Need help winning a dispute against natural gas company.

[Chief Roundup]

Any one ever have trouble with a utility company and won their argument?
Evidently the natural gas meter broke back in November. The month right after we got our deposit back and was applied to our bill. By our bills it showed actual changes in the meter that slowly was removing money from the deposit reimbursement. Now they have sent us an adjusted bill to cover the usage for those months. They estimated the bill using 95% of last years bills for those months. It is no where near accurate with the warmer winter versus last year. The number of teenagers living in the home has changed etc.
I have mixed feelings. We shouldn't be punished because they let this go for so long when they come and physically read the meter, so if they can't prove an accurate amount I don't think it is going to be fair. I also feel that we owe them some money and I don't mind paying it but I want it to be fair to favoring us not them.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Bugeater]

I can only speak for our local gas company, and fighting with them is an exercise in futility. They have no competition which pretty much gives them the right to **** you over.

Funny thing is, about 10 years ago they sent me a letter wanting to get into my storage room to install a transmitter thing that allows them to read the meters by just driving down the street, which would involve me taking time off work to let them in to do it, and also clearing out the area they need to get to. Yeah, I'll get right on that just to help you pricks out.

[Chief Roundup]

Originally Posted by Bugeater

I can only speak for our local gas company, and fighting with them is an exercise in futility. They have no competition which pretty much gives them the right to **** you over.

Funny thing is, about 10 years ago they sent me a letter wanting to get into my storage room to install a transmitter thing that allows them to read the meters by just driving down the street, which would involve me taking time off work to let them in to do it, and also clearing out the area they need to get to. Yeah, I'll get right on that just to help you pricks out.

This is kind of what I am afraid of happening. I have thought about getting an attorney involved but only if I can make them pay for those fees as well.

[ClevelandBronco]

I might be missing something, but it seems that you used the natural gas you're being charged for, yes? if so, I can't understand why you're even asking what we think.

[Bwana]

Monetarily, what's the difference between what they say you owe and what you think you owe?

[threebag]

Probably like $7.62?

[SAUTO]

Originally Posted by ClevelandBronco

I might be missing something, but it seems that you used the natural gas you're being charged for, yes? if so, I can't understand why you're even asking what we think.

They estimated the usage, they don't know what was actually used.

And I can tell you from experience that you will get ****ed in estimated usage, but mine always even out in the long run because they just couldn't get to the meter. Yours won't.

[Chief Roundup]

Originally Posted by ClevelandBronco

I might be missing something, but it seems that you used the natural gas you're being charged for, yes? if so, I can't understand why you're even asking what we think.

I take it you didn't read the OP well. So the difference is that this winter has been much warmer than last winter, causing a difference in the monthly bills. My household is now 3 teenagers smaller than it was last winter which also would cause a difference between last winter and this winter.
Since they estimated our monthly bills at 95% of last winter usage the numbers that they came up with are not correct by a good amount.

[Chief Roundup]

Originally Posted by Bwana

Monetarily, what's the difference between what they say you owe and what you think you owe?

At least $200 but the point is that their meter broke. They choose not to fix it and now want to slam me with a bill for 5 months.

[Donger]

This is why I read all three meters on my house monthly.

[Chief Roundup]

Originally Posted by ClevelandBronco

I might be missing something, but it seems that you used the natural gas you're being charged for, yes? if so, I can't understand why you're even asking what we think.

I used some natural gas but how many gallons? They cannot prove how many I did or did not use.

[Chief Roundup]

Originally Posted by Donger

This is why I read all three meters on my house monthly.

They sent us a notice in December that they were going to have to change the meter and choose not to do it until March 16.

[Bwana]

If it bothers you that bad, go down and talk to them in person. It's a lot harder to say no in person.

[Chief Roundup]

Originally Posted by Bwana

If it bothers you that bad, go down and talk to them in person. It's a lot harder to say no in person.

Their office is a 4 hour trip away or I would. I have already talked to their customer service department and someone above them is suppose to contact me in the next couple of days to try and resolve this issue.

[Donger]

Originally Posted by Chief Roundup

I used some natural gas but how many gallons? They cannot prove how many I did or did not use.

Neither can you. Most utilities have calculations based on temperature. Heating days or something like that. I'll see if I can find something for you.