SpringfieldNewsSun.com

By Jordan

March 1, 2009 10:46 PM | Link to this

Can someone produce my terms of service contract from spelling out my rights? DP&L doesn’t have one to share with me (call them and ask). When I apply for credit comapnies spell out the terms and conditions of the agreement. In this case, there is none.

Their new rule should be from the date of their new policy - not retroactive.

I pay my bills on time, but this policy is punitive and just mean.

By Shame on DP&L

February 26, 2009 3:50 PM | Link to this

I’m in good standing with DP&L. I just don’t agree with this decision. I understand other people’s plights and to institute this new program is not fair to some who may have had hard times in the past. I lobby a clean slate or don’t implement!!!

By Ani

February 26, 2009 3:31 PM | Link to this

Gee, what a time for DP&L to choose to do this. Makes sense doesn’t it? Especially after they received a large rate increase. Times are tough as it is, so let’s keep all of the unfortunate people that have lost their jobs as poor as possible and ruin their credit some more.

By sad

February 26, 2009 3:24 PM | Link to this

I agree with you Bob. I was just thinking the same thing before I looked at your imput. I think that whoever that might be is a rep for Dp&l. Or else dosen’t have a job cause he or she has left alot of comments and is really trying rile people up.Someone that is secure in their job and is in good health really don’t have to worry about paying their bills on time.All the people that are saying pay your bills on time and quit whining just dont get it.they only see what they want to.

By Strings

February 26, 2009 2:42 PM | Link to this

Let everyone start with a clean slate? Yeah right, how far behind are you? People need to start paying their own way and quit relying on those who do for support!

By bob

February 26, 2009 2:22 PM | Link to this

Gee !! How convenient that this article gets quickly moved off of the frontpage, the shaft job that DP&L an others like them are applying to victims like us is unreal. The DDN couldn’t leave this on the fontpage and move the article about Denny’s reducing the salt in their meals? Looks like one of the DP&L big shots called the DDN and applied some pressure, come on DP&L if you’re gonna screw us at least have the balls to stand up and take the heat, I’ll get the exec.emails and publish em here.

By Shame on DP&L

February 26, 2009 1:41 PM | Link to this

Sounds like we have a DP&L Rep on this blog. Please let DP&L know that if they decide to go this route then they need to let everyone start a clean slate. Present and future payments; not past payments. I understand the company wants to make sure they get paid, but if they change in the middle of the game then they should allow the customer to be on a fair playing field.

By Greg P

February 26, 2009 1:39 PM | Link to this

Does noone get the idea behind this. It is to eventually get different rate structures for people with different credit backgrounds. If there is a way to exploit people Dayton Profit and Loot will find it. They will always start by their little press releases telling you how it will be a benefit to good paying customers, but god forbid youre late on one payment, I hate to think of what they’ll come up with next. Again go get em D.P.L.( Dayton Public Larceny)

By RM25483

February 26, 2009 12:54 PM | Link to this

It is against the law to turn off the gas when someone doesn’t pay when it is below a certain temperature (so they turn it off on warm days like today, wait for it to get cold, then demand payment so they can turn it back on). I am sure a similar measure can be applied to homes heated solely by electricity, unless it was turned off while it was warm out. If you are heated solely by electricity, write to DP&L (and cc an attorney ) to have a note on your account to contact you before a shutoff.

By Bob540

February 26, 2009 12:46 PM | Link to this

No, I don’t think being 30 days late on a utility payment should be reported to credit rating agencies. Others noted the poor economy — circumstances beyond one’s control. How about other forms of incapability? Recall the news story from January, where an elderly Michigan man had his electric turned off due to non-payment and froze to death? He left $600,000 to a hospital, so he had the money to pay his bill. But, he could not manage his affairs and had no one to check on him. So, he dies.

By RM25483

February 26, 2009 12:44 PM | Link to this

Having another ‘open account’ does not hurt your credit score if you are using the account. Your credit score is based on a debt:credit ratio. Additional accounts add to the overall credit line. Accounts inactive for an extended period of time fall into another category.

By RM25483

February 26, 2009 12:40 PM | Link to this

In cases of natural disasters, DP&L is not liable ( within constraints of normal work practices, not for obvious destruction of property ) for damage caused by their repair trucks, etc. If you have debris that belongs to DP&L, report it; odds are it was left by an out-of-town repair crew that thought DP&L would pick it up later and did not report it properly. As for limbs, etc., DP&L is only responsible for small items. Anything over 4 inches thick is by law the responsibility of the owner.

By RM25483

February 26, 2009 12:29 PM | Link to this

Seriously, folks, what about the good side of this? Am I the only one seeing that this can help people? The whole point of the article was that this helps most customers. They said 45% should be unaffected, and only 9% would be harmed, that leaves 46% of their customers to be helped. Sure, Joe Schmo is having trouble paying off the credit card debt from when his son was hospitalized, but look, he pays his utilities in full on time, give him a break. It rewards your neighbors that pay.

By Joker

February 26, 2009 11:46 AM | Link to this

To those speaking of online payments to DPL and the charge they impose for it: check your banking website to see if you can make payments through your account. I make my payment through my 5/3 online account and its FREE to do so. Just trying to help you out. Give it a look and see if yours does the same.

By Cash Flow!!!

February 26, 2009 11:31 AM | Link to this

Let’s think about this people. Look at the economy. This is about cash flow, and nothing else. DP&L needs some quick cash. They hope that this tactic will scare a certain percentage of those behind on their bill, hoping that they will make their account current. This will in theroy generate a certain amount of money needed to fund what ever it is they need the cash for. Reporting someone to a credit bureau…really? Do you think the long term delinquint accounts care about this anyway?

By Snickers

February 26, 2009 11:15 AM | Link to this

While we’re talking about DP&L. What about all the trash that was left in the ditches and on their customers property after the hurricane. There are pieces of two poles that were replaced on my street that were just left and abandoned by the road. Are homeowners supposed to take care of disposal of their damaged equipment? At that same time, I also arrived home to find two bucket trucks sitting in my front lawn on top of freshly sown grass seed. I was never reimbursed for repair.

By Dawn

February 26, 2009 11:06 AM | Link to this

I’m sorry but this is a bad decision. So many companies are abusing credit reporting and the reason that credit reporting is there. Real life people become just a number. These are bad economic times and many people have been hit hard and are jobless. They are struggling to put food on their tables and pay their utilities as soon as they are able. They shouldn’t have their late payment histories out there to mark them if they are consistantly catching up. It just hurts people.

By SB

February 26, 2009 10:52 AM | Link to this

So if they report it to the credit agency will it hurt my credit score for having another “open account”?

By Shame on DP&L

February 26, 2009 10:48 AM | Link to this

When DP&L is using taxpayer’s money to subsidize the unfortunates. Then they should not be able to change the rules for people who work and pay. If this program starts then DP&L should only be able to show present and future payments and notify the customers on the changes of the their policy. They should not be able to show past history since they have decided to change the rules.

By Bob

February 26, 2009 10:46 AM | Link to this

I see nothing wrong with this. For every story of a family struggling to make ends meet and having to decide whether to spend the money on food or bills, there are three more stories of people who just slack off and abuse the system. DP&L has options available but they need you to call them. Not the other way around. I do agree that having to pay $4.99 to pay your bill online is a ripoff. More people would take advantage of that service if they didn’t have to pay for it, myself included.

By DP&L Unsatisfied Customer

February 26, 2009 10:44 AM | Link to this

I think that reporting to the credit agencies could be helpful for some people, and it will definitely hurt others. I don’t think its necessarily a bad idea. However, if they are going to do it, it should only include from this point forward. They should not be able to go back and give histories from several years ago. That is wrong, because people didn’t know at that time that their late payment would be reported.

By Anne

February 26, 2009 10:25 AM | Link to this

The DP&L online payment - found at www.waytogo.com is NOT free, but very convenient. They will charge you $1.50 for a “check” and $4.95 if you use a credit card.

By Deb

February 26, 2009 10:12 AM | Link to this

I also think that it’s easy to point fingers at people and point out exactly what they should cut out from their lives in order to pay their utility bills on time. Who do you think you are? Judge not lest yee be judged. Are you serious? I hope you never have a bad year!

By SJA

February 26, 2009 10:11 AM | Link to this

You can pay DPL online for FREE using you bank or credit union! I pay online via chase and it posts 1-2 days. Also, dpl provides SERVICES. They are not the govt & dont owe anyone anything for free. if u dont pay bills, u should be punished. For those w/ high bills, turn down your heat. My 2000SF house TOTAL bill is AT MOST $300. Obviously DAC is an idiot and does not have facts. DPL is a “monopoly” bc we have LOW prices and it is HARD for others to come in and undercut DPL wo taking a loss.

By Deb

February 26, 2009 10:08 AM | Link to this

The question asks do we think it should be reported to the credit agency and my answer is no. It’s a necessity, not a credit. It’s hard to get a job let alone any loans with bad credit or even decent credit these days, which keeps a person down. Let’s be realistic (Strings) most people live beyond their means because of low paying jobs. Not laziness or unwillingness to work. I think this is just another drop of lemon juice being poured onto an open wound of poor Daytonians.

By shellymoe

February 26, 2009 10:06 AM | Link to this

For years we only paid what was needed to keep the lights on. Back then, we didn’t care about our credit score. Once we got our crap together, we gave DP&L & Vectren $1,000 each of our tax return. Since then, we’ve paid on time & now do care about our score. This will hopefully benefit us since our debt/credit ratio is high. Like others have posted, if you feel this may hurt you, make sure to work out arrangements to keep it off of your credit. More importantly, KEEP the arrangements!

By bob

February 26, 2009 9:56 AM | Link to this

Something needs to be done about this horsemanure, this is bad for customers/victims and bad for the community.This will also have an effect on other businesses as well, responsible people will stop using/spending other products and services in order to keep that 30 day late off of their Credit reports.I’d love to contact DP&L and give them an earful but they’re completely insulated from having to hear from their victims. DP&L has the world by the balls,just turn it off, no reporting.

By Kevin

February 26, 2009 9:50 AM | Link to this

FED UP, my neighbor hasn’t worked EVER. May I please repeat, NEVER. Since she’s 44 yrs old, I’m sure there was a time in the past where she could have worked, but she was too busy receiving welfare, free medical, WIC, free utility payments, etc. How do I get on the draw? lol…well I wouldn’t because I have PRIDE! I will never, ever, ever understand how someone can live on welfare for years, yet smoke pot & drink beer EVERY SINGLE DAY. What a good mom…Ha! & Yes, we pay her utility bill.

By Autopay-NOT

February 26, 2009 9:46 AM | Link to this

30 days late should be reported.Those who allow their banks to make their payments are using autopay.I let no one make payments from my accounts.Click and pay exclusively.Pay all bills online, except DPL, and all of them for free…yes free.Mortgage,Vectren,Verizon,Trash,Insurance,Shell,VISA,Water,Cable.If I have to pay for the privilege,then they get a check in the mail.I’m on level billing,know what I owe every month,regulate thermostat so don’t get a large adjustment in Aug.Work it out people

By Dac

February 26, 2009 9:37 AM | Link to this

DP&L have never taken care of their customers.. I worked for DP&L for 8 years. Folks, you are nothing but a mere computer number,, they could care less. They are not comsumer friendly, never have been. Why should they, there is no competition to make them customer friendly. They only care about their stock! They have jammed down price increases down our throats for years providing some of the highest rates in the state. Sorry, this is a waste of time and another way to waste our valuable money

By Dawn

February 26, 2009 9:36 AM | Link to this

I’m sorry but this is a bad decision. So many companies are abusing credit reporting and the reason that credit reporting is there. These are bad economic times and many people have been hit hard and are jobless. They are struggling to put food on their tables and pay their utilities as soon as they are able. Personal experience and work experience tells me that companies are not always willing to work with people in these predicaments. Sad, Sad, Sad.

By FED UP

February 26, 2009 9:35 AM | Link to this

In addition, I do pay my bills on time before the due date. I’m talking about people who are on fixed income like the elderly, the medically disabled. And if you people who are screaming GET OFF YOUR BUTTS AND GET A JOB have been really reading the news and all the news—pay attention to the Columbus Dispatch front page today—there is a huge long line for a job fair. There are a few scant jobs. SO perhaps being kinder during this time might be necessary. DPL covers where DHL left.

By FED UP

February 26, 2009 9:31 AM | Link to this

While I agree that making your most essential payments ontime is beneficial, it is not always possible. Why trash someone’s credit for not having enough money at the legal late payment cut off? They already charge you a fee for that late payment, now they are going to report you? DP&L really need to look at improving their website and customer service before they even think about reporting to a credit bureau. We need to see our bills online, to pay our bills w/o fees. Get w/it DPL!

By Kevin

February 26, 2009 9:28 AM | Link to this

If all the deadbeats who get most of their bill paid, would actually get a job & pay their utility bill like the rest of us THEN maybe DP&L wouldn’t resort to this, my neighbor has recd THREE THOUSAND, yes THREE THOUSAND dollars in free utilities over several years, but she has plenty of money for her weed & she drinks beer every single day. But the taxpayers pay her utility bill. She’s never, I repeat never worked in her life, even before the economy crisis. We also pay for her 4 kids. ugghh!

By Kitten

February 26, 2009 9:26 AM | Link to this

With the overwhelming number of people who are unemployed in our area, this decision by DP & L STINKS! Talk about getting screwed and not getting a kiss!

By Strings

February 26, 2009 9:17 AM | Link to this

WM—-you are in the small catagory of folks who are trying to keep up. You are not the target of my criticism. It’s those who don’t even care. They want to use, use, use and pay nothing in return. Those that are complaining the most are probably driving nice cars, have $100/month cell phone bills and every premium cable channel. I bet they don’t miss those payments!

By JC

February 26, 2009 9:16 AM | Link to this

The DP&L website is pretty much useless. They need to look at Vectren’s website to use as a model. They give you tons of useful info, you can change payment dates, get extensions, etc. They also give you the option of paperless statements. Oh yeah, they also don’t charge you for making a payment.

By edie

February 26, 2009 9:13 AM | Link to this

Why?When?Where? Why does anyone have to be reported to the credit agencies for UTILITIES payments? When did you people become GOD? Where do you think people are going to get the monies to pay on time all the time when they are living paycheck to paycheck? Have a heart. Do not try to make up for the money DPL gave away to their long gone employees by mistake. I do pay on time but that may not be a reality , the way everyone is losing in all areas of bills today. DPL, go get your money.

By WM

February 26, 2009 9:04 AM | Link to this

Again were not talking about people who are not or will not work. There are programs out there (heap) that are paying their bills. We are talking about people with families who have lost work hours due to the economy and are still trying to do the right thing and pay their own bills. I glad some of you posting here don’t feel the pinch. But lets see how you feel if your job is lost or your pension checks and benefits are reduced.

By Strings

February 26, 2009 9:02 AM | Link to this

If you can’t afford to pay your DP&L bill perhaps you should consider some other options. Like cancelling your cell phones, internet, or cable/satellite tv. I’d have no problems doing that if I couldn’t afford my monthly DP&L bill. I’d rather be warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

By MH

February 26, 2009 9:01 AM | Link to this

They were already reporting to the credit bureau at 60 days, and their enforcement policy is very effective, requiring huge deposits to reconnect an essential service. Now to report is at 30 days is just plain mean. I sent an email to PUCO cause there’s no way to contact DP&L locally. Just try to get a live person - even in an emergency. This is an act of bad faith in the shadow of an uncooperative community resource in the face of an emergency. They are not community team players.

By RM25483

February 26, 2009 9:01 AM | Link to this

Keep in mind that the $1.50 charge for paying online is not a DP&L greed moment. DP&L is not setup for online bill pay; what you are paying for is a third party that pays DP&L on your behalf, you are paying the third party $1.50 for that service, not DP&L. Did you not read the Terms & Conditions? You checked a box that said you did.

By Matt

February 26, 2009 8:56 AM | Link to this

TO BS…You can pay your DP&L Bill online it just cost a fee to do so. I agree that DP&L should use a better way so that there would not be a fee to make payments, but what can we say. DP&L is very greedy!

By eb

February 26, 2009 8:52 AM | Link to this

i think it is a good thing. people need to be held responsible for their actions. the article does mention that if people contact dp&l and work out a plan, no negative reporting will occur. I also pay online every month. in most cases the payment is processed the same day, and the extra $1.50 is worth it compared to late fees and a negative report to a credit agency. dp&l provides a service, it isn’t free. people need to be more responsible.

By RM25483

February 26, 2009 8:52 AM | Link to this

One of the reasons DP&L took so long to make repairs is because they were replacing their ancient equipment with… wait for it… more ancient equipment. Their repair crews ( and neighboring repair crews ) would sit with nothing to do because they had to wait for shipments of equipment that virtually no one makes anymore. Duke will not come up from Cincy because the cost to update the infrastructure is too high. Contact your representative and demand DP&L update their equipment for safety!

By RM25483

February 26, 2009 8:48 AM | Link to this

Eve, just because 55% of credit scores are changed does not mean they change for the worse. How about the responsible young couples trying to get a loan or a mortgage that do not have a long enough credit history to grow their score? Being able to say, “Hey, we are young, but we pay on time” could help out a little on their score. If you do not want a bad score, pay your bill. If you cannot afford it, stop buying alcohol and tobacco, and trade your aging Suburban for an aging Omni.

By WM

February 26, 2009 8:48 AM | Link to this

Maybe someone should check into how DP&L received Fed money to upgrade lines prior to the Sept Storm. When the storm hit, the old lines came down so DP&L decided to upgrade all the lines at that time which is why some areas had no power for extended periods. DP&L received more fed money for storm repairs/line upgrades and still suggested passing costs on to customers. How many times do they want paid for upgrading lines? Now they want to kick their customers while their down. HEARTLESS!

By Strings

February 26, 2009 8:42 AM | Link to this

Since when does DP&L control the weather? Sorry about your husbands job loss, but that’s not their fault, more of an economic factor.

By disgusted with dpl

February 26, 2009 8:34 AM | Link to this

fantastic. i havent had problems paying my dpl bill ontime until my fiance LOST HIS JOB because of the windstorm. Power was lost at the company he worked at for seven days which in turn made them lose all kinds of business. add that to a crippled enconomy and poof, no job. Was dpandl reporting that to the credit agency? did they report that the building he worked at was ACROSS THE STREET from where they keep all the dpandl trucks and where they had a little center of command? doubtful

By Strings

February 26, 2009 8:34 AM | Link to this

Check out the level billing options too. This would help out in the winter months.

By Strings

February 26, 2009 8:32 AM | Link to this

John sounds sensible. I use Chase and they provide the on-line bill payment option. Bob, maybe you should investigate an alternative heat source like a kerosene heater or just turn down the thermostat a couple degrees. I’ve also heard Snuggies are nice.

By jacksquatt

February 26, 2009 8:30 AM | Link to this

This is not a good time for DP&L to impose this practice. There are far too many people right now that are living paycheck to paycheck while depleting their savings just to make ends meet. By attacking credit reports, a snowball effect occurs. The credit card companies and banks are already attacking the consumers negatively by jacking interest rates and payments to a point where they simply become unmanageable. Next thing DP&L will do is to charge finance charges.

By John

February 26, 2009 8:29 AM | Link to this

If your bank has a free bill pay service, you can avoid paying $1.50 for online payment. I use wright-patt credit union bill-pay service. Wright-patt pays dp&l electronically, so payment posts in about 2-3 days.

By bob

February 26, 2009 8:25 AM | Link to this

DP&L should be embarassed, talk about kicking people while they’re down, this is utterly rediculious and totally infuriating, I’d love to switch to another energy provider, oh yeah can’t do that…..monopoly……….I’d love to send DP&L and email telling them how anti customer and anti community they are……….can’t do that…….there doesn’t seem to be anywhere on the their website to send a comment. No one can control if it’s below zero for two weeks and they get a $500 bill.

By Strings

February 26, 2009 8:20 AM | Link to this

I think it’s a great idea. They provide a service and the customers should pay for it. No more free rides for people who don’t pay. I can’t afford it anymore.

By soured

February 26, 2009 7:49 AM | Link to this

Isn’t it funny how they can raise rates and collect money from the government for the high wind damage from last years wind storm and yet the people who lost 2,3,4,5 days of work because the companies that they work for didn’t have power due to DPL’s inability to maintain power lines on a regular basis don’t get anything except lost WAGES…. Also why do they charge you $1.50 to make a payment online. That is a bunch of bull hit!!!!It just goes to show how big business can screw the average JOE.

By Eve

February 26, 2009 7:34 AM | Link to this

If 45% of consumers see no change to their credit history, then 55% (a majority) do. This is supposed to be a selling point? Duh.

By Peter

February 26, 2009 7:25 AM | Link to this

DP&L has two payments per bill (On-Time and Late). Are they going to state on the bill that if you choose the “late” payment that you will be automatically reported? I do not think DP&L should report you for making a legal late payment. Only overdue accounts (e.g. more than 30 days) should be reported unless a payment plan can be worked out. My hurt people financially when you do not have to.

By Jay

February 26, 2009 7:21 AM | Link to this

I have been making my payments online for over 4 years, Its costs 1.50 but it is available.

By jay

February 26, 2009 7:20 AM | Link to this

I have been making my payments online for over 4 years, It costs $1.50 to do it but it is available

By BS

February 26, 2009 7:14 AM | Link to this

And NO. Utility payments should not become a part of your credit history if you are not offering the best ways possible for your customers to pay the bills. You want them to call you to set up payment plans? Whatever. Get your web site together so they can pay online, too.

By BS

February 26, 2009 7:12 AM | Link to this

It’s too bad with all the money DP&L makes you can’t pay your bills online. the dpandl web site is all but useless if customers can’t make payments and/or schedule payments online. That may also help curb some of the late payments.