APS back billing - what are my options?

[PoppySead]

Since you moved they probably couldn't get in the yard for the set up. After that they wouldn't need access. Surprises do suck, I agree with Grannysroost. Just call them and say I cannot afford a bulk payment, can I talk to the manager. They might set up payments then. It seems by the time you found out they had considered you overdo for months. That might be a spoke in the wheel on a payment plan. We have all learned the hard way to check all of the fine print. To question things that are too good to be true. Electric companies are able to do what they want so maybe just better to find a way to pay and call it a lesson learned.

[Bummer]

Unfortunately, nshrops . . . this sounds like another one of those "If it sounds too good to be true . . . " scenarios.

Not attempting to sound uncaring, however, in spite of being sick over receiving such a whopper bill, I believer your only solution is to arrange for some type of a less painful (if there is such a thing) payment plan.

GOOD LUCK and keep us posted.

[pandaundercover]

So, you were receiving the bills by email EVERY months and they were only around $200? And this was until this month? August? That you received the $1100 bill? Can you confirm what temp you typically left the A/C at in your house all summer? Will give me an idea if your bill was low by some error.

Also, if you can find a way to access those summer bills you paid and print them all out, do that. Examine them. If you WERE paying a mthly bill all summer, then it does sound fishy. However, I do recall hearing about some "monthly consistent payment" plan that some people have been doing to afford the bills, and i would assume any extra usage over (or under) that payment plan, will be billed later in a lump sum. I'm not sure if that is how it works, but I have heard about it. Did you set something like that up and forget?

Overall, you should continue demanding proof that that's the electricity you guys used and owe. 1100 for 3 (?) months does seem really high, and unless one of the a/c 's are faulty and wasting energy, or you leave it on at like 70 degrees all the time, I can't imagine that you seriously owe that much.

WIth that said, APS does have a history of charging people ridiculous amounts of money for the most ridiculous reasons. It never seems fair at all, but I've read no one can barely win a lawsuit against them too. If they refuse to provide you with proof of your usage all summer and showing that you really owe all that, I'd consider suing them. Find their nearest office and go in person... they have to have the proof somewhere. Also, I'd consider switching to a paper bill... cause I won't pay my bills unless they appear legitimate and I keep them in case something like your situation ever arises.

[Jkgourmet]

They ARE getting a paper bill. They get an email that tells them what they owe AND tells them they can go to the APS website and view it. They can't print if if they insist on killing trees. In fact, I believe APS even provides a link to their website so you don't have to type anything except your user name and password.

Imagine how much money we ALL could save in postage, paper and labor if everyone received their bills and monthly statements electronically.