Northwest Natural Gas Co

worst utility company of all time. having lived in 10 different cities the past 12 years - i've dealt with a lot of them. i have an issue with my natural gas - a potential hazard, and they have not dealt with it. i have been calling weekly since november. it's mid-march now. they don't care for customers - they don't care if you have a gas problem. they don't care to make money or do good business. i can't say enough bad things about my experience. more

This company keeps on either lying or not capable of account information. They mismatched my two accounts last time that my payment to my account went to the other one, and it took month to swap the payment. and this time, it starts again. more

This company is out of control, and a perfect example of what a monopoly does to customers when there is no control. On Monday I receive a call to contact them about my overdue balance. When I get the message and return the call, they are closed. Tuesday I call repeatedly to their 800 number and ""all circuits are busy"". during the day I had borrowed the overdue balance (out of work and on small unemployment) but find out that it doesn't matter as by nine PM I realize that the house is getting cold. The gas had been turned off while I was out borrowing money, and no note anywhere that it had been done and to contact them. They hadn't even waited 24 hours after their phone message to turn it off. Now its Wednesday. Their phone still says ""all circuits are busy"" so I call their direct line and get someone who explains that the gas was turned of for lack of payment. I try to explain to them that I've tried to contact them, but am told that I have to pay the over due amount, plus the current amount (not yet overdue), plus a reconnection fee. My alternative is to close the account by paying part of the amount, and a deposit that will be spread over the next payments. I ask what about the deposit that is already on the account, to which she replies ""that goes away""......HUH? It takes me five minutes of her dodging the question to pin her down and into a corner to force an answer. ""your old deposit will be refunded within 12 MONTHS! What I have to pay to get the heat back on when the house is 55 degrees is more than double what I was able to borrow. I don't have it. And if I did, I was told that It can't be turned on until the next business day. Look at these ratings on this company! Look on Ripoff Report. I have been in this house for 24 years, and the PUD (electric company) always answers the phone, works with me, and doesn't turn off the power. Northwest Natural in the 7 years since I made that bad choice to heat with gas (and the lack of savings will never pay for the installation) has turned of my heat at least six times. Think they can't get around turning your heat off in the winter because of oversight? Yes they can. They found a way around it. Your only recourse to keep from being turned off in winter is to close your account and start a new one paying them another deposit! They do NOT allow you to make a payment arrangement/agreement. Buy a heat pump, or electric furnace. Unlike the cost of fossil fuels, the rates may creep up but do not swing wildly like gas. NW natural has a monopoly, and they exercise it. more

I won't get into details about my experience with NW Natural gas, because they are ugly. All I can say is that I will never use their service again. I will go to propane if I have to, or move to another city if that's what it takes to avoid these scumbags altogether. Not only does this company hire bullies to do their dirty work (though I suggest they stop sending out pudgy little fat guys if they really want to intimidate someone) but their customer service reps must have been schooled by the SS. All in all, I must say that I am disgusted with this company's tactics. I was a loyal customer of 12 years, and they basically spit in my face. Well, NW Natural gas -- you can suck it! more

I belive what the some of the costumers of this co. write about its service. My experience so far is not a pleasent one. They are slow processing bussines. They are limited in their responses to thier lack of effectivness. They assume that their new costumers from other states now how to deal with the connectivity proceess and access to service. I will not recomend this co. to any of my friends. more

We had the confirmation number and everything for the date that they were to change the service over to us at our new apartment. Instead, they turned it off. On a Friday. And, since the office was emptying out, no one wanted to help us. Same thing on Saturday. They told my husband that they might be able to make it out on Monday, but sometimes it takes a couple days. No showers, no dishwashing, no meals other than the microwave, no heat at night (considering it's still officially winter!), etc. I would love to give my money to a company that wants to give me service, so let me know if you know who their competition is in NW Portland! Pros: None to mention, since I don't think I can go to anyone else for natural gas Cons: Can't tell you the value because I haven't gotten a bill! more

I scheduled to have my new house setup with gas and I arrived at our new house at 8:15 to find a door hanger stating that he was there at 8:05. When I called the office they said they had to reschedule. Now, my family was without heat because of 10 minutes within a 8am to 12 midnight window. What kind of company can tell you that their tech will be at your home anytime between 8am and 12midnight? NW Natural can. This stinks and so does NW Natural - in more ways than one. If you have a choice - avoid them! Cons: Poor Service, Expensive, Arrogant more