KC Water Service Selling Out

KC Water and Random Sales Services
KC Water and Random Sales Services

Calling up to verify new utility start dates, account numbers and website accounts used to be fairly simple. If not simple at least straightforward. Name, address, move-in date, possibly a credit-card number to verify credit-worthiness. Today it might be a returnable deposit, social security number, date of birth, last two addresses, place of employment. What business does the water company have checking with my employer? They have my date of birth and a credit card for—-when did an employer start impacting the relationship with flushing my toilet?

I’m pretty sure I’ve stumbled into the worst example of bait-and-switch revenue generating by a utility. Setting up the city water account, which already was the most onerous of the utilities requiring a full SSN, name and date of birth of my spouse just so she would be able to pick up the phone and inquire about the account, gave me the biggest shocker. The fact that a joint card (hence them having all the financial info needed on both of us) was used to set up the account did not matter—full personal information was still required. A non-governmental agencies with all the inefficiencies of government. Perfect. Near the end of our painful application conversation the representative indicated she would be transferring me to another customer care department who would verify my account number as well as provide other customer assistance. It was presented in a way that implied I had no choice–that it was simply part of a new-client validation process so naturally I said thanks and was transferred. Justin picked up the phone and quickly verified my name and brand-new account number. I anticipated a short, if not redundant conversation. Not so fast.

Justin seamlessly slid to the topic of aiding me connect with my phone and cable provider, even quickly pulling up who they are. He also mentioned a set of coupons  to aid the home-buying experience—Home Depot, Best Buy among them. He rattled off a couple more assists he could facilitate; each one requiring that I accept or deny the offer. I very clearly declined every offer become more impatient and irritated with each passing sentence. Finally we made it to the end without my signing up for a single offer which likely led him to reiterate that he would send me a way to check out all his deals and contact him if I had questions. Unbelievable.

Where does it end? It’s not bad enough to be at the mercy of the natural monopolies in our everyday life but now they’ve taken to raising even more revenue by partnering with providers pushing other unrelated goods and services on us. Unbelievable.

Within minutes I had an email from the company–AllConnect. And of course it included no information on Justin, my all-caring, all knowing representative. Blindsided with little recourse other than a rant or adding yet another complaint to their already long list. I’ll save my energy and direct it toward remaining cautious with all my dealing with the local water utility. Unbelievable.