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Old 08-30-2010, 05:04 PM
 
Location: Tampa, FL
27,798 posts, read 32,416,863 times
Reputation: 14611

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Quote:
Originally Posted by cheerbaby112 View Post
Called my mother and sister up in Rochester to see if they have this charge. Mom broke out her bill and said no the only charges they have are for the actual electric and taxes. Sister has yet to get back to me. I find it weird that things would charge for customer service......
It has to be a hidden cost someone in the bill. Maybe the other companies in other states don't itemize like TECO. Someone has to pay for the expenses of reading a meter, answer helpline phones, etc. Do you expect it to be done for free?
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Old 08-30-2010, 05:19 PM
 
Location: South Carolina
14,785 posts, read 24,071,257 times
Reputation: 27092
Quote:
Originally Posted by Spring Hillian View Post
Do any cities not have a monopoly provider for electricity?
im saying that some citys have more than one electric service provider some citys have two or three company that handle it and it is called competion for your business .
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Old 08-30-2010, 05:51 PM
 
Location: Spring Hill Florida
12,135 posts, read 16,119,427 times
Reputation: 6086
I understand your comment, I just never lived anywhere that gave us a choice on electric provider.



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Quote:
Originally Posted by phonelady61 View Post
im saying that some citys have more than one electric service provider some citys have two or three company that handle it and it is called competion for your business .
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Old 08-30-2010, 05:54 PM
 
707 posts, read 1,466,163 times
Reputation: 367
Quote:
Originally Posted by BucFan View Post
It has to be a hidden cost someone in the bill. Maybe the other companies in other states don't itemize like TECO. Someone has to pay for the expenses of reading a meter, answer helpline phones, etc. Do you expect it to be done for free?


Yes I Do. I dont pay a hidden cost when I go to the grocery store or any store for them to work the cash register and answer a phone. When i go to the bank they do not charge me to use their services. I dont pay brighthouse a customer charge.
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Old 08-30-2010, 08:09 PM
 
Location: Tampa, FL
27,798 posts, read 32,416,863 times
Reputation: 14611
Yep, you pay for all that in the grocery store - it's just put into the price of your groceries where you can't see it. As for banks for all your services, you just don't get an itemized bill. Companies don't provide services for free - the cost is put on the customer. As for TECO, you just see it in the itemized bill.
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Old 08-30-2010, 08:42 PM
 
17,533 posts, read 39,105,017 times
Reputation: 24287
Quote:
Originally Posted by BucFan View Post
Yep, you pay for all that in the grocery store - it's just put into the price of your groceries where you can't see it. As for banks for all your services, you just don't get an itemized bill. Companies don't provide services for free - the cost is put on the customer. As for TECO, you just see it in the itemized bill.
What he said ^^^.
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Old 09-01-2010, 02:47 PM
 
2,729 posts, read 5,200,367 times
Reputation: 2357
Quote:
Originally Posted by rezfreak View Post
So, I just got my first month bill, and saw a 10 dollar customer charge on it. I call and ask what that is, they said that is their monthly charge for them to provide customer service (IE: answer their phones or provide meter readings). Are they THAT bad up for money that they have to CHARGE a customer for what they should be providing anyway? I mean, I've never seen a fee for customer service on any utility bill before.

Teco electric charges 10.50.. so that means 20.50 a month... 246 a year for them to provide me customer service. Please tell me this is a damn joke? My water bill (different company) doesnt have a "customer charge", so I assume this is a TECO thing?
Your calculation is wrong. You get only one charge per month. unless you have two accounts, of course. Hillsborogh county water charges $4 or so too.

But here is a consolation for you next year, if that helps.

Electric bills locally may drop a few bucks next year
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Old 09-01-2010, 06:09 PM
 
2,763 posts, read 5,755,128 times
Reputation: 2791
Quote:
Originally Posted by MeInDenudinFL View Post
Your calculation is wrong. You get only one charge per month. unless you have two accounts, of course. Hillsborogh county water charges $4 or so too.

But here is a consolation for you next year, if that helps.

Electric bills locally may drop a few bucks next year
Yes, I have TECO for Electric (10.50 a month customer charge) and TECO/People's Gas for natural gas (10.00 a month customer charge).
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Old 09-01-2010, 10:38 PM
 
Location: it depends
6,369 posts, read 6,405,709 times
Reputation: 6388
If you think TECO is making too much money, you can buy a percentage interest of the company. 160 shares of stock would pay you enough dividends to cover the 10.50 per month.
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Old 09-02-2010, 07:37 AM
 
13,768 posts, read 38,183,403 times
Reputation: 10689
Quote:
Originally Posted by phonelady61 View Post
im saying that some citys have more than one electric service provider some citys have two or three company that handle it and it is called competion for your business .
I have lived in several places across the US and never had more than 1 electric co or water co. Electric is usually a monopoly because of the cost involved.

Until recently you only had one option for phone too.

I have to agree everyone is paying for it, they just don't see it listed on their bill.
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