Our electricity meter was recently changed. The following bill after the meter changed was double the amount that we usually pay. After calling the Teco, we were told that our usage doubled. It is just a coincidence that it happened when the meter was changed. Perhaps we needed an energy auditor to inspect our house. We live in a townhouse that is sandwiched between two other units. Only our meter has been changed and our bill was the only one that increased significantly last month. I have read of other instanced around the country where there was a significant increase in the monthly bill of homes that have recently had the new "digital smart meters" installed. I am wondering how many homes in Tampa Bay have been affected by this change and if their bill also doubled.

I've been through it with TECO!! My father was going to guarantee my deposit and I've made several phone calls to just get the run around!! My father has great credit and has paid his bill on time for over 30yrs with TECO. I was just informed that his credit isn't good enough to help us with the extra required deposit. We've been unemployed for over 7mos. and yes we've paid late but never had our elcetric cut off!! How can they hold over $550.oo for a deposit (just in case) we leave our house!! They are the only elcectric company, what a monopoly!!! Is this legal?

Hi,

My name is Juliana, and I'm an international student at UT. Last month I suffered with TECO weird policies and unorganized team.

It almost unbelievable what happened.

On May 22th I'd moved to my new apartment. In order to get my lights on I called TECO on Monday, 18th. I was told I had to make a deposit and fax my documents to a specif number. On Tuesday, I went to TECO building downtown to try to pay my deposit and give my documents. For my surprise, TECO has no customer service place; which means if I want to get something resolved or done, I have to trust today's technology. So on Wednesday I paid my deposit online and I faxed my documents. For my surprise, I moved on Friday 22th, and my lights, and TECO didn't turn my lights on. I called them, I was told that I didn't fax my documents, so they could turn it on. I asked one more time if there was a real place that I could go and show/give my documents; but once again I was told I could only fax it. So I faxed it again on Friday. However, I spent Saturday, Sunday and Monday (which was a holiday) in the dark. Again on Tuesday, I called them to make sure they got my documents and that my lights were being turned on. Someone confirmed they received my documents, and said that I had to wait 1 to 2 business day(which i think is absurd already). Anyway, I called again on Wednesday because i wanted to see how the process was going, and for my surprise, someone tells me that it wasn't in process because I didn't fax my documents. WOW!!! That was crazy, and the girl on the phone insisted that I faxed my documents for the third time for the same number that never gets my faxes. So I was transfered to the manager, because I wasn't going to fax my documents again to a place that never receives it.Joselyn, the manager, told me to fax the documents to her machine. And so I did. But still my lights weren't turn on Wednesday. I had been living in the dark for almost a week, and I was tired of TECO, so I went to the human rights department of Florida, and they called TECO for me on Thursday, and they promised that on Thursday my lights would be turn on. 6pm and my lights weren't turned on. SO I called them one more time, and I was told that my residence was in the schedule for that day and I didn't need to worry because my lights would be turn on; which didn't happen. My lights were only turned on Friday, a week later of what expected.

My question is, how come a company so unorganized don't have a personal customer service? A place that we can go phisically and solve problems? I come from a third world country, and I can probably do that in my country. I will probably wait in line for 3 hours, but is better than waiting a week at home.

Isn't there some law about customer service that prohibits this kind of abuse?

How come a service that is so essential for people be so regardless taken care of?

No explanations were given to me.

I became unemployed in June of 2008 due to upcoming surgery. I've had two surgeries in six months. Lost my job due to medical conditions and received no compensation making it difficult to make ends meet. I've been a customer of TECO for 22+ years and maintained an excellent standing. I've had family and friends use me as a referral when getting service and not having to leave a deposit.
After my surgery I contacted TECO on a few occasions asking them to extend my due date for payment. This was approved and I made my payment by the date agreed upon. I had no idea doing this was going to open the door for TECO to demand a $540.00 deposit or else. I contacted them and asked for some consideration due to my medical hardship and was treated worse than dirt with rudeness and disrespect.
I find it very unfair that we have no choice as to whom to use for our services. We can be treated any way as there is nowhere to turn. Talk about monopolizing and controlling the people. I never thought anyone could be subjected to such strong hold here in America. Where are the peoples rights to choice?
I am 53 years old, worked since I'm 16, my wife had to get a second job to help maintain what we have and work on catching up on things and because of an unforeseen medical problem I can be treated worse than an animal because TECO knows they can.
This is really unfair and I need a little help. I cannot afford $540.00 and my regular monthly bill and I have nowhere to turn for help. How many more people are out there not looking to avoid paying what they owe, but are being put over the coals, no pun intended, because TECO can.
I am going to research this further to see if legal action can be taken against TECO for discrimination or something and something really needs to be done to allow the people to have choice so as to not be stepped on.
Verizon was another for a long time that was able to have it all their way. Unfortunately for them this is not the case anymore where people now can choose their provider for service.
I know I'm one person but I'm sure there are lot's of folks out there not satisfied with TECO but can't do anything about it but move to where another provider is available.
If there is an answer to this please pass it along. I've even asked for help from supervisors at TECO and was told they would have to call me back, I'm still waiting now two weeks for that call. You know why, because they can.
Yours Truly,
Steve B.