Who Loves JEA?

[RiversideLoki]

So what you're saying, is that anyone who is unhappy with JEA should just shut up because they're all obviously a bunch of drunk smokers with a comcast habit? Way to generalize.

So what about the working parents making minimum wage? Should they shut up because they didn't go to college? What about the aforementioned elderly lady with no family.. or no family close enough to assist her? Should she shut up when it's 23 degrees out in winter and she has no heat because she can't afford to heat her house? (Ohh, don't give me the that "there are plenty of social services willing to help" bs either.)

You're so willing to accept that a utility that we, the residents of this fair city are supposed to own is shifting money off to the GOB network at our expense. Why? Are you getting a cut? Just asking.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

You know what - I redact my last statement.  It's not because people can't afford to pay their bill, it's because they're writing bad checks to pay their bills or let their service get shut off. 

In the case of the former - you should stop writing checks because you apparently don't know how to balance your account.

In the case of the latter - you should learn some basic money management skills and not let your account hit 60 days - they will turn off your power & your water.  They will charge you an additional fee to turn them back on.  And they provide several options to extend your payments if you find yourself in a bind.

I was just informed me that if I was having a problem making this month's payment she could:  a.)  roll everything to a future date, b.)  spread this payment over a period of 4 months or c.)  put my account on a 3 day hold so I can come in and speak with a supervisor at one of the branch offices.

So, what say you now? 

BTW the deposit..... it's just that, a deposit.  The money will be applied to your account when you bring your 'JEA' rating back up - with interest I might add, but I think I'll just keep my money in a CD and pay my bills somewhat on time.

[ronchamblin]

I’m wondering how much money exists within the JEA deposit holding fund.  If one were to assume perhaps 600,000 accounts in Duval County, with 20 percent being commercial with an average of $4,000 for a deposit (my deposit is currently $9,100.00), and with 80 percent being residential having an average deposit of perhaps $250, then the total in the deposit fund may be 600,000 x .20 = 120,000 x 4,000 = $480,000,000 for a total of commercial deposits.  Then for residential.. 600,000 x .80 = 480,000 x 250 = $120,000,000 or for a total of commercial and residential deposits of $600,000,000.  In any case, the total deposit fund must be somewhere between $500,000,000 and $600,000,000.  I may be way off, as I’ve done no research, and have only guessed at the probable figures and percentages.  If it’s close, it’s a lot of money to be held.  Is it proper?  Is it really needed?  Is it legal?  Of course, it is the policy. 

It would be interesting to see the statistics on file at JEA, showing how much money is lost to those who skip town owing JEA.  This info may allow anyone to determine if the deposit scheme is appropriate, valid and necessary, or ultimately, even legal.  I've been in business for thirty-five years, and have so far paid every penny owed to JEA, which is probably approaching a million or so dollars.  Late last year my deposit was increased from $2,000 to $9,100.  Was a shocker.  I guess they think I am about to go down and stick them with a big loss.  After paying almost a million dollars reliably over thirty-five years, they want to burden me with a $9,100 deposit.  Sounds sort of fishy to me.  I could have used that money to buy books; and then if I had anything left, I could buy food and beer.           

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

You're bringing another element into the equation:  if you HAVE paid your bills/ARE PAYING your bills on time, then why are they still holding a deposit?  I had to pay a deposit when I first started my account and have been hit with 1 other deposit requirement in 10 years (bounced check - part of the reason I don't use checks anymore - I am one of those people after all, but I can admit it.)  But after another few good years of service, I was credited the deposit with interest, and haven't seen another one in a good 5-6 years. 

When we bought our latest home, my electric bills went up considerably, but i've been 3 years here, and still no other deposit requirements.  Right now, all that I 'owe' JEA is what's on my current statement.  If this is mis-information, then someone please correct me.

[chipwich]

How do other utilities handle late payers?  ...maybe JEA could look into those methods.

I am still in favor of disbanding JEA and opening up the bids to other utilities.  Also, cut or re-negotiate all pensions of the dismembered JEA entity.  I find it hard to believe that we are remotely within the cheapest rates in the country.  On top of that, water shouldn't cost as much as it does either.

JEA seems to be one of the most dysfunctional,poorly run organizations in the state.

[Ralph W]

Q1. Is this $500-600 million in an untouchable escrow account?

Q2. Is this an interest bearing account?

Q3. If an interest bearing account, is that reserved for the account holders or can JEA dip in?

Q4. If reserved for the account holders, when can they draw the interest?

[BridgeTroll]

How do other utilities handle late payers?  ...maybe JEA could look into those methods.

I am still in favor of disbanding JEA and opening up the bids to other utilities.  Also, cut or re-negotiate all pensions of the dismembered JEA entity.  I find it hard to believe that we are remotely within the cheapest rates in the country.  On top of that, water shouldn't cost as much as it does either.

JEA seems to be one of the most dysfunctional,poorly run organizations in the state.

Here ya go Chip...

http://www.jea.com/services/electric/rates_quarterly.asp

[uptowngirl]

When I first moved to JAX I had an auto pay set up because I travel so much for a year everything was fine until a merger at my bank occurred and my auto pay schedule was inadvertantly messed up, the payment date changed from the 5th of each month to the 15th of each month.  Needless to say I started getting hit by the JEA deposit mafia (keep in mind this is like 4 or 5 days late payment, even Mortgages get 15 days!), and because I was away travelling I had no idea. Since the deposits were not paid my power was turned off. It ended up costing me $1800 in deposits to get the power turned back on. I sent JEA the letter from my bank to show, that the dates had been changed outside of my control, to no avail they wanted that $1800 in deposits or  I was going to get no power. Keep in  mind, I did not owe them for any usage, this was a deposit they felt they were due because the bill had been paid 4 to 5 days late over three months, and the power cut off due non payment of the deposit. Now tell me that is not a complete racket!!! I did pay the deposit as I wanted electricity, I did not get any of it back until I moved and cut the electric off three years later, (after never being late again over three years!) and then I got less than my deposit- no interest.

When I got my thousand dollar Dec bill (no change to my usage from Nov or Oct or Sept)I paid it because I can, I complained because the bill is BS, but I paid it. I was lucky because I make enough I could and still pay my other bills and eat. But I am LUCKY, most people cannot absorb an unexpected thousand dollar loss in one month. For a lot of people that is half their monthly take home pay. My house was COLD, I used the fireplaces. I feel sorry for anyone who actually used their heater. I think it is obnoxious to say people who do not pay their bill are drunken smoking cable watchers. This month my bill is HALF of December, and yet I have still made no changes to my usage. Where else do you purchase goods where they just make up the price every month and tell you AFTER you are billed then charge you outrageous sums if you can;t pay the imaginary costs they just came up with, and then cut your power if you don;t pay a deposit (a deposit is based on future use,which is not yet consumed and so not yet behind!)

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

Fantastic story Uptown, you've completely changed my entire perception of JEA.   

[ChriswUfGator]

Fantastic story Uptown, you've completely changed my entire perception of JEA.    

Don't worry, I don't think anyone was expecting you to let those pesky "facts" get your way. 

[cityimrov]

I'm ok with JEA - well from their power production side.  From what I hear, they have decent power plants and they run them pretty well.  I like the idea of them building their own fiber network.  I don't have any major complaints about my power quality except a flicker once every so often.

As for their customer service & finances, I don't want to think about it.  Luckily I never had to deal with them but the stories I hear from them is terrifying.

[chipwich]

How do other utilities handle late payers?  ...maybe JEA could look into those methods.

I am still in favor of disbanding JEA and opening up the bids to other utilities.  Also, cut or re-negotiate all pensions of the dismembered JEA entity.  I find it hard to believe that we are remotely within the cheapest rates in the country.  On top of that, water shouldn't cost as much as it does either.

JEA seems to be one of the most dysfunctional,poorly run organizations in the state.

Here ya go Chip...

http://www.jea.com/services/electric/rates_quarterly.asp

Wow, good find Bridge Troll.  So I guess its an even more compelling reason to demand a switch to our neighbors at FP&L considering that thy are about 15% cheaper than JEA.

[BridgeTroll]

Oops... looks like the practice is pretty common...

http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/fpl-florida-power-amp-light-c166876.html

I am writing in hopes someone out there gets angry enough to file a class action lawsuit against FPL for unfair utilities practice. I lost my employment Jan. 8 2009 and because of a mistake on an account (Nov.of 2008) the check was returned. I found out this happened and I paid it by cash right away, but today Feb.20 2009 I received a threat from FPL that if I did not send an additional deposit of $184.00 by Feb 24 2009 power would be shut off. I wanted to see if others were having the same problems with Florida Power & Light so I checked online and was not surprised to find many complaints. I did however noticed something interesting, FPL demanding different amounts from different customers.
I was wondering do they (FPL) set these extra deposits on a whim?
If you want to know what to do, write Gov. Charlie Crist and tell him what this bully is allowed to do to all of us. Want real change? Fight Back!!

[BridgeTroll]

Looks like the deposit practice is actually a state law.  It is required.

http://www.istockanalyst.com/article/viewiStockNews/articleid/3012775

A check with the Florida Public Service Commission shows there have been 93 deposit-related complaints from FPL customers during the past 60 days. Cindy Muir, a spokeswoman for the state regulator, said the number is an increase of 33 complaints from the same time period last year. It is unclear how many of those complaints are specifically related to late-payment deposits, Muir said.

FPL spokesman Mayco Villafana said the company's deposit policy follows state regulations and is enforced to cover bad debt expenses, which have been increasing.

FPL follows state regulations and requires a deposit to secure payment of bills from new account holders or late payers. The deposit can't exceed twice the average monthly charges for electric service over a 12-month period. On average, the deposit totals $200 or more.

[Shwaz]

Except JEA is asking for additional deposits of $500 - $700. I thinks it's kinda funny BT that you spend your morning scouring the internet for proof of other utilities companies ramrodding their 'dead-beat' customers. I'm all for personal accountability... but standing up for a monopoly provider that gets away with these drastic penalties and grossly over charging a bulk of customers without even reading their meters is silly.

-Late fees
-Reconnection fees
-Additional deposits of $100 or less

Are all acceptable.... anything more than that is an abuse of power. Any other company with at least 1 competitor would never get away with this.