Electric company - was I just scammed?? (attorney, taxes)

[bookworm2768]

I switched last month from TXU (20 cents /kwh) to YEP who claimed to offer 13 c/kwh. What a smart customer I am!

I just got the first bill from yep and they have included $47 in utility charges I never saw any such fee on my TXU bill and on the YEP website in the FAQ section it clearly states, and I quote :
"16. Does this rate include everything, including the electricity cost, the transmission and distribution charges, fuel charges, if any, as well as the monthly customer charge or other fees?

· The average rate includes the energy charge, transmission and distribution charges, $7.95 service fee only if you are billed less than 1000 kWh on any invoice and the recurring payment discount. The average rate does not include taxes/regulatory fees, which are standard for all Retail Electricity Providers "

So I called the customer service and was told that transmission and distribution charges are not included in the rate per kwh. (this totally contradicts their FAQ section) I was told that it is up to the electric company to decide whether to include the transmission charges in the rate/kwh or to charge them seperately. At this rate I'm actually paying almost 16 cents per kwh as opposed to their attractively low 13 cents. Besides which the main thing is that I feel deceived!!

Anyone else encounter this method of bumping up the total cost?? And what recourse do I have besides switching again??!!

[Grainraiser]

.16 kwh is about the going rate for electricity now days. I just signed up with TXU for a minimum of 14.7 to a max of 16.0 depending on much you use. I wish I would have locked in earlier but I had no idea natural gas prices would take off like they have. Terms and conditions are spelled out for each electric provider you sign up for. Only by carefully reading it will you get the correct answer.

[bookworm2768]

Looks like what I should have been checking is something called the Electricity Facts label which lays out exactly what the company will charge you for. The FAQ question I quoted contradicts this completely but my guess is that the published Facts Label online will trump that. I still think its deceptive practices on their part since you are not comparing apples to apples when you compare their rate.kwh to the rate/kwh of reliant or TXU (the other companies include the deliver charge in the rate).

[billdfw]

Report them to the Attorney General of Texas and then switch companies again

[lh_newbie]

16 cents/kwh... makes solar panels look more attractive...

[loves2read]

definitely report them to the Attorney General and to the state utility board
and if they are listed with BBB report them there as well....
send letter to the editor of your local paper as well--
that is deceptive practice---and borderline fraud-- to me

[carlinagirlntx]

Contact the staet utility board. when my former apt complex switched all units to a different provider by mistake the utility board was the only people who would listen to me. Everyone else wanted us to pay for a mistake that was not ours. They have a quick turn around too they gave us an answer in less than 24 hours.