The Power Companies Don’t Have As Much Power As They Think _NOT my story
My state allows us to switch power companies easily. I’ve done it a few times, and I always get a lower bill and often a “new user” $100 gift card, AirPods, Nintendo Switch, etc. It takes about ten minutes.
New Company Salesman: “Sign up here, and get $100, plus a 10% guaranteed discount off of anyone else’s price!”
Me: “Sounds great!”
I sign up.
My old company calls me and explains that I now owe a $200 service cancellation fee. I call [New Company], and I find that they are more expensive than they claimed. They also claim that they never made such guarantees.
Me: “I’d like to cancel the policy I just started. Can I do that without a fee? The $200 cancellation fee at [Old Company] is more than I’d save with you in two years.”
New Company: “Hi, I’m Aubrey! Oh, don’t worry about those! They never sue. It’s really hard for them to take you to court, and they can’t repossess your equipment, not for $200! Legally, it’s actually not a crime; you never need to pay those silly cancellation fees. You never, ever have to pay a cancellation fee, no matter what a silly power company says. You’re unlikely to be arrested or go to court or need a lawyer.”
Me: “Great, but… word of advice: it’s a $5 to $10 discount offer, and you’ve mentioned lawyers, lawsuits, and court seven times. Maybe… don’t bring up lawyers and the police so many times when trying to sell someone on a $5 discount?”
New Company: “Oh, okay. Thanks.”
I call my old company and mention this. They are willing to waive the cancellation fee, give me a lower rate, and send a welcome gift.
I call [New Company] again and end up speaking to Aubrey from customer service.
New Company: “Oh, you’re canceling? I’m sorry, but you’re going to have to pay our mandatory $100 fee; it’s required.”
The Power Companies Don’t Have As Much Power As They Think _NOT my story
My state allows us to switch power companies easily. I’ve done it a few times, and I always get a lower bill and often a “new user” $100 gift card, AirPods, Nintendo Switch, etc. It takes about ten minutes.
New Company Salesman: “Sign up here, and get $100, plus a 10% guaranteed discount off of anyone else’s price!”
Me: “Sounds great!”
I sign up.
My old company calls me and explains that I now owe a $200 service cancellation fee. I call [New Company], and I find that they are more expensive than they claimed. They also claim that they never made such guarantees.
Me: “I’d like to cancel the policy I just started. Can I do that without a fee? The $200 cancellation fee at [Old Company] is more than I’d save with you in two years.”
New Company: “Hi, I’m Aubrey! Oh, don’t worry about those! They never sue. It’s really hard for them to take you to court, and they can’t repossess your equipment, not for $200! Legally, it’s actually not a crime; you never need to pay those silly cancellation fees. You never, ever have to pay a cancellation fee, no matter what a silly power company says. You’re unlikely to be arrested or go to court or need a lawyer.”
Me: “Great, but… word of advice: it’s a $5 to $10 discount offer, and you’ve mentioned lawyers, lawsuits, and court seven times. Maybe… don’t bring up lawyers and the police so many times when trying to sell someone on a $5 discount?”
New Company: “Oh, okay. Thanks.”
I call my old company and mention this. They are willing to waive the cancellation fee, give me a lower rate, and send a welcome gift.
I call [New Company] again and end up speaking to Aubrey from customer service.
New Company: “Oh, you’re canceling? I’m sorry, but you’re going to have to pay our mandatory $100 fee; it’s required.”
(Contd)