Menu
For Business Write a review File a complaint
CenterPoint Energy Customer Service Phone, Email, Contacts

CenterPoint Energy
Reviews and Complaints

www.centerpointenergy.com

Learn how the rating is calculated

1.6 1 Review 238 Complaints
Claim Your Business
Take control of your profile: address complaints and engage with reviews
Write a review File a complaint

CenterPoint Energy Complaints 238

ComplaintsBoard
S
10:06 am EST
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

CenterPoint Energy sevice

This email is expressing my disgust with the subpar service and unfair treatment I have received from center point regarding my natural gas service. Last month center point claimed my gas billed totaled 188.00. Because I have never had a gas bill larger than 40 dollars, I disputed the charge; even though the customer service representative did his best to try to reassure me center point was correct in the charges of 188.00. I also asked the representative if I needed to set up any payment arrangements anyway, because I did not want to have my service interrupted especially if this was no mistake on my part. I was told not to make a payment until I was contacted by center point. A month had gone by and I heard noting form center point until they came to my home to cut off my gas, in the middle of cold weather. When I spoke with customer service, I asked why I was not notified and she claimed there was a notice sent via U.S mail, which I never received, notifying me of an attempt to collect payment. She also claimed there was a call made and a message left, which I have not received. All in all, at the end of the day my service was interrupted because the 50 dollar payment I made (on my own not having received any communication from center point regarding my bill issues) was not enough. It was 38 dollars short of the adjusted bill from the month prior which came out to be 88 dollars instead of 188.00. At this point to restore my service it cost me the $38 dollars that was the remainder of the bill, $60 reconnect fee, and a $90 deposit. I asked if I could have the service restored the same day and I was told I could for a$50 fee. This was an upsetting situation on my part because the interruption of my service all came down to center point making a mistake by attempting to overcharge me on my bill, and then not notifying me of the corrections. Even though this was not my fault I attempted to rectify the issue by making the payments with no argument. I did not have the all the money to pay to have my service reconnected the same day, but as a loyal customer I asked a supervisor if I could just be billed for the charges because it was detrimental I had the service restored because I am alone with 2 small children. The representative was rude and simply told me no. When I asked if I could speak with someone else I was told no but he would have them call me. This all began on Thursday February 25 and today is February 28th and I have not heard from anyone regarding the issue and I and my two children are in a home with no heat, no hot water, and no way to cook. I know center point does not give a damn about me being a single mother trying to make it, but as a loyal customer I felt as though I was treated as if I were a customer who never pays their bill, and as if I were being unreasonable. I was willing to pay the ridiculous charges which were put on me by no fault of my own. This whole situation has come because I disputed the charges on a bill, which was determined to be WRONG. This seems as though it’s a plot to scam money from me, all because center point was not able to get me to agree with the bill they previously sent out. And even if I were late on the bill by my own fault…. $38? Really? Center point would not go into bankruptcy if I refused to pat this amount. Today we are home with no service and I intend on taking this complaint as far as it will go. I hope someone will contact me so I can have a chance to further explain and express my disgust with the lack of respect or customers and the attempt to scam money f room those who are considered “loyal” customers.

Read full review of CenterPoint Energy and 4 comments
Resolved

The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

Hide full review
4 comments
Add a comment
T
T
Tito Echiburu
Send a message
Oct 23, 2007 12:00 am EDT

It has been 2 months that I am trying for the above Co. to reconnect gas service. I have called every week , at least three times a week, to find out why it has not been done. Sometimes I get different answers, but at the end they assure me that it will be taking care, but to no avail. My account # is [protected]. Some of the service people are very rude. I will keep trying, but I believe somebody in this Co. ought to know that their customer service is horrible.

T
T
TxsonofLiberty
Houston, US
Send a message
Dec 02, 2011 11:34 pm EST

Some other states have deregulation in Gas like we did in electricity. Hopefully soon Texas will be deregulated...

Maybe we should form a nice protest/picket line... see how they like hundreds... thousands... may tens or hundreds of thousands of people converging and complaining at once.

N
N
NURSINTX
Dickinson, US
Send a message
Mar 16, 2010 1:21 pm EDT

Feeling your pain! They just now cut off my gas and to have it restored it is costing me more than the bill that is owed. It's not like I have a choice to just find another company. Ridiculous. This is America isn't it? Shouldn't we have a CHOICE?

B
B
Bob
Send a message
Oct 29, 2007 7:15 pm EDT

Is your account current? Do you need a city inspection?

ComplaintsBoard
M
5:27 pm EST
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

CenterPoint Energy gas bills

I am the executrix of a house left to me and others when my uncle died. I live 350 miles from this empty house. The house was empty for a year and a half and up for sale. The gas bills were off the chart. I have made many calls to them and have written a letter. No one answered the letter or called about it. I hired a plumber to check out leaks in the home - no leaks. Center Point does nothing. They can't explain why I have these bills. The gas hot water tank is turned off, and the gas heating system is off. People never call you back. The people you speak to have no idea what is going on. I have a list of all the dates I have called them and whom I have spoken to. The house sold in Dec. and today I had the new owners call me and asked about the high bills. When the last bill was off the chart again, I told them I wouldn't pay it and they made a note of that and said they would have someone call me. NOTHING Then I got a statement telling me they were turning me over to a collection agency. If anyone owes money, it is them. They owe me hundreds for their problem that they have not attempted to address.

Read full review of CenterPoint Energy
Resolved

The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

Hide full review
ComplaintsBoard
A
9:52 am EST
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

CenterPoint Energy non-email response

It all started when I had to connect my gas service. It was on a Friday. I left a callback number for Centerpoint to use in order to gain access just 'outside' to connect the gas for the apt. they didnt call the contact. And left a note on door. Okay so I let it go. Called the company and they were to bring someone out on Monday. Okay, i dealt with it. Mind you it was 38 degrees outside. So that meant i couldnt stay in my apt for that weekened (but oh yea still paying rent). Anyway- but come Monday afternoon -no one has showed up and I made sure I had someone at my apartment waiting in 38 degree weather with no heater nothing! I call Centerpoint and they said, 'no it's not to be hooked up till tuesday". Hell, no! I had to insist that customer rep told me Monday. She said ok well I will have to charge you . There's no way I told myself. I ended up getting the fee waived luckily and service got turned on that afternoon. Ok- I guess they did something right FOR NOW. so get this i did a bill payment to be withdrawn automatically on 2/5. My bill was due shortly after. It was 2/8 and nothing debited from my bank account. So I made a manual payment. I then sent an email to the company informing them to only charge my account once. Never received response. on 2/12 they charged my account twice. I sent another email and again no response. their quote: they will respond within 24 hours. DID NOT HAPPEN!. they are money -hungry and i have pay to pay my bills too! dont get me started

Read full review of CenterPoint Energy and 1 comment
Resolved

The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

Hide full review
1 comment
Add a comment
Kemps
Kemps
Minneapolis, US
Send a message
Apr 13, 2013 4:11 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

You should have paid your bill on time. It is not the gas companies fault you did not pay so they had to send out an emplyee who they paid to shut you off. Not to mention all of the other costs incured to shut you off. They did send out notice because the system does that automatically. This is your own fault dumb head.

ComplaintsBoard
C
2:58 pm EST
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

CenterPoint Energy perfectly legal

Having been employed in the Centerpoint offices for many years, I can tell you that everything we do here is perfectly legal. People call us fraudsters every day. We are accused of running rip-off schemes and even stealing/misplacing our own gas to artificially inflate retail prices. I can tell you with certainty that whatever level of illegal activity is happening here is not enough to warrant the upset I've seen on boards like these, especially considering that our activities (legal or not) are industry standard and are not attracting negative attention from FERC. You, the public, elected the folks who appointed the FERC officials, and thereby created the laws that govern companies like Centerpoint. If you don't like the fact that we are the only game in town for gas or residential electric maintenance or that we play for-profit hardball just like every other energy related company, then maybe you should have thought about that when you made your voting decisions a couple years back. If you are expecting great customer service or something, I'm sorry but that is a completely unreasonable request considering the lack of competition. Customer service improvements are expensive and will not affect our sales in the slightest and would therefore be silly to consider. Bottom line is just 'get over it'. Your complaints are not getting you anywhere, and in some cases could be construed as libel.

Read full review of CenterPoint Energy and 3 comments
Update by CP_Guy
Jan 28, 2010 5:47 pm EST

And sorry, Heather... our company follows industry standards... legal or not... incidentally, I never indicated that what our company does is necessarily illegal. For example, have a look at the behavior of energy traders in the late nineties and early 2000's (I worked for Enron for a few years right at the end as well). What Reliant and other companies that still exist is thought of as horrific by the average folks (those who understand what really went down), but the companies involved were never charged with any "crimes" regarding price manipulation or any activity which could be covered by plausible deniability. The bottom line is the laws are determined by those with the money/power and consumers are stuck with it unless you actually DO something about it. Having this post removed seems counterproductive to your upsets...

Update by CP_Guy
Jan 28, 2010 5:42 pm EST

Why are you so angry with me? This is the attitude shared by the folks I work with. Sending it to the company is only going to get them riled up to cover it up and have the post removed (they might sick lawyers on this website to have it removed). Wouldn't you want everyone else to know how the company feels, rather than have the post removed? Just my two cents...

Resolved

The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

Hide full review
3 comments
Add a comment
V
V
valarius1491
US
Send a message
Aug 27, 2015 4:33 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Centrepoint is a total and complete scam and I wonder why the government hasn't looked into them by now. I wanted to set auto pay on my debt card and was told "Sorry we only band drafts" every company in the USa takes debit cards. I looked for another company to change over to and What? they have a monopoly on gas? There numerous electric companies you an change over to but gas? No only Centerpoint. Their practices are so bad you can talk to one repm hang up and talk to another rep and get two different answers to the sane questions. As for talking with supervisors, hell I can talk to the Pope easier then to one of them. ITS A TOTAL SCAM and nothing is being done about it? Someone is getting paid under the table big time to protect these bums!

H
H
Hates_Centerpoint
Katy, US
Send a message
Feb 24, 2011 2:08 pm EST

Legality, really? That has nothing to do with whether something is right or wrong. That's why people are supposed to have a conscience, which CP_guy obviously lacks along with ethics and responsibility. This person wrongly assumes that people voted for FERC a few years ago and makes Centerpoint look bad. "Customer service is unreasonable"? Really? What a [censor]. This is just the type of attitude and thinking that causes customers to hate Centerpoint and its employees. Bless your heart CP_guy, all I can do is feel sorry for you and thank goodness that you work @ Centerpoint and not a hospital or with the elderly where ethics is important. Oh wait, you DO work with the elderly and medically needy and I've seen them disconnected due to unethical people like you who only care about whether something is illegal or not working for Crappy Centerpoint. Guess what? Slavery and denying women the right to vote used to be legal. Idiot.

N
N
NURSINTX
Dickinson, US
Send a message
Mar 16, 2010 1:10 pm EDT

REALLY?! REALLY! You are defending Centerpoint! Ridiculous. In todays economy noone has the extra money to pay their "FEES". Believe me if I had the option to switch gas companies I certainly would. The fact that they can and do rip off the consumer everyday is a tragedy. Maybe I should try to get a job with this company, they obviously pay really well. Enough for their employees not to have any worries about how their going to pay any of their bills. WOW sign me up, I can take a phone call and push a couple of computer keys. NO, WAIT! I have a conscience.

ComplaintsBoard
S
12:16 am EDT
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

CenterPoint Energy Tree Killing Instead of Burying Lines

Center Point hires Davey Tree to "trim" tress and shrubs around the utility lines.
I want to have our utility lines burried but cannot get Center Point to give us a bid or tell us what we need to do prior to have them burried.
The lines were put where all the Tree Top Pines existed for over 100 years. Thus, they cut them making them flat or one-dimentional. Another tree they cut the center right out like taking the top off of our heads.
Today they sent out 4 FOUR oversized vehicles on a single private lane sinking the lane, plus another oversized vehicle and 4-5 pickup obstructing our ONLY entry/exit.
Then after nearly taking down everything around the lines: they took time to CLIMB to the Tree Top Pine TOPS: the throw up a line to wrap around to pull up another saw that the Cherry Picker wouldn't reach.
They spent 2.5 hours cutting limbs that were above: 30 feet or more. What a stupid pathetic waste.
I want a class action filed.
They refuse to state the costs of: training, equipment, insurance, travel, maintenance; OT pay; injuries; benefits RATHER THAN simply burrying the lines for safety.
The lane lanes are dangerous enough let alone those coming into our yard to the house.
Outrageous. If anyone has any ideas, or wants to join a CLASS ACTION or how to force Center Point to provide the comparable costs of continued tree killing vs bury: send it to
[protected]@live.com

Read full review of CenterPoint Energy
Resolved

The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

Hide full review
ComplaintsBoard
O
2:22 pm EDT
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

CenterPoint Energy terrible service

I have had a terrible time communicating with the ignorant people that Centerpoint Energy hires. Apparently they get off on calling customers liars, and don't ask for a manager b/c there just so happens to not be one regardless of the time of day that you call.

I receive my bill by email and when I do forget to pay they send a reminder through the mail. Great. With 3 kids and being a single mom not always enough time to pay everything on time.

Fine, I'll pay a late fee, no problem.

Well this month by the time I opened the reminder letter to late already disconnected. Finding this out Tuesday evening. Fine get on the phone pay the bill through billmatrix, call centerpoint give confirm.#, now just wait till tomorrow to have it reconnected. Great.

Not so great. Wed. morning call the customer rep center (from work I like many others do have a job from 7:30 - 4:30) I gave them my cell # to call me on while I'm at work since they said i could to have the tech call me 20 min prior to arriving. Great!

Not so great. All morning i waited no phone call. So I asked if I could take the afternoon off to wait for the tech (used up 1/2 a day of vacation since it was for personal use). Arrived home at 11:55 to look on my front door and that famous yellow ticket was hanging on the door that the tech had already been by. Got on the phone called centerpoint and the rep that answered said the tech would be out again later the ticket was no closed. Great! So then she said let me read the call ahead #, well she read it wrong so I corrected her and here is where it starts. She said that's what I said. ok no big deal just want my gas connected. Waited all day at home cell phone glued to my hand so i don't miss the call.

Well now it was 5:00 p.m. no tech. Open HOuse at the kids school in 30 min. so I'm looking out the window and by chance I see a msg. on the home answering machine. I play the msg. guess who? Centerpoint Tech. called @ 9:13 a.m. said he came by no one was home and was closing the ticket. I was so pissed I called the centerpoint and they were swore up and down the tech called my cell # maybe I didn't know where I was listening to the msg. from like i'm ignorant. telling me they had to verify the story and listen to the recording. And then they still insist that i'm confused. come on now.

All in all nothing was solved when i spoke to them last night the window of reconnection was 8am - 8pm. So i told them i'd like to try tomorrow but please i'll be home at exactly 5pm. and the ignorant Ms. Pamela Bolden said well now the window is from 8-5 be home before then. That b***h just aggravated me. If there were another provider in the city I would no longer by with centerpoint even if i had to pay twice as much. I think my sugar level dropped and my blood pressure went up at the same time arguing with those ignorant people there. And then one of them said well you have a problem and that is that maybe you should have paid your bill on time.

How's that for outstanding customer service. I know nothing will be done about this. I wish they would screen the ignorant people they hire. But I guess at 7.25 an hour we get what we pay them for.

Read full review of CenterPoint Energy and 4 comments
Resolved

The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

Hide full review
4 comments
Add a comment
M
M
Marisol
Send a message
Jun 04, 2008 9:10 am EDT

I have been trying to re-establish my service for the past 6 days. Missed a day of work to sit at home and wait ALL DAY for a representative to show up. No one ever did. I called again the next morning and was schedule for them to show up that evening so I left work 15 minutes prior to my work schedule (5pm) since I work only 15-20 minutes from home, was home by 5pm. No one once again showed up. I called the next morning and I was told a representetive was at my house at 5:58pm but no one was home. I aske if they nocked on the door or rang the door bell and there answer was that there was no vehicle on the driveway. I thought garages were mostly used to park your cars inside not leave them on the driveway.

T
T
Tiredof people complaining
Louisville, US
Send a message
Feb 26, 2011 2:06 am EST

Maybe trying to pay your bill would be a start. I find with most companies they will extend your payment window and work with you. Remember, if you did not pay your bill its up to you to wait for the service person to show up...the company did not cut you off, you cut yourself off. Maybe gas, water, food should come before nails, hair and Walmart. Take responsiblity for your own actions and stop blaming others!

C
C
CSkinner
Houston, US
Send a message
Nov 05, 2009 10:48 am EST

Centerpoint Energy could care less about their customers or their service! I had the exact problem you did. I get emailed my bill. Just yesterday I opened a bill that said disconnect on it so I jumped online and paid my bill. The due date for the bill was 11/5 but the disconnect was for 10/31. Well, they hadn't turned it off yet so I paid it. Later on last evening at 5:30 p.m. they sent a technician out to turn off my gas. No little note on the door telling me that they were turning it off or anything. And, I was home! So they turn it off AFTER they get my money. I can't do anything about it last night because they were closed. I did try calling but of course the automated message came on telling me to call back the next day. If it's past business hours, why is someone at my home? Then I call first thing this morning, and of course they refuse to work with me on any of the reconnect fees or the deposit required now. Then they tell me they can't get anyone out here until tomorrow. Hopefully they actually show up.

J
J
jabj
Send a message
Aug 06, 2008 3:35 pm EDT

They need some COMPETITION! call the BBB

ComplaintsBoard
J
5:30 pm EDT
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Featured review
This review was chosen algorithmically as the most valued customer feedback.

Why does anyone waste the $35-$45 a month on Home Service Plus when you end of waiting 2 days to get an air conditioner fixed?! Called and told them the motor was out on the air conditioner- they asked more detailed questions and said they would have someone out as soon possible on day 1...day 2 once again stated the same - we asked for a specific time they...

Read full review of CenterPoint Energy and 23 comments
ComplaintsBoard
D
7:37 pm EDT
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

CenterPoint Energy false information given at the authorized represntative

on 8-12-09 @ 9:09 am i went into the discount tobacco oulet to pay on a gas bill, discount tabacco outlet had a sign posted stating that any bill of center point energy would immediately post, well i paid the bill @ 4:10 pm the same day 8-12-09 a service man from center point came and disconnected my services stating non payment, well i called centerpoint and they informed me that i needed to call in with the reciept number, but i did not know that only because the discount tabacco stated that my payment would post immediately, now centerpoint is charging me reconnect fees and disconnect fee which is totally wrong, futher more no where in centerpoints cut disclosure does it mention anything of a 31 dollar disconnect fee, i feel as though they are trying to get a dollar anyway they can, and its wrong. i paid my bill and it should have posted but discount tabacco did not post it, and centerpoint supervisor informed that they have NO CONTROL over what an authorized agent puts in their store. Discount tabacco should pay the 61 dollars as they are the ones that misrepresented centerpoint. and centerpoint had they time that i paid and still charged me those redicolous fees.

Read full review of CenterPoint Energy and 1 comment
Resolved

The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

Hide full review
1 comment
Add a comment
Kemps
Kemps
Minneapolis, US
Send a message
Apr 13, 2013 4:24 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Are you sure that the store you made your payment at was in deed an authorized representative? Go to centerpoint energy online and look to see if it''s listed. There are many liars who claim lots of things and centerpoint does not have time or care what claims they make. As long as it does not hurt them that is. Los Gallos and UnBank are the two primary payment partners for centerpoint in Minneapolis. There are others but if you get a receipt and call to advise customer service with the receipt number then your gas will not be shut off.

ComplaintsBoard
M
5:08 pm EDT
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

CenterPoint Energy Failure to return overpayment to gas account

My husband made a wrong internet payment submitting a US$ $ 7032 instead of US$ 70.32 last March while we were in a hurry leaving for a trip last March 2009. We have paid BIG time as Center point has failed to return the money they owe us.
It took them weeks to understand the problem and do something about it, then we were transferred to Mrs. Susan Ackerman who said that they would make a deposit to my husband's account for the amount paid. After it, it is been a huge struggle for Center Point to successfully place the money to my husband's account due to 'technical difficulties' with Chase Bank. My husband had to go back and forth between these two in order to clear up a transaction none could understand! Finally, a couple of weeks ago my husband got the money into his Chase account and we thought it was the end of the story. He went to a Chase branch to ensure the money was there at the end of May and was not going to be removed and guess what happened. They have removed the money due to the 'disappearance' of the check Center Point claims made to the Chase Bank for this amount. The check is not found on the system reason why we are left without US$ 7032 again!
The unbelievable is that it is US the ones having to deal with the Chase Bank as Center Point not just kept and keeps failing to pay us back but to do it properly ensuring all mechanisms are in place with the bank.
Now I am going tomorrow to downtown to deal face to face with these people looking for a physical proof they've done what they said they did which honestly I do not believe anymore. That means, I have to miss work and money to look for a way to close this matter successfully.
All these months to make a single payment transaction?
It is unbelievable.
If anybody has any advice about other routes to proceed and get this fixed I am all ears.

Read full review of CenterPoint Energy
Resolved

The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

Hide full review
ComplaintsBoard
A
7:18 pm EDT
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

CenterPoint Energy Refusal to Correct a Mistake

They came in a team to jump my fence with ladders (i keep my gate locked) and cut off my gas. When I showed them copies of my bank statement and recent bill to prove I was up to date, they literally ran away from me and refused to even call their supervisor for confirmation.

I spent 45 minutes on the phone, trying to figure out how such a mistake could be made. I'm on time and current - in fact, I overpaid last time just because it was easier to make it a round number!

They said they would get somebody out within 2 hours. When he showed up, he flat-out said he would not climb my fence. Well, the person with the key wasn't home, so I couldn't unlock it, even if I wanted to. The technician was being such a jerk about it and said he was leaving - and not turning on my gas.

When I stood in front of his truck and called CenterPoint, he decided to call the police instead (like i would let him leave without doing his job?). When the cop showed up, he told the cop that he wasn't allowed to climb fences, which we all know is BS. His attitude was so bad with me that I wasn't about to invite the jerk into my home to go through to the backyard, but that was eventually what the cop suggested. The technician said he was frightened, which was why he didn't ask if he could go through in the beginning, which is also BS, because he came to the door with an attitude.

To top it all off, after the police escorted him to my meter and back, the technician had the nerve to ask if he could inspect the hot water heater. HE HAD TO COME IN THE HOUSE TO DO THAT, SO WHY DIDN'T HE JUST ASK TO COME IN AT THE VERY BEGINNING, instead of getting all trashy and calling the cops?

I'll tell you why: because CenterPoint hires lazy people. My husband caught one hopping the fence, but he was dressed like a thug: ballcap on sideways, baggy t-shirt, baggy saggin' pants, and basketball shoes on - NO CENTERPOINT IDENTIFICATION ON AT ALL. And now this guy, refusing to turn the gas back on because it required him to get a freakin' ladder.

Read full review of CenterPoint Energy
Resolved

The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

Hide full review
ComplaintsBoard
S
3:22 pm EDT
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

CenterPoint Energy unauthorized access into yard by meter reader

The Centerpoint meter reader's unauthorized access to our yard caused our older dog injuries. The results of the injuries include multiple trips to the veterinarian, high vet bill, and depression! Another result of the meter reader's unauthorized entry to our yard is that I need therapy to begin feeling safe in my own home again!

When we purchased the house five years ago, Centerpoint assured my husband and I that their electric meter readers would never barge into our yard unannounced. Don't they have ways of transmitting homeowner requests or warnings to field workers? After the first few times someone surprised us in our own yard, however, Centerpoint told us we could read the meter ourselves and promised to send postcards for that purpose. When the postcards stopped coming the reader returned and again barged in without announcing himself! Of course we called Centerpoint to complain and they promised to send cards for us to read the meter ourselves again. Thus, a cycle began. We received cards for a few months and then without warning a reader would be leering at me through the blinds as I stepped out of the shower! Or a reader would run through the gate as the dogs crashed through the back door roaring their displeasure. How many times can a human stand such unpleasant surprises? My blood pressure must have been through the roof at each instance. Several times, I asked my husband to leave work because I was so upset!

The worst occurrence of a Centerpoint meter reader ignoring the requests we've repeatedly made to the office was on March 23, 2009. That was the day I stepped into my backyard with my dogs to find a stranger lurking behind the bushes! The dogs, who came out with me, began barking immediately. Our larger dog thought to protect me (as I was scantily clad!) and performed amazing feats of leaping and posturing that I haven't seen in years. He herded the stranger out of our yard without a single bite! The moment the stranger (I could now see was a Centerpoint meter reader) closed the back yard gate behind him, our poor brave dog collapsed onto the grass and began yelping and crying like I've never seen any dog do before. I was sure the meter reader had kicked him and broken his bones! I rushed him to our veterinarian! She diagnosed him with severe muscle strain in front and back legs and possible hairline fractures. She put him on medication, crate rest for several weeks, and wanted him back for x-rays when swelling decreased. We have now spent nearly $1000 on meds and testing and the vet says it's time for x-rays but we have already spent much much more than we ever do for our dog's routine vet care.

All of this should have caused the meter reader to notify us before trying to enter our back yard again. My husband and I re-filed the request again on the day of our dog's injury and again a week following it to be absolutely sure no meter reader would barge into our yard unannounced again.

Today, the absolutely most insulting incident occurred, however. I witnessed the meter reader tromping through my yard unannounced again! Today is May 22, 2009. The reader is the same one who caused our dog's injuries just three months ago! How could he forget? How could he ignore the Centerpoint office stating in very clear terms that all readers must have permission from these particular homeowners prior to entering the back yard?

The ridiculous thing is that the backyard faces a lightly wooded area and a main neighborhood road. The electric meter could easily be read over the fence and all the unpleasant and hurtful encounters could have been avoided!

My husband and I expect Centerpoint to cover all of the veterinarian bills that occurred as a result of the meter reader's unauthorized entry. We know that our dog was fine before the incident because he was seen by a vet one month before the injuries occurred!

I would love to hear from any other homeowners who had unpleasant experiences with a Centerpoint meter reader ignoring requests to be notified before the reader enters the yard.

Read full review of CenterPoint Energy and 18 comments
Resolved

The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

Hide full review
18 comments
Add a comment
D
D
Daniel Erwin
US
Send a message
Apr 13, 2016 12:29 pm EDT

jd212 I am not a meter reader, a drop out, or low paid. I am a lawyer with a broad detailed knowledge of real property law, the rights of ownership of both the surface and other estates, and the various ways that rights of ingress and egress can be granted to third parties as an operation of deed, contract, or law. My professional opinion is that you are an idiot.

J
J
jd212
US
Send a message
Apr 12, 2016 7:38 pm EDT

Y'all meter readers think you are doing GOD'S WORK or curing cancer or some nonsense. You're not. You are low-paid, low-skill workers because you probably dropped out of high school and failed your GED test. Now you're bitter and entitled and think some BS contract your company lawyer put together gives you the right to enter my property whenever you damn well please. Come onto my property swinging a stick and, well, all I gotta say is THANK CHRIST FOR STAND YOUR GROUND LAWS. :) :) :) :) :) :)

T
T
Traci Burns
US
Send a message
Jan 15, 2016 8:12 pm EST

I didn't read all of the complaint nor all of the comments but I think I read enough I can give my opinion.

Just like most people see someone get out of there car parked in a handicap parking. They look perfectly fit, healthy, young and no signs of any handicap. Near anyone that see's this will think, or even include say something to this person as if they knew there was nothing wrong with them, they can't park there. Not to include some that diagnosed they are crazy so they can get hand outs, but there are some that no one would no their handicap without being told and necessary for them the need to park handicap. This being said but to also include that reading what someone says can usually have different interpretations. Since I didn't not read all I have to say in the event that this lady did not say anything negative about Center points access to meter is in her yard, I have to say everyone that's name callin and passing judgment on this lady should be ashamed! Actually any so called adult having a comment needs to grow up because even if she comments and blames them for only doing what they have to in order to do their job, a mature person could give an opinion based on their interpretation of that said only to help and make suggestions. No one knows how exactly why this makes her like it does unless they to can relate to her the same. Just like some people can let things roll off there shoulder when some that wish they could can't but try and the effects of it could seem to others as if they could help it.
I have reasons I wish my meter wasn't where they had to come inside my backyard to read my meter. It's not that they do anything but read it and leave so That itself doesn't bother me. But one day my daughter didn't shut my back door good when she let our dog out and I didn't notice until later that day I had just got out of the bath ( if I'm home alone I don't bother getting dressed and sometimes forget my towel. Since I have a privacy fence I also didn't have a reason to get dressed before I went and closed it, ( my back room is the length of the back side of my house, in closed porch, all windows. Although luckily it wasn't meter reading time or else day thank goodness. Poor guy probably would have made it so I had to start calling my reading in, lol. Another reason being how many people if somewhere at home without expecting for any reason anyone but someone enters your backyard, whether or not it be authorized person or not, reaction most of the time is going to be startled. So let's say few would not be because they would expect if anyone it would not be anyone without a reason other than family and until it's personel that would have to. Okay at what point one day someone is entering that shouldn't does someone have time to react after they realize, um your not suppose to come inside my backyard I better do something, what do I do, o... I got a call someone...ugh I can't think of the number.
All my point being said people can help others find ways or giving suggestions they may know could maybe help her so that this isn't a problem which could be no change but only to how it has affected her so that it doesn't. So if anyone should be commenting to this lady should put themselves as they feel close to relating to this lady and think insid e and outside of the box because anything else is just the same as you see her is how you look just that
It's obvious that anyone blogging cannot gain anything but only a comment, and what right does anyone have to pass judgement of another and anyone that does must enjoy wasting their time doing it unknowingly if this lady is crazy what harm did she do and if any let her judgement be from only that have right to do so and that's on her, and yee to be judged. If you ask me, You'd have to be crazy to judge and be judged if that be me.

B
B
Blaineboudreaux
Houston, US
Send a message
Feb 26, 2014 3:57 am EST
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Centerpoint entered my yard knowing my dogs were in the back yard with intent to harm them. They left a door hanger the day before but no message to please secure dogs but to contact them the next day. Abviously they didn't allow time for us to contact them and decided to enter the backyard with intentions to harm both of my dogs over a $30 bill. Centerpoint being the only provider should have higher standards and protocol for situations like mine. I feel centerpoint should be held accountable for macing and striking both of my dogs causing lacerations on their noses. Since I as a consumer are not allowed competition to switch too I feel centerpoint is responsible for switching my appliances to electric. This request would hold CP electric accountable for their actions. My dogs no longer protect us from potential threats due to sphychological damage caused by CP energy.

A
A
Artem912
US
Send a message
Jul 08, 2012 10:39 am EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Deregulation caused all of this. Profit hungry companies outsource the meter reading and the reader is paid a lot less than what meter readers once made. They have no time for customer service that even having to knock, wait for keys to open gates etc.. and such costs them money. Every minute counts TIME IS MONEY, and this puts extreme pressure on them and it isn't good for the customers or the dogs either.

B
B
BMTexas
US
Send a message
Mar 24, 2011 3:48 am EDT

As a Centerpoint Energy employee, I must say..you may be the most ignorant person alive! 1. Centerpoint Energy regulates Natural Gas usage; not electricity. 2. The Texas Railroad Commission mandates that any person or business receiving Natural Gas service to their specified location MUST, by law, allow reasonable access to obtain and inspect any Natural Gas device, meter, regulator! 3. YOU and YOUR husband and YOUR dogs are receiving a service that is OFFERED to you; it is not mandated in any way that you have Natural Gas. 4. That little gray meter attached to your home is property of Centerpoint Energy; so that means..we can access OUR property at anytime, in anyway we feel necessary as well as remove, alter, and inspect that property. 5. Who walks into their yard "scandally clad" during the day to "check" for intruders? 6. To be completely honest, if your dog collapses from barking...it was probaby older than you are! My advice, let us do our job..we aren't asking for much here!

P
P
peytonr
the hood, US
Send a message
Mar 04, 2011 11:39 pm EST

"technically dont have to read the meter"
well whatever credibility you had is now gone. we do have to read it. and you SIGNED A CONTRACT saying i can come in your yard WHENEVER THE F I WANT. we are trained to handle the situation. im going to get to your meter, and if your dog "does leaps and feats" toward my direction you know damn well its gonna be him before me. sorry lady, check the contract. the only time i knock is when the gates locked and i dont feel like jumping it. dont answer? guess whats gonna happen. like i said im gonna get to your meter and im not gonna get hurt doing it. end of story.

P
P
peytonr
the hood, US
Send a message
Mar 04, 2011 11:27 pm EST

god i hate reading meters in houses occupied by people like you

S
S
Spring Ticked Off homeowner
US
Send a message
Nov 18, 2010 3:33 pm EST

WOW. This blog page is crazy. I can't beleive my eyes. Obviously this system is a no win situation. We would lock our gates and put our dogs up if we knew when they were coming every month? But our children have to get through those gates too. Whinning? Seriously? No one has a right to start swinging at a dog or anyones property period. I was walking down the stairs and just saw this meter reader taunt my dogs at the gate. Then he went into the backyard. Thought he was a gladiator swinging his "stick" around and proceded to beat the crap out of my dogs! I couldn't beleive my eyes. I was in total shock! Hello. I am home and if you see dogs in the backyard then why wouldn't you just ring that door bell? Whooaaaa. 500 plus houses. Why would you put yourself in danger? I have beware of dog signs and you techinically don't have to read the meter. You all are so right, it is a job. If you don't like your job then go out and get another one. I am sure that you are well aware and fully trained on what to do in these situation. Can't be a new problem for you? Never new this was going on until today. The camera's are going up, the company is called and a solution has to be somewhere? I will pay to move my box or whatever it takes, but it still IS NOT RIGHT! This sucks both for the homeowners and the meter readers. Now. I moved into this house to give my dogs a "yard". I will be moving my box...but if you don't even know it is going on then how can you address it?

S
S
STRONG ARM
HOUSTON, US
Send a message
Sep 14, 2010 10:20 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

QUIET WHINNING! DO U KNOW HOW MANY METERS THEY HAVE TO READ EACH DAY, TO WORRY ABOUT YOUR DOGS FEELINGS, I SAY GET A HOBBY. WHAT ABOUT ALL THE DOGS THAT BITE METER READERS THAT ARE TRYING TO DO THEIR JOBS. HOW WOULD U LIKE A PIT BULL TRYING TO EAT U AT YOUR WORK PLACE EVERYDAY AFTER DAY. LOCK YOUR GATES AND YOUR DOGS UP AND LET THEM DO THEIR JOBS. AND GET A JOB YOURSELF QUIT TRYING TO SUE FOR A LIVING

ComplaintsBoard
H
3:37 pm EDT
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

CenterPoint Energy billing

Center Point Energy"...what a company.

I've been a long time paying, honest customer...& what do i get...

the tech came out to my home April 27, 09..to read my meter because my gate doesn't permit them get in my house... so of course we let him in to read the meter..
the following mth i get a $600.00 bill n the mail...Of course I call & they explain...the reason for the enlarged bill was, because the tech claimed we had a dead meter..& was changed out the next night @ 7:48 pm (yeah ok)... First of all we have survaliance cameras 2nd.. there was no way the tech came into my house...
long story short...I called ther infamous csr rep. & she strait out told me It was my my word against the techs...
They can Kiss My ###...

Read full review of CenterPoint Energy and 1 comment
Resolved

The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

Hide full review
1 comment
Add a comment
T
T
Tania
Humble, US
Send a message
May 15, 2009 3:51 pm EDT

Not exactly the same problem we've had, but we also got told it was our story against theirs. I made a post about them here, and my husband made a website telling his story, that has been send to all their CEO's. There seems to be some people who does not belong working for that company..

http://centerpointcomplaints.com/

ComplaintsBoard
J
10:11 pm EDT
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

CenterPoint Energy poor customer service and billing

We had been paying our bill, never late. They changed my account number without notice. They turned off our gas and left no notice. Now they will not turn it back on. Their customer service is below zero. TO top that off, you can't change to another gas company. I am very very upset. I will retaliate in any way I can.

Read full review of CenterPoint Energy and 2 comments
Resolved

The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

Hide full review
2 comments
Add a comment
Y
Y
yvette kelley
Houston , US
Send a message
Jul 03, 2009 10:42 am EDT

I need to file a complaint against Center Point (Gas). They are robbing me blind. They are not advising me of any extra charges that they keep placing on my bill due to a disconnection. Bad thing about it, I can’t choose another gas company because there is none, and they know it.

My invoice states "If service is disconnected, you must pay your bill in full in addition to a reconnect charge. Your deposit requirement will be re-evaluated and may be increased if necessary to cover payment for future service." There were no other mentions of any additional charges that Center Point keeps adding to my bill.

My $72 bill has now cost me almost $325 due to all the fees they keep charging me. The only fee I was advised of was a $62 reconnection fee and a $90 deposit. When I called inquiring about the other fees, they are making up names for them and no one can explain why I was not advised of these additional charges. I really feel this is a never ending battle and I can't do anything about it but pay it if I want to keep my gas on.

They have poor customer servicer and rude people that work for the company.

I need help! I feel I am being treated unfairly and this has place a financial hardship on me and my family.

T
T
Thomas G
Little Rock, US
Send a message
Jun 26, 2009 1:00 pm EDT

I also recently ran into a issue with Centerpoint. I had a bill due 5-8-09. The bank showed my payment posting and being received on 5-5-09. On 5-10-09 they disconnected my service.

Now the trouble begins. I called them up and informed them my payment was received on time and that I have yet to miss a payment in over 10yrs. I was then informed that it would still cost me 64 dollars to have my service reconnected and I would also need to pay a 32 dollar collection fee and on top of this I would also be charged 50 bucks extra on my next two bills as a "deposit"

I'm being charged out the Butt for a mistake they made and punished further because they are the only option i have for gas in my area. Oh yea.. its 5-26-09 and they still have no reconnected my gas. I have called numerous times and always get "We will have someone right out today" or "We will be by today but can only turn on the gas if someone is home" I wasn't home when they turned it off... So now I have to miss days of work to sit at home and HOPE they will stop to turn on the gas. I have missed two days of work and they have yet to meet the time-frame they provided me.

If you have the options DO NOT use centerpoint for your gas needs and if you don't have a option go electric. I know I will be.

ComplaintsBoard
E
6:59 pm EDT
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

CenterPoint Energy abuse of customers

This Company arbitrarily Disconnected My service and there was no wy for their customer service people to listen. Taking advantage of their dominat position being the only option we have in Houston for Gas service.
Even after I was forced to pay them some money that i feel I don´t owe them. then after paying $ 62 for the reconnection they tell me that my service is going to be recconected in 4 DAYS. This is an utility and therefore necessary. Is completely unacceptable for this people to take this long. I wish I had an Alternative of a Gas company.

Read full review of CenterPoint Energy and 1 comment
Resolved

The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

Hide full review
1 comment
Add a comment
C
C
Complaining abt cust service and technic
US
Send a message
Oct 13, 2010 12:51 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

As long as I have been in the Houston area with service, never had service disconnected...due to an oversight last month they disconnected my gas for 31.00..when I realized that it was off I called and was told by representatives that I was diconnected for non-payment...To get my gas on I had to pay bill, $125.00 for a deposit, so it would not happen again, and 63.00 for the contractor to come out and reconnect...I asked the incompetent rep to speak to a supervisor and was told that it would not do any good to complain..I would still have to pay...I insisted that she connect me and she did...I got the deposit waived but had to pay the other charges which I did the same day...I reported the payment and was told that someone would be out between 8-5pm the next day..well about 1:00 in the afternoon I heard knocks on my front door and there stood the most obnoxious person, stating he came to turn my gas on. He moved into my home as if he knew where he was going and my son directed him to where my stairwell was. This man's pants was below his behind, mud on shoes and with the worst attitude I have ever encountered...As he was going up the ladder, I asked him how did he get over my fence to cut off my gas...He said to me in the worst way he did not cut my gas off, but there is nothing to getting over your fence, I'll show you how" I could not believe how he was talking and that he came down off the ladder to go outside to show me..I said wait a minute, he started turning my lock on the front door trying to get out, I said wait and touched his arm to move so that I could unlock my door which is hard to unlock...He yelled at me saying, " don't you touch me " ! He left and did not return and reptd that I refused let him in my house which was a lie..I called the office back to report what had just happened and was told that he reptd me as being irate and I would not let him inside, I touche him and therefore he felt threatened and left..What a joke, what a lie...I am still without my gas, 2 days later.. and all they have on file is that I did not let him in my home...We all are living in terrible times when customer satisfaction does not matter and those in positions who have the upper hand can do whatever they like and we are at their mercy...I do wish there was somewhere to really complain and get results and see a change in centerpoint's customer service and the technicians that they hire...HELP!

ComplaintsBoard
M
5:01 pm EDT
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

CenterPoint Energy connection

I recently moved out to my own apartment with 2 kids. I thought the hardest thing would be finding an affordable apartment. Boy was I wrong. I called Centerpoint Energy to get my gas connected on March 2nd paid my deposit on March 3rd. The deposit payment has been taken out of my Bank account. They told me my gas would be connected on March 6. Today is March 14 and my Gas is still not connected. I called on March 6 they told me there was a system error, that my turn on was not ordered and my gas would be connected on the 8th. Guess what it still was not connected and Im having to order out because I am not able to cook and sponge bathe my kids cause I refuse to baith them with cold wated and have them get sick. I even spoke with a Ignorant Supervisor who was blaming me for not having my gas on and didnt even care that I had young children to bathe with cold water. It seems everytime I call the Customer Service Specialists get ruder. I call today March 14 and they tell me the connection for my apartment was never ordered and that now I have to wait until March 15 to get connected. This is the most ridiculous and incompetent customer service department I have talked to. They take advantage because they are the only gas company in the city of Houston. I hope this changes soon. Because they talk to people like ignorants and they treat people like they want.

Read full review of CenterPoint Energy and 3 comments
Resolved

The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

Hide full review
3 comments
Add a comment
C
C
Cindy Olvera-Nuñez
US
Send a message
Sep 18, 2018 9:44 pm EDT

I paid my bill and they still came and cut my service, they took my money out of my card and they came and unhooked everything, I told them my son is sick and they didnt care. All the proof is in my card account summary. I think I am switching soon and do not recommend this company oh and I talk to a lady first she was rude and hung up!

J
J
Justin Shook
US
Send a message
Aug 20, 2018 3:45 pm EDT

I need to report a reckless driver that nearly ran me off the road in a centerpiunt energy truck. He did not use a blinker when shifting lanes and drove on the shoulder, then proceeding to slam on the brakes to try and get me to rear ended him. The drivers truck number is 2928. Please contact me ASAP [protected]

View 0 more photos
T
T
TxsonofLiberty
Houston, US
Send a message
Dec 02, 2011 11:19 pm EST

They showed up as I was pulling up with groceries, then the guy says he's there to check the meter. I let him to the meter and he doesn't say he's disconnecting it, but just does. My step-father after making sure checks have cleared so he can pay, uses their automated services to pay, our bill was $80, but the charged an additional $70 for reconnection fee and $2.77 for automated service fee, it then props him for either completion of the order or and additional $49 same day fee (at 5pm for Dec 01). My step-father, already paying nearly double chooses to just complete the order with no same day fee and gets a confirmation number, then it disconnects. As every other service (utility, phone, internet, premium tv, etc) we've dealt with uses the confirmation as a completion and request of standard next day reconnection, my step-father expects the same. I and my aunt take off work and wait all the next day (today Dec 02) so we don't miss the technician and have two sets of ears. After hours of waiting, by step-dad checking in ever hour or so, he suggests I call to see if Centerpoint can give an estimate when the technician will show up. I make my call at 3:25 and am on hold for 10 minutes before it disconnects me, I call right back and then am on hold for another 15 or so minutes before the rep gets on and tells me that the system shows we paid, but no appointment was set to get it reconnected; She then tells me that after 4pm it requires we pay the $49 same day fee, I get my step-father on the line, because it is still before 4pm, we try to be cordial, she tells us the same garbage, despite us pointing out that it is still before fore, and she even says, "Yeah, 5 minutes til 4", we ask for a supervisor and are then put on hold for another 20 minutes. When the supervisor gets on she apologizes for our stupidity, and says Monday is the earliest they can do it, and even says that if we want it faster we have to pay the $49, we point out when I called, and she says "You've only been on the phone since 10 til 4", to which I point out that is when their rep picked up, but I've been on hold way longer, she even tells us that even if we pay the $49 it will still be Monday before the technician can get out.

It is criminal what they do. I have half a mind to let them reconnect, and then make sure anytime their technician shows up there is a sign on the fence warning about pitbulls and requiring a scheduled appointment to enter my yard, as well as claiming any entrants without permission have been warned and entry is an acceptance of liability for their own health at possible mauling and/or other bodily harm by canine and/or human defense of my property. Then when they call for an appointment I inform them of the safe passage fee, the expenditure of my time fee, the private viewing of my yard fee, the parking on or in front of my property without a authorized permit fee, the surcharge to remove the exemption from their personal liability while on my property fee, and see how they like having to pay through the nose just to try to screw me. Yes, they have the right to turn off my gas, but under the 2nd Amendment I have the right to protect my property. Perhaps it would work, perhaps it would just frustrate them like they frustrated myself, my step-father, and obviously many others.

ComplaintsBoard
H
5:29 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

CenterPoint Energy Gas Reconnection

Center Point Gas Service has the worst Customer of all utility companies I've ever dealt with... ! I have forgotten to pay the bill and they disconnected the gas service. I paid the bill immediately. However, the next day I was going to get the gas service reconnected they told me a technician will arrive between 9:00am and 7:00pm and that someone must stay home and wait "ALL DAY" because they could not tell me an approximate time of arrival. Since I have to work and I was about 10-15 minutes away to get home I left a phone number for the technician to call me when he was on his way to re-connect the gas. I called 3 times Center Point Customer Service to make sure they have the information and I would get a call from the technician. The technician showed up around 6:00pm and never called the 2nd phone number. I hope I can find another Gas utility company in Houston to change the service. I also have a business account with Center Point Gas which I will also change. If you know of any other Gas utility company in Houston, please advice. I'm also looking at another options like installing a "Califont gas water heater, " which is widely used in Europe and South America. This heater can be connected to a portable gas container and it’s much cheaper that staying obligated to Center Point Gas service. Any thoughts? Thanks!

Read full review of CenterPoint Energy and 2 comments
Hide full review
2 comments
Add a comment
L
L
Loretta Wildman
Cypress, US
Send a message
Aug 28, 2010 3:34 pm EDT

Your meter reader man was here today to read the meter, he did not come to the door to ask me to open the gate, he forced his way in and now my gate will not close or open. it is stuck and I want to know if you are going to pay the repair bill. I have the gates for a reason, I have dogs and cats. He did not have my permission to come in the back yard.

L
L
Loretta Wildman
Cypress, US
Send a message
Aug 28, 2010 3:32 pm EDT

Your meter reader was here today and broke my electric gate. Instead of coming to the front door to ask me to open it so he could go in, he forced it open and now I can not get it closed. Are you going to pay for the rapir of my gate?

ComplaintsBoard
C
2:40 pm EST
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

CenterPoint Energy disconnection

Centerpoint disconnected my gas on Feb. 19 2009 in error. When I called them and reported it, they ensure me someone was coming out that evening to reconnect. No one showed up. No hot water, unable to cook for my family, and the weather outside being 40 degrees, they still don't know what happened. Called Centerpoint at 7:00 am on Feb.20. To inform them no one showed up. Once again, they don't know what happened. Assure someone will be out some time today to turn on my gas. There is one catch someone has to be home. I have to work, and unable to sit at home with no time frame of when the gas will be restored. As of now, I still have no gas, due to no fault of my own. Can I please get some gas?

Read full review of CenterPoint Energy and 1 comment
Resolved

The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

Hide full review
1 comment
Add a comment
B
B
brando1976
Kingwood, US
Send a message
Sep 10, 2010 2:25 pm EDT

Centerpoint Energy has zero respect for their customers. I was disconnected 24 hours ago for non-payment. I paid them right away all the reconnect and deposit fees yet they still have not restored my service. I keep calling to ask when the service will be restored and keep getting we don't have a timeframe. Are these people understaffed or just flat out don't care about their customers. I would like to know if there is a way to file a complaint about their lack of respect and policies. I have a 4 yr old and we have had no hot water or been able to cook for 2 days due to their lack of concern. They can disconnect service right away yet they can't reconnect unless you pay them a bloody fortune.

ComplaintsBoard
R
10:49 am EST
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

CenterPoint Energy Customer Service

Center point is out for themselves and the customer service providers truly suck! I wish I was a billionaire, because I would buy Center point and fire every worthless employee and those deadheads who play supervisor and managers as well!

My father is 89-years-old. January 12, 2009 my father’s gas was turned off because (It truly happened) we did not get the bill…. I immediately called Center point and spoken to a Ms. Johnson (they never give their first names, because Center point allows the agents to be rude and obnoxious to the caller without any implications.) MS. JOHNSON told me that I called on time and that if I pay now, the power would be restored tomorrow, well guess what? It did not happen. I paid more than what was asked, called to report the payment and the line was busy all day on January 12, 2009. When I called this morning January 13, 2009 I was told I needed to call YESTERDAY to set an appointment. Oh Yea? No Kidding! I called yesterday and the line was busy… Anyone else have an alternate number to call with the line is continually busy? I paid and Ms. JOHNSON’s word was voided. LOL! I even talked to the ### manager Mr. Brian (talking to both of those idiots gave me an indication that my account will not be taken care of properly) now another day with my 89-year-old father taking cold baths because I have no way of warming the water and another day of ordering pizza.

CENTERPOINT IS THE ONLY GAME IN TOWN; WHY IN THE HELL DO WE THINK THEY SHOULD CARE ABOUT THE CUSTOMER? WE NEED SOME RICH OIL TYCON TO COME AND BUY OUT CENTERPOINT AND FIRE ALL OF THOSE GOOD FOR NOTHING EMPLOYEES FROM THE STINKING “DON’T CARE” ATTITUDES OF THE CUSTOMER SERVICE (LOL! MAKES ME LAUGH TO EVEN CONNECT CUSTOMER SERVICE TO THOSE BLANTANT IDIOTS) TO THE SUPERVISORS AND MANAGERS WHO WALK AROUND A GRADE THE CUSTOMER SERVICE AGENT ON HOW FAST THEY CAN DISCONNECT FROM THE PHONE CALL WITH A DESPARATE ELDERLY CUSTOMER WHO NEEDS HOT WATER AND HEAT… MUST BE NICE TO BE KING FOR NOW…

ONE DAY… CENTERPOINT will mess with the wrong customer and every one of those pathetic employees will lose their jobs and hopefully replaced with employees who actually have brains that are fully-functional.

CENTERPOINT act as though they can do without my business, I am not the only one complaining... There is power in numbers and one complaint turns into many. CENTERPOINT... You need to watch how your staff is treating your clients...

Read full review of CenterPoint Energy
Hide full review
ComplaintsBoard
L
12:38 pm EST
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

CenterPoint Energy getting new gas service-

I have been trying for a week to get my natural gas turned on. The first time the tech did not show up because he called ahead(to some number outside the US)and nobody answered so he did not even come to the residence. I took a day off work because they give an all day window. When I called to reschedule "Robert" assured me that as long as I had someone at the house by noon that I would be fine. My niece shows up at noon and there was note on the door that said "here at 8:45 could not come in the afternoon. I called and talked to a supervisor and she coped a major attitude. "We did nothing wrong" AWFUL COMPANY! SWITCH TO ELECTRICITY.

Read full review of CenterPoint Energy
Resolved

The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

Hide full review
ComplaintsBoard
A
10:20 am EST
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

CenterPoint Energy faulty meter and connections, overcharging

I would greatly appreciate any information concerning a class action suit pertaining to Centerpoint Energy and the company's pricing and operation conflicts with consumers.

I have had an ongoing problem with Centerpoint Energy in Texas concerning my faulty meter and connections, not having my meter tested or calibrated in as many as 28 years despite being told by that it had been tested and found accurate upon enrolling with 2 different energy companies, and my energy bills more than doubling from a range of $35 - $100 monthly to $180 - $320 monthly in a 1 month period for a 792 square foot condominium. I had an independent electrician check my the balance of my home's electrical load from my fuse box and found it to be balanced within 2 amps of each phase and concluded that I have either a faulty meter and/or faulty main connections of my meter. I am now without power and have outstanding balances due to 2 energy companies while attempting to resolve this. I filed a complaint with the Public Utility Commission of Texas who found no fault of Centerpoint Energy. I have exhausted all options except legal or a class action suit.

Here is the formal complaint I have filed with the Better Business Bureau, The Public Utility Commission of Texas, and other organizations.

Thank you,
Anthony

FULL SUMMARY

In June 2004, I enrolled for services from Reliant Energy. Upon enrolling, I was told by Reliant that my meter was tested and reading accurately. After one year, I decided to switch to services offered by Direct Energy for their better rate costs. When I enrolled with Direct, I was told that my meter was tested and was still reading accurately. For my 792 square foot home, my monthly bill amounts have ranged from approximately: $100 in the summer of 2005 to $35 in fall of 2005 increasing to $150 in the summer of 2006 to $70 in fall of 2006 increasing to $180 in the summer of 2007 to $95 in the fall of 2007, cost per kilowatt and varying weather notwithstanding. In September of 2007, I had repairs done to my air conditioning and heating unit to improve their efficiency and lower my consumption. Since then, my monthly consumption charges have ranged from $180 to $320. My electricity usage has not increased in these months and has in fact decreased due to my not being present at my residence for at least 3 days per week due to my current work schedule. I called Direct Energy regarding these increases on March 12, 2008 and requested a meter test. I was referred to CenterPoint Energy who conducts meter tests on behalf of Direct. I spoke to a helpful CenterPoint representative named Gabrielle who informed me that although I was told by both Reliant and Direct Energy that my meter was tested upon enrolling for their services, according to Texas utility records my meter had not been tested since 1986. She then told me that my meter would be tested within 15 days and I would be called as soon as the results were available. She also informed me that if there was a discrepancy in my meter reading then I would be reimbursed by Direct Energy for previous charges. Fifteen days later on March 26th, I called CenterPoint to check the status of the meter test since I had not yet received a call. I was able to reach Gabrielle again and was told that my meter was tested on March 14th and read accurately. She then told me that the meter had not been tested since January of 1980, not 1986 as I was originally informed. On April 23rd, 2008 I was without electricity as it was disconnected the week of March 10th. I chose not to pay any further bills to Direct Energy until I had this matter looked into. I then received a monthly bill from Direct for consumption charges of $68.27 from March 6th through the day of disconnection (5 days). Fifteen of these days were without any electricity usage whatsoever. My overall bill accumulated to $1, 244.94 as of April 23rd after paying Direct amounts up to $500 in recent months to prevent disconnection. I enrolled with National Power Company on April 28th, after which my energy provider was deferred to Amigo Energy upon National Power Company’s going out of business. I accumulated a bill of $858.87 in a 4 month period with very little use of electricity as I chose to stay with friends and relatives to minimize my energy consumption.
On October 17th, 2008 I hired an electrician from On Time Electric and Air Services to assess my meter operation and check the electrical load to my home from the fuse box of my residence. He found the load to be balanced within 2 amps of each phase (A Phase reading approximately 2.8 amps, B Phase reading approximately 3.7 - 3.8 amps) with all appliances on and air conditioner off. His conclusion was the meter and its main connections were probably faulty, as the bill amount did not reflect my energy usage or the balanced electrical load of my fuse box.
On the week of November 15th, 2008 my energy was disconnected due to the outstanding balance of $858.87 that accumulated during my effort to have my meter either calibrated or replaced. This is in addition to the $1, 244.94 balance due to Direct Energy. On November 25th I spoke to Centerpoint Energy about this issue which was forwarded to their revenue department for further consideration.
I would like my meter to be replaced after it has been analyzed for discrepancy and would like my balances due to be adjusted according to the difference of consumption reading on my faulty meter and connections and, if applicable, reimbursed for my over payments to Direct Energy dating back to summer of 2007 when my energy charges took a substantial rise.

Read full review of CenterPoint Energy and 2 comments
Resolved

The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

Hide full review
2 comments
Add a comment
C
C
Cheating gas
Houston, US
Send a message
Jan 17, 2010 8:22 pm EST

I totally understand where you are coming from. My average monthly billing from Centerpoint is around $32.00. I've lived in this home for 4 years now and the highest bill I've ever recieved was $40.00. Well this month I recieved a bill for $105.00. Knowing this is an error I contacted Centerpoint and ask why is the bill so high. I was asked by the customer service rep if I had a furnace or any new appliances that required gas usage to which I replied no. She then asked if I had a gas leak to which I also said no. She then told me that she would put in an order for a tech to come out and reread the meter. Well 3 days later I recieve a letter in the mail that says, no fault was found with the gas company and the bill is correct and the full charges would need to be paid. First of all no one came out and checked my meter because on the supposed days they were to come I was home. I can't wait to contact them tomorrow morning to find out what day they supposedly came out and the exact reading on the meter when they did come out. I don't understand how in the hell my bill rose 3 times the amount in 1 month when nothing has changed, as a matter of fact the only thing that runs on gas in my home is my stove and dryer.
Centerpoint is taking advantage of it's customers and they must be stopped. I've yet to understand why there's no competitor. Being a monolopy gives you license to steal and f^ck the consumers. If there is a civil suit I would love to sign up.

Diane B.
bluehairii@yahoo.com

C
C
CenterpointsBiatch
shreveport, US
Send a message
Mar 22, 2009 11:10 pm EDT

I live in a 800-900 square foot appartment for several months now, On average I pay about 40-50 bucks for my gas bill as I dont use it alot...I have never paid over 45 dollars since I moved here, This month CENTERPOINT enregy send me an 800 dollar gas bill, thats righ EIGHT HUNDRED dollars, this is 200 more then my RENT!I begged the rude customer service tech to send someone out here and check whatever needs to be checked, and they said they would...

The next few days I get a letter saying No fault of the gas company has been found, and yet I have been here night and day every morning since this has happend waiting for them...Nobody was ever sent to my home, Nothing was ever checked...they certianly didnt have a key to come INTO my house and check the most COMMON KNOWN LEAK locations for natural gas leaks, Hot water heater, gas valves ect...

I will not be able to pay this outrageous screw over by Centerpoint energy and have no Idea what action to take next, I do no there is no possible way I am responsible for that bill since I did not use ANYmore energy then I allways do (next to NONE).This is ### and soon I will be without gas completely. Thanks centerpoint, You Fuc*ing Scam artists.

CenterPoint Energy Reviews 0

Looks like CenterPoint Energy has no reviews yet.
Write a review
Subscribe to receive notifications of all new customer feedback

If you represent CenterPoint Energy, take charge of your business profile by claiming it and stay informed about any new reviews or complaints submitted.

👉 Claim your business

About CenterPoint Energy

Screenshot CenterPoint Energy
CenterPoint Energy is a utility provider offering electricity and natural gas services. They manage the transmission, distribution, and delivery of energy to residential and commercial customers. Additionally, they offer energy-related services such as home service repair plans.
How to file a complaint about CenterPoint Energy?

Here is the guide on how to file a complaint or review about CenterPoint Energy on ComplaintsBoard.com:

1. Log in or create an account:
- Start by logging into your ComplaintsBoard.com account. If you don't have an account, create one.

2. Navigating to the complaint form:
- Locate and click on the 'File a Complaint' button on the ComplaintsBoard.com website. It is positioned at the top right corner of the website.

3. Writing the title:
- Summarize the main issue with CenterPoint Energy in the 'Complaint Title' section.

4. Detailing the experience:
- Provide detailed information about your experience with the company. Include key areas such as transactions, steps taken to resolve the issue, personal impact, and the company's response.

5. Attaching supporting documents:
- Remember to attach any relevant supporting documents but avoid including sensitive personal data.

6. Filing optional fields:
- Use the 'Claimed Loss' field to state any financial losses and the 'Desired Outcome' field to specify the resolution you are seeking.

7. Review before submission:
- Ensure your complaint is clear, accurate, and complete before submitting it.

8. Submission process:
- Submit your complaint by clicking the 'Submit' button.

9. Post-Submission Actions:
- Regularly check for responses or updates related to your complaint on ComplaintsBoard.com.

This guide will help you effectively file a complaint or review about CenterPoint Energy on ComplaintsBoard.com.

Overview of CenterPoint Energy complaint handling

CenterPoint Energy reviews first appeared on Complaints Board on Mar 18, 2007. The latest review Proceed with Caution: Mixed Experiences Reported was posted on May 17, 2024. The latest complaint poor customer service, fraudulent practices was resolved on Aug 29, 2014. CenterPoint Energy has an average consumer rating of 2 stars from 239 reviews. CenterPoint Energy has resolved 36 complaints.
Ratings on other review websites
Trustpilot
Trustpilot
1.6
38 reviews
Trust badge
Collect Your Trust Badge
Be recognized for outstanding customer service
  1. CenterPoint Energy Contacts

  2. CenterPoint Energy phone numbers
    +1 (800) 992-7552
    +1 (800) 992-7552
    Click up if you have successfully reached CenterPoint Energy by calling +1 (800) 992-7552 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have successfully reached CenterPoint Energy by calling +1 (800) 992-7552 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached CenterPoint Energy by calling +1 (800) 992-7552 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached CenterPoint Energy by calling +1 (800) 992-7552 phone number
    Arkansas
    +1 (877) 224-6735
    +1 (877) 224-6735
    Click up if you have successfully reached CenterPoint Energy by calling +1 (877) 224-6735 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have successfully reached CenterPoint Energy by calling +1 (877) 224-6735 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached CenterPoint Energy by calling +1 (877) 224-6735 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached CenterPoint Energy by calling +1 (877) 224-6735 phone number
    California
    +1 (866) 275-5252
    +1 (866) 275-5252
    Click up if you have successfully reached CenterPoint Energy by calling +1 (866) 275-5252 phone number 1 1 users reported that they have successfully reached CenterPoint Energy by calling +1 (866) 275-5252 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached CenterPoint Energy by calling +1 (866) 275-5252 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached CenterPoint Energy by calling +1 (866) 275-5252 phone number
    100%
    Confidence score
    North Louisiana
    +1 (800) 477-0177
    +1 (800) 477-0177
    Click up if you have successfully reached CenterPoint Energy by calling +1 (800) 477-0177 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have successfully reached CenterPoint Energy by calling +1 (800) 477-0177 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached CenterPoint Energy by calling +1 (800) 477-0177 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached CenterPoint Energy by calling +1 (800) 477-0177 phone number
    South Louisiana
    +1 (888) 200-3788
    +1 (888) 200-3788
    Click up if you have successfully reached CenterPoint Energy by calling +1 (888) 200-3788 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have successfully reached CenterPoint Energy by calling +1 (888) 200-3788 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached CenterPoint Energy by calling +1 (888) 200-3788 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached CenterPoint Energy by calling +1 (888) 200-3788 phone number
    Ohio
    +1 (800) 245-2377
    +1 (800) 245-2377
    Click up if you have successfully reached CenterPoint Energy by calling +1 (800) 245-2377 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have successfully reached CenterPoint Energy by calling +1 (800) 245-2377 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached CenterPoint Energy by calling +1 (800) 245-2377 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached CenterPoint Energy by calling +1 (800) 245-2377 phone number
    Minnesota, Residential
    +1 (612) 321-4939
    +1 (612) 321-4939
    Click up if you have successfully reached CenterPoint Energy by calling +1 (612) 321-4939 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have successfully reached CenterPoint Energy by calling +1 (612) 321-4939 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached CenterPoint Energy by calling +1 (612) 321-4939 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached CenterPoint Energy by calling +1 (612) 321-4939 phone number
    Minnesota, Commercial
    +1 (800) 371-5417
    +1 (800) 371-5417
    Click up if you have successfully reached CenterPoint Energy by calling +1 (800) 371-5417 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have successfully reached CenterPoint Energy by calling +1 (800) 371-5417 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached CenterPoint Energy by calling +1 (800) 371-5417 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached CenterPoint Energy by calling +1 (800) 371-5417 phone number
    Mississippi
    +1 (877) 807-5193
    +1 (877) 807-5193
    Click up if you have successfully reached CenterPoint Energy by calling +1 (877) 807-5193 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have successfully reached CenterPoint Energy by calling +1 (877) 807-5193 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached CenterPoint Energy by calling +1 (877) 807-5193 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached CenterPoint Energy by calling +1 (877) 807-5193 phone number
    Wyoming
    +1 (866) 275-5265
    +1 (866) 275-5265
    Click up if you have successfully reached CenterPoint Energy by calling +1 (866) 275-5265 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have successfully reached CenterPoint Energy by calling +1 (866) 275-5265 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached CenterPoint Energy by calling +1 (866) 275-5265 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached CenterPoint Energy by calling +1 (866) 275-5265 phone number
    Oklahoma
    +1 (800) 752-8036
    +1 (800) 752-8036
    Click up if you have successfully reached CenterPoint Energy by calling +1 (800) 752-8036 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have successfully reached CenterPoint Energy by calling +1 (800) 752-8036 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached CenterPoint Energy by calling +1 (800) 752-8036 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached CenterPoint Energy by calling +1 (800) 752-8036 phone number
    Texas, Houston Metro
    +1 (800) 376-9663
    +1 (800) 376-9663
    Click up if you have successfully reached CenterPoint Energy by calling +1 (800) 376-9663 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have successfully reached CenterPoint Energy by calling +1 (800) 376-9663 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached CenterPoint Energy by calling +1 (800) 376-9663 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached CenterPoint Energy by calling +1 (800) 376-9663 phone number
    Texas, Beaumont
    +1 (800) 259-5544
    +1 (800) 259-5544
    Click up if you have successfully reached CenterPoint Energy by calling +1 (800) 259-5544 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have successfully reached CenterPoint Energy by calling +1 (800) 259-5544 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached CenterPoint Energy by calling +1 (800) 259-5544 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached CenterPoint Energy by calling +1 (800) 259-5544 phone number
    Texas, East Texas
    +1 (800) 427-7142
    +1 (800) 427-7142
    Click up if you have successfully reached CenterPoint Energy by calling +1 (800) 427-7142 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have successfully reached CenterPoint Energy by calling +1 (800) 427-7142 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached CenterPoint Energy by calling +1 (800) 427-7142 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached CenterPoint Energy by calling +1 (800) 427-7142 phone number
    Texas, South Texas
    More phone numbers
  3. CenterPoint Energy address
    P.O. Box 4583, Houston, Texas, 77210-4583, United States
  4. CenterPoint Energy social media
  5. Olivia
    Checked and verified by Olivia This contact information is personally checked and verified by the ComplaintsBoard representative. Learn more
    Jul 24, 2024
  6. View all CenterPoint Energy contacts

Our Commitment

We stand for unbiased reviews

We make sure all complaints and reviews are from real people sharing genuine experiences.

We help resolving issues

We offer easy tools for businesses and reviewers to solve issues together. Learn how it works.

We advocate freedom of speech

We support and promote the right for reviewers to express their opinions and ideas freely without censorship or restrictions, as long as it's respectful and within our Terms and Conditions, of course ;)

We ensure transparent and fair ratings

Our rating system is open and honest, ensuring unbiased evaluations for all businesses on the platform. Learn more.

We care about your privacy

Personal details of reviewers are strictly confidential and hidden from everyone.

We are easy, free and open to everyone

Our website is designed to be user-friendly, accessible, and absolutely free for everyone to use.