"Is this even legal?"

There’s a guy I am ‘friends’ with on one of the social media platforms. We met because he owns/operates an internet data company that I was using for help in promoting another project.

He is a real character. Loves life. Lives in Florida and has all the toys you’d expect of a successful business owner. Boats, beaches, sunsets- all of it.

Today he posted a very revealing scenario he just went through that highlights something we all might take note of.

The post starts with:

“Biggest piece of (censored) I HAVE EVER WITNESSED”

Now, this guy has gotten into some ’stuff’ with his business dealing with the public and other business folks over the time I’ve seen him operating (a comment on the crazy stuff that happens in business, not about him or his character)…

So when I saw that, I took notice.

He went on to describe the following (paraphrased):

He’s been living in a home that is now being remodeled and is moving to a new location.

All of the utilities getting turned over from one address to another seemed to go well- trash, Internet (they even thanked him for loyalty and lowered his bill), etc.

Then, when it came to the power bill, he *thought* it would be simple because it is the same power company from the home he had been living in for the last 7 years.

When he calls, they say they have to run his credit and do a background check to see what his deposit will be.

He *thought* was shocked, having been a customer for 7 years and never a late payment… Then they came back with the results.

They wanted a $1,000 dollar deposit.

His answer?
“What in the holy (censored) are you talking about. I have a 720 credit score, I’ve been a great customer for 7 years, AND YOU”RE STRONG ARMING ME AS I HAVE NO OTHER CHOICE IN A PROVIDER!”

Evidently their answer included something about going off ‘multiple factors’, the property address, the history of that place, the average billl, the difference between address- so it isn’t just a person’s credit.

And- that ‘it helps them get compensated from people moving out and not paying their last bill’ (or something like that)

His last line in the post?

“Is this even legal?”

********

Good question.

I’ve railed at the idea of monopolistic utilities making decisions that don’t include or represent our interests, this is just another fine example of that.

One way to wrestle some freedoms away from the monopolistic utilities is to figure a way to make your own power. To minimize the use of ‘their’ power.

One way to do that is via rooftop solar. There are other ways.

If you are looking into rooftop solar, click here to be notified when Tucson Solar Insider Desk Guide for Buying Solar is released.

Be Good!
Curtis