Timeline

The office distributed a newsletter simply dated 'November' to the members, wherein we were notified that our water heaters would be replaced from January 3rd, 2011 to January 24th, 2011. No details were provided to the members as to the rental costs, contract details or the EnerGuide ratings of these water heaters.

I emailed the office on November 19th informing the co-op that water heater rentals had nothing whatsoever to do with the co-op; that it was a private arrangement between Direct Energy and the individual members and that the co-op does not keep records in this regard. I emailed the office again on November 22nd informing them of the door-to-door scams reported on the news, whereby people ended up paying triple their rental costs and a $1200. fee to the new contractor if they wanted to opt out of the contract.

Apparently, this instigated a few emails back and forth between our outside Board member and the new contractor. On November 23rd the contractor emailed the Board member addressing some of her concerns (rental costs, contracts, etc.). This is clear evidence that the Board of Directors had not done any research at all prior to hiring the new contractors. It was only after my emails and feedback from irate members did the Board of Directors begin to negotiate and confirm with the contractor the details of the contract. And guess what? Miraculously, the rental rate came in $1.00 under what the members are presently paying to their present contractor. Pretty sneaky management on the part of our Board of Directors. From now on we shall rightfully refer to them as the 'Teflon Board'.