Comments on: A Little Something Learned About Apartment Living

By: Tim Wright

Tim Wright — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 22:03:56 +0000

Once you know this is happening, it is your fault if you don’t rip that plug out of the wall and short out that outlet. Grow a spine!

By: Leah

Leah — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 20:38:23 +0000

If you want to avoid this problem, also stay away from developments in the process of building! My family settled in one back when it was mud trenches and dirt roads, and the construction people asked my mum if they could use our outlet outlet. She agreed for a one-time use, but they continued to use it afterwards and cost us there. Construction crews *usually* don’t tend, I find, to be very thoughtful of residents currently living in the area – much like your apartment’s maintenance!

By: Jena

Jena — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 20:16:43 +0000

I’d've started by pulling the plug.

By: gurg

gurg — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 15:18:58 +0000

I would’ve unplugged it. And waited there. When they come to replug it, I would’ve slowly tilted my head back, looked down my nose at them, make a noise like “khump” with my nose, and given them an icy-cold smile, that should obviously mean “You’re in deep s**t”

And I would’ve left my video camera attached to my computer recording for the next week.

And I would’ve gotten those plastic things so babies can’t stick their fingers in the outlet and put it in as a warning (they’re easy to take out) beforehand.

By: Sunshine

Sunshine — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 22:33:21 +0000

that is theft pure and simple, I would have called 1. the power company and reported the theft and 2. law enforcement.

you under reacted sir.

By: Krist

Krist — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 01:47:05 +0000

Wow. I would have flipped out! You’re cutting back and they think they can just take from you and it’s no big deal?

Is this apartment run by the government? :P

Personally, I wouldn’t let them use it at all. There’s no way to track how much they’re using. You must be a very patient person.

By: Amber Jones

Amber Jones — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 13:27:38 +0000

As with the above posts, I do not feel that you over reacted. I would have done the same. I too live in apartments in Texas, and electricity can go up a bit in the summer. And for the apartment complex to make matters worse is not cool (no pun intended).

GJ with the compromise. I wish that our apartment complex would compromise with a few things. ;)

By: sweetcultivator

sweetcultivator — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 02:43:15 +0000

I know exactly what you are going through. My former apartment had the local water company charge my unit for any water used when one of the units in the apartment was vacant as well as the sprinkler system in our area. It took three months of boycotting paying rent and the water bill to get down to the truth of the matter. Suddenly my water bill went from $125 a month to $25 a month. I did not get any free rent, though. Only a promise to not hijack my water bill. When I moved out, the next lessee paid $200 more a month then I did for that dark little cave. I was tempted to leave a note on their door to watch the water bill.

By: mymoneyyourmoney.com

mymoneyyourmoney.com — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 15:45:31 +0000

I think you did fantastic. However, I am surprised that apartment manager offered one free month. That’s a big victory. Good luck

By: Moments of Fame « Funny about Money

Moments of Fame « Funny about Money — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 10:16:20 +0000

[...] of Frugality; Funny’s squib on the least important bill appears here. Master Your Card tells an astonishing story about life in his apartment complex—good grief! Paid Twice gets an interesting conversation going [...]