Universal Gas & Electric I tried to cancel after I had seen how high my bill went up. My bill was due on Feb.2nd,so I call befor that to cancel. I explained that we were seniors and I was disabled and on a lot of medication so therefore we couldnot afford these large bills not to mention iwas not as it had been explained when i signed up in the summer. It was left at that. Southfield Michigan

In response to Mary's comment, "I was led to believe that my account would be cancelled after my first call."

Mary, you CAN cancel the contract at any time through verbal or written notification to Universal Gas & Electric (UGE). However (in accordance to the contract), a $250.00 early termination charge would be administered.

But, UGE ACTS IN GOODWILL for customers who are disabled and/or seniors by waiving the early termination charge for them (all they have to do is provide proof of disability and/or age). So, to do you a favor and avoid the early termination charge, UGE waited for you to provide proof of your disability and age (which you did sometime between April and May).

In response to Mary's comment, "Therefore I have 3 more months of their over charged fees, which we cannot afford."

First off, it takes about three months of processing time to have your gas supplier transfered from UGE to your utility company (DTE Energy/MichCon). Just like it took about three months for UGE to become your gas supplier after you signed the contract.

Secondly, if you can afford DTE Energy/MichCon's gas rates, then you can afford UGE's five-year protected price. Currently, DTE/MichCon is charging $1.005 per Ccf of natural gas. UGE protects your rate at $1.049 per Ccf for five years. The difference between UGE's price and DTE/MichCon's price is $0.044 (4.3%) per Ccf.

Based on my experience, a typical residential customer uses around 60 Ccfs of natural gas for the month of May. Based on that usage amount Mary, you would pay only $2.64 more for gas with UGE vs. DTE/MichCon. Mary, are you saying you can't afford $2.64 to be protected for the next five years?

Lastly, the end result was that your contract WAS CANCELLED and your early termination fee WAS WAIVED. What are you complaining about Mary?

Mary, it is unfortunate that you chose to cancel your protection with UGE. When making a decision to enroll with Universal, you have to ask yourself if you believe gas prices will increase 4.3% over the next 5 years (from $1.005 to $1.049 per Ccf). Looking at historical gas prices could help aid your decision.

For example, roughly five years ago, in January 2003:
DTE Energy/MichCon charged $0.4140 per Ccf. Their gas price has INCREASED 243% OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS.

Mary, what evidence do you have that you will not save money with the program? JUST BECAUSE YOUR FIRST FEW BILLS ARE HIGHER DOES NOT MEAN YOU ARE NOT GOING TO SAVE MONEY!

DTE Energy/MichCon rates are now at $1.005 per Ccf. What do you think those rates will be five years from now? If you simply continue the trend of gas prices from the past five years, then five years from now DTE Energy/MichCon rates would be around $2.442 per Ccf.

Your protected rate is $1.049 per Ccf. Doesn't that rate look favorable right now? Wouldn't you want to be paying $1.049 per Ccf in the year 2013?!

Mary, having had 45 surgeries to date I know what it is to be in chronic pain and disabled. Go up the ladder and stay on this. Keep calling and ask for the supervisor. You may have to actually get a ride there and go there and take your paper work if you have to. I would demand that all the extra fees be dismissed. I think they will if they know :

1. you are not going away and

2. you have been hospitialized and I would tell them that you are contacting papers and I am sure they would love to this story! I don't know where you live as far as how big the area is but believe me you going thru what you have I would be pitching a fit and demand they take all fees away from the first time you called.

Good luck hon, sorry to hear what you have been thru.

Cat ( I am now waiting for my 46th surgery so I understand!)