Who regulates the power company?

Here's the situation. Me and my girl were living together. Anyway we break up and I keep the house. Power bill was in her name. I call up to get it turned into my name on the 6th because she never paid her bill and it was scheduled to get disconnected today. The rep tells me that I can have my past due from a few years ago (around $80) billed on my first months bill here once I switch it over to my name.

Anyway, I pay my water and phone bill with my spare cash from my paycheck on the 6th and go on about my business. I call back yesterday to get it switched over and am now told I have to pay the past due up front even though the previous rep left notes saying I could pay it on my first month's bill. I get pissed and get a manager on the phone who says that the reason was because I lived at the same address and even though I am in no way financially responsible for the old bill in her name, I benefited from the service and therefore need to pay my old bill in full.

What makes this sweet is that I spent all my bill money on other bills since I was told it would be fine to get this one on the first month's, so now I'm 10 days out of getting a paycheck and the services will get shut off today. I convinced the guy to give me a two-day extension to go get a payday loan or some BS, but this whole situation is bullshit since now I have to scramble to get this done when just 3 days prior I was told it would be 100% fine.

Who would I contact to complain about this shit? Are these folks even regulated by the BBB since they are a utility?

don't bother complaining. You do not have a leg to stand on. We will listen to you though, and we care.

WVU said:

don't bother complaining. You do not have a leg to stand on. We will listen to you though, and we care.

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You don't think so? Even after they told me flat out it would be billed on the first bill and I didn't have to worry about paying a cent up front because my previous balance was less than $100? Fuck, I had the cash to pay it off when I was talking to the lady but when she told me that, I spent the extra cash on other bills. Kinda bullshit if you ask me.

But you do owe the money so they do not have to give you any service until you pay. You had a clueless CS rep the first time. At least they are not asking for a deposit since the account is changing names. They could do that as well.

just charge it, they likely take credit cards. It isn't worth your time pissing over delaying an $80 payment for a month. You are dealing with customer service reps for a state agency, you have to expect this shit.

most states have a public utility commission/board that regulates utilities... search the internet... or call back the utility you are having problems with and ask for the regulatory boards contact information. they must give you the number, in most cases when you mention the PUC they jump thru hoops to correct your problem, or if they know they are correct they'll give you the number and hang up

gl

The problem is that you stated you lived their...but the power is in another name. If you have told them its a new service they would not have done this