Power cut off, woman dies

**MSTRS:Me** · 30th May 2007, 11:50

Communication. From both sides.
Keyword I picked up on was 'immigrant' - was English a second language, so were unable to ensure powerco was aware? And was there an officious little man with a clipboard who failed to ascertain this info?

**skelstar** · 30th May 2007, 11:54

Ultimately the media are going to give the story the most dramatic angle. They maybe holding the least damning information back.

**Grahameeboy** · 30th May 2007, 12:05

Originally Posted by MSTRS

Communication. From both sides.
Keyword I picked up on was 'immigrant' - was English a second language, so were unable to ensure powerco was aware? And was there an officious little man with a clipboard who failed to ascertain this info?

Even if there was a communication issue, surely the Husband could have used gestures like, "come inside and I will show you".

Also, with medical equipment it is important to tell the Power Company so that they can re-route power for special cases in he event of a power cut.

There is clearly more to this story.

**chanceyy** · 30th May 2007, 12:12

Originally Posted by Beemer

I can't remember the full details from when I worked for a power company but the person who had the power account would have received a reminder notice two weeks after the account was meant to have been paid. That would have been followed by a letter telling them the power would be disconnected if they didn't pay within a certain time, and if no payment was received, they would be sent a disconnection notice, saying their power would be disconnected within 24 hours. They would have to pay and ring in with their receipt number to avoid the power being disconnected.

Considering the number of times power is cut due to accidents, storms, etc, this woman should have had a back-up power supply. Also, was she confined to the house at all times? If not, how did she cope whenever she left the house? I don't want to be too cynical, but I think there is going to be a shitload more to this story than we are being told right now.

your pretty much on the mark there beemer .. from the time an account goes overdue til the time a cusotmer is disconnected there is approximately 5-6 week period, in this time they get a reminder phone call, letter, disconnection telegram 48 hours prior to the event. Not to mention their next bill showing an overdue amount.

The customer has plenty of time to call & sort out a payment arrangement & there are now a number of ways customers can pay their debt off .. either short term arrangement or a set amount each pay period that will include arrears being paid off over a 12 month period & their current accounts

majority of ppl would prefer to bury their head in the sand & pretend their bill is not there .. of course there are set policies for those with medical conditions & once this is determined they are never disconnected.

In this case there would be more than meets the eye, cause if the network was to experience a fault & a general power failure the oxygen has a back up system for so many hours .. & if it can not be determined how long the fault will be in action then most call ambulances to take them to hospital or have back up supplys delivered in a short period of time.

Contractors are there to do a job & do not debate the issues with a customer, however most will call the elect company if an issue is presented, to determine if they are still to proceed

at the end of the day disconnection is not a quick process, the customers have to take some responsibility in calling the power co & discussing their particular needs or issues..

still awaiting to hear the full details myself, but knowing the processes in place in this case the family should have been more proactive in following up the debt issue.

& yes I work for a power co .. not the one mentioned ... retail side so I deal with escalated issues like this on a daily basis

Hi Jantar .. hows the generation site today

**NighthawkNZ:Me** · 30th May 2007, 12:26

the power company wouldn't just turn the power off without warning, and late payment notices etc...

If they payed the ferkin bill and they would still have power simple...

But There must be more to the story... and as Beemer points out... was she confined to the house... did she have to be on this machine 24/7,

if the lady in question couldn't pay then the family should have followed it up...

oh boy am I expecting red reps or what...

**chanceyy** · 30th May 2007, 12:26

Originally Posted by LilSel

Wanna trade places?

LOL NOPE

it could have easily been our company .. thats why there is more to this than meets the eye ..

yes I am pretty familiar with the policy & process issues around this, funny if ppl actually called early when they have a debt they would find out so much more info .. esp on easy payment terms .. but most wait til the eleventh hour when its too late .. up til that point we can assist in many ways .. once a property is disconnected then policy is pretty firm. not to mention the additonal fees that are added once a property is disconnected

**Grahameeboy** · 30th May 2007, 12:35

Originally Posted by NighthawkNZ

the power company wouldn't just turn the power off without warning, and late payment notices etc...

If they payed the ferkin bill and they would still have power simple...

But There must be more to the story... and as Beemer points out... was she confined to the house... did she have to be on this machine 24/7,

if the lady in question couldn't pay then the family should have followed it up...

oh boy am I expecting red reps or what...

No you are safe.....could just be that the family were under mega stress...being immigrants maybe a bit niave......and with all the stress, money problems and looking after the Wife, time went on and it slipped the net.......just seems bizzare that the Family did not ring up or like I said, show the power guys the equipment.

**LilSel** · 30th May 2007, 12:41

Originally Posted by chanceyy

LOL NOPE

it could have easily been our company .. thats why there is more to this than meets the eye ..

yes I am pretty familiar with the policy & process issues around this, funny if ppl actually called early when they have a debt they would find out so much more info .. esp on easy payment terms .. but most wait til the eleventh hour when its too late .. up til that point we can assist in many ways .. once a property is disconnected then policy is pretty firm. not to mention the additonal fees that are added once a property is disconnected

There is ALOT more than meets the eye in this case...

**Freakshow** · 30th May 2007, 12:43

If they had an illness and required the power they should have paid the bill, or communicated the problem, I would imagine that even the doctor or some one would have said something. And the powercut problem brings a good point! Why wasn't a UPS there or something!

**Storm** · 30th May 2007, 12:48

No comment until both sides of this story get through is the best policy methinks

**Jantar** · 30th May 2007, 12:51

Originally Posted by chanceyy

Hi Jantar .. hows the generation site today

No idea. I've got a couple of days off,

so right now I'm supposed to be doing my tax return.

Almost done.

**LilSel** · 30th May 2007, 12:52

Originally Posted by Storm

No comment until both sides of this story get through is the best policy methinks

I agree....
Until the full story is heard from both sides will things become clearer.
The media however, will tell the story they want people to know

**chanceyy** · 30th May 2007, 12:55

Originally Posted by Jantar

No idea. I've got a couple of days off,

so right now I'm supposed to be doing my tax return.

Almost done.

yes well its only 10 days & i have a week & half off .. hoping to get some bike time in after i been to see olds ( they still do not know I am riding a bike

)

**Paul in NZ** · 30th May 2007, 12:56

Pretty odd story...

Speaking for myself - If my life depended upon a constant supply of power I would make sure my supplier knew that AND I would have back up measures in place. We loose power maybe 5 times a year due to road accidents and lightening strikes etc and often waaay longer than 2 hours but usually less.

I'd have a little generator (cheap at supercheap) and a call list of neighbours and family etc I could call on to get to in a hurry. As someone else said - battery back up etc??

If the power went off - why didn't the son go next door ffs?

Odd - very bloody odd...