Small but annoying error from Xcel Energy here in Minneapolis. They billed a client for May 3 - June 3 (31 days) but calculated the customer charge proration using 29 days. Only a $4 difference but it's the principle. Their customer service rep insisted 29 days was correct because "that's what the system calculated." Anyone else seen Xcel make this kind of basic math error?
Xcel prorated wrong - used 29 days instead of actual 31
Donna, I see simple calculation errors like this more often than I should. Northwestern Energy up here in Montana did something similar - 33-day period but prorated for 30 days. These billing systems should be doing basic day counts automatically. Sounds like a software bug or data entry error.
Had the exact same issue with Consumers Energy here in Michigan last year. 28-day February period but they prorated for 30 days. Took two supervisors and a written complaint to get them to acknowledge the error. Got a $6.50 credit. These systems need better quality control.
Update on this: Xcel finally admitted the error after I sent them a calendar showing the actual day count. They're supposedly "reviewing their proration algorithms" but who knows if that means anything. Got the $4 credit plus interest. Small money but these errors add up across thousands of accounts.