First Choice Power Misapplied payment SHUT OFF POWER no notice ripoff Arlington Texas

With First Choice Power since Sept.; 2006 - pay bills when due from Chase online Banking (electronice fund transfers). First choice LOST my November '06 EFT - the transfer was paid 12/06/06 with NO NOTICE WHATSOEVER - they have my email, mailing, and home/office phone numbers - On 12/14/06 I came home to care for my elderly parent and the Power was shut off to my home. no lights, refrigeration, heat, hot water, secutity system, or phone.

Using my cell phone I called their customer service and they said I was past due, I told the agent I saw the PAID status of their payment posted 12/06/06, but could not retrieve the info because my computer had no power, told her that I would call her from my workplace when I could retrieve the information from my online banking statement - she said she could do nothing for me until I produced the bank information for the payment.

I called TXU electric and they opened me an account immediatly, but I had to pay a priority connect charge of $95.00, otherwise I would have to wait 4 days for connection - they opened my account without deposit based on my previous business, and are billing me for the connection charge - they had my power back on by 8pm.

DONT LEAVE TXU for these fly by night power companys they ARE NOT respectable people, and will leave you COLD whenever they choose too. I had no idea that my account was past due. I saw the cleared payent on my online bank statement, and I received NO notice from First Choice, other than coming home to a dark cold house. STAY with TXU. I have had an account with TXU for over 25 yrs, and NEVER had any problems of this nature. FIRST CHOICE POWER should amend their DISCONNECT POLICY to include a disconnection charge for non payment only after 14 days after the 2nd billing is rec'd. then you could call them to discuss why a payment THEY MISAPPLIED or LOST was not credited to your account BEFORE they DISCONNECT your electricity at your home.

I for one CHOOSE NOT to do my business with people like First Choice. think about this before you consider leaving TXU Electric, the minismual discounts are NOT WORTH the aggrevation YOU WILL suffer by changing electric companys! STICK WITH THE RIGHTOUS folks at TXU ELECTRIC. Thanks TXU for your rescue!!

G.B.
Arlington, Texas
U.S.A.