Post by bingbong on Jul 14, 2007 11:07:25 GMT 12
Power company threatens to disconnect over 22 cents
NZPA | Saturday, 14 July 2007
A Hastings woman who relies on an electrically-powered nebuliser to help her breathe at night has been threatened with power disconnection – over 22 cents.
Graeme and Jennifer Antonievic received a power bill last month for $257.78 from their provider Energy Online, the Hawke's Bay Today newspaper reported.
The discount if they paid before June 19 was $51.56, making the figure to be paid $206.22.
Mrs Antonievic said she paid the bill on time as usual, but accidentally rounded the figure down to $206, leaving 22 cents still owing on the account.
Ten days later the Antonievic's received a letter from Energy Online telling them they now owed $51.78 – the outstanding 22 cents with the prompt payment discount added on.
The letter also said their electricity would be disconnected with 24 hours notice if not paid.
"I rang them up and said 'come on, you're really going to do that over 22 cents'?" Mrs Antonievic told the Hawke's Bay Today.
She was told accounts were computer generated and could not differentiate between amounts owing.
The pair said they had no problem paying the 22 cents but will not pay the $51.56.
If the power is disconnected Mrs Antonievic will have to go to hospital to use a nebuliser.
Energy Online's spokesperson Ian Christie said the dispute had been resolved and the situation was a reminder to pay the full amount owing to avoid problems.
He said people who had issues with their power bill should call to sort it out.
NZPA | Saturday, 14 July 2007
A Hastings woman who relies on an electrically-powered nebuliser to help her breathe at night has been threatened with power disconnection – over 22 cents.
Graeme and Jennifer Antonievic received a power bill last month for $257.78 from their provider Energy Online, the Hawke's Bay Today newspaper reported.
The discount if they paid before June 19 was $51.56, making the figure to be paid $206.22.
Mrs Antonievic said she paid the bill on time as usual, but accidentally rounded the figure down to $206, leaving 22 cents still owing on the account.
Ten days later the Antonievic's received a letter from Energy Online telling them they now owed $51.78 – the outstanding 22 cents with the prompt payment discount added on.
The letter also said their electricity would be disconnected with 24 hours notice if not paid.
"I rang them up and said 'come on, you're really going to do that over 22 cents'?" Mrs Antonievic told the Hawke's Bay Today.
She was told accounts were computer generated and could not differentiate between amounts owing.
The pair said they had no problem paying the 22 cents but will not pay the $51.56.
If the power is disconnected Mrs Antonievic will have to go to hospital to use a nebuliser.
Energy Online's spokesperson Ian Christie said the dispute had been resolved and the situation was a reminder to pay the full amount owing to avoid problems.
He said people who had issues with their power bill should call to sort it out.
