So I had the fun opportunity of dealing with our electric company today. Fortunately, it was actually for a good thing – a refund. However, it brings you down to earth knowing that the ‘refund’ was actually your money to begin with – they just thought it would be nice to overcharge you for several years and then finally give it back to you. They obviously knew how to spend it better than I did. Come to think of it, our power company is comprised of a bunch of socialist pigs. You know, I heard that power companies in 1930s Germany routinely did this sort of thing……ahh, Godwinned in the first paragraph.
Back in June of this year, I received a letter that a refund was in order. It seems that they accidentally over charged me for the last three years – or so I think. While discussing the issue with the Energy Service Rep five months ago, I mentioned that I had moved into the house in October 2005 – so why did the refund only go back until June 2007? I was told that he would look into it – which I doubt he ever did. Back to the present day – I received another letter from Georgia Power saying that in addition to the refund I received five months ago, I would be receiving an interest payment based on the original refund amount (credit where credit’s due – I tip my hat to Georgia Power for first notifying me about the original refund and secondly applying an interest payment to that refund). However, this is where things go somewhat south. The recent letter rekindled my interest in the reason why the refund only went back three years when I had lived at the house for five. After calling the customer service number printed on the letter, I asked that very question. I was told that the Georgia Power standard was to only look back three years. I asked – and was informed – that it was not a law, but rather a company standard. After mentioning that overcharging someone for five years and only refunding three years was an extremely bad business practice, I received a change in tone from the once friendly customer service supervisor. She ever-so-charismatically informed me that all of the rate information is public and it is my duty to figure it out. I understand where she was coming from. However, if the wrong rate was charged from the day I began the service, then how am I supposed to know that the rate was wrong – to me, that is just the rate I was charged. If my bill ever skyrocketed, then I would’ve checked the rate and most likely would’ve noticed a difference. But that’s not what happened. And the rate table on the Georgia Power website is not that intuitive. First, there is the base charge. Then different rates for various blocks of kilowatt-hours – and the rates change depending on the month. Then there is the ‘Demand Side Management Residential Rider’ and ‘Fuel Cost Recovery’ fees that are added in – and those aren’t listed anywhere that I could find. So it wasn’t just as simple as working backwards from my bill to calculate my rate.
The bottom line is – be aware. If you have Georgia Power – and probably any other power company – be aware of your rate. Call customer service, check the website, just make sure you’re not being overcharged. If you are, I hope that it started within the last three years or you will be screwed in the bottom. To paraphrase an entire SNL skit, it won’t be so bad if they ever disconnect my power – I like the lights to be out WHEN SOMEONE IS DOING SEX TO ME!
UPDATE 3 DEC 2010: I recently filed a complaint with the Georgia Public Services department. They said that the complaint would go to the Georgia Power executive board and they would make a final decision (short of taking it to court). I don’t quite understand why they would have the final say – but today, after a week and a half, Georgia Power informed me that they will be reimbursing me for the entire 5 years. Thank you Georgia Power. It’s unfortunate that it had to come down to this for you to make it right, but in the end it worked out.