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1.0

The exorbitant fees that this company charges if a customer is late are absolutely ridiculous. This is a utility that people depend on for the care of their families.

I had been a customer of theirs for more than a year. I was one day late on my bill and they shut off my gas. I expected to pay a reconnection fee of $50 or so, but they charge $75. A snow storm was expected to hit my area that night, and I thought my service would be restored that day after paying the past due amount and reconnection fee.

They would not restore my service for three days unless I agreed to pay an additional $85. In addition, they wanted a security deposit of $409 dollars, but adjusted down to $140, which is still ridiculous. They also wanted $75 to start the pilot light on my water heater, which I declined. A $195 gas bill ended up costing almost $550 and would have cost over $700 if they had made me pay the full security deposit.

I am amazed that this company is not being investigated for ripping off their customers. The fees and charges should not be allowed for a utility such as this.

The customer service representatives showed no care or concern that my family would be without heat during freezing temperatures. I would do anything possible not to do business with this company.

Reason of review: Pricing issue.

Monetary Loss: $200.

Preferred solution: Price reduction.

Columbia Gas Cons: Unethical business practices, Overcharging, Excessive fees, Extra fees.

Location: Woodbridge, Virginia

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Guest

I should have already filed a report with the PUC over Columbia. I wonder if and why others wouldn't already have done so.

As a residential customer, I only use natural gas in the winter for heat (less than 6 mos. of the year), yet pay a now 17.00 customer charge every month.

This is excessive and even on months when gas is used the charge is sometimes 2/3 of my bill. Extortion.

Guest

Im going to have to call *** on this one. You actually have a grace period a few days after your bill is due before you are even charged a late fee.

Also you would be sent out a termination notice plus recieve several phone calls. And had you bothered to call them once you recieved those they would have been more then happy to place a delay on your account to avoid a shut off. Also if services are shut off due to a non payment of course you need to pay a reconnection fee, like it is with all other utility companies. And once you show you are not responsible enough to pay your monthly bill resulting in a shut off, you are *** skippy you would be required to pay a security deposit, to ensure they get the money for the gas that you used that you may possibly skip out on.

Also you may want to speak to your utility commission, they are the ones who tell utilities what fees to charge and how much.

Such as reconnect fee and pilot light fee. So moral of your story is to pay your bill on time, and if you cant call in to columbia gas so they reps can help you!

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