Allegheny Energy's "Free" Bulbs, No such thing as a free bulb Options

[Snoopy]

Does anyone else feel like we were shafted by the PSC and Allegheny Energy over this one?

http://www.herald-mail.com/?module=display...amp;format=html

Usually if you are sent something in the US Mail you did not order you cannot be charged for it. Seems AE circumvented that. (IMG:http://www.herald-mail.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/mad.gif)

[Yossarian]

I think that's pretty much it bentcorner, a disguised surcharge to help pay for a non-existent energy conversation education program. The bulbs are like those free address labels you get in the mail, except this for-profit corporation gets a nice fat profit from it.

If the bulbs are as inexpensive as everyone says they are, then AP (which probably bought the bulbs at a cheap discount) and even adding in postage, probably made a least a little money off it.

With the increases in the price of electricity and now this, AP's public relations image has to be in the toilet.

I thought I read somewhere, where some electric companies were finding that they had to raise their per kilowatt hour fees because they weren't selling as much electricity to consumers due to consumers conserving "too much".

[siriunsun]

I think that's pretty much it bentcorner, a disguised surcharge to help pay for a non-existent energy conversation education program. The bulbs are like those free address labels you get in the mail, except this for-profit corporation gets a nice fat profit from it.

If the bulbs are as inexpensive as everyone says they are, then AP (which probably bought the bulbs at a cheap discount) and even adding in postage, probably made a least a little money off it.

With the increases in the price of electricity and now this, AP's public relations image has to be in the toilet.

I thought I read somewhere, where some electric companies were finding that they had to raise their per kilowatt hour fees because they weren't selling as much electricity to consumers due to consumers conserving "too much".

AP never did have a good public relations image. Power companies in general tend to be monopolies, but AP always seemed to put a new dimension to the term "cut throat". When I lived in Md., I had Pepco, but my "across-the-street" neighbors had AP, and they were never happy with them, just for the basics..........like keeping the service going during storms, and restoring the sevice after power failures. According to a friend I have who works for DHHR, AP does not work with people who are sick and cannot work to get payment agreements in place. It's as if AP would rather turn off the power for these people...........just that alone makes me not want to even hear about Allegheny Power.

[Bentcorner]

Allegheny Power cares what people are saying about them. At least they used to. I used to know someone who worked for them as a researcher. Part of her duties included searching the newspapers each and every day looking for any mention of the company. If someone wrote a letter to the editor about Allegheny Power, it got saved and cataloged. This was before there were blogs and newspaper published everything online.

I thought it was kind of weird for a company to have so much concern about what people were saying, especially a company that sell electricity. People are going to buy their product no matter what somebody says about them.

[Snoopy]

Allegheny Power cares what people are saying about them. At least they used to.

Then this light bulb fiasco was a really stupid move on their part.

[Yossarian]

My parents started with AP (Potomac Edison) in 1961 so we had them the whole time I was growing up, and since being back in town for 13 years I've had them.

Way back when, they were a very consumer oriented business. I remember my parents calling them about various problems and they would respond very quickly. The meter readers were friendly and would stop and talk with you (back then the meters were in the basement and not outside.) The readers knew you by name.

Even in the late 90's, if you called them, you got a live person answering the phone usually within 3 rings. Very polite and efficient people who would step all over themselves trying to resolve your issue.

Now, it seems, they have the "phone company" attitude. Being the only game in town, I think they think they can do whatever the hell they damn well please.

So yes, they did care. And maybe they still do. But crap like this... well...

Come to think of it, maybe the change happened when they ceased being Potomac Edison, moved out of their building on Downsville Pike and became Allegheny Power.

[Guest_theBurninator_*]

since i STILl havent gotten any random lightbulbs in the mail, i was wondering... did you guys get any notice?? like "next month on your statement there will be an added charge of $x.xx and you should be recieving a box of fancy shmancy lightbulbs."?

[Yossarian]

since i STILl havent gotten any random lightbulbs in the mail, i was wondering... did you guys get any notice?? like "next month on your statement there will be an added charge of $x.xx and you should be recieving a box of fancy shmancy lightbulbs."?

Nope. Nothing. Not even in their colorful little pamphlet included in the bill. Oh wait.. now that i think about it, maybe they said something about "free" lightbulbs being shipped out, but definitely no word about a surcharge.

[siriunsun]

My parents started with AP (Potomac Edison) in 1961 so we had them the whole time I was growing up, and since being back in town for 13 years I've had them.

Way back when, they were a very consumer oriented business. I remember my parents calling them about various problems and they would respond very quickly. The meter readers were friendly and would stop and talk with you (back then the meters were in the basement and not outside.) The readers knew you by name.

Even in the late 90's, if you called them, you got a live person answering the phone usually within 3 rings. Very polite and efficient people who would step all over themselves trying to resolve your issue.

Now, it seems, they have the "phone company" attitude. Being the only game in town, I think they think they can do whatever the hell they damn well please.

So yes, they did care. And maybe they still do. But crap like this... well...

Come to think of it, maybe the change happened when they ceased being Potomac Edison, moved out of their building on Downsville Pike and became Allegheny Power.

Potomac Edison WAS good. My parents had them, too. I had AP when I lived in WV, and I remember having to call them for some prob (at this late date, I really cannot remember what it was!!!!) and they guy actually accused me of tampering with the meter box! Now.....yours truly is NOT an electrician, and does not even know how to tamper with meter boxes, and would probably electricute herself in such an attempt, anyway......................the box was also located outside, which means that if tampered with, it could have been anyone! I really didn't appreciate the accusation.

[ChipStewart]

If you think that it was nervy of Allegheny Power to send you unsolicited light bulbs and then charge you for them you can request a complaint form by calling 1-800-492-0472 (Maryland Public Commission) www.psc.state.md.us/psc or you can also call Allegheny customer service center at 1-800-255-3443.

Thanks for the tip BlueBirder, but the number you posted goes to an add for the "most popular chat service in town". Try changing the last digit to a 4 at 1-800-492-0474.

[ChipStewart]

I just got off the phone with a manager from the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC). It seems they've been swamped. She said Allegheny is being required to come before the PSC to defend whether the charges are "appropriate or whether it should be reduced or eliminated, and whether the Commission can and should take any other action in response to customers' complaints." Here's the PSC's letter to Allegheny:
http://webapp.psc.state.md.us/Intranet/Con...sted%5C2375.doc

If you want, you can file a formal complaint online:
http://webapp.psc.state.md.us/Intranet/cap...plaintNotes.cfm

Or if you just want to submit comments:
http://www.psc.state.md.us/psc/Info/feedback.htm

Oh, and I called Allegheny too. They're not planning on any kind of reduction, refund, or action on their own.

[CleverNameGoesHe...]

I just got off the phone with a manager from the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC). It seems they've been swamped. She said Allegheny is being required to come before the PSC to defend whether the charges are "appropriate or whether it should be reduced or eliminated, and whether the Commission can and should take any other action in response to customers' complaints." Here's the PSC's letter to Allegheny:
http://webapp.psc.state.md.us/Intranet/Con...sted%5C2375.doc

I just read the body of that letter in your link above. Wow, it sounds like Allegheny Power has some 'splainin to do, huh? It'll be interesting to see how this all shakes out. I'm still perplexed that this is not a news story to NBC25...

[samy0]

I just got off the phone with a manager from the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC). It seems they've been swamped. She said Allegheny is being required to come before the PSC to defend whether the charges are "appropriate or whether it should be reduced or eliminated, and whether the Commission can and should take any other action in response to customers' complaints." Here's the PSC's letter to Allegheny:
http://webapp.psc.state.md.us/Intranet/Con...sted%5C2375.doc

I just read the body of that letter in your link above. Wow, it sounds like Allegheny Power has some 'splainin to do, huh? It'll be interesting to see how this all shakes out. I'm still perplexed that this is not a news story to NBC25...

WOW! Someone is going to get a serious reaming! (IMG:http://www.herald-mail.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) I would not be shocked now if they didn't just eat the cost and try to save some face. Of course as someone else already mentioned they will just jack up the rates or find another way to get the money out of us.

One more thing I'd like to point out. remember last year when they started billing us "extra" to offset the rising costs (60-70%) beginning in 2009? They said this money would be put away until the new rates went into effect then it would help offset those higher rates. I'm not sure I trust these jagoffs "holding" my money until 2009.

[Bentcorner]

I'm still perplexed that this is not a news story to NBC25...

I know the studio is downtown, but where is the transmission tower? Is it outside the city and does it get power from AP? If so, that might explain why they haven't been covering it.

[Bentcorner]

I checked the FCC website. It shows that WHAG's tower is near Clear Spring. That would mean the tower relies on power from Allegheny Power, right?

[Yossarian]

Yup, all those blinking red lights on the hill up in Clear Spring.