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.
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