At 4:30 I attempted to call in my reading, but being 225 whatevers lower than their previous estimate, the recording said, "I'm sorry. We are unable to record your reading. Please hold for a representative." I remembered to get this guy's employee ID number. Thankfully he turned out to be the only helpful person I've spoken with at ComEd all year.

He said meter readers technically have until today to do a reading, but he still over-rode their system and input my read. When I recounted the whole story, I paused mid-way through and said, "Sorry. I'm ranting," and he said it was interesting and that there was no excuse for the lack of response I'd so far received – especially since it was already noted in my file that I work from home and am available for actual reads! He added "No estimates!" on my file and instructions for the reader to call in advance and knock on the back door. He says my next bill will have a credit on it.

Bottom line: No More Excuses.

I will still write to the CEO so he will be aware of the on-going problems. As we've discussed here before, you can't fix problems if you don't know they exist. I will also single out the employee I spoke with yesterday who – in less than 10 minutes – seems to have rectified a situation I've been trying to clear up since the end of May. Of course, the bill's not here yet.

Go get 'em, tiger. ;))

Being a monopoly, I'm sure they won't care. if nothing else, I'll be supplying CUB with more ammunition to use against them in the future.

So now I'm torn. Today is the cut off for calling in your own reading. Do I call it in or wait for another astronomical estimate to bolster the mega-complaint letter they'll be getting by January 1?

Here are the numbers. My actual meter reading in October was 87918 whatevers. Their November estimate was 886665 whatevers (kilowatts?), meaning a "usage" of 747. I just read my meter, and the actual number as of today is 88440, meaning the difference is -225. My last actual read (February 2008) indicated a usage of 220. To me, that means I've overpaid by roughly two months.

Of course, if I call in with a number lower than what they think it should be, they'll just assume I'm lying and estimate it anyway.

I think I'll wait until about 4 PM to see if a meter reader actually shows up. If not, I'll call it in and get started on an extremely detailed and angry letter to the CEO, cc'd to the local guy (if I can find his mailing address) and to CUB.

There is no excuse for such utter incompetence, especially after I've politely – yet firmly- pointed it out to them at least seven times now.

And if I'm not mistaken, you have every right to demand a monthly read. At least here that's the case. And if they give you no satisfaction, keep banging on the door of the CUB.

My house went eight months this year without a single actual electric meter read. In May, I received a nasty letter from ComEd saying I had to call and arrange a meter read (my meter is in the basement) since their meter reader had tried "multiple times" to read my meter but no one was ever home. Excuse me? I work from home. I'm here almost all of the time!

The letter went on to say that if I failed to schedule a meter read, my power may be cut off. What? I've never even been late with a payment. Meanwhile, the idiots next door managed to rack up a $1,200 electric bill in less than a year, never paid a penny, and they still had power.

I immediately called to schedule a reading. They said someone would be out to read it in June. I also contacted ComEd through their website, saying while a meter reader may have missed me once, it was statistically implausible to think they'd missed me multiple times. I received an automated reply, but nothing else.

Months passed, with no reads. In August or September I called and e-mailed their site again. Same lack-of results. Around October 1, I decided to contact CUB (Citizen's Utility Board) and ask what my options since despite my efforts, ComEd still hadn't scheduled a meter read, but was still dangling the threat of cutting off my power over my head. Within a week a ComEd meter reader was here asking if I'd complained. My reply, "Multiple times." A local supervisor called me to say he would personally make sure this didn't happen again. What does it say that they only showed up after a third (powerful) party interceded on my behalf?

My first bill after the actual read was about three times my normal actual-read rates. Fine. I thought the problem was solved. Not so fast. November was an estimated read. And what did they estimate it on? The previous month's hyper-inflated usage, plus a little more. It was $115. I called the local guy to see if I could get an actual read, but he said that would screw up the system even more. So I paid the new bill assuming it would mean I wouldn't owe anything in January and February. The guy assured me he would get someone to do an actual read in December.

Well, they usually read meters by the 15th, and no one has been here yet. I've called the local supervisor twice to schedule a read, but have only gotten voice mail. I've left lengthy messages reminding him that I will be here (I didn't even go to the bank yesterday so they couldn't claim to have missed me). I said I will NOT accept another estimated read based on the hyper-inflated October read. Believe me, if my next electric bill is an estimated read, heads will roll. After all, I'm not just paying for the electricity, but the service, too.

Rant over. I think I'll try calling that local guy again.

No apologies, Allena. That's what the thread's here for. 🙂

Wendy, my phone company has improved slightly. My call time went down from 32 minutes and five people (I wish I were kidding) to 8 minutes and 2 people. Still ridiculous for a "Help" center, but an improvement.

Devon, I can't remember the last time I was inside a Walmart. I read Sam Walton's book years ago – he was an incredible man. But saturating the market is good for one person – Sam Walton. It doesn't help anyone beyond that.

So far, Chase has been the only CC company that hasn't ticked me off. I dropped Bank of America instantly, Wachovia nearly as fast, and never used Capital One since the rate they promised me doubled upon application. As you say, Kathy, screw that!

Hope your dad's doing better, Kathy.

My hubby and I remodeled my home office. I bought something from Menards for $75 and then found it for $10 somewhere else, returned the $75 to Menards that same day and didn't get the refund for 8 days!! NOT KIDDING! And, since I keep my business account pretty much empty, this caused a bounce and massive fees. I will never spend another dollar at Menards.