf no reason is received your complaint will be closed Administratively Resolved]
I am not accepting this offer because Columbia gas said my meter quit working in November 2016, they did not send anyone to look at it till May and they are just wanting to estimate my gas usage instead of sending someone to look at it sooner.
Complaint: ***
I am rejecting this response because:
Regards,
*** ***
Thank you for contacting our officeWe apologize for any inconvenience you have experienced. On May 6,we attempted to restore serviceAccording to our records the service technician indicated he arrived at 8:10am however he was unable to gain access to the premiseA second attempt was
made May 8, A minute call ahead was requestedThe technician indicated he called multiple times however no one answeredCalls were made prior to 9:00amAgain, we were unable to access the premise. Currently we have appointment times available May 10, These are the requirements to restore service: an adult or older must be present, we request access to all appliances including the thermostatIf there are pets in the home we ask that you secure them in an area away from where the technician will be workingIf you request a minute call ahead, the technician will make attemptsHe/She will call minutes apart, if there is no answer the technician will leave a message advising to reschedule the appointmentPlease keep in mind these calls may show on your caller id as a blocked/private number or a toll free number. The account holder can contact this office directly to rescheduleWe are available Monday-Friday, 8:00am-5:00pmOur phone number is ###-###-####. Thank You Columbia Gas Of Ohio/Strategic Initiatives
Thank You for contacting us, the customer service charge covers Columbia Gas of Ohio's fixed costs for meter reading, billing and other services provided by the company that are not related to gas usage or the number of days in the billing period Columbia Gas incurs the same fixed costs every
time it prepares a customer's bill, those charges will appear on each bill regardless if the billing is less than a month to cover the full cost of service. The ability for Columbia Gas to charge the full amount of the customer charge is provided within the company’s tariff issued by the Public Utility Commission of Ohio. As a courtesy, we will waive one of the billings associated with the customer minimum charge; however keep in mind this fee is not normally waivedFor future reference, regardless of the number of days within the billing cycle this charge will remain as a part of your bill. Thank You
*** Strategic Initiatives Columbia Gas of Ohio
I apologize for the late response, here at Columbia Gas, we started heating season with the assistance agencies, and have been overwhelmed.I also apologize that the Dead Meter at *** * *** *** was not investigated sooner. I can write off $of the $billed. I still
believe you used closer to the 955ccfs (see attached), but because this was not dealt with in a more timely manner, I am willing to credit the $391.63.Let me know if this is acceptable. If so I would also like to reset you on a different payment plan. Thank You! Betsy - Columbia Gas Customer Care & Regulatory Compliance.###-###-####
The calls were handled properly, and as I have no way to check on the service tech's call activity, I will say that you were scheduled in accordance with Columbia Gas guidelines and the PUCO minimum gas standards.However, in looking at the past years of account history, this is only
the third termination notice. It is the first time your account was turned off due to non-payment. This time, and this time only, I will waive the $security deposit. Per the attached itemized statement, your current balance due is $144.68, which should be paid on or before 3/16/2018.Cordially, Betsy | Columbia Gas of Ohio Customer Care and Regulatory Compliance Analyst II
Thank You for your inquiryWe apologize for any inconvenience you feel you have experiencedOur records indicate gas service was restored to your address 10/23/15. As a courtesy a credit has been applied to your first billing. If you have additional questions or concerns please contact
our office Monday- Friday , 8:00-5:Our phone number is ###-###-#### Columbia Gas Of Ohio Strategic Initiatives
I apologize for the inconvenience and any frustration this process has causedI generally ask all customers to contact me 10-minutes after faxing any information to ensure we’ve receive the requested documentsAs mentioned during our previous conversation, we are willing to help resolve the concern and plan to do so quicklyWe are able to receive documents via fax ###-###-#### or email ***Thank you
I really don't care if the PUCO allows Columbia Gas to bill their customers the way they do. The bottom line is that it's unfair. It places an undue burden on landlords, forcing us to subsidize a disproportionate share of their administrative costs. Those costs should be shared equally across the customer base in the form of higher base rates, and not heaped upon landlords just because it's easier to double, or in some cases triple bill us for the same time periodThe purpose of my contact with the Revdex.com was to make my complaint a matter of public record, and give Columbia Gas an opportunity to rethink their billing practices. Their refusal to do so leaves me with no other option now but to escalate this issue and bring it to the attention of local media outlets as well as the attorney general. Perhaps some media attention or a class action lawsuit on the part of local landlords will convince Columbia Gas that charging property owners for a "minimum billing" multiple times in the same time period is a practice that needs to be reexamined and eliminated
[A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response. If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]
Revdex.com:
I reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ***, and find the resolution is satisfactory to meBetsy was super kind; and helpful and I will resolve the issue with her from hereThank you!
Regards,
*** ***
I spoke to the customer this morning to verify mailing address She is moving again so she gave me that new address Sent email back to *** *** with new address to send refund She will make sure check is sent. After this is completed I will credit $atonement and issue
to customer for her inconvenience She has been trying to get this refund since November 2014.Thank youIf you have any questions/concerns please contact me
The amount that you are paying each month is the minimum customer chargeThe customer charge covers COH's fixed costs for meter reading, billing and other services the company provides that are not related to gas usage or the number of days in the billing periodCOH incurs the same fixed
costs every time it prepares a customer bill, so those charges will appear on each bill regardless if the billing is less than a month to cover the full cost of serviceThe ability for COH to charge the full amount of the customer charge is provided within the company's tariff issued by the Public Utility Commission of Ohio. If you are not using gas service, there is always the option to disconnect service and the minimum customer charge will not be billed to you
Thank You for your inquiryOur records indicate your refund in the amount of $was approved, effective 9/29/You will receive a refund check within 10-business daysAdditionally, you noted in your concern that this account is inactiveThe address you referenced is currently active in
your namePlease reach out to our Customer Contact Center at ###-###-####, Monday- Friday between the hours of 7:(a)-7:00(p.) or Saturday from 8:(a) - noon in order to schedule a disconnect of service.Please contact this office directly if you have additional concernsWe are available Monday - Friday, 8:(a) - 5:(p.) Our phone number is ###-###-####. ReneeStrategic InitiativesColumbia Gas Of Ohio
If you are disputing the billing you will need to provide the following information: 1.Copy of a dated least at the address where you lived. 2.Payroll stuff from the time period showing the street address where you lived. 3.Bank Statement from that time period showing the street address where you lived. 4.Other official documents that have your name and street address shown and are dated during the period the bill was incurred. If you are trying to establish service at a new address, you can pay $on the old bill until you are able to provide the information aboveThe balance will be transferred to your new address until proper information has been provided to relieve you of the debt
Per Christine R***, Program Manager, Energy Efficiency...Our partner will be sending out a check to the customer for the entire amount of the thermostat -- $-- not just the $which is the amount of the rebate. They are still looking into what happened and why it happened. It most
likely was simply overlooked. I will provide a complete explanation as we find out more information
[A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response. If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]
Revdex.com:
I reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ***, and find the resolution is satisfactory to me
Regards,
*** ***
** *** account #*** *** *** *, at *** * *** *** ***, connected 11/17/2014, and disconnected for non-payment on 10/17/2016. The account had been kept current, but his payment on 5/18/paid his balance through the statement dated 4/28/2016. His bills from
5/26/through 10/17/went unpaid until 11/15/2017.His mailing address through his 01/29/bill was *** * *** *** ***, OH ***. ** *** called on 2/12/and the mailing address was changed to *** *** *** ***, OH ***. Bills were returned in June, August, September, UNDELIVERABLE AS ADDRESSED. ** *** called again on 10/27/stating he was not receiving bills. His mailing address was changed back to *** * *** *** *** OH, *** at that time. ** *** paid his $balance on 11/15/2017. Because his balance went unpaid for months, he is considered by Columbia Gas to be a Credit Risk. We are most appreciative that he paid off his balance, but there is nothing that can be done about the credit reporting agencies. Cordially, Betsy | Columbia Gas of OhioCustomer Care and Regulatory Compliance
I have addressed her concern in May through the PUCO inquiry from *** ***. When the customer paid $to connect service at *** *** **, #here in Columbus, she had a total balance of $forwarded from her *** *** *** #L account from 2012. That balance was set
on a Month payment plan where we add that $to a PROJECTED amount of $use from February through October 2017. Based on default balance plus projected balance, she was given a monthly payment of $114. What must be kept in mind is she will be responsible for the actual gas used. Ms *** called our Customer Contact Center on June 2nd and requested to be removed from the payment plan. As of June 2nd, her actual account balance was $86.95, see attached Itemized Statement. Since she was removed from her payment plan, as of her 6/13/statement, she has an actual balance of $As she cancelled the payment plan, we are back to the actual account balance at this time. Her balance due at this time is $117.16.Betsy | Columbia Gas of Ohio Customer Care and Regulatory Compliance
Thank You for your responseI will reach out to you via phone in order to continue to work toward resolution of your concernRenee Columbia Gas Of Ohio
I reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ***, and find the resolution is satisfactory to meHowever, it should be the responsibility of Columbia Gas to INFORM customers of these charges and BILLING dates upon establishing servicesAgain, if I would have been given the information, I would have waited the days and started on day one of the next billing cycleI have paid the full amount to avoid any late fee and will look forward to seeing the adjustment on the next billing
[To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the responseIf no reason is received your complaint will be closed Administratively Resolved]
I am not accepting this offer because Columbia gas said my meter quit working in November 2016, they did not send anyone to look at it till May and they are just wanting to estimate my gas usage instead of sending someone to look at it sooner.
Complaint: ***
I am rejecting this response because:
Regards,
*** ***
Thank you for contacting our officeWe apologize for any inconvenience you have experienced. On May 6,we attempted to restore serviceAccording to our records the service technician indicated he arrived at 8:10am however he was unable to gain access to the premiseA second attempt was
made May 8, A minute call ahead was requestedThe technician indicated he called multiple times however no one answeredCalls were made prior to 9:00amAgain, we were unable to access the premise. Currently we have appointment times available May 10, These are the requirements to restore service: an adult or older must be present, we request access to all appliances including the thermostatIf there are pets in the home we ask that you secure them in an area away from where the technician will be workingIf you request a minute call ahead, the technician will make attemptsHe/She will call minutes apart, if there is no answer the technician will leave a message advising to reschedule the appointmentPlease keep in mind these calls may show on your caller id as a blocked/private number or a toll free number. The account holder can contact this office directly to rescheduleWe are available Monday-Friday, 8:00am-5:00pmOur phone number is ###-###-####. Thank You Columbia Gas Of Ohio/Strategic Initiatives
Thank You for contacting us, the customer service charge covers Columbia Gas of Ohio's fixed costs for meter reading, billing and other services provided by the company that are not related to gas usage or the number of days in the billing period Columbia Gas incurs the same fixed costs every
time it prepares a customer's bill, those charges will appear on each bill regardless if the billing is less than a month to cover the full cost of service. The ability for Columbia Gas to charge the full amount of the customer charge is provided within the company’s tariff issued by the Public Utility Commission of Ohio. As a courtesy, we will waive one of the billings associated with the customer minimum charge; however keep in mind this fee is not normally waivedFor future reference, regardless of the number of days within the billing cycle this charge will remain as a part of your bill. Thank You
*** Strategic Initiatives Columbia Gas of Ohio
I apologize for the late response, here at Columbia Gas, we started heating season with the assistance agencies, and have been overwhelmed.I also apologize that the Dead Meter at *** * *** *** was not investigated sooner. I can write off $of the $billed. I still
believe you used closer to the 955ccfs (see attached), but because this was not dealt with in a more timely manner, I am willing to credit the $391.63.Let me know if this is acceptable. If so I would also like to reset you on a different payment plan. Thank You! Betsy - Columbia Gas Customer Care & Regulatory Compliance.###-###-####
The calls were handled properly, and as I have no way to check on the service tech's call activity, I will say that you were scheduled in accordance with Columbia Gas guidelines and the PUCO minimum gas standards.However, in looking at the past years of account history, this is only
the third termination notice. It is the first time your account was turned off due to non-payment. This time, and this time only, I will waive the $security deposit. Per the attached itemized statement, your current balance due is $144.68, which should be paid on or before 3/16/2018.Cordially, Betsy | Columbia Gas of Ohio Customer Care and Regulatory Compliance Analyst II
Thank You for your inquiryWe apologize for any inconvenience you feel you have experiencedOur records indicate gas service was restored to your address 10/23/15. As a courtesy a credit has been applied to your first billing. If you have additional questions or concerns please contact
our office Monday- Friday , 8:00-5:Our phone number is ###-###-#### Columbia Gas Of Ohio Strategic Initiatives
I apologize for the inconvenience and any frustration this process has causedI generally ask all customers to contact me 10-minutes after faxing any information to ensure we’ve receive the requested documentsAs mentioned during our previous conversation, we are willing to help resolve the concern and plan to do so quicklyWe are able to receive documents via fax ###-###-#### or email ***Thank you
I really don't care if the PUCO allows Columbia Gas to bill their customers the way they do. The bottom line is that it's unfair. It places an undue burden on landlords, forcing us to subsidize a disproportionate share of their administrative costs. Those costs should be shared equally across the customer base in the form of higher base rates, and not heaped upon landlords just because it's easier to double, or in some cases triple bill us for the same time periodThe purpose of my contact with the Revdex.com was to make my complaint a matter of public record, and give Columbia Gas an opportunity to rethink their billing practices. Their refusal to do so leaves me with no other option now but to escalate this issue and bring it to the attention of local media outlets as well as the attorney general. Perhaps some media attention or a class action lawsuit on the part of local landlords will convince Columbia Gas that charging property owners for a "minimum billing" multiple times in the same time period is a practice that needs to be reexamined and eliminated
[A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response. If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]
Revdex.com:
I reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ***, and find the resolution is satisfactory to meBetsy was super kind; and helpful and I will resolve the issue with her from hereThank you!
Regards,
*** ***
I spoke to the customer this morning to verify mailing address She is moving again so she gave me that new address Sent email back to *** *** with new address to send refund She will make sure check is sent. After this is completed I will credit $atonement and issue
to customer for her inconvenience She has been trying to get this refund since November 2014.Thank youIf you have any questions/concerns please contact me
The amount that you are paying each month is the minimum customer chargeThe customer charge covers COH's fixed costs for meter reading, billing and other services the company provides that are not related to gas usage or the number of days in the billing periodCOH incurs the same fixed
costs every time it prepares a customer bill, so those charges will appear on each bill regardless if the billing is less than a month to cover the full cost of serviceThe ability for COH to charge the full amount of the customer charge is provided within the company's tariff issued by the Public Utility Commission of Ohio. If you are not using gas service, there is always the option to disconnect service and the minimum customer charge will not be billed to you
Thank You for your inquiryOur records indicate your refund in the amount of $was approved, effective 9/29/You will receive a refund check within 10-business daysAdditionally, you noted in your concern that this account is inactiveThe address you referenced is currently active in
your namePlease reach out to our Customer Contact Center at ###-###-####, Monday- Friday between the hours of 7:(a)-7:00(p.) or Saturday from 8:(a) - noon in order to schedule a disconnect of service.Please contact this office directly if you have additional concernsWe are available Monday - Friday, 8:(a) - 5:(p.) Our phone number is ###-###-####. ReneeStrategic InitiativesColumbia Gas Of Ohio
If you are disputing the billing you will need to provide the following information: 1.Copy of a dated least at the address where you lived. 2.Payroll stuff from the time period showing the street address where you lived. 3.Bank Statement from that time period showing the street address where you lived. 4.Other official documents that have your name and street address shown and are dated during the period the bill was incurred. If you are trying to establish service at a new address, you can pay $on the old bill until you are able to provide the information aboveThe balance will be transferred to your new address until proper information has been provided to relieve you of the debt
Per Christine R***, Program Manager, Energy Efficiency...Our partner will be sending out a check to the customer for the entire amount of the thermostat -- $-- not just the $which is the amount of the rebate. They are still looking into what happened and why it happened. It most
likely was simply overlooked. I will provide a complete explanation as we find out more information
[A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response. If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]
Revdex.com:
I reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ***, and find the resolution is satisfactory to me
Regards,
*** ***
Unfortunately, this cannot be changed
** *** account #*** *** *** *, at *** * *** *** ***, connected 11/17/2014, and disconnected for non-payment on 10/17/2016. The account had been kept current, but his payment on 5/18/paid his balance through the statement dated 4/28/2016. His bills from
5/26/through 10/17/went unpaid until 11/15/2017.His mailing address through his 01/29/bill was *** * *** *** ***, OH ***. ** *** called on 2/12/and the mailing address was changed to *** *** *** ***, OH ***. Bills were returned in June, August, September, UNDELIVERABLE AS ADDRESSED. ** *** called again on 10/27/stating he was not receiving bills. His mailing address was changed back to *** * *** *** *** OH, *** at that time. ** *** paid his $balance on 11/15/2017. Because his balance went unpaid for months, he is considered by Columbia Gas to be a Credit Risk. We are most appreciative that he paid off his balance, but there is nothing that can be done about the credit reporting agencies. Cordially, Betsy | Columbia Gas of OhioCustomer Care and Regulatory Compliance
I have addressed her concern in May through the PUCO inquiry from *** ***. When the customer paid $to connect service at *** *** **, #here in Columbus, she had a total balance of $forwarded from her *** *** *** #L account from 2012. That balance was set
on a Month payment plan where we add that $to a PROJECTED amount of $use from February through October 2017. Based on default balance plus projected balance, she was given a monthly payment of $114. What must be kept in mind is she will be responsible for the actual gas used. Ms *** called our Customer Contact Center on June 2nd and requested to be removed from the payment plan. As of June 2nd, her actual account balance was $86.95, see attached Itemized Statement. Since she was removed from her payment plan, as of her 6/13/statement, she has an actual balance of $As she cancelled the payment plan, we are back to the actual account balance at this time. Her balance due at this time is $117.16.Betsy | Columbia Gas of Ohio Customer Care and Regulatory Compliance