Oct 28, 2024
During a recent visit to the Bronx, former President Donald Trump was visibly taken aback when local barber Javier Rodriguez shared the shocking spike in his utility bill.
Rodriguez, co-owner of Knockout Barber, told Trump that while rising rent is a concern, his real struggle has been soaring energy costs.
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“My issue was more the energy,” Rodriguez explained. “I've been paying $2,100 since I first opened up, and the last seven months it shot up to $15,000.”
Such an increase is sure to throw off your monthly budget, not to mention lower the profit you can make as a small business owner and your overall net worth. Trump, stunned, echoed the numbers back.
“What? You went from $2,100 to $15,000 — how many heads can you take care of [to make up the difference]? That’s a lot,” Trump said.
The exchange aired on “Fox & Friends” on Oct. 21, but a short clip of the visit posted on X has since amassed nearly 30 million views and over 100,000 likes, sparking a wave of reactions across social media.
Why is the bill so high?
The internet had plenty of questions — and theories — about the barber’s sky-high electricity bill.
One user on X speculated that someone at the shop was mining cryptocurrencies, an energy-intensive activity, commenting, “gotta tell your cousin to stop mining bitcoin.” The quip quickly became a top comment, gathering 18,000 likes.
Others doubted the credibility of the story, with one user saying, “$2,100 to $4,000 is believable but $15K no‼️ Not realistic.”
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New York Times reporter Ashley Southall investigated further and found that the jaw-dropping bill stemmed from a meter error by Con Edison, Rodriguez’s utility provider.
The issue began in December when Con Edison installed a new smart meter at the shop, which malfunctioned but went unnoticed by Rodriguez until May, when his bills surged. By August, his bill had climbed to $13,099.31, with charges for almost 14 times his actual electricity usage.
Rodriguez raised the issue with Con Edison two months ago, something he claims to have mentioned to Trump during his visit. In mid-September, the company offered him a $50 “inconvenience relief” credit while they worked on adjusting his bill, according to Daily Mail.
Southall reported that Rodriguez was initially frustrated by the negative attention his story attracted. Later, however, he expressed gratitude, acknowledging that the publicity had prompted Con Edison to address his billing issue with greater urgency.
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In a statement, Con Edison assured, “We have not, and will not, collect payment until the error has been corrected.” The company added that it had been working to resolve the issue since August.
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What to do when you see a shockingly high utility bill
While Rodriguez’s astronomical electricity bill captured the attention of a former president and millions of people, he’s not alone in facing the shock of a sudden, sky-high utility charge. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to potentially resolve a similar situation.
Start by carefully examining each line item on your bill. Look for sudden jumps in usage, unusual fees or extra service charges. In some cases, spikes happen due to estimated readings rather than actual meter data.
Next, check for errors — mistakes can happen. Verify that your meter reading matches what’s shown on the bill. If there’s a discrepancy, document the correct reading and contact your utility provider. Watch for duplicate charges or fees that don’t align with your typical usage.
If you identify an issue, reach out to your utility company’s customer service department as soon as possible. Explain your concern and request a detailed breakdown. Many companies have departments dedicated to handling billing disputes and can make adjustments if an error is confirmed.
As some users on X humorously suggested, unauthorized energy use can be a hidden factor in unusually high bills. To prevent this, consider checking with others sharing the space and inspecting for unauthorized appliances. Sometimes, high-powered devices like space heaters and dehumidifiers can be left on without the user realizing how much energy they drain.
If the bill is accurate but unaffordable, ask your provider about payment plan options. Many utility companies offer payment plans to spread large bills over several months, which can help manage costs. You can also look for assistance programs you may qualify for on a federal or state level, or seek out nonprofit resources that provide relief for small business owners and individuals facing unexpectedly high utility bills.
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Jing is an investment reporter for MoneyWise. He is an avid advocate of investing for passive income. Despite the ups and downs he’s been through with the markets, Jing believes that you can generate a steadily increasing income stream by investing in high quality companies.
