Comments for Roger Barnes

Comment on AGL "final reading" fee, now known as "move-out" fee – Part 2 by roger

roger — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 15:22:06 +0000

Thanks Sara (or KLW?). In the interests of disclosure, would you care to indicate whether you represent AGL or the energy industry in any capacity?

I believe that all of your points have already been addressed by the 3 blog posts on this long-closed issue. In short, whether the fee is legitimate or not, I was never advised of it (and I collated comprehensive documentation in support of this assertion), and it took a lot of effort for it to be reversed. Telling me what I need to understand now is kind of pointless, since it would be unnecessary if AGL’s connection process had done the same. I used the online process, I’m not sure if it still fails to disclose this important point. Even the Product Disclosure Statement, ironically subtitled “It’s all here”, managed to avoid it.

To address your tradies remark, I’d happily pay them their service charge. Continuing with the poor analogy, I would baulk if they tried to make me pay an additional charge to cover the cost of servicing their van. That’s clearly their responsibility. To suggest that I’d begrudge someone payment for work that I’d commissioned them to do is irrelevant, bordering on nonsensical.

Comment on AGL "final reading" fee, now known as "move-out" fee – Part 2 by Sara

Sara — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 11:19:02 +0000

Just to clarify that when you call to connect and disconnect it is the consultants requirement to advise you of the fee for a connection or disconnection, if you do not accept this fee they are not to connect or disconnect you. Same as all other requests when the Distributor gets involved.

It does outline on the AGL website in the FAQ’s that you will be charged a connection or disconnection fee if the distributor passes the charges through.

If you connect with a third party like direct connect or connect with AGL and you were not made aware of the fees that is when they are reversed or credited.

You need to understand that these ARE distributors charges for work so no matter what retailer you call they go through the same distributor in those areas and required to pass on the fees to the customers. Also if this was a breach to charge these fees then the Ombudsmen of all states that are deregulated would have put a stop to it YEARS ago.

think of the men that go out there and connect and disconnect for you… they are providing an essential service like sparkies and plumbers… do tradies come to your house for nothing… and Would you work for free?

-Sara

Comment on AGL “final reading” fee to be waived, but just this once – Part 3 (hopefully of 3) by Carl

Carl — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 00:56:28 +0000

I’m having the same problem with AGL, I would like to know what happens to people that have to move regularly, as I know a college that has had to move 14 times in the last 12 years.
This moving fee can account for 25%-50% of some peoples quarterly energy bill, which is outrageous, the energy ombudsman needs to take a look at this fee as its exorbitantly high.

Comment on Writing council web site DA scrapers for PlanningAlerts.org.au by Alastair

Alastair — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 11:06:14 +0000

Very cool, thanks for the pointer and code.

Comment on AGL "final reading" fee, now known as "move-out" fee – Part 2 by roger

roger — Mon, 10 May 2010 02:00:49 +0000

@anna Hi Anna. Yes, the fee was waived and the issue more or less resolved. See the updated blog post here. I'd recommend a similar approach to one I took, showing that they never indicated such a fee and that you're prepared to escalate the issue. Good luck with it! - Rog

Comment on AGL "final reading" fee, now known as "move-out" fee – Part 2 by anna

anna — Sun, 09 May 2010 23:21:44 +0000

Hi Roger,
Did you hear back about this? I have just been informed of the same fee for my gas bill!

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Comment on I'm Rusted, I'm Crusted, I'm Falling to Bitz by Gallery Opening Success! | Roger Barnes

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