One thing we all have in common we have to pay some type of utility bill.

Gas, electric, phone, water, cable, satellite, Internet service provider.

What do they all have in common? besides greed!

There is ALWAYS A PENALITY for paying late, be it five dollars or more, in bog bold letter there it is 5.00 if payed after.. some random date. The dmv has different late payment schedules, 25.00 after this date, 55.00 after tat date, 90.00 after the next one. When will it end?

Now I know we can always get around late fees simply by paying our bills on time. Something I heartily recommend.

So this is my gripe, We get ready to move, we pay out final bill, in full I might add, Then I ask "when can I expect my refund"?

Suddenly it's like no one understands you. Then finally you get an answer. 90 days! What I holla! I have paid all my bill on time, never missed a single payment. Why 90 days? They answer with , well we keep your money just in case any late charges arrive. That's it! the final insult. You say if I have payed all my bills and the service is shut off, how can there be any late charges>/ Now they hit you with it's "company policy" So I ask if I am going to get interest on the money the are holding for 90- day? After the laughter stops I hear "of course not" I say well when I am late you charge me late fees {remember them}? Do I get to charge you late fees? More laughter, some snorting in the background.. Nope. So I say you get to use my money for 90 days and I get nothing? That's right sir, some giggling now.

What's Up with this practice? is this just a California rip off or is this universal?