Laclede Gas Company Heartless money grubbing scammers st louis, Missouri

If you moved in a month ago and have a $600 bill, I'm guessing there's more to the story. Often people that rack up massive bills are the ones that can least afford it. The season has been extremely mild and I'm guessing it's from a few months of nonpayment. Turn your thermostat down to 62 at night and put a sweatshirt and some blankets on. I'm often in homes where impovershed people live and the furnace is set at 75-80 around the clock. These people then complain to me about how they have no money. If you reduce your consumption and set priorities, you won't find yourself in this spot. Don't get me wrong, I don't like Laclede a whole lot, but like you have no other choices. If they turn on your gas now, they won't be able to turn it off for perhaps 2-4 months, while you're likely to consume $300-$500 a month in charges, which, as history shows, you're not likely to pay. I would suggest reading Dave Ramsey's book, the total money makeover to help you with budgeting and prioritizing. Pick it up at the library and your life and the life of your children will never be the same. It will only get better. I know this isn't what you wanted to hear, but I'm not a sugar coater. 

I agree that there is a problem with a $600 gas bill.  Mine also is never over $100 although it came close one year when it was $94 and I am in a small apartment with thermostat set at 65 and plastic over all my windows.  However, I also agree about the  discourtesy.   My gas bill was as much in November when it was warm as it was in December when it was cold.  This is pretty much my bill all year.  It does not fluctuate as you would expect it to do.  I asked the woman at Laclede to please send someone out to check the meter.  She refused to do so.  Utility companies have us at their mercy because we have to buy their product and they know it. 

I am also a Saint Louis resident and the gas bills here are high like that.  I recently found out they charge a $20 monthly usage fee each month.  This is just a gimmick to make the bills higher.  Because if they didnt need to charge this before why do they have to charge this now.  They said they are charging it because of new pipes they put down.  But I do not recall seeing any workers out putting new pipes anywhere.  But I wish our bills werent that high.  Here is is 90 degrees outside and my gas bill is still $80 this month.  And I dont know why.

I have been requesting
an actual bill from this company for months now. They have changed my
meter twice since 6/2009. I downloaded my bills from 2009 and only one
had an actual reading. I called them and was told I was billed based on
what they believe my service should be for that month. I have not
occupied the address since 3/2009. They told they suspected the meter
had been manipulated and they would investigate. They finally sent me an actual bill which covers 8/2009 to 2/2010, but they added in charges that I did not pay for 12/2009 (dates of service 11/2009 - 12/2009) that was based on estimated charges....isn't that double billing?  The actual billing dates of service cover the same dates for the estimated bill which they added back to the bill.  Customer service says the double charges are legit, I disagree, I have written the Better Business Bureau.  It's not like a cellphone, where if I am dissatisfied with the service I can switch providers, Laclede Gas of STL needs to be regulated and their unethical billing procedures need to be looked at by a higher power.

I also live in Saint Louis MO, and I have to tell you that every winter my bill averages to about $100 per month and I live in a small 2 bedroom apartment. Recently it has been a little higher. Right now my bill is $380 and that is because I skipped last month January 2010, because I had car repairs that needed my attention and I could not pay. For several months I have been "robbing peter to pay paul" to stay afloat. My income last year was over 3600 monthly, but do to change in jobs I am at 1500 monthly. With the same bills and responsibilities that I had last year ( it doesn't change just because your income does ), it gets difficult sometimes and you have to skip a month unless you don't want to eat. I WILL EAT, lol. It also makes it hard to pay yourself first. My money has dwindled down severely and it is to the point where I am living check to check. Something I haven't done since I was a young college student. It is tough right now but I am certain I will bounce back.
 
Right now my gas is due for disconnection February 16, 2010 in the amount of $276. because I skipped a month even though I have a pretty good payment history. Lets talk about unfair. I can't really afford it but I offered the amount of $190 ( half of the total amount ). They will not accept. They want $276 by Feb 16. IF I pay the entire $276, then I can't pay my cell phone bill which is $105 monthly. I have enough money in my checking account to pay the 190 + the 105. I need my cell phone because it is the only method of communication that my daughter and  I have and I will not dispose of it. I am on a contract and have an outstanding payment history with them. I will not stop paying my car note or insurance..I need those things..However, I am at my worst. I opened my first money market account when I was 18 and never in my life had the trouble of paying bills and saving money. I am not a person who is reckless with their money. It's gone now. All of it. This will be the first time in my life getting disconnected, if I get disconnected.

Laclede gas can accept the $190 if they wanted to but they wont because they are criminals. they claim that according to a new policy, they are no longer accepting partial payments or making extensions. But after reading the policies on their website, they STILL CAN MAKE ARRANGEMENTS. The customer service rep explained to me that they have a new policy in place and they are not obligated to post them on their website or provide customers with a copy of their new policies. I have a good payment history and I don't owe a shit load like some people. I mean really..Heartless Hustlers=Laclede Gas Co.

I think it is all bullshit. Laclede Gas co. of Saint Louis over charges their customers, they are liars and crooks. But who else can I get my gas from?..That's why they do it.

BECAUSE THEY CAN.

Big companies get bail outs that I have to pay for but I can't get utility assistance. You should have let those companies fail..just like you are about to let me fail..

America the beautiful.

Your gas bill is $600 dollars??? How do you get a gas bill up to $600 or did you make a typo?? I don't understand - I live in a big home and my gas bill is never over $100 a month even in this weather (Dallas is experiencing the coldest winter in 12 years)