The gas price for a woman from Linz has risen from 57 euros to 395 euros since June. However, the woman cannot reach her provider and therefore cannot cancel the contract.
Marianne Mertens (72) is desperate. The woman from Linz switched to an alternative gas and electricity supplier two years ago in the hope of saving money. Now she pays for it – and not too little.
It all started when the provider from Leonding canceled the collective labor agreement and Mertens, not suspecting that something bad was going on, switched to a flexi rate. “In June I paid 57 euros, in July 240 and now I have to pay 395 euros,” the irritated woman from Linz told the “OÖ-Krone”. The price of electricity also rose in this short time, from 17 euros to 96 euros per month. Lots of money for the retiree.
Twelve euros for a phone call
But there is also another problem. “I actually want to cancel the contract. But the company didn’t respond to my emails and when I called they told me they couldn’t call because they were busy. But I could stay informed and pay twelve euros, then I would be further connected. That can not be true!” Mertens is annoyed.
The fifth increase in a year
Mertens is not the only one struggling with current gas prices. Werner Lidlbauer (62) from Steyr received the fifth letter from the Steyr municipality this year. The content is always the same: gas is becoming more expensive. “Now I have to pay 562 euros per month. Who should be able to pay that?”, he says.
AK knows the problem
“We know the company, there are currently many complaints,” says AK consumer lawyer Ulrike Weiß about the Marianne Mertens case. Her tip: Send the company a registered letter with the cancellation. This is expensive and tedious, but it works. “Then most companies respond,” says Weiß.
But there are also other problems. Providers go bankrupt, cannot be reached and terminate the contracts of their own accord. Uncertain customers were left behind. “In all cases, you should contact the Chamber of Labor, because in most cases they can really help,” explains Ulrike Weiß.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
