I moved to a new location a year ago, and because of my credit rating, I was forced to pay SEC a $600 SECURITY DEPOSIT. My previous electric service was with Appalachian Power and they only required a $250 deposit. Prior to that, I had Dominion Electric, and the deposit was only $175. I've always paid my utilities on time, but with SEC requiring so much, I had to get them to split it into 3 monthly payments of $200 each.
That in itself doesn't sound so bad, UNLESS you are a fixed monthly income - which I am. I have been unemployed since Aug. and my unemployment benefit was cut in half last year. I couldn't get the 2nd installment of the deposit paid on time - so they wanted to cut the electricity off. I am a Senior with diabetes - but it didn't matter to them. They charged service charges and late fees ON THE DEPOSIT. Not the bill - the bill was paid in full and on time! This should not be allowed, especially in today's poor economy.
Also - with my thermostat set on 66 degrees (and having lived in a m.H. Before) I knew the heating bill would be high, but with a brand new HVAC unit that the landlord had installed the prior year, I certainly didn't expect a bill of $176!! So I turned the thermostat down to 62. The NEXT bill was $312!!
Last complaint - they read the meter at the end of the month, or the first of the month - they print the bills around the 8th of the month - but they don't bother to put them in the mail til just a week before they are due. HUH? What type of shoddy accounting is this? AND it puts a strain on the consumer because since the bill is, of course, based on usage, you don't know how much or how little it will be. I've asked them about "budget billing" but they have yet to put my account on it. I know this - as soon as I can find another place that is NOT in Southside's territory, I will be moving! I've had enough of them!
Whatever you do - don't live where you have southside electric co-op for your electric service. You'll be sorry you did.
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