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Alabama Power review: bad service 63

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6:36 pm EDT
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I live in Alabama and my power bill has doubled since this time last year. I have not been running my heating and cooling system either. I called Alabama power and of course I got a range of excuses. My kwh has increased but I am doing nothing different. I have new appliances and there is only 2 people living in the house. I didn't notice my bill increasing so much till a house was built next to mine. I know that Alabama power has increased there rates but the increase is well above what the increase is suppose to be.
I am disabled and live on a fixed income. My power bill is not far from reaching what my house payment is and I don't have the money. I have no choice but to turn everything off. I run one space heater now and have turned all the lights off. I was just running 3 space heaters before now. I can understanding it increasing with there price increase but doubling is not right.

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63 comments
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Kathleen Langford
Pelham, AL, US
Feb 26, 2024 9:55 am EST

Why did my Power bill double from December to January 2024? I keep my thermostat set at 65. I am on a fixed income. I am disabled. I have been wrapping up in blankets trying to stay warm. I did not utilize enough power to double my invoice.

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Ashley Gossman
, US
Feb 18, 2024 4:28 am EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Last month my thermostat was set at 69 my bill was 319 turned thermostat down to 58 and I still get the same bill of 319 its not right and you know it

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Tracey2003
Pinson, US
Aug 02, 2023 4:02 am EDT

My entire neighborhood is at its witts end. Our power keeps going off for hours on end for no apparent reasons. We have always received poor service in our area.

Power loss 3 times in last week for no reason. Today is 7/26/2023.

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Regina W.
Montgomery, US
Sep 05, 2022 7:24 pm EDT

Good afternoon, I live at 2863 N. Colonial Drive. Upon arriving home from work today, your contractor Asplundh had trimmed my oak tree. I have a problem with the mess they left in my front yard and the street in front of my home. I haven't noticed the brush and debris left behind in non-minority communities. How and when will this be resolved?

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Monica Dees
, US
Aug 08, 2022 3:25 pm EDT

I purchased this hot water heater November 2016, the heater is now leaking, I was told be a customer service nothing could be done because I did not purchased the warranty.

This hot water heater shouldn't be leaking after only 6 years unless the hot water heater was defective in the first place,

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Johnny Ponder
, US
Aug 06, 2022 7:28 pm EDT

Tree trimmers has not cleaned up my yard after trimming trees. It’s been about 2 weeks. I can’t mow the area and with the rain we’ve had it’s really growing. I’m a senior (Mid-70s) with health issues or I would have done it myself. I have more pics. Please help. Thanks!

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Guy1111
, US
Sep 15, 2019 10:36 am EDT

Alabama power [censored]ing sucks. They just blatantly do not do their job.

Cadetric
Cadetric
, US
Aug 19, 2019 7:01 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Whyetta jordan, sales associate denied my application for appliances because she didn't understand that a old bill on a closed account in which alabama power company executives apologized for allowing someone to utilize my account then set up a new account while trespassing in my home. I was awarded a $ 400.00 credit because of these illegal acts.

Cadetric
Cadetric
, US
Aug 14, 2019 12:50 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Wyatt jordon, appliances center sales associate is attempting to violate my rights to purchase appliances using my al power company account because I reported her because of illegal measures she attempted to hold me accountable for.

Cadetric
Cadetric
, US
Aug 14, 2019 12:52 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Alabama Power Company Sales Associates Aren't Trained Properly To Do The Job Their Hired To Perform Which Leave Customer To Deal With Terrible Customer Service !

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Jamesguy999
, US
Oct 15, 2018 1:57 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

A power line was replaced in my back yard and instead of hauling off the old power pole with all the electrical parts still attached (huge liability), it was left in my back yard. It's been 4 days. A technician that was very unhelpful said they must have just forgot it and they'll come pick it up? This is unacceptable. I'm calling a lawyer.

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Jamesguy999
, US
Sep 30, 2018 1:57 pm EDT
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A power line was replaced and they just left the old pole with all of the wiring in the yard (huge liability). When I called and a technician came out (not friendly) he said that they must've forgotten it. It's been 4 days. I see parts of the trees that are burned in the back. I'm calling a lawyer.

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Jim#Smith
, US
Sep 19, 2018 6:15 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Oliver Tatum he passed on August 28, 2017. His address is 497 37th Terrace West Birmingham, Alabama 35207. Utility is still on in his name. This couldn't be legal.

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Misty Bailey Edwards
, US
Sep 10, 2018 12:47 pm EDT

I called to inquire about a power outage because my grandfather is on insulin that has to be refrigerated. The lady informed me that this was an act of God that couldn't be helped (the weather). I don't need smart responses when I'm concerned about my family's health and we are all paying customers. Thank you.

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Phillip Williams
, US
Aug 15, 2018 6:28 pm EDT

Power off during the night and happens very often in Pinckard Al community. Sorry services

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Kayla G
, US
Aug 15, 2018 6:56 pm EDT

For the past two days on and off my power I has been flickering on and of . My food is starting to spoil and nobody can give me a reason why. I need answers now on how we can get this issue resolved.

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Mark Odom
, US
Feb 20, 2018 5:06 pm EST

I'm a disabled Alabamian and Alabama power has charged me $719 for January 2018.. I have never had a power bill close to this amount.. I am 61 years old and the smart girl that talked to me says that I need to turn my heat down so my bill will be lower... Really? I am insulted. These smart meters arent working out in Alabama.. they change the rates based on peak usage hours.. They give us a usage figure for the month that is in flux never the same.. they adjust usage by the hour.. Is there anyone else out there having this problem? They need to be honest with people and tell them they cant compete with gas so people wont do the same mistake I have by changing over to all electric.. People cant stay warm with Alabama power. They are crooked and dishonest.
My name is Mark Odom
modomtts@gmail.com

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Ronnie greenlee
, US
Dec 27, 2017 10:15 am EST

My power bill tripled the month of Nov 2017 well I wasn't home that month I was in the hospital with my wife that month so no one was there I micro manage my daily usege nothing was on but my fridge I turn my hot water down we don't cook there and my washer been broken and the air been off I don't understand y my daily use went up when no one there answer me that Alabama power

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Racheql
, US
Sep 27, 2017 1:49 pm EDT

I hate this company with a passion. I called for a payment extension for some reason they only give you 5days instead of 10 before. Which still doesn't help me because I get paid on Wed. I was told by a Rep to take the date given as the Max 9-25 and call back to have it noted on my account that I would be in to pay it before end of business wed. Did that so why did they turn off my electric this morning. I called an the Rep said she was sorry she saw the notes but she guessed the guy was already out before it was sent to him. So now I have to pay the balance plus a $50 reconnection fee before I can get them back on. That pisses me off. I have small kids and I'm not rich. The representatives are rude and tell you whatever you want to hear to get you off the line. I wish another company would run this money hungry company out of business.

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Prokurse
, US
Jul 18, 2016 7:22 am EDT

Asked them to repair my 7 year old Kenmore refrigerator. Came same day. I told them when they arrived it would be the evaporator fan or control for it. Diagnosed as the fan. Replacement part at WWW.RepairClinic.com: $27.55. 2nd day FedEx $18.

I was just told, 2 days after their visit, that the part "might be in this week". $90 up-front charge and non-refundable. This is Alabama and it's 85 degrees. No refrigerator. I built machinery for 30 years and was many times on 24 hour overseas repair call.

Having to wait 7 days for an exceedingly simple repair is NOT a way to do business.

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RCrutch
, US
May 26, 2016 8:21 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

We've had a similar experience. After raising hell with the attorney general's office, the d.a.'s office & the public service commission...Alabama power tested our meter & put a new one on the house...nothing changed. After continuing to make calls & telling the a.g. I was getting an attorney, AL power put yet another meter on our house...our bill dropped, on average $90 a month! They are ripping the people of AL off! All I can say is make calls...annoy them crap out of everyone you can think of...get an attorney if you have to

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Mrae78
, US
May 26, 2016 7:17 pm EDT
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I am fed up with Alabama power and this budget billing. Our bill has increased, at least, $70 per month over the past year. Nothing has changed... They are robbing us! Something definitely has to be done.

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Reviewer86018
,
Feb 04, 2016 4:10 pm EST

Alabama power had turned my family lights which they just had them switched over to the apartment when my mother and father went down there they asked for these least which they showed them and then Alabama Power wanted them $250 for a reconnect fee my mother paid it was scheduled for them to turn they lights back on today but they couldn't cause they said they we're backed up today

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RCrutch
, US
Dec 07, 2015 8:47 am EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I have had the same problem with AL Power! I've gotten usage reports and our usage skyrockets during the day while we are at work and our central unit is off! Yet AL Power tells me we must have left an appliance on, there's nothing they can do and the "smart meter" is running perfectly. I too have called the public service commission, a total wast of time! They checked the meter and told us it was accurate...thanks for nothing!
We have a gas fireplace that we heat with in the winter, so a normal power bill for us would be $60 - $90 dollars. Over the last 2 winter it's $150 - $195! I'm supposed to believe that leaving my TV plugged in causes this...AL Power is a joke!

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WGregC
, US
Oct 01, 2015 3:52 pm EDT
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I agree they are ripping us all of. I just calculated my usage verses paid amount for the past 17 bills under my budget billing.
From 8/4/14 - 9/28/15 I had a total usage costs of $2398.86
That same time period I paid $2719 in my budget billing.
I've paid them $320.14 extra.
If I had (for arguments sake) the exact same usage the next 17 months as last, and my budget billing was identical, by the end of the next 17 bills I would have then paid them $620.28
AL Power take notice! You owe me $320.14

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FShonda
, US
Sep 21, 2015 2:53 pm EDT

My power was disconnected on 09/11/2015. I get paid this Friday and I spoke with a CSR on 09/11/2015 and she said that all I had to pay was $274.21 to restore my service. I call today 09/21/2015 because I received another bill on Friday and she told me that if I didn't pay the bill within five days than I had to pay the entire bill which is $482.18 plus $225.00 deposit. I have never heard this in my life. I am livid!

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cedric b jones
Fultondale, US
Mar 30, 2015 2:47 pm EDT

I spoke with a manager recently about a proven issue with alabama power bill matrix system and the customer service and management just seem to act as if they could care less about what the customer has to say. I guess since there is no other power service providers but alabama power they are correct.

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3463davis
Birmingham, US
Jan 27, 2011 9:04 pm EST

Bill only goes up, even after changes have been made. Fighting a loosing battle. I could flip the breakers for a month and my bill would be higher.

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michael t young
dothan, US
Mar 29, 2015 4:07 pm EDT

I always used dothan utility my bill ranged from 60 to 100 because I never be home to use anything got a mobile home that I'm sad to say is with Alabama power now and I still never have anything on now my bills are 175 to 200 how is this possible when no one is never here from 4 a.m. to 8. P.m. why are y'all ripping use off?

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JHyde45
, US
Mar 26, 2015 10:32 am EDT

Alabama power has very rude employees! ! They turned off my power 11 days after it was due and within those 11 days I spoke with a csr that told me it was okay to make payments. ..called back after it was cut off they said the payment arrangements weren't on my account and it was nothing they could do. ..so why wasn't that mention when I made a payment? ? I HATE ALABAMA POWER!

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BETTY1072
Monroeville, US
Mar 11, 2014 5:51 pm EDT

My parents was given a voucher to help with they bill, they also have appliance with Alabama Power, not concern with the appliance just the bill. The voucher was sent in but was excepted then not excepted, the lady call and told me she give me to a certain time to have it all after the fact a lady had gave me a arrangement on the appliance, she was going to put my parents in the cold over something the company could have easily pick up, the utilities is well more important then the appliance. My parents are disable and my father had just took a fall..Alabama Power do what they want ! WHERE are the people that suppose to be overseeing companies like this.

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Rosalyn334
Selma, US
Jan 29, 2014 10:43 am EST

I'm a new home owner and I pay all of my bills on time, but when it comes to my power bill it doubles! I was nine months pregnant when they cut my power off and told me it was nothing they can do, of course I'm a single parent and during my maternity leave it was on a fixed income, I even came up to Alabama power to show them how much my check was and what I could pay but the ### did not care, they had me and my newborn child stuck in the cold for four weeks and wouldn't give me an extension until I went back to work., during that time I had to return back to work early and it caused me a world of medical issues, after paying the 700.00 bill they gave me they raised it from the original 159.00 to Damn near 350.00 a month and told me I was using too much in my house, I told the lady my power been off four weeks, how in the he'll in used anything? She rolled her eyes at me and started typing and then gave me a smug look and said, well it's not my problem is can talk to the hot line, haha in laughed and walked away, I swear to god I hate Alabama power and I can't wait until another power company comes to beat there rates?! I hope it shuts down and everyone employed there never finds another job again in there lives, I can't believe the heartless son of a batches who work there haha buying know posting this doesn't make a difference but whoever reads this please be careful dealing with these people they are cold hearted and just try and find anyway to get money from you, I currently stay in valley grande now and have another power company with wonderful service. I feel for anyone staying in city limits who have to deal with the ###

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weunite
Phenix city, US
Oct 22, 2013 5:34 pm EDT

I completely agree that Alabama Power is a hateful / heartless company. We paid one day past our payment agreement, and they turned it off after we paid! They said that technically we breached the agreement. We explained our situation and pleaded with them(seeing as we did pay) Nothing but hate on their part. And to top it off 3 late fees and a $75 cut on fee was added, to make it harder on us when we're already struggling. What's also sad is we paid the extra $2 bux a month to help those in need on our bill. But they showed a severe lack of human decency.

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Justice for Leah and Katy
Birmingham, US
Oct 22, 2013 1:24 pm EDT

Justice for Leah and Kety, "Mother, 9-year-old daughter die due to Wilton house fire ...Friday, 18oct2013 - AL.com"
They was burn alive due to gross negligence of this criminal company, who failure to fix the electricity problem one day before, respective Thursday 17oct2013, and show up the next day Friday 18oct 2013, after the horrible tragic incident was already produce. Leah have an advance Asperger syndrome. We know what was happened and looking for anybody who believe was and it is mistreat by this criminal company to sign petition for class action against Alabama Power Company. While peoples died burn alive, the Executive Compensation, Charles D. McCrary it is 5, 608, 165Total compensation/2012(approximation of 6milion dollars/2012!) We pray to GOD to make justice to Leah and Katy, two innocent peoples, mother and daughter, who find they death, burning alive. You can imagine how it is to be to burn alive?! Please contact me e-mail: ocrasi6@yahoo.com to fight together against this criminals, and prevent future innocent peoples mistreatment and horrible death. God bless!

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Bama_Blues
Amory, US
May 18, 2013 6:25 pm EDT

Alabama Power shows no one any mercy. And what ever you do don't expect the Alabama Public Service Commission to help. They charged me a high deposit to open my business, and I was told it was so high because they had to estimate what I was use in a 12 month period. Their own bi-laws state this, but now that I have been in business for 6 + year, I got my average usage by adding 12 months service up and dividing it by twelve. The original deposit I put up was almost 2 times that. I asked for 1/2 of my deposit back based on their on rules and bi-laws but they refused to do so. I then contacted the Alabama Public Service Commission which was a joke. They seem to take their side on anything, and after explaining to them that they are the ones that created their own bi-laws which is what I was going by, I was actually hung up on by the Public Service Commission. I give up... All I can do is say enjoy my money you bunch of crooks...

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Hollywood Cole
Birmingham, US
Apr 04, 2013 3:06 pm EDT

My bill also skyrocketed when the new meters were put in, and I was not even living in the house yet. No refrigerator, no AC (cold weather), gas heat, gas water heater. There was nothing running except a light and the gas heat while we were repairing the house. I had a bill like a small family lived there for months before I moved in. The bill was exponentially more ridiculous when I actually did move in. The phone reps always insist that it is something drawing in your house, even if the house is empty with the breaker switched off. I just had to eat **** and move on because there is no other option and they insist their meter is working properly. I was shocked when recently the high bills I have grown accustomed to doubled AGAIN. Mind you that it is winter and I have gas heat and gas heated water (thank God!), so the only electricity my wife and I use is for lighting (and we literally keep ONE light on at night to keep that cost down), LCD TV (costs several dollars a YEAR to operate) and washing clothes (We wash maybe two loads a week). I tried to contest my bill and request research, (I had plenty in my account to pay it, I just wanted to make sure I paid the correct amount) and without any further communication or notice they DISCONNECTED my power, and told my wife I have to pay an extra $75 on top of my erroneous high bill to have the thieves come back and reconnect it. This is highway robbery and bullying by a utility company with an obvious monopoly. We have to put a stop to it!

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ALpowerhater
, US
Mar 14, 2013 8:14 pm EDT

I hate Alabama Power! We paid all the past due on our bill less than 2 weeks ago, and we still had our power cut off today. When I called and finally talked to an actual person, instead of explaining to me why this happened the customer service person was extremely rude and condescending. In my opinion, Alabama Power knows they can treat customers like dirt because we have no other option for our power service. If we didn't pay what we were suppose to pay then there needs to be a way for them to contact us and let us know before the power is cut off. I think the only reason they don't want to work with you is the money they are making on the high reconnection fees. I wish I could live off the grid and then I would not have to deal with the jerks. I hate Alabama Power!

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ragrier
Webb, US
Feb 25, 2013 9:23 am EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

UPDATE on Webb, AL

Alabama Power finally did come through. We have power on our farm! woo hoo!
A person from the Eufaula office, Virginia (Ginger) Dean, got involved and everything was put in place as originally agreed at the original price. It took over a year and a half, but it is done.

R. A. Grier

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rmb2014
Tuscaloosa, US
Feb 23, 2013 10:15 pm EST

Tried to pay my bill with a routing number to avoid the fee of paying with a credit card. The routing number was correct, checked with my bank to make sure the number was correct, had WAY more than enough to cover my small bill for my small apartment. Next thing I know I get a bill in the mail that I was being charged a 20.00 dollar fee for no funds/delinquent payment. Double and triple checked the number, it was correct, called the bank and they said there was never an attempt to withdraw. Now I'm stuck paying an extra 20.00 for no reason at all. Unacceptable. Glad I'm not the only one having trouble with them.

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ragrier
Webb, US
Nov 30, 2012 2:41 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Alabama Power agreed to run service to our new home site and quoted a price. We paid in full to the tune of about 3700 dollars for the new service to be run. Then we waited...

Then, the changes started. Originally, they waived the new home start as long as we had plans. I told them we had plans in the works and that my draftsman could produce a copy at any time we wanted to show Alabama Power. Then they need to see something constructed. We built a 25x30 shop with concrete foundation. Then they wanted $19k more. Then they HAD to see a living space. We bought a double-wide mobile home to move to the property until out new home can be built. Then the price went up to $4600 more...

I contacted the Alabama PSC and that was a waste of time. I did however discover that the original estimate that we paid in full was ESTIMATED WRONG. Hmmmm, I wonder why they have been trying to get more money all along! You know what? Why the hell didn't they just tell me that they made a mistake? Admit the error, knock a few "feel-good" bucks off the difference and I would have paid it. What did they do instead? They implied the changes so that "any alteration to the original requested service" could VOID the original agreement! They lied about the "necessary" changes so they wouldn't have to admit the mistake and run the power!

The final statement by the PSC was that I could feel free to get a private attorney to sue Alabama Power. Yeah... let's do that math! Ronald Reagan was right, The nine most terrifying words in the English language are, 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help.'

It's ok though. One day the people who are liars, cheats, and thieves will have to answer to God. If I get lucky, the day may come that those liars, cheats and thieves will have to answer to me!

Robert A. Grier
Webb, Alabama