 CHIT CHAT 2 (18+) [Southern fricken Water] |
| Author: |
Post: |
|
|
Posted on 03rd Aug 2008 at 13:33
I've been getting high bills on a metered water supply from this company for the last few years. At the end of last year it was established that there was a leak just next to the water meter in the road outside my house. They send round someone to fix it. A month or so later they send me a new water bill for £220. Obviously this included the period during which the pipe was leaking. Naturally I phoned them and complained about this and the fact that they had been overcharging me for the last few years. They agreed to put the account on hold while they looked into it. I was told that I would be given a leak allowance for the time that I was overcharged.
A few weeks later I received a red reminder bill for the same amount. I phoned Southern Water and reminded THEM that the account was on hold and that the outstanding money had not been sorted. They agreed to put the account back on hold, while they looked into it.
A month or so later I received a letter threatening to take me to court unless the account was settled within 10 days. Naturally I was pissed. I phoned their customer line and gave them a bollocking. They AGAIN agreed to put the account back on hold "while they looked into it" and assured me that I would NOT be receiving a court summons. This was a couple of months ago.
Anyway yesterday morning I received a letter from a flipping debt collecting agency telling me that unless I pay the full amount within the 10 days I will be taken to court! I am now incandescent with rage at being treated this way by these incompetent arseholes, especially as I have contacted them every frigging step of the way to get this thing sorted. I have always paid my bills promptly and I am furious at being treated this way. They will be receiving the full force of my wrath first thing Monday morning. </end of RANT>
|
   |
|
|
Posted on 04th Aug 2008 at 06:31
I think this is the longest post I have ever seen you make lol.
Hope it works out for you, give 'em hell.
I've reached the stage of my life where I exist solely to embarrass my children.
|
| |
|
|
Posted on 04th Aug 2008 at 08:20
|
| |
|
|
Posted on 05th Aug 2008 at 07:19
"go postal" on them
Gud day Shelia's
Brad's Aussie counterpart / mate.
|
| |
|
|
Posted on 05th Aug 2008 at 15:58
I gave them some serious grief of teh phone. I had a bit of a meltdown as I went though the catalogue of their crimes against me.
Yelling "HOW DARE YOU SEND MY ACCOUNT TO A DEBT COLLECTOR" at the top of your voice r0x. 
|
| |
|
|
Posted on 09th Aug 2008 at 12:50
I thought this had been straightened out. The supervisor I spoke to last week told me that they had looked at my account and with the leakage taken into consideration a new bill for £90 would bring me up to date. She also apologised for the way they have messed me about.
This morning I received a new bill from Southern Water for £346.99. That's £222.98 from the previous bill PLUS a new charge of £123.71. Accounts office not open till Monday at 9am. :nuke
|
| |
|
|
Posted on 09th Aug 2008 at 13:06
Dude, it's just a bill.
I mean, relax.
You're a moron, you're part of a league of morons I've been fighting my whole life. And today, I win
|
| |
|
|
Posted on 12th Aug 2008 at 16:43
I WOULD SEND A DEBT COLLECTOR ON THEM
|
| |
|
|
Posted on 18th Aug 2008 at 23:21
I really sympathise with you. I hate dealing with large corps now for this reason. I don't blame you for getting annoyed but it appears you are not alone...
http://www.water-guide.org.uk/southern-water.html
Perhaps it would be better to write a letter detailing all the contact you have had with them and send it in hand written enveleope to Les Dawson (CEO). If it were me, I would also cc it to Head of Customer Services, Billing Department, Recoveries (or whatever they call that particular dept). If you managed to get the names of all the people you spoke to, I would also send it to the training dept - they obviously need a review.
It may seem overkill, but usually once you send it to the CEO his PA would likely pass it down & follow it up which means you are more likely to get a response.Also, once the other addressee's see who else has been cc'd in on the letter, people tend to view it as a hot potato and you are more likely going to get a result. Sometimes it's the only way with these big companies.
Kerry Anne Orr
Director, Bizpro Ltd
Leaving you time to do what you do best; your business.
(T) 0844 414 22 50 (E) info@bizpro-ltd.com (W) www.bizpro-ltd.com
Group Leader for 4N Swindon....the brightest breakfast on the circuit!! Book here for the best business networking breakfast in Swindon!
Ask me about our new Voice2Type Service. With our dedicated phone line, we can type your minutes, notes or letters onto a template of your choice and email directly to you.
|
| |
|
|
Posted on 19th Aug 2008 at 03:00
Thanks for the advice (and sympathy lol). It appears that the matter has been resolved...... fingers crossed.. I wrote two letters to their complaints department and emailed them as well. I also emailed the Consumer Council for Water about the matter.
A few days later I was contacted by a SW representive who apologised profusely for the hassle I've gone though over the past few months with them. She offered to knock £35 off the bill as compensation for their many fuck ups which I naturally accepted.
Even then the bill I received today was incorrect and their billing dept could not explain why this was so.
Anyhow I paid the 60 odd quid that the bill has now been reduced to and am hoping that this will finally be the end of it.
|
| |
|
|
Posted on 19th Aug 2008 at 06:25
ooh teh drama. Live the dream mikey.
|
| |
|
|
Posted on 19th Aug 2008 at 11:49
I'm living the leak allowance dream, Brad. 
|
| |
|
|
Posted on 02nd Sep 2008 at 20:40
Hi Mike
I had the same problem and they blamed the high prices on a computer error and that was only after we complained to offwat!! They are bloody dodgy trying it on and seeing if they can con any vulnerable customers.
Steven Botting
CEO En Masse Productions
Supplying professional Disc Jockeys, entertainment and High Quality Sound & Lighting to High Profile Clients and Events.
www.enmasseproductions.com
info@enmasseproductions.com
|
| |
|
|
Posted on 02nd Sep 2008 at 21:09
Their complaints system is an utter shambles. If they had any competition they would be out of business.
|
| |