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Direct Energy Complaint - Bad billing practices - light company

light company - Complaint
Review by toss toss on 2011-02-07
I am late on my bill a lot so I never thought that I would be charged anything more than a late fee. I finally reviewed my bill and was being charged a 25.00 recovery fee. I had $50 - $75.00 of fees on my bill. I called the direct energy and was informed that when you are late they send out collection letter and they charge you a 25.00 fee per letter that they send you. know note this is not a disconnection notice just a letter to let you know you are late. this letter can be sen to you the next day after your due date. there is no limit on how many letters can be sent out. The year of 2010 my fees came up to be 250.00. I paid Jan 2010 bill on line on there web site and called spoke to representative stated no letter sent out, but then I received a letter in the mail dated one day after I paid. I have reported them to the electric commission some called and told me they would credit me 25.00 I informed her this was horrible business practice and I will continue to report them to the electric commission until these practices are over turned. oh forgot you will also be charged a 5% late fee on top of the 25.00 letters
Comments:
Posted by karleebarlee on 2011-02-07:
No offense, but I don't blame them. Maybe set yourself some kind of reminder to make sure you pay your bills on time. It's the responsible thing to do.
Posted by BofAmerica666 on 2011-02-07:
good review, you have every right to be annoyed with them, I mean I think it's a good idea to make payments in timely manner, but hey, like the Billy Joel song says "were only human, we're supposed to make mistakes".

Anyways is there a chance to possibly get some of those fees waived? Good luck.
Posted by Slimjim on 2011-02-07:
I do and see the poster's point completely. Sure a late charge is warranted for the month. To stack fees on top of each other arbitrarily within the same month!? Glad to see a regulatory commission within this jurisdiction was made aware of this.
Posted by tnchuck100 on 2011-02-07:
A 5% late fee can be justified. However, I condemn them for the greed-driven practice of a $25.00 letter. That is absolutely ridiculous!

I know Direct Energy operates in several states. Most of these energy company complaints seem to come from Texas. Is this the case here as well?
Posted by momsey on 2011-02-07:
You don't blame them for charging $25 for a LETTER? There's something very wrong there. Late fee? Yes, of course. But made up fees that are outrageously inflated? No.

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