Public Utilities (Internet, Phone, etc)

Over the past year I had a run in with a service provider that caused a great deal of headache with getting my billing straightened out. It took over a year of countless hours of wasted time making phone calls (getting hung up one, getting the run around, transferring me to no one or to someone that couldn't help, on and on).

My finally solution, contact the PUC or the Public Utility Commission.

Not too long after filing a complaint with the PUC I received a phone call from the service provider, a specific person with a name that continue to be my POC (point of contact). We put a plan in place and create a time line when we would contact each other. I was told that they have a case open with the PUC and can not close it until we have resolved all the issues. Not only that but the PUC was checking in with me to see how things were going. In addition, the service provider kindly credited my account for a period of time to help offset the trouble I went through. It helped.

Finally, the "little guy' wasn't pushed around around any longer. I had the big guns on my side and the over sized beast was paying attention in a mannerly fashion.

For information on your local PUC search the Web for your state public utility commission. I went down the path of filing online. Worked great! It a free service (taxes support) and they have laws that require these businesses

Morale of the story, don't give up if bureaucracy stands in your way when dealing with a business. There is always an option.

Next posting I will talking about how I had to use the Attorney General of my state to get a refund that was due to me. The nerve of some businesses.