Come & Take It Live
Can No Longer Recommend Austin
RECEIVED Wed., Oct. 1, 2008
Dear Editor,
I moved here a year ago to teach. When I received my first utility bill, I realized that it was due two days before I was to get paid. I called the city requesting that my due date be moved so that it actually came after my payday. This is something that I'm sure many have done, all for the same reason. Most creditors are happy to do this. Most. The city of Austin replied that they could not change the due date because it was based on when the meter is read. I, of course, questioned why this was such an unreasonable request considering that I have lived in other cities that had the ability to change due dates, not to mention, of course, credit-card companies, banks when they issue loans for cars, etc. The response was: "We cannot change the system. The only way you can change the due date is to move." Given that I had just signed a one-year lease, that wouldn't be happening any time soon. A year goes by, and I move to the other side of town to be closer to work. After I transfer my utilities, I receive a bill with a $200 deposit. I call the city of Austin and am told that the deposit was based on sending in late payments within a 12-month period. Policy. It seems to me that a policy that is completely inflexible and punishes customers who are trying to be responsible and do the right thing is bad policy. As a teacher, I only get paid once a month, on the very last day. I wonder how many other people in this city fall into that category and are having to pay these fees. The bottom line is this: I can no longer recommend Austin as a place to desire moving to when it penalizes its citizens based on its own inflexible, bad system. A system that is leaning toward corrupt.
I moved here a year ago to teach. When I received my first utility bill, I realized that it was due two days before I was to get paid. I called the city requesting that my due date be moved so that it actually came after my payday. This is something that I'm sure many have done, all for the same reason. Most creditors are happy to do this. Most. The city of Austin replied that they could not change the due date because it was based on when the meter is read. I, of course, questioned why this was such an unreasonable request considering that I have lived in other cities that had the ability to change due dates, not to mention, of course, credit-card companies, banks when they issue loans for cars, etc. The response was: "We cannot change the system. The only way you can change the due date is to move." Given that I had just signed a one-year lease, that wouldn't be happening any time soon. A year goes by, and I move to the other side of town to be closer to work. After I transfer my utilities, I receive a bill with a $200 deposit. I call the city of Austin and am told that the deposit was based on sending in late payments within a 12-month period. Policy. It seems to me that a policy that is completely inflexible and punishes customers who are trying to be responsible and do the right thing is bad policy. As a teacher, I only get paid once a month, on the very last day. I wonder how many other people in this city fall into that category and are having to pay these fees. The bottom line is this: I can no longer recommend Austin as a place to desire moving to when it penalizes its citizens based on its own inflexible, bad system. A system that is leaning toward corrupt.
Terri Rushfeldt
