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Michigan only - consumers energy customers - switch to the Pay my Way program and get $30 in free credits

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In a nutshell, this program is a prepaid energy program where you pay as you use your energy vs a bill at the end of the month. When you sign up , they are offering to initially fund your account with $30 in credits. It is for Michigan Consumers Energy customers for the electric service. I only have electric with them, so I cannot tell if they do it for gas customers as well.

I do not quite understand what they get out of this, perhaps saving money on the monthly billing process, but $30 is $30. From what I can tell, your energy rates etc.. stay the same, it is just how the account is funded that changes. A couple of issues, if you have auto pay, and budget billing, you will need to get that removed first, as they cannot switch you over until that is gone. Also, I had "green generation" blocks on my account (solar energy blocks of energy) that had to be removed as well. When I called the number on the link I shared, they were clueless on how to remove them. So I sent consumers a Facebook message, and within a day, I had a guy calling me back who took care of everything.

So as long as you do not have too many fancy programs on your account, it is a fairly smooth process. But you may have a little extra work if you do, but it is not bad. Enjoy!

https://www.consumersenergy.com/-...38995DB84A

Full Terms and conditions can be found here: https://www.consumersenergy.com/p...conditions
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Created 10-05-2018 at 11:15 AM by Cobalt_Blue_FF
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VulnoX
10-05-2018 at 03:28 PM.
10-05-2018 at 03:28 PM.
Thanks for the tip, it says in the form it's electric or combination customers only. We only have had through them. Oh well!
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Cobalt_Blue_FF
10-05-2018 at 03:34 PM.
10-05-2018 at 03:34 PM.
Quote from VulnoX :
Thanks for the tip, it says in the form it's electric or combination customers only. We only have had through them. Oh well!
It might be worth it to call them..
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hollowpockets
10-07-2018 at 06:00 PM.
10-07-2018 at 06:00 PM.
hmm i may have to check this out.
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Cobalt_Blue_FF
10-08-2018 at 05:50 AM.
10-08-2018 at 05:50 AM.
Quote from hollowpockets :
hmm i may have to check this out.
Other than getting those extra "programs" off of my account, it was a super smooth process. The new account looks totally different, but the $30 did load instantly. I kind of like the prepay model as it will help us see exactly how quickly we are going through energy. And I have it setup to auto refill, so I hopefully do not have to worry about the lights being shut off EEK!
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sr84
10-08-2018 at 06:08 AM.
10-08-2018 at 06:08 AM.
hmm sounds like a headache to constantly have to know how much is in your account..its like switch to a pay as you go phone plan.. if you run out they cut off your electricity … probably not worth it for $30 for me..thanks for sharing though Smilie
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Cobalt_Blue_FF
10-08-2018 at 06:31 AM.
10-08-2018 at 06:31 AM.
Quote from sr84 :
hmm sounds like a headache to constantly have to know how much is in your account..its like switch to a pay as you go phone plan.. if you run out they cut off your electricity … probably not worth it for $30 for me..thanks for sharing though Smilie
Well you do have the option to setup auto reload. My trash service account is the same way. Once the balance dips below X amount, it adds $20 more bucks via my credit card. This is the same way, and they set up like a bunch of backup communication methods in the event you do not reload. I suspect this program would fail rather quickly if everyone keeps getting their electricity shut off. I think I also remember the rep saying that they will not shut off, but if you go into a negative balance, then you next couple set of payments will go towards getting you back into the black.
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sr84
10-08-2018 at 07:29 AM.
10-08-2018 at 07:29 AM.
Quote from Cobalt_Blue_FF :
Well you do have the option to setup auto reload. My trash service account is the same way. Once the balance dips below X amount, it adds $20 more bucks via my credit card. This is the same way, and they set up like a bunch of backup communication methods in the event you do not reload. I suspect this program would fail rather quickly if everyone keeps getting their electricity shut off. I think I also remember the rep saying that they will not shut off, but if you go into a negative balance, then you next couple set of payments will go towards getting you back into the black.
can you switch back to normal service once you switch to this? or is it permanent? thanks
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Cobalt_Blue_FF
10-08-2018 at 08:09 AM.
10-08-2018 at 08:09 AM.
Quote from sr84 :
can you switch back to normal service once you switch to this? or is it permanent? thanks
That is a very good question. I assume you could, but I do not remember the rep saying anything when he switched me. I will say this, they assign you a brand new account number and appear to close out the old one. You also go to a totally different third party system when you logon to their website. I would imagine you could swich back, but it would be a little more involved than, for example, canceling budget billing or changing autopay etc..
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Cobalt_Blue_FF
10-08-2018 at 12:45 PM.
10-08-2018 at 12:45 PM.
Quote from sr84 :
can you switch back to normal service once you switch to this? or is it permanent? thanks
Quote from sr84 :
hmm sounds like a headache to constantly have to know how much is in your account..its like switch to a pay as you go phone plan.. if you run out they cut off your electricity … probably not worth it for $30 for me..thanks for sharing though Smilie
Per the TOC https://www.consumersenergy.com/p...conditions

Conversion to a Post Pay account: A customer may elect to convert their account to a post pay account at any time. Consumers Energy will require full payment of the deposit and balance owed, if applicable, as a condition of continued service.

Past-due balances must meet eligibility requirements. On past due balances, 80 percent goes
toward future use and 20 percent of payment goes toward the past-due amount. Pay My Way accounts are not eligible for payment arrangements, credit extensions, life support status,
or for participation in any other programs or service related to payments or billing. Terms and conditions can be found at ConsumersEnergy.com/prepaid-terms-and-conditions.
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