About to complain to my water company

Ex-RoNiN · 20 Feb 2006 at 18:47

Dear Sir or Madam,

I would hereby like to protest against the "7 day notice of intended proceedings", issued against me on the 16th of February.

Firstly, I was in Vienna on business last week, and was therefore physically unable to pay this month's bill - I should have payed this before leaving, and I accept that.

What I don't accept, however, is giving me all of 3 days (my bill is due on the 13th, notice was issued on the 16th), and no prior warning, before issuing this notice! I only received it today, so that's 4 days out of the 7 lost because of snail mail alone.

Furthermore, your notice is stating that I have been sent a reminder - this is not true, I did not find any such reminder in my mail.

As a gesture of goodwill, I have paid the remaining bill via your online facilities, but I feel that I have been harsh done by, getting such a notice with no prior warning, and after just 3 days of missing a bill.

Am I setting myself up for something, legally, or will this correctly get filed under complaints? Any other thoughts?

MasterMike · 20 Feb 2006 at 18:48

It'll be sorted fairly smoothly if you don't go overboard.

Ex-RoNiN · 20 Feb 2006 at 18:51

MasterMike said:
It'll be sorted fairly smoothly if you don't go overboard.

You think I went overboard then :confused:

Can you point out where pls?

MasterMike · 20 Feb 2006 at 18:55

Ex-RoNiN said:
You think I went overboard then Can you point out where pls?

I've been quite late with utilities payments before. It is you that's in the wrong, really - just tell them that you hope the matter can be rectified quickly and without any fuss, and it usually happens.

callmeBadger · 20 Feb 2006 at 18:59

as you have paid it, they will file it under whinge, your not asking for anything, or want anything changing, your just unhappy about them and their "procedures".

It'll go in the bin.

William · 20 Feb 2006 at 18:59

Take out the colloquial language.

chippie · 20 Feb 2006 at 18:59

Wait a minute... You are complaining because you didn't pay your bill and they threaten court action.

You should be paying, and then shutting up about it, not complainig.

pyro · 20 Feb 2006 at 19:08

I wouldn't even bother with them dude, they probably have all these automated or whatever.

chippie said:
You should be paying, and then shutting up about it, not complainig.

Hehe, I just love some people's mentalities

chippie · 20 Feb 2006 at 19:17

pyro said:
Hehe, I just love some people's mentalities

I love my mentality too

[DOD]Asprilla · 20 Feb 2006 at 19:45

Take it to the consumer council for water: http://www.ofwat.gov.uk/aptrix/ofwat/publish.nsf/Content/navigation-watervoice-homepage

I've been complaining about Thames Water (wrote them a four page letter so I won't go into all the issues here) but eventually I wrote to Ofwat asking if I could move supplier and if not why? They told me it wasn't possible but directed my complaint to the CCW. Next thing I know I get a letter from TW knocking a quater off my bill.

Bracco · 20 Feb 2006 at 20:15

So you went out of the country when a regular bill was due to be paid, and instead of making a provision for this and actually paying the bill, you're trying to get some form of compensation? It is YOUR fault you missed the bill, and it is definately not a "gesture of goodwill" to pay back money you owe. That part actually made me laugh.
Some people really need to learn their responsibilties and stop whining when they get charged for not doing so.

Berserker · 20 Feb 2006 at 20:20

William said:
Take out the colloquial language.

Sound advice. If you're going to complain, make it look professional. Things like 'snail mail' won't do you any favours. In fact, the whole thing could do with a bit of a tidy up.

zain · 20 Feb 2006 at 21:12

It works just to ring them up.....

Bri · 20 Feb 2006 at 21:51

I have to say, if I received that, a standard apology letter would be winging it's way to you

EDIT: If you are going to send a letter, sort out the spelling mistakes too.

Muban · 20 Feb 2006 at 22:03

If I received that it would just get filed and nothing done. What is it you want them to do? The only thing that you have to complain about is that you did not receive a reminder, which really is just a technicality as you knew when the bill was due anyway. As all these systems are automated and it is more than likely that the reminder did get sent out to you but was lost on the way.

I wouldn't send it. If you really feel you must, reword it.

Mattus · 20 Feb 2006 at 22:32

I would at least change it... you haven't actually told the company what you want to be done, so it just seems a bit like an easily-ignorable rant!

LoadsaMoney · 20 Feb 2006 at 23:22

I don't get it, you should have paid your bill, but instead you buggered off to Vienna, and so your complaining about them wanting the money. :confused:

Lagz · 21 Feb 2006 at 00:07

It will be put in "the bin" or if they are environmentally friendly "the recycling bin".

Phil99 · 21 Feb 2006 at 00:30

Unless you're now at a disadvantage (the bill is now paid, I assume they're not asking for anything else?) I'd just leave it to be honest, the most you're likely to get is a standard apology letter, if that.

Overlag · 21 Feb 2006 at 00:56

Ex-RoNiN said:
You think I went overboard then Can you point out where pls?

you didnt pay your bill, and you think its there fault?

you should be saying sorry, and begging for there services back.

About to complain to my water company

Hitman