It was a good life for "Buffy." Not much money, but she managed. Her warm shower felt comforting and relaxing ....
until suddenly the water turned icy cold causing her to jump out, covered in lather. The water heater was old and apparently had gone out.
Later snuggled in bed, Buffy felt a strong cold draft. Oh,
no! The central heat was blowing cold air. It would turn off in a minute...or two....or 15. What on earth was going
on? It would not come on with heat and it would not shut off. She padded down the hall, found the breaker box and
located the proper breaker to flip off.
Morning arrived in a cold, cold house. Best to tackle problems after a good breakfast. Oh no! The stove had gone
out, too. Light bulb moment! NO GAS! The bill had been paid
on time...as always. Buffy lives frugally on less than $1,000 per month. Bills come FIRST and you do without what you don't have money for. That's why her broken commode is flushed with buckets of water, and recently a handyman extracted 3 bird's nests from holes in her ceiling.
Atmos Energy was called. They hadn't a clue but instructed
her to smell for leaking gas and promised to "send someone."
Buffy sniffed the yard like a bird dog. Then she found the
gas meter, disconnected and lying in the yard. Vandals? Then she discovered a shiny new meter where he old one had been. Whew! They had just forgotten to turn it back on! Praise the Lord! It would soon be on and she would soon be
warm and enjoying a hot breakfast.
HA! The Atmos man invaded her privacy and was all over the
house....EVERYWHERE. He was twisting the dial on the water
heater. Buffy's plumber had cautioned her NEVER to mess with the setting because it was old and that could cause it to go out.
When all was said and done, Atmos refused to restore service! It was explained that Buffy had to hire a plumber, at HER EXPENSE, to install some new kitchen stove
cut off valve. When that was done, she could call them and set up an appointment for them to return and check it out and decide if they would turn it on.
There was NO PROBLEM before Atmos Energy made one! Everything was working "peachy." Suddenly Buffy is shivering and hungry with a big expense looming that will take months to save up for. Buffy can't wash clothes, or
dishes in cold water. Buffy cana't shower. Buffy can't cook. Atmos Energy could not care less!
Buffy has out lived her family and has to solve this one alone....or maybe not. If this happened to HER, she can't
be the ONLY one they have done this to. Buffy is just an old lady, but the media is a GIANT WHO CAN MOVE MOUNTAINS.
Ah, the power of the press! Someone, I forget who, said,
"The power of the pen is mightier than the sword."
I believe God never lets anything happen without a reason.
And so I speak for all the citizens Atmos Energy has undoubtedly done this to. My battle cry is "Make Atmos Energy responsible for restoring for use what they disable."
Also lets create public sentiment against any law that is
unfairly burdensome to the citizens who pay taxes which pay the salaries of lawmakers! New Codes should be limited to new construction. Older homes should be "grandfathered in" or Atmos should assume responsibility for modification.
I called a handyman who assured me he would turn it on for
me. I stood at the stove with a match handy to light the
stove pilot when I heard the hiss of gas. I had done this
numerous times before when my central heat had been serviced or my stove serviced. No big deal to turn it on.
No big deal to light pilots.
My handyman came in shaking his head. They had put a lock
on my meter so that ONLY ATMOS ENERGY could turn it on. They won't turn it on until I come up with about $400.00
(plumber's estimate)for the new stove cut off and they make
an inspection upon completion.
Wake up Atmos Energy! You may be the only gas company in town...for now. That used to be true of the telepone company and the electric company. Your days are numbered.
One day you will lose customers over dirty tricks like this.
Take responsibility! If you are going to tear up something, PUT IT BACK. Otherwise, leave it alone!
Buffy
Read Next Complaint >>
