EMC - your local service provider

Here is a story to think about when choosing your utility company.

On Wednesday, Jan 16th my middle school daughter came home from classes and could not get in the garage door. We have a keypad entry so the kids don't carry keys. She went to the front and found a notice from EMC. They had cut off the electricity. As she stood there our son pulled up and he let her in with his key. Our daughter called me and relayed the news.

I was annoyed because there was more to the story and I had contemplated handling it differently. Here is what took place. I sent the December payment with all of my other bills as usual. On about December 28th I received a letter from Capital One returning my EMC payment stub and check. I had put the bill in the wrong envelope. At the time I chuckled and thought about calling someone but the January bill was coming up so I just decided to put both payments in one envelope. I mailed both payments (~$400) with the Capital One notice and a personal note on January 14th.

I called EMC and had what started out to be a friendly chat to straighten out the problem. I gave them my story and apologized for not thinking it was a bigger deal. Maybe I am too casual but I figure this company has been pulling down more than $175 a month (gas and electric) from my account for years. They always get paid. I have had another time where I blew off paying a bill and doubled up two months but only out of laziness, no one ever goes unpaid. They explained that the cut-off was because the bill was over due. It had been due on Jan 3rd or something, at any rate it was the first week of the new year. So it looks like being late will get you cut off without any warning IN THE DEAD OF WINTER!

No give, no sorry, pay the bill (remember $400 is in their mailbox) and the $50 service fee or YOUR CHILDREN FREEZE!

I paid it and am moving on. My advice is that you do too. Do you want your utilities in the hands of someone who is more interested in pushing their perceived code or a business enterprise that incorporates bottom line thinking? I'm going with the big boys, probably a company from out of state.

All power companies give notice

Submitted by sageadvice on Fri, 01/18/2008 - 2:47pm.

of a cut-off date!

Power suppliers are like gas suppliers, the power and gas all comes from the same place. EMC buys from Georgia Power!
They are hooked up to a grid, swapping power around as the demand varies.
Some will give you a price good for awhile.
That is how ENRON cheated California and others---faking shortages and charging excess prices for the replacement power, that was not needed!

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Why blame EMC?

Submitted by McDonoughDawg on Fri, 01/18/2008 - 1:11pm.

They will cut off the power if it is more than around 2+ weeks late. They do have a number to call on the bills if you are having trouble, and I know folks who have been successful in doing this.

Was the bill paid past the cut-off date? I've seen my tenants bills, and when the bill comes out for the 2nd month, there is a definite cut off date on said bill, as in exactly when the previous month's bill MUST be paid by, or power will be cut off, the phone number to call to speak with them is also there.

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How do you get a different power company?

Submitted by ptcjenn on Fri, 01/18/2008 - 8:57am.

I know you can get gas from several different companies, but how do you get power from anyone but EMC (if that's who you have now)? Besides super expensive solar panels on your roof and provide it yourself?

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You can't change Electricity providers

Submitted by 1bighammer on Fri, 01/18/2008 - 3:05pm.

Electricity is regulated in Ga.

This is from the PSC Website:
Some retail competition has been present in Georgia since 1973 with the passage of the Georgia Territorial Electric Service Act. This Act enables customers with manufacturing or commercial loads of 900 kW or greater a one time choice in their electric supplier. It also provides eligible customers the opportunity to transfer from one electric supplier to another provided all parties agree. The Commission resolves territorial disputes and customer complaints involving customer choice and approves requests for transfer of retail electric service.

It appeasr that changing Electricity Providers is only available to Manufacturers or Commercial Customers.

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I'll let you know

Submitted by jpopeye on Sat, 01/19/2008 - 2:56pm.

I changed on line and the site had a tab for customers changing services at the same address. I received an email welcoming me to the new provider. I better see the bill from EMC end.

I'll post back when sure of the change.

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You can't change electric companies

Submitted by jpopeye on Mon, 01/21/2008 - 1:41pm.

Looks like this is true. Free market - not.

I find it double annoying since the Georgia Power company was happy to take all of my personal information. Not a big deal to me but wish I had called.

Thanks for the reference.

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jpopeye

Submitted by Nitpickers on Mon, 01/21/2008 - 1:47pm.

Your e-mail from the electric company welcoming you-----who were they?
Georgia Power? Thought you were a yankee, I suppose. Good luck with the two charges.

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Alternate electric company

Submitted by jpopeye on Fri, 01/18/2008 - 9:42am.

Georgia Power at http://www.georgiapower.com/ is part of The Southern Company. I'm transferring to them.

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