CenterPoint Energy

"CenterPoint Energy has been committed to providing energy to our communities with integrity, accountability, and respect for more than 135 years." I find this quote in their About section to be a complete lie. I have been dealing with Customer Service for two months now, and every time I call, I get rude agents, zero respect, or zero accountability for their employee's mistakes twice.

Two installers did not do their jobs correctly, causing our gas to be shut off and requiring us to pay for a plumber and miss work waiting on this problem to get resolved, when we came to find out there was never a problem in the first place. They shut off our gas and red-tagged our meter for no reason, because the technician didn't want to wait around and do his job correctly.

After talking with Customer Service for days regarding this issue and being talked to as though I was a hassle for them to deal with, I got a representative who told me the installation fee would be credited and that if it was on my bill, to call and have it taken off. It showed up on my bill twice. I called and explained the situation. And now suddenly, there's a same-day service fee that they decided to waive; yet that charge and/or credit never showed up on any of my bills. That installation fee sure does keep showing up though.

Unfortunately, I have to use gas in my home right now or replace my appliances with electric units. This company has cost me hundreds of dollars already in plumbers and missed work, and instead of giving up $42 and showing a little compassion for a customer, they treated me with utter disrespect.

Be warned that this company will not take responsibility for their mistakes or the mistakes of their employees. They are a monopoly here, being our only option for natural gas. So they know they can get away with treating their customers badly, because what other choice do we have besides spending even more money replacing gas appliances with electric ones.

Automated customer service sucks, horrible customer service in regards to automated help line. I would never recommend this company, waited all day for a technician.

Why is it somehow okay for CenterPoint to break their contractual agreement by not sending out monthly bills of any kind and then not informing their customers when service is cut off? On top of everything else, they want to nickel and dime you for everything. Also, it's nearly impossible to get in touch with an actual person and when you are lucky enough to get a live human being, they don't seem to care about anything. So CenterPoint, how about we charge you for stupid things? You want to get in my backyard, well, that will be $200. You want me to actually put something in the mail each month, well, that's an extra $50.

We came over Sunday late afternoon to discover that CenterPoint had shut off our gas the day before because of a damaged meter? No notification was given prior to this! There was a tag on the front door only. My husband called and they said they would be back out to turn back on that night, they did not. When my husband called them later in the evening, he was told they went out to an emergency. They did not bother to even call us to say they were not coming out last night. So they scheduled a time today, between noon to 5. No gas turned on instead, I received a call stating they were out for another emergency. How long is this going to go on? When I asked CenterPoint if I could just turn back on myself, they said I could not. That I would be charged with "tampering". This is a no-win situation with a company that is obviously understaffed and uncaring! I will bring this to the attention of the Texas Railroad Commission, who regulates CenterPoint.

In late November 2011, I smelled gas in my front yard in Bellaire, TX. CenterPoint Energy came out to inspect. They stated that there was a small leak and that they'd come back to repair it. The next week, I came home to find a 6' x 4' section of my driveway gone and a 12' x 4' section of my front yard torn up. Additionally, I went to run the sprinkler system that night and the sprinkler system was broken somewhere in that section of my yard. I called to complain and spoke to Greta ** in their complaints division. Foreshadowing: Over the course of the next 6 months, Greta would return about 1 out of every 10 of my phone calls.

I told Greta that I wanted her to call me before a team comes out to fix my driveway because I thought they should replace the entire strip across my driveway (approximately 10' x 4'), as opposed to the one hole they just chopped out of my driveway. Greta clearly didn't listen to me (or didn't care) because a crew came out and replaced the 6' x 4' section in my driveway, which now looks terrible and they placed new grass in the 12' x 4' section of my yard, which now looks decent after I re-landscaped it. Greta informed me that they would not fix my sprinkler system as it was in an easement and was technically CenterPoint's property. My sprinkler system was never repaired after numerous complaints to Greta and her supervisor, Kim **. My driveway still looks terrible. I wound up going out in my front yard and spending a weekend fixing my grass and sprinkler system as Greta stated that she would not pay to repair my sprinkler system.

It is now May 6, 2012 and my sprinkler system is finally fixed (because I did so on my own). It took CenterPoint 6 months to not fix my yard. The bottom line is that CenterPoint's monopoly on the Houston (and surrounding areas) now allows them to act at their own desire and break, tear and destroy anything in their path without any recourse. If you have a choice, which most of us Houstonians do not, do not use CenterPoint Energy. They are crooks and they are quite cognizant of their monopoly!

I am 86 years old. I have lived in this house for three years and have been late on my gas before. But all of a sudden this year (4/18/12), a man showed up at my door to take my meter for "lack of usage"? He said that he was there to take the meter, because no one has lived at this address for over a year and there's no usage in the last 6 months. I only have my hotwater heater that is gas but use it to bath everyday. I did not understand what he was saying. He said no one has lived here for over a year.

I have lived here for 3 years; my other bills, neighbors, landlord, and family can attest to that. He said my gas had been turned off last March 2011 and had never been reconnected, at least not by them. Oh, so now, not only do I not live here and don't use the gas enough, but now I am a thief also. My bills have always been around $25.00. Well today, I received a bill for $603.89. How can I ever pay that? And why do I owe so much since I did not use the gas enough? Especially since they say I did not live here? Come on, how did you get your numbers. Because they stink!

Yesterday, I discovered that our household gas had been turned off, without our knowledge or consent. It is important to note that this discovery occurred while I was trying to take a hot shower. Needless to say, that didn't happen since there was no gas to heat the water! At first, I thought there was a problem with our water heater, so I climbed into the attic and checked on it - a hot, dirty, and uncomfortable process. It was not until I called CenterPoint Energy that someone informed me that the meter had been changed, requiring that the gas be turned off. No apparent effort was made to contact me about this before it actually happened, or after the fact. Furthermore, when I did call, trying to talk to someone, I was put on hold for an extended period of time.

Thankfully, someone did finally come out to relight our pilot light. Terrence ** was extremely efficient, polite, and thoroughly professional. He was the one bright spot in this whole situation. It is my hope that CenterPoint Energy will attempt to improve what appears to be a gaping hole in its customer relations, so that similar issues in the future are more amicably settled.

We are visiting my son in Seabrook, TX. He has gas heating, hot water, dryer and stove. 4+ weeks ago, he received a cutoff notice for non-payment. He had never received the original bill because they are sending it to the wrong address. He has tried for years to get the address corrected. The address CenterPoint is using is for undeveloped land down the street from his house. They cannot manage to deliver a bill to him, but he does receive a disconnection notice. He immediately paid the bill when he received the disconnection notice, but they removed the meter anyway. They also told him that he had a gas leak. He called a plumber, had the leak fixed and updated some items in the house. He then waited a week to get someone out to mark the underground lines.

This person told him that CenterPoint would be out immediately to install a new meter. CenterPoint had also sent out someone to measure for burying a new gas line and had given my son a price of $1,624 for the installation. This was paid immediately, within an hour of receiving the estimate. CenterPoint had refused advance payment for this work so that it could be completed as quickly as possible. To date, there have been many, many phone calls. Nobody has any authority. We cannot find out the work order number, we have only been able to establish tonight, April 24th, that on April 17th there was a number of some sort, not a work order, assigned to us. We were promised return phone calls because you cannot talk to a person, only leave voicemails. The calls are seldom returned and it is only to dump you on somebody else who cannot help you.

Since it is impossible to talk to anybody of authority at CenterPoint, maybe the media would be interested in this horrible customer service! My last comment: We live in Costa Rica, a third world country, the service there is 500% better than here. Shame on you David McClanahan, CEO, for receiving a 7-figure salary for this kind of performance and if I have to, I will come to your office and sit there until I get satisfaction! This company seriously needs competition!

On 4/9/10, I woke up to give baths. No hot water. After investigating the problem, the meter is gone. I called CenterPoint. Oops, my bad. We made a mistake. This was at 9:30AM. She said that she could have someone out before dark. I explained that this was a state registered foster home and that we had to have hot water and that I needed a better ball park on the time. I asked to speak to a manager. He said the same thing and said that he was doing me a favor by not charging me a same day reconnect fee. Excuse me, but it was a mistake. You guys made a mistake. He was very rude and basically said "you will get it when you get it".

There is nothing you can do. They do not care if I could use someone else. I would, I am furious! But I believe that was his goal to play god. They came in like thieves in the night, no knock on the door. There is no excuse for them to not dispatch someone right away to put the meter back that they stole because my bill had been paid. They admitted to their mistake, they are a conglomerate and do not care about us little people.

I was going through all my bills on Sunday evening 03/25/2012. I get paid on 03/30/2012 so I set up all the bills to be paid on that date. Every other company accepted that pre-payment except CenterPoint and their bill was the lowest dollar amount. I input the payment for the entire bill of $126.22. The past due was $67.00+. Yesterday 03/27/2012, the gas was turned off for nonpayment and now I have to pay the $67.00, a trip fee of $21.00, a deposit of $10.00 and a reconnection fee of $42.00 to get the gas turned back on. That is $142.00+. This does not include the current bill of $58.00+.

I told the person with whom I spoke that this was shabby business practices when there was only 3 days from when I scheduled the bill to be paid and when they cut the gas off. She told me that the payment in the system was "pending" because I cannot set up a pre-payment after a cut-off notice has been issued. I said it was Sunday. There could not have been a cut off notice issued. She said it was issued on my last bill that if the bill wasn't paid by the 25th, the service would be disconnected for a one month bill of $67.00+.

I really hate them. I hate their practice of screwing customers because they are the only game in town. It's time to deregulate the gas company as they have done the electric company in Texas. It wasn't like this was a $400.00 bill for five months. This was a one month bill for $67.00+.

While working in my garage, I kept hearing the breaker popping so I told my husband. He noticed it was the AC switch that was shutting off. As he tried to understand what was going on, he thought it might be the thermostat. So we purchased another one and installed it. Then I had an AC repairman come out and check the installation of the thermostat and the unit. He said it was the compressor and something else. Our units were serviced on 3/11 and doing fine until the smart meter was installed. What is going to be done about all the repair bills we are accumulating with the installation of this meter?

What a bunch of dickheads. Nowhere did I receive a shut off notice nor did I get anything that stated they had over $150 additional fees to turn the gas back on. What a bunch of **. These people are the lowest of scum.

CenterPoint Energy left me a disconnection notice yesterday late afternoon and I tried to call them after returning from work but their offices were closed. I had to work at 6 a.m. (offices not open that early) so I asked a friend to make a payment to avoid disconnection. She tried to do so online but CenterPoint's website kept saying the account number was incorrect. Finally she called them and was very rudely told over the phone there was nothing that could be done to assist her because she was not an "Authorized User" on the account. She very patiently explained that her friend was tied up at work and would not be able to make a payment and was going to be disconnected and was told "I'm sorry".

Well, I returned home to find my gas had in fact been shut off and immediately made a payment. Unfortunately by then it was 6 p.m. and the earliest they will reconnect my service is "sometime between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. tomorrow". That means it could be almost 24 hours before I have gas service again and it is February in Minnesota. I have two small children (4 and 8) living here who now will have to go all night without heat in my home. Upon contacting CenterPoint I was told there was "nothing that could be done". They could start by refunding the reconnection fee--which is outrageous I might add--and refunding the other various late payment fees. We'll call it a "late reconnection so my kids have to freeze tonight" fee. Unbelievable.

I can't call 211. I can't afford all the hidden charges they will put on me. I spent all money on electric space heaters to get through this winter. My electric bill will prevent me from even thinking about reconnection until this summer and I have saved up that $200.

According to my calendar, Friday 10 was in August 2011. That is how long I had been trying to work with them. They told me it could take some 30-60 days to complete you accounting stuff. Well, you see how well they do their jobs, and cut people off even when they have not tried every way to contact them, even in the winter. You guys really.

Everything they sent me is correct, except it is 4 months old history. I had given you a new bank account to use for auto draft and online billing and ask for average gas monthly billing. The only proof of this I have is my account password "Friday10" that is the day I worked all this out with their account people. They knew how to contact me online and they chose not to.

CenterPoint has gone to new lows to mislead people into agreeing to stop receiving paper bills. They promise a $25 gift certificate. However this is no gift. It requires mandatory fee and a higher minimum purchase. Just when you think business ethics couldn't get any worse.

Center Point cut off my gas. I have auto bank payments that work for ATT, AEP Swepco, Comcast, CenterPoint, Geico, etc. for many years. I have money in the bank. They have the same banking info everyone uses. Why pick on me in the winter? I'm 63, unemployed and drawing only SS. They even have my email address to contact me with my monthly bill to save them paper and mailing cost like all the other utilities. They must really hate old folks. Thanks for even reading this.

I have been experiencing every night a low voltage in my house. I have to starve a 6-month baby, 6, 7 and 8 year-old children because my electric stove is not working, my microwave is not working, my refrigerator is not cooling anymore, everything is bad.

CenterPoint called me at 11:03 PM on 02/04/2012 that someone was coming to address the problem. I am still facing the same issue. On 02/06/12, I called CenterPoint Energy to send someone down quick because my baby is hungry and crying, and my three other kids need to eat before they go to bed. However, I was told that someone will be there only by 11 PM.

My baby is losing weight, my kids are not happy going to bed hungry. I can perform at work because I can eat appropriate food while in diet. My family is devastated. We never received any notice from CenterPoint for this low voltage. Any notice could have prepared us in advance. I want CenterPoint to pay all the damages done to my whole family and I need a lawyer.

I handle the finances for my sister-in-law, who is a senior citizen, mentally-challenged and on a fixed income. Her gas bill jumped from $48.11 one month to $276.01 the next to $438.06 the next. After I called, CenterPoint agreed to send someone (in the next two weeks!) to reread the meter.

In a generic form letter received six days later, they said no problem was found and "we ask that you pay your current bill by the due date". I called my sister-in-law's heating and AC Company to check out her furnace. No problems were found. Then I called her plumber to check out the water heater. No problems were found. I called CenterPoint again and they agreed to send someone to shut off the gas and run a gas leak test. No problems were found. When my sister-in-law called two hours later to say it was cold in the house, I had her check the furnace to see if the pilot light on her furnace was lit. It was not.

Larry, the CenterPoint man had failed to relight the pilot light! I called CenterPoint immediately and was told, very indignantly by Mr. Grant, supposedly a supervisor, "We do not send someone out to light a pilot light!" even though their technician failed to complete the job. When I asked to speak to someone over him, he transferred me to the voicemail of a Miss Marshall. I left a message to call me.

It was obvious no one would return to light the pilot light, so I called my sister-in-law's heating people again and they relit her pilot light (at a charge of $60). I have also left two other messages for a supervisor to call me and sent an email to CenterPoint's Customer Service department. It is now a week later and I haven't heard from anyone. I will pay the now overdue bill of $714.07 myself because I don't want her gas disconnected. I live 117 miles away from my sister-in-law, so it's not possible for me to handle everything from her home. I have never encountered such poor service from any company..

CenterPoint thugs break locks to install smart meters. I was driving by on my way to work and noticed that contractors for CenterPoint were in the alley, and my locked gate was open. I pulled in and asked them about it, and Rios told me he used a screw driver to break in and that they had the right to break in. I had to get to work, so I contacted a friend and called CenterPoint to complain. My friend secured the gate after the thugs left it open.

The CenterPoint thugs came back while my friend was still there, and they used the screw driver to break in again. Rios actually demonstrated to others how to do it! I now have a broken gate and lock. I also know that the contractor they hired is an expert at breaking into locked gates. Do they recruit them from TDCJ?

My Reliant account number is **. My energy charge is $80.66. My Centerpoint Energy Delivery charge is $43.30 due by 01/30/12. The delivery charge is more than 1/2 of my bill. Why? Delivery of what? I have not had any down lines. These are condos. I am on disability. One check every month. Last month (12/2011) my energy charge was $73.19 and Centerpoint Energy Delivery charge was $42.12. Again, more than 1/2 of the bill and for what? November 2011: energy charge was $49.92, and Centerpoint Energy Delivery charge was $35.03. Total rape. Do I need to forward this to PUCT or can it be handled within? Credits are requested and charges lowered.

I see many complaints about smart meter readings being high. I hope that my experience could help others check if their new meter is accurate. I saw the same increase when our new regular meter was replaced with a new smart meter. It seems to happen occasionally and can be resolved with a technician visit to update the setting in the meter computer. What I did was measure the new meter accuracy.

For that I turned off all appliances I could, including the fridge and unplugged phone adapters for a few minutes. And I recorded the new smart meter readings. Instead of the old spinning wheel, the smart meters have dots cycling on its display. Each dot equals one watt-hour every time one dot comes on or when it goes off. Count the number of dots cycling in six minutes and do the math (multiply your count by ten) to get the number of dots in an hour, because there's ten times six minutes in an hour. Now you know your minimum power use in an hour. It could be zero in an apartment, or it could be a few tens of watt-hours in a house where furnace and yard equipment may still be using power that you can't shut off.

Next, turn on a lamp with a known wattage, for example a 100 watt light. I used a 300 watt halogen lamp. Count the dots for six minutes again and multiply your count by ten. This is the reading with the lamp on. Subtract the minimum power use number from the reading with the lamp number. Does it equal the power of the lamp you actually used? For example, it should be 100 watts if you used a 100 watt lamp.

If the reading matches your lamp rating, then the meter is correct. If the reading is higher than the lamp rating, then call the power company and tell them the meter is misreading and ask them to fix it. In my case it was reading double, but got fixed. Try to check that as soon as your new smart meter is installed. And don't forget to turn the refrigerator back on when you are done.

I just move from out of state to a rented house in Katy, Texas with a 5-year old kid and wife. We ordered the connection online and received an email saying the technician will connect the service on 12/21/11. Last midnight, we found out that the service was never connected. There was no heat, hot water nor stove working. I called them today and they said they are on holiday vacations until Tuesday. Very rude, bad service. There must be something we can do about. This is America. They can not go away with all of this.

I am very frustrated and reaching out to you in hopes of getting the word out regarding this matter. Below is my email to the BBB. I am currently without natural gas, in the winter, with kids. No heat or hot water. I had my service disconnected for the first time in the 19 years I have been with Centerpoint for a late $41.00 payment. It was my oversight, my fault. But now they are trying to charge over $200 to reconnect. I talked to manager "Lucio" last night who agreed to waive the deposit and suggested if I pay the remaining $101.83 last night before 9:00 pm; my service would be restored the following day.

I called this morning and spoke to manager "Alma" who 1) said Lucio did not waive the deposit and 2) said I would have to wait until tomorrow or pay another $40+ to get service today. I have 4 kids at home tonight with no heat and no hot water. I am not a second class citizen and refuse to be treated like one. It is also my understanding that service is not supposed to be interrupted during the winter months? I have been lied to and cheated and because Centerpoint is the only provider (monopoly), they could care less how their customers are treated. Trust I am sending the above to every major news agency in Houston right now. I am beside myself with their lack of service, compassion and integrity.

I can't believe that CenterPoint gets away with the things to their loyal customers for 38 years. I wonder how much money that totals to for all those years. CenterPoint had turned off the gas to our section of the neighborhood. When I called to get them to turn it back on, the customer rep said my gas was off due to not paying. I paid! Then, she said that I got a last notice on the bill. I told her I thought that applied when I didn't pay the bill. I got sick the latter part of July and 1st of August with major depression. I did not work for 10 working days. I had seen a psychiatrist who put me on Wellburtrin. I told the customer rep and it didn't seem to matter. Is that possible, not to matter due to an illness? I couldn't even go to work, much less think of paying a bill. I didn't even know where I was half of the time.

I am taking the time out of my busy schedule to sit and write to you, the local media and Governor Mike Beebe regarding the treatment of this company. We are appalled by the inhumane way we have been treated by this company in this economy.

My husband and I moved here in June of 2010, each bill we received, we paid. We did not think any different the bill being a small amount because we do not have any gas appliances in the entire house and we have never turned on and/or used the fireplace. When I originally placed the order, I asked if someone was going to come out and check to see if everything was working properly. I was told there was no need. I was surprised when we received an estimated $750 bill in the mail stating if we did not pay this amount our services, we would be disconnected. I could not believe in a home with no gas except and/or maybe the hot water heater we had, used over $750.00 worth of gas and that we were blamed for the faulty equipment of CenterPoint Energy.

We recognized that this is not a battle we could win at this point without seeking legal assistance and called to make a payment agreement. Each payment had been received on the 7th as agreed, however, with only 2 payments left, I received a disconnection notice with the entire balance attached to the already extremely high current month bill. I called and spoke with a gentleman named Curtis, who original told me that the payment did get there on Friday, 7th. However, the payment was not processed until the 10th that Monday. I asked for a supervisor and was connected to Mrs. **. She stated the yes, it was received on the 7th but because it was not process until the 10th, the notice was generated.

This is a repugnant way to treat your customers in this economy. I would not have argued the fact if the payment was a week or two late, but it was in your office on Friday the 7th according to your representative. I imagine it was not processed until that Monday because some lazy worker, who does not appreciate their job, put the payment aside and did not process it accurately. Mrs. ** was extremely callous as well as Curtis to someone who lost their job in this economy and is struggling to pay your high gas cost. I pray you nor them Mr. ** never fall on hard times and/or have to be made to pay for something that did not properly work in the beginning. I find it extremely disturbing, with only 2 payments left to go, that CenterPoint Energy could not show some type of leniency. I would rather purchase for a home where I do not own an electric water heater in order to eliminate dealing with Center Point Energy.

I have E-pay. First, I attempted to put this in my name. It was under my father's, same as mine but I am Jr. I received nothing but confirmation numbers and thank you. Then, just after I found my son who had passed away in his room, Center Point told me I had not paid since Oct. of 2010. Then, they cut my gas off. I was told I could pay with delayed payments. I received the wrong account and name twice. I faxed it in and never received another. I do not get bills in the mail and again, the only thing I received were confirmation numbers in my email. I had given my card number twice .

This was my father's account. I have no idea what has gone wrong. But I have never spoken with such rude people, unprofessional with just a few nice good people. This has been a nightmare. Out of all the people I spoke with, only one looked into why this happened. It was not my fault. She said there was one number wrong. As mentioned, I called it in twice. It was repeated back to me .

I did not receive a bill from CenterPoint for approximately 2/3 months. I did not realize it because my husband handles the utilities. He would go on the CenterPoint website and it stated that the balance was 0. In that time frame, we only had one visit from a Centerpoint representative and he informed us that he needed to check the meter. We opened the gate then he checked it and went on his way. Fast forward to now, I get a knock on the door from a CenterPoint guy, who once again says that he needs to check the meter. Once I allow him in the gate, he tells me that he was supposed to take my meter for non-payment, but asked me to call Centerpoint and see if I can work things out with them because I seemed to be out of clue of what's going on.

I called CenterPoint and they very rudely informed me that I do not have service because it was disconnected in March. I argued that I do have service and I even told her that I'm feeling hot water while on the phone. Frustrated wth her attitude and from calling me a lier, I asked to speak with someone else. Then she says that my service has been disconnected since March; which hasn't and that my husband offered their guy a bribe not to terminate the services, but supposedly the guy denied and still cut them off; I went outside and turned my gas back on and I am using unauthorized gas. After going back and forth with the representative about it all being lies, she puts the manager on. At this point, I'm crying harder than ever. I pleaded my case and tell the guy that our service was never interrupted. He says that I'm lying and that his guy is telling the truth.

On top of that, he tells me that it's going to cost $100 for reconnection plus a $60 fee for tampering plus the usage of $408. I told the guy that I don't mind paying the usage because that is what I owe, but I never tampered with anything nor should I have to pay a reconnection fee because I never lost service. The manager will not budge and is unaffected by my demeanor. After searching for a new gas company for Houston to no avail, I have to call back and pay the bogus charges.

Today, September 27th 2011, I called because I finally received a bill since ordeal, which was roughly three weeks, and the bill states 350 some odd dollars. I called again and the guy who got on the phone was unbelievably rude. He tells me that the charges are for my unauthorized usage. I told him about the entire ordeal and I also told him that I paid the charges despite their lies. He says that he sees no record of my payment. I just asked for a manager and after a while he comes back and says that they found the payment but that I paid the wrong account. He didn't know what he was talking about. The account was originally in my mother-n-law's name, but after paying the deposit and balance, I asked them to put it in my name; so a new account was created. There should have only been usage for the current month. In the end, I had to fax proof of payment for them to apply my payment to my new account.

Dealing with them has been a nightmare. It hurts so bad to be falsely accused of something completely untrue. Bribing and stealing gas come on now. Even worse, offer a bribe to the guy who still cut the gas off. It would sound more legit to say that we freaking offered a bribe which explains why we still have gas. I swear these guys have the absolute worse customer service I have ever experienced in my life.

For the longest, neither the phone representative nor the manager could even explain why I was saying that I had gas and they were showing no usage; then they miraculously find usage going to my home. I said that if I tampered with my gas then tell me when the service stopped and started again. They couldn't tell me.

I hate everything about this place and wish that I could live without gas so bad.

I recently became a customer of Spark Energy on 4/11. I have always paid my bill on time. The highest bill I've had was $167 for the month of July. But when CenterPoint installed the Smart Meter, my next month's bill (Aug) was for $585.75! I called Spark Energy to ask if they could work with me. At first, I was told they could give me a 5-day extension. For a single mother, that does not help at all! I did inform them that I was not trying to get out of paying my bill, but I would need some time to pay the amount in full. So far, I have been able to pay $350. And I will pay another $50, but they refuse to assist me with the remaining balance! I think that they would be able to work something out, considering I pay my bill on time and that this outrageous amount was just added to my bill without giving me any type of notice. Now I am told that if I do not pay the remaining balance in full, my electricity will be disconnected! I have an 8-year-old daughter. I am unable to have her living in a house with no electricity! And this is all because of the mistake of CenterPoint Energy! They said the old meter was read wrong, and that's why that wattage was added to my current bill. I need someone to look into it. And please let me know if there is something I can do. Thank you.

Last August 10, 2011, they have changed the meter (with out any announcement about it) and since then I have been getting problem regarding my bill. My bill for July of $98 was very high. My August bill went too high, they sent me a bill for $160. I asked them about my bill and every time, they keep telling me we will fix it. Then they did made a correction but was still asking me for $104. I asked CenterPoint Energy to make a professional accounting and correct my balance in adequately manner. Approximately, my total for July and August should be $40 not $104.

The lack of customer service with this company is astonishing, not to mention the shady things going on with our electric bill. We moved into our house last September and with all of the time with the lights on and the electricity being used from interior remodeling, we have never had a bill over $600. We usually average around $500 or less. Then suddenly, we get a bill for almost $1,000.

When I questioned them, we were told that it was an increase due to usage. We explained that for the billing cycle dates on the bill, we were only here for a total of 9 days due to visiting family out of state. Then we get an explanation about the installation of the new "Smart Meter" and that the reason why the bill is so high is because the old meter wasn't reading properly and this one is.

Apparently, they want me to swallow that for the past years, this residence has been running on a meter that has been faulty. And since they have replaced it, I have to start paying almost double of my electric bill. We called and finally got around to talking to the corporate office and they said that they would file a billing dispute and that they would get back in touch with us. No call back, no solution, but I got a disconnection notice in the mail today for the 29th.

I have read so much information online about this company and their practices dealing with renters and homeowners alike. These 'mysterious bill fluctuations' are making me sick. If something isn't done about this, I have a feeling that this company is going to get an angry mob so far up their ** that they'll taste the pitchforks and torches.

It's one thing to have this issue and have someone come out and go over everything and try to solve the issue. It's another to hear someone say, "Tough, pay up", especially when they do it to everyone.

We had a house re-leveled because it was sinking by a licensed contractor. He told us that there was a possibility of gas or water lines being broken. Both type lines did break during the re-leveling process. As soon as my tenant called me smelling gas, I called a licensed plumber who fixed the gas lines. The gas company sent my tenant a $400 bill. The water company did also bill my tenant for the water that leaked from the broken water lines. The water company adjusted their bill, once we presented the plumber's bill showing that there was a leak and it was repaired.

The gas company, Centerpoint Energy, will not adjust their bill. The customer service supervisor, who was the third person I spoke to about adjusting the bill, said they do not adjust bills. She understood that the gas was not used; it was leaked into the atmosphere, but we still needed to pay the bill or service would be turned off.

Why is the gas company so unfair and unreasonable? The water company used common sense and adjusted the bill because of the accidental leak--why is the gas company being SO WRONG? I will tell anyone who will listen to my experience and will absolutely never again put gas in any home I build or buy. Seeing these other frustrated customers, I see I am not alone in getting robbed by this monopoly gas provider.

In June I paid our gas bill in entirety with a $2 overpayment noted. Our service was disconnected and when I called to question it, I was told by Tamika that antiquated meters were being changed out in neighborhood and service would be restored by 5-6 PM.

We had no service by 5:30, so I called again. The representative I spoke with stated disconnection was due to nonpayment. So, I gave her the receipt number of payment; she verified receiving payment and the $2 credit, and stated that the technician is en route to restore service.

While I was on the phone with her, the technician pulled up in front of our home, checked the reconnect order which stated in error that interruption was due to nonpayment. He got out, hung a tag on my door, but did not knock or ring bell, then drove away. Since I was on the phone with Centerpoint, I asked what was going on. The representative stated that it was the end of the technician's work day, and he said no one was home.

Since that obviously was not the case (there were four adults here), she stated he would be back the next day to restore service, but that there would be a $185 reconnect fee which would be waived.

Well, our bill this month (July) was $23, I paid $35 and we have no gas once again! The $185 reconnect fee has been reinstated, and now they want a second one.

I have no intention of paying either fee for their error; is there any recourse?

I have two large dogs going nuts and my teenage daughter calls to tell me that someone is banging on the side of the house. She looks out to see a large man outside her window and she became extremely frightened. Centerpoint has decided without notice that my gas meter needs to be changed. I rushed home to find a doorhanger informing me that my gas is off and someone must be there to turn it back on. I called them and they informed me that they will return between 5:30 and 10:00 that night. By 8:00pm, I called and I was informed that it will be sometime before midnight. I have to get up at 5:00am. I asked why not schedule this before and why I needed a new meter. I was rudely informed that they did not owe me a courtesy call. I was never informed why I needed a new meter.

It seems that a company would want to schedule this so it could be done in one trip but since the cost of sending someone else is of no relevance when it can be passed to the consumer. Anyway, it's midnight now and I guess I can go to bed and call them and the public service commission tomorrow. What a crappy monopoly service. But what can you do with a utility. When I need new appliances, I will replace with electric just to get away from their service.

We had to cancel our plans to wait for a technician who never showed up. Even tho two customer service representatives said that they would come. I stayed up until midnight then I had to get up at 5:00am to go to work doing landscaping on a 105 heat index day. I can't take off to meet them tomorrow so I guess a hot shower when I get home is out of the question. My 13-year-old was horrified by thinking a large black man was breaking in on her and our two large dogs barking wasn't stopping them. When she called me, I had to coax her into looking outside to see if there was a utility truck. Thank God, there was.

Customer's statement of the problem: On 05/26/2011, I called CenterPoint Energy to report that my daughter called me at work from home, shortly after 10 am, to inform me that the power was out on our street. CenterPoint then billed me $45.00 for reporting "inside trouble", which is not true. I reported a power-outage in our neighborhood. The power was restored shortly after my call (which I was unaware of) due to the fact that I was at work; but they still sent a technician out and billed. I have tried to dispute the charge, but they insist on billing me because by the time the technician finally arrived, the power was restored. They have not disclosed what time the technician actually arrived at my address, or proven that one actually came out. There was no note left.

Desired settlement: I would like for the $45.00 service call fee showing "inside trouble" on my billing statement dated 06/20/2011 to be credited back to my account since I did not have or report inside trouble, only a power-outage in the neighborhood. Customers should not be billed for a service call fee when reporting a power-outage in a neighborhood or on a street.

I am emailing a complaint against Center Point Energy. I have been paying my account online according to the online bill statement. I am a victim of domestic violence and had to unexpectedly leave my property with my child temporarily in November of 2010. My spouse is going to prison and I want to move back into my house. I contacted Center Point energy to inquire about my balance and was informed that I owe $1350.00 to the company because of billing errors. The company states that I have not been billed since 2008. But as you can see the payments I made varies according to the bill I saw on line. Please see message from Center Point below, and attached is a copy of my payment history.

When I went to the website to retrieve the billing information, I was unable to because the history was deleted. I have been with this company for over 20 years. I am a single parent and can ill-afford to make such a payment this large to restore my services. I think this is a huge error on Center Point Energy's part and would like assistance. It is unheard of for a company to not bill a customer for over 2 years and then expect a balloon payment.

How can our state government allow gas shut off by temperature?! Who got the pay off here with this legislation? Most everywhere else in the states, it is by date, not weather temperature, but not here in Texas! The state that does whatever the hell it pleases. By temperature means when we get a warm front roll in the dead of winter, they can swoop in that day and shut you off. What a crock. I have been with CenterPoint for 15 years!

The one time I let the gas bill go (an honest error), they waited for the temperature to go up and shut me off. My bill was due today, the 29th. It was my fault. I did not open the bill to see it was a shut off notice that was due on the 24th. All of this happened because I owed $35.59. So now they tack on their service charges of $60.00 for the shut off and reconnect. I am paying $30.00 a visit for about 15 seconds of work. How is that fair?! How would it be fair for low income people, the elderly, or someone with an infant?! If they are late with their payment, how is it fair to charge double the payment due for disconnect/and reconnect fees? CenterPoint has a monopoly here in Houston.

I thought monopolies were a thing of the past. What happened to free enterprises? The government broke up ATT, didn't they? So, how is it that the energy industry gets special treatment? Oh yeah, I'm in the great state of Texas. The CSV person told me "I have to be here tomorrow from 7 a.m. till...garbled. "Till what?" I asked. The person said: "From 7 a.m. till," and then garbled again. Once again, I said, "I'm not getting that. From 7 to what time?" Then, she told me, "From 7 a.m. till midnight." Till midnight, I will lose a full day's pay! It's like there's a lot of money in this economy that a person can pay CE's fees plus lose a full day's pay for this. I am self employed and this is going to hurt the checking account.

Received a gas bill for more than twice the actual usage! For the past month (10/27/2010-11/29/2010) the actual gas usage of as per the meter is 60 CCF but they charged to 160 CCF! I actually read the meter and any one can read it! What makes feel so mad is that in the past two years, there are three instances that I brought their over charges (every time more than 100%) to their attention and they would sent me a new bill with the right amount without even feeling a remorse or say sorry (when you complain in the phone - the customer service would say that they would send a new bill, that is all!).

A couple of times they would say that they estimated the charge and not actually read the meter. They must have been ripping the customer off for a long time but I came to notice when they send me a bill for $480 which turned out to be $150! Other two instances also the mistake was always that if it has gone un-noticed, the consumer would have paid more, much more! The error is always penalizing the consumer, that the charges are always outrageously higher than the actual usage never the other way around. I don't check it out unless if there is an obvious overcharge.

I have a feeling that myself and most of the consumers of this company might have overpaid several occasions when the charges are not verified (or checked the meter reading).Unfortunately, there is no other choice for the consumer because this is only gas company operating in our area. I really wish some law firm should file a class action law suit against CenterPoint Energy for this high way robbery that is been going on for so many years (at least past 3 years when I started verifying the meter readings). I have all their original and re-billing invoices for proof. This month, I have not yet complained and holding the bill for some lawyer to come forward to sue this company.

Our monthly natural gas usage is typically close to zero. We aren't the greatest cooks and use microwaves/toasters/restaurants for most of our food needs. Our water heater is gas of course, but our typical bills reflect almost 0 usage and a service fee of about $14 each mailing (aside from summer). Well, we left town for about 2 weeks and unfortunately, overlooked paying our bill. We've been loyal customers for over 5 years and typically, make blind payments via online bill pay through our bank. For most of this year, we made $45 payments. This put us at an overpayment of about $55 around May, with subsequent bills amounting to $14.50.

So they decided to disconnect us while we're in Florida for an overdue amount of $29. We promptly paid them this amount + $19 to get us current. When we returned, no hot water. Now they require $62 reconnect and a $125 deposit to restore service. Unfortunately, we don't have that money until payday. So me, my wife and 11-year old are supposed to go without heat and hot water for 7 days, then whatever time it takes for them to get out to turn it back on. It's getting cold at night here. I really wish Centerpoint isn't the only provider of gas in Houston. Their extortion seems illegal.

I started service of gas connection with them on 7/1/2010. On 8/12/2010, they have charged me 3 times for $13.54 each for a total of $40.62. My total gas usage is of only $15.31 only. When I called them up, I am did not get any reasonable answer.

This year I have had to call CenterPoint all most every month or every other month because my meter has been read wrong. My bill have been from $98.00 dollar to $200.00 plus dollar. I feel like I have a full time job calling CenterPoint each month. I'm tired of it. Only damage is my time. I'm a full time mother and full time student with a full time job.

I paid for my service to be reconnected in 24 hours. Because the technician states that he came to my home and left a notice that he was there and we did not answer the door, he left without restoring my gas. There was no note on my door and there was someone at my home all day waiting on them to get there. There was no evidence that the person came by to restore my service. I called the Center Point office and was on the phone starting at 4:45 pm and until 5:27 pm trying to get them to send that person back out there, since he was supposedly at my home at 4:30 pm.

Both Ms. P. and supervisor Ms. R. were very strict in saying that there was no way that they could send someone back to my home. I know it is not their fault that it was cutoff. But if I can pay all that money to get it restored by the time that they want it restored, then why can't I get the customer service that I deserve as a long time customer? Ms. P. was not that rude, but the supervisor Ms. R. was very rude. She didn't even want to hear what I had to say. I work in customer service and I know from the experience that there is always a way to help out a customer if you want to. Evidently, they did not want to. As Ms. R. so bluntly put it, Center Point has me **, because they are the gas provider for my city. So, whatever they say goes and that is not right. I needed hot water to take a bath because I have a job that demands me to be at my best in appearance. I could not do that because I was unable to get my job clean. It is hot as hell outside and my family and I needed to take a bath. I hope that this complaint is taken seriously.

My gas was cut off after a non-payment $32.53. I had been out of town when the mail came as well as when the gas was cut off. I tried to explain my situation and agreed to pay the fees but asked about the deposit being waved. I have had service at this location for over 4 years with no issues prior and now because of nonpayment it will cost me a total of $177.42 to reinstate my gas service.

I have no other options for gas and they can make me do whatever they want if I want gas service. This is unbelievable that a monopoly exists and the company has no heart! I'm not remaining delinquent, but now I am forced to comply or have no gas. I was treated horribly as well. I was explained the same information over and over as though I did not understand. I also was spoken to in a diminutive manner. I have never been dealt with like this and if it were possible I would switch my provider no matter the cost.

Bottom line is, I failed to pay a bill on time. After many years of service (10) with CenterPoint, I had a credit on my account for months after frequently overpaying my bill. Last month, the time came when I had a balance due of $34. I neglected to pay on the due date and had gone on holidays for two weeks when they decided to send me a 10-day notice of cutoff. By the time I got back, it was too late to pay and my gas was cutoff. I am somewhat fine with that although I find their action extremely mercenary and insensitive, given the low amount due and my years of business with them.

I called CenterPoint's Office for reconnection and found that I am responsible for a $60 reconnection fee and a $105 deposit is now due to get reconnected. Of course, the phone techs were conveniently unable to waive anything for any reason, regardless of a good history with the company. To add insult to injury, after paying the reconnection fee, I was told that the service tech will be by anytime between 8 in the morning and 8 at night.

That someone has to be home for reconnection. They will give a narrower window for their appointment. Now I am incensed with this last act of consideration from CenterPoint, who by the way, has no competition in the Natural Gas arena in my area. I would love to bill them for my time which is equally as valuable as theirs. If I had an alternative, I would take it over this ** for customer service from CenterPoint Energy!

An unknown balance of $200 appeared on my husband's account several months ago. After contacting CenterPoint I was informed that this was a balance from four years ago at a different address under my name. I ask that a copy of that bill be sent to me and that if I truly owed it, it would be paid. I was informed that because the bill was so old that they could no longer provide me with a bill. I said that I'm not going to pay the balance due without documented proof that I owe it. The person I spoke with said that I could dispute the balance with the credit department, so I did.

A month later my husband receives a copy of his driver's license record in the mail from CenterPoint saying that he lived at the address so the balance would stay on his account. Again, the old account was in my name, not his. We never disputed that we lived at that address so what they provided was not sufficient in our opinion. Again we contacted CenterPoint and asked for a copy of the past due bill and was told the same thing. The only thing they could tell me was the dates of the bill. I explained that we no longer lived in that house during the dates on the bill and that I would gladly provide copies of lease agreements as proof.

I also remembered that when we were vacating the house I had to call CenterPoint several times just to get our service disconnected. The first time I was told that I had to call back closer to my move out date. The second time was the disconnect and the third was to confirm that my disconnect request had been received. Of course now they are not able to locate these phone calls. I was told that I had to fax my lease agreements in by 5/24 in order to avoid being disconnected. I faxed them several times just to make sure that they received them.

I called on 5/25 to confirm and was told that there were no notes in the computer yet but that it normally takes about 48 hours to be updated. I called in 5/27 and was told that they still had not been received. The rep suggested that I fax it to her and she would make sure the credit department received them. The rep even called to confirm that she received them. On 6/16 I still had not heard from CenterPoint and because it was after hours I decided to send in an email. Today 6/19, I received an email stating that a decision was made on 5/27 and I owe the bill. It said that someone also contacted me on this date which is not true. I just need someone to please help me get this resolved. All I am asking for is a copy of the bill. If it is during my residency at this address, I have no problem paying for it. However, I don't believe I should be expected to pay for something just because someone says I do. Dealing with this matter has added stress and taken time away from work and family.

CenterPoint Energy does not even work with 100% disabled vets (with 8 children). They are a monopoly with no compassion for any customer. Their corporate policy is to run roughshod over the poor, the disenfranchised, the sick and the disabled. The bottom line for CenterPoint is profit. My family endured weeks of cold water and miserable late winter nights after I paid them over $700 for December and January. Now, they will charge me hundreds of dollars more to get back under their thumb with no alternative source of natural gas. I am personally glad that I sacrificed my health, earning capacity and 21 years of my life serving my county so companies like CenterPoint can bend me over and give me my reward.

Enough is enough. We citizens need to get together and file a class action suit. My bill every year, for 6+ years? ~$150-$180. Last month, it was close to $200 and today it is $260. They are trying to feed us BS by saying the temperature has been colder than years before. They have enough money to get new meters? Well, just like cabs/taxi's, these meters need to be regulated!

My complaint is regarding a misreading on my gas meter of 1904 and usage of 114ccf of $143.58 on 3/12/09-3/23/09. My home has been vacant since Sept. 2008 and all the other meter reading and usage has been a small amt with a small bill amt. as well. Center Point employee read the meter wrong and is not accepting their fault and I have been trying to resolve this matter from the very first time I received the bill. Center Point does not want to accept a mistake was made so they closed out my acct and turn the gas off and transferred $274.45 to my 3403 Crossbranch. I'm not happy how they handled this acct. I'm seeking for some help to resolve this, please. Thank you.

My mother is the person with CenterPoint Gas. She is 85 year old woman who has had 2 broken hips and is in a wheelchair. She is getting old and has a hard time taking care of her bills in a timely manner. I spoke with her this morning and she complained that it was very cold in her house. I tried to be positive and said, "Well, mom it is going to be sun shining today, it should warm up." I know she always has it hot in her house. Well, I called her back at 1:00 and spoke to her again. She asked me, "Do you know why it was cold in here?" I said, "Why?" She said, "Because they cut my gas off and it would be tomorrow before they turn it back on."

I got off the phone and called them. I got the same response. I started crying just thinking of her being in the cold house all night and probably all day tomorrow too. She is like we all are and that is she does not want to leave her house to go to a motel. And she did not have the money. I spoke to Mrs. D. Mrs. D was nice until I told her that I have paid the gas bill and if they will not turn it on then I can just go cut the tag off and do it myself for her. Oh, she did not like that at all. She got very firm about I cannot do that. I want to know if I paid the bill for my mother, why I have to wait for so long. It was like talking to a broken record.

So here I am so far away and beside myself. How can one company have so much control over your life? Because they own the gas, they can say who can have gas or not. They can say who can have heat or not. It is just not right. CenterPoint has "no customer service" at all. I didn't think they could treat elderly people like this. There should be a law about this. She could catch a cold or get pneumonia. What are they thinking of?

I filed a customer service complaint against CenterPoint Energy (CPE) back several months ago, with the PUC who then referred me on over to the RRC . The response I obtained back from the RRC was vague and totally slighted towards CPE. Had I had the time to devote further to it, I would have pursued it with the local television networks. Now, my bill for January comes in and it is five times higher than any bill I have ever received in the 5+ years at this address. As a consumer, what options for service do I have? Zero! I hate to suspect foul play here but I cannot help but wonder if there is some hanky panky going on with usage estimates or something. I plan to put this out on as many website as possible in case other citizens out there have valid suspensions of the same thing.

For years, Center Point Energy has held a monopoly in natural gas. They are also a known provider for electricity. It is their bad practices that has lead to this blog post and I would like to share my story. I live alone with my 17 month old son and I have had Center Point Energy Natural Gas Service for a year, not because I like them as I have had a terrible experience with them in the past with electricity. My first encounter with Center Point Energy happened in 2006 with Electrical Service. I just moved to Houston, TX and requested new service at my address. My service was transferred into my name and I received a bill for $310 in the mail, it was a request for a deposit.

It also stated that the deposit could be waived if I sent them a letter of credit from a previous utility company. Since my utilities at my old address in Louisiana were always paid on time, I contacted my old company LUS and asked that a letter of credit be faxed along with my account number to Center Point Energy. I also asked that a copy be faxed to me at my office. When I received my copy, I faxed it again and I mailed it. I called Center Point Energy to see if it was received, but all of the customer service representatives said they do not have access to the fax machine and that when it is received it would be noted in the system.

So I went ahead and faxed it two more times to be sure. Easter weekend is coming close and my family decided they would come visit. So I went out and bought $273 worth of groceries, which were all later spoiled because when I returned home from work on the Thursday before Easter Friday I had no power. Not once did Center Point send a disconnection notice.

I called Center Point's office and was told that because my letter of credit was not received, they disconnected the service. I asked why they could not call to notify me that they "so called did not receive it". The representative told me they do not send disconnection notices for new accounts when the disconnection is occurring as a result of a deposit that is not received or waived by a letter of credit, and the only notice sent is when you receive the deposit invoice in the mail. This really upset me as I called several times to check if it had been received and I faxed it numerous times, my old utility company also faxed it, and I mailed it.

So after seriously yelling at the customer service representatives and speaking with a manager they were able to find my fax but it was never entered into the system. Of course they apologized and when I asked when would my services be restored, they said that first my letter of credit would need to be approved and that can take 3 -5 business days and then they would reschedule my service to be connected which could take up to an additional 5 days. I was then forced to switch to TXU Energy who had the service on by that Monday and did not ask me for a $310 deposit.

So when I moved to my new home in 2008, it turns out that Center Point is the only provider of Natural Gas Service. I unfortunately had no choice to use their service. I signed up and was never asked for a deposit. For 12 consecutive months I had never been late or been disconnected. Recently, I was out of town for a period of 3 weeks, so unlucky for me my bill came while I was away and when I returned on Monday January 25, 2010 I checked my mail and saw the bill and went online to pay it while I was at work. The past due amount was $49.86, but unfortunately for me Center Point Energy already scheduled a disconnection for that same day. I returned home to find my gas services disconnected.

The next day on Tuesday January 26, 2010 I called Center Point Energy to find out when my services would be restored and the representative told me I would have to do the following things before my service could be restored: 1) Pay my upcoming bill that would be due on January 28, 2010 in the amount of $124.00 (Keep in mind that it is the 26th and this bill is not even due until the 28th), 2) Pay the $20.87 Disconnection Fee, 3) Pay a $62.00 Reconnection Fee, and 4) Pay a $150.00 Deposit.

Now considering the $49.86 I already paid that was past due plus all the current fees they are asking for, Center Point Energy would like for me to pay a total amount of $406.73 to restore my service. Now if they were just asking me to pay the new bill and a sensible reconnection fee I could probably have dealt with that. But I think that the disconnection fee is ludicrous, the reconnection fee is a rip off, and the deposit is just cruel. Especially since I asked if the reconnection fee, disconnection fee, and deposit could be paid in installments since I'm already a customer and wasn't late before, but they still said no. It all has to be paid before they can do anything.

I complained but it did nothing even the fact that I had paid on time for the entire year that I was with them meant nothing. I told them that I have a 17 month old son, but they still insisted that all these fees be paid and I call them back when I have it. So even more unlucky for myself and my son we have had no hot water, heater, and I am unable to even cook. The part that is most painful is the fact that for the past five days the temperature has been in the 30s and 40s. I totally understand the fact that Center Point turned off the gas because they want their money and I didn't pay it on their schedule. But knowing that the weather is extremely cold and making it near impossible for one to restore their service is the problem that I have. I am a single mother and maintain my home and take care of my child with a single salary which isn't much, might I add. I have always paid my bill with Center Point Energy and had this one unlucky point in time where I forgot to pay it on time and now I can't get service because I don't have an additional $406.73 sitting around the house.

It is obvious that Center Point Energy treats its customers this way and feels it's okay to leave them in the cold because they feel that we need them and will have no choice but to find the money to pay them their ridiculous fees. The sad part is that many of us cannot pay their senseless fees and sit without service for months on end. I don't see my service being turned on anytime soon. It will take me two paychecks to be able to pull the deposit, another paycheck for the reconnection fee, and possibly another two pay checks to cover the disconnection fee and my new bill.

The government needs to force Center Point Energy to allow other companies to service Natural Gas just as they have done with electricity. I know that all the electricity providers do go through Center Point at the end of the day, but they usually are a lot easier to deal with. My son is sick and has a cold and also suffers from asthma. The current temperature is 38 degrees outside.

Here is my complaint. I am not too good in typing but I will try my best to explain it. I would really like to talk to an attorney at law in person. This is a complaint about the electricity provider CenterPoint Energy. I am a resident of Houston and also a good human and good citizen. I also have the same need as everyone has and electricity is part of life. In that part I found a lot of cheating in CenterPoint Energy. I know that something is wrong and not correct but was not sure. Now I am 100% sure and have proof of it.

Here is a small story about it. I live in a small 2-bedroom house. Many times I got very high electric bill from my agency and I also change so many times, one to another. I thought may be the agency is high but that was not the problem.

Last year, I lost my 220 connection and my heater, AC, hot water, and stove was not working. I called the CenterPoint. They sent me a worker. He told me, "You have a problem with your 220, which is between the transformer and meter and that is underground. That cost you at least 3500 dollars to do that." I got shocked and I said I don't have that much money, not even a job in these days. He left and sent me 40 dollars extra charge in bill. I still don't have any 220 coming in my home. And still, I have no hot water, no stove, no heat, and no AC. And last month I got 954 cent bill from my agency (Just Energy).

The first time when I saw the bill, I was shocked. I sat in car and started driving. I hit the curve and bust my tire. I came home and thought before I didn't have 220 and 110 will be gone too because I can pay this much bill. Then, I thought, why am I getting that high bill? I could sleep all night and the next day, I called Just Energy and asked them what this is. Why is the bill so high? We have nothing to do with that but that really doesn't make any sense. It's a way high bill.

I contacted CenterPoint Energy. I explained to them about my bill. First, they said, "I don't know. Whatever the reading is, we send that to your agency." Then they said, "Okay, we will send someone to read the meter." I told them the meter is new. You guys change the meter. Also before, according to you guys, the meter is slow and not making enough money. Then, what happened now? Anyway, they sent a worker and took reading of it. The worker said, "They don't come to read the meter. They just measure and go." He said the reading is not right. Anyway, it's a long story. I am waiting for another bill, but here I would like to request for any kind attorney to consider this mater. I am in a very bad situation. Please help. It's not just me. There are more people who are suffering from this kind of situation. I hope that you would consider this. God bless you.

I was sold an energy efficient furnace and a/c--and was told that I would be given a $1,500.00 tax credit on my 2009 taxes, regardless of my tax situation. I was told my expected refund would be $1,500.00 larger due to this tax credit. Upon completing my 2009 taxes, I discovered that I am not eligible for the tax credit because I do not have a tax liability after all of my deductions and expenses. This is not what I was told by the CE sales rep. He even included a subtraction of $1,500.00 in his illustration of what the final cost of the equipment would be for me. I want my $1,500.00 back from CenterPoint Energy!

my gas has been turned off for serveral months. On 7/Oct/09 i paid the bill which was $357.95. On 14/Oct/95, i calledd to find out when my service would be restored and was informed that i needed another $50 for a deposit. at which time i paid that. I was told to contact Ms. Thompson, which i did and was told by her that because of my association with someone that owes them money, i would not be able to get service until their bill was paid. The person in question is my son who has lived here in Arkansas a few years before i moved out here. I had to fax her a copy of my lease and my electric bill and was still denied service.

asked so many times for the last year, to be called from someone who knows about this difference nobody ever tried to do so, but customer service people do not know answer on it.

Second: When price of the gasoline, year ago or so, was $4.00+ they established Cost Adjustment Fee. Gasoline price is not anymore that much but adjustment staying as is. For my residency is: $0.89187 per CCF. For rental property is $0.83250 per CCF. Why nobody knows from customer service people but again no ANSWER FROM SOMEBADY WHO KNOWS!

Gas cost is also different? For my residency is: $0.89187 per CCF. For rental property is $0.83250 per CCF. the same, no body knows, but there is no one either to answer on those questions. If you ask them where is they office to find somebody to talk and complain, there is no answer either.

In total gas cost difference is: For my residency is: $0.93787 per CCF. For rental property is $0.9049 per CCF. Why, again the same answer actually no answer! They do have monopoly for so long and they use and abuse us customer on every possible way. This is like very well know case of Houston based ENRON and we all know how that finished.

Do I need to say impact a specially in this difficult times of our economy. I do believe that Consumer affairs is very well known as fighter for us consumers and certainly with big influence on media and politicians. What we can do to established deregulation on gas industry too?

I have 5 children the youngest is 7 months old. It is such a hassle making a payment to Centerpoint, I usually put it off. Since I don't deal with mailing checks, I use my credit card over the phone. First I have to call Centerpoint (on the phone for about 10-15 minutes)just to get the phone number to call for Bill Matrix to make my payment (another 5-10 minutes) plus they charge a 2.95 charge for electronic checks or plastic. THEN I have to call Centerpoint AGAIN (Another 10-15 minutes of phone time) to give them the confirmation code.

Well, my gas was cut off yesterday evening, no knocker...nothing. So I had called Centerpoint, the electronic voice said 61.08 plus $20.00 reconnect fee. But being that I wanted to speak to a person, I had to call back. I finally got through to a person and was told 157.00 and that our service wouldn't be reconnected until Tuesday. Today is Thursday!!! 5 kids, 2 adults, no hot water for 6 freaking days!?!?!?!?! The guy, can't remember his name said there was no way they could make it out here until Tuesday. Grumbling, I got off the phone called and made the $157.00 payment, plus an additional 2.95 Bill matrix payment fee.

I called Centerpoint energy back with the confirmation code and still pretty ticked off that my service wouldn't be reconnected until Tuesday. Then by the lady I was speaking to with the receipt number, she tells me that I can pay an additional $35.00 OVERTIME fee for them to reconnect today. But through Bill Matrix of course. They have to have that additional $2.95 ya know! But I had to do what I had to do for my babies!!! So I called, made the payment to Bill Matrix and then called Centerpoint back. They couldn't give me a time of when someone would be here, but someone has to be here!

Good thing I have no life outside my house... ya right!
DON'T THESE PEOPLE KNOW THAT WE HAVE TO WORK TOO!?!?!?!
They charge you an arm and a leg for everything. My bill was only 94.40 (Summertime, no heat, just hot water) and it totalled 157.00 for a reconnect fee, So it was 94.40 (gas) + 62.60 (reconnect fee) + 2.95 (pay it fee) + 35.00 (OVERTIME fee) + 2.95 (another pay it fee).

Did I mention that I can't go and make the payment at the actual company, because there isn't a Centerpoint energy or place to make a payment anywhere near. The closest one is in Lawton, Oklahoma which is about 50 miles away!!!!!

This just seem illegal to me and they are getting away with it. It wouldn't surprise me at all if they started charging us to mail our bills to us!!! I know they charge us a stamp to mail our paper checks to them!!!!!!!

I'm so livid over this that I am thinking about calling my attorney to see if something or anything can be done! Gas prices are high enough!!! GRRRRRR....

My meter pole fell on 3/17/08 due to severe weather. I live out in the country so I had to repair the pole myself. I called in 3/19/08 to Reliant Energy so that someone could turn my electricity back on because Centerpoint came out and turned it off when the pole fell. I have talked to several people at least ten times a day for someone to come out and turn my electricity back on.

Something that should only be a 4 hour turnaround has to turned into 2 days! That means 4 days without electricity or water!!! Can you imagine that? How can these company have no compassion for families that live out in the country with no light or water and Centerpoint is the electric service in my area so there's absolutely no one I can complain to! I think that this is absurd to treat paying consumers like this. Not one person has apologized to my family and no one even cares that we have no electricity for 4 days!!!! I don't know who else to complain to, please get this to someone with authority in Centerpoint so that they know how their company is effecting people's lives.

We are a family on limited income. Filed on October 1st with Anoka County Community Action Program for energy assistance. We were told with our income we qualified for the program. Our work hours vary from week to week. Total income for 2007 of $18,000. I had not heard anything from Anoka County by November 1st, so I called and was told there was a letter being sent out needing further information. I received this letter the end of November. The letter was because I had turned in income for 2 companies where I did a one time job to help them out of a bind. They wanted any more income I had from these companies.

I faxed them back on 12/3/2007 saying there was no more income from these companies. I received a letter fron Anoka on 1/7/2008 saying I was denied because they never received the information they requested. I talked to Anoka on 1/10/2008 and was told their fax was not working for a few days during that time. In the mean time I can't commit to a certain payment plan without knowing from week to week what my income is going to be, therefore my gas was disconnected today. I told Centerpoint I have a 19 month baby in our house right now as my daughter is out of town for work this week, and we have him every weekend, and will have him the full last week in January also, and the customer service person told me there was nothing they could do for me.

She said we qualify for the cold weather rule and they would send us out forms to fill out for the 10 percent plan. In the mean time what do we do with no heat and a baby in the house? Will we have problems with pipes feaazing? We are going to contact the Attorney general's office tomorrow and see if they can help at all.

I moved out of one address and 6 months later, with calls and e-mails every month, they still have not refunded my deposit.

Explanation of the facts

On 09/04/2007, I found a representative from Centerpoint energy in my driveway who informed me that he was here to disconnect my gas service. The bill was being sent to another one of my properties on the other side of my country and I never realized that it was missing when the mail stopped being forwarded. To this date, I have yet to have a single call or a Voice Mail from Centerpoint to the phone number listed on my account to inform me that my service was about to be disconnected. Their answer to this issue was: well, our automated system calls customers but we don't leave a message or bother checking if the calls ever reached you... Seems to me like the system's only designed to deal with intentionally deliquent customers and not to resolve billing issues as is the case here. The reason I am contacting you to place an official complaint is twofold:

1. Monopoly practices (failure to reach a customer to try and resolve issues): Not leaving a phone message (while disconnect notices are being sent to an incorrect address) does not give a deliquent customer a way to know there is an issue with their account and to resolve it. My uncheckered payment history should have been a good reason to suspect there was an issue somewhere... but when you are the only company around, you don't have to deal with customers the way others do, I guess!

2. Racketeering (They want to charge me $70 dollars to turn the gas valve back on). This simply ridiculous!!! Mind you that I owe them a measly $98 and that until 04/07, I made regular payments.

PS: At this point in time, I believe the only gas powered appliance in my house is the water heater, which I will be replacing with an electric one so I no longer have to use the ONLY gas providing utility company. I also want to make sure that you are aware f what appears to be monopolistic abuse from Centerpoint energy. This is soooo ridiculous and could have been avoided had the company bothered to have a live employee call me on the number they had on record, which seems like proper business practice.

Please be so kind and let me know what my recourse is against the big bad wolf!

Gas was cutoff without notice (late payment). Centerpoint Energy said they would send somebody out on Monday, 03.05.2007. They were supposed to call 30 mins ahead so I could leave work to meet them. They didn't. I called @ 3pm to check status and they said they already came and nobody was home. They apologized for not calling and said somebody would be out again (same day).

My boyfriend got home @ 4pm to two notes saying nobody was home. So that's twice they came and twice they didn't call like they said they'd do BOTH times. My boyfriend called to talk to a manager (Susan) and she said she wouldn't be able to send anyone else out today and I'll have to wait until tomorrow. I asked if somebody would call and she said yes. This is right after she said we do not have to call you. I am extremely frustrated with this company and their lack of customer service.

I am sick and tired of them telling me they are reading my electric meter every month, when in fact most of the time they are estimating my usage. I have made several lifestyle changes and home improvements to reduce electric usage, just so they can estimate my bill every month which does not reflect any improvements or cut backs.

My bills are higher in the winter than the summer, when I finally corner them they admit that on several occasions they do estimate. It is there responsibility to maintain and read the meter. I want to be billed for what I use, not what they think I use.

The last 4 months have all been "over billed". Every time I bring it to their attention, they say they'll investigate and the following month I get overbilled again. Examples: my bill for 9/25/03 was $94.82 they corrected it to read $.83, that's correct 83 cents!!! As always, I call Customer Service, they say they'll investigate and now again I'm receiving a bill for $87.38 due on 10/27/03. I'm sure that again this is an error because IT'S SUMMER here and I only use a gas dryer and furnace. How could I possibly be turning on the furnace when it's 90 degrees here.