Компания Consumers Energy закроет последние два офиса для оплаты счетов в Флинте и Сагино

Consumers Energy to close final in-person service centers in Flint, Saginaw Consumers Energy will close its final two company-operated payment service centers at the end of November, ending in-person bill payments at those locations in Flint and Saginaw. The Flint and Saginaw centers are the last two still operating; all other Consumers Energy service centers across Michigan have already closed. The company said fewer customers are paying in person as more people shift to digital options. “A lot of people have been moving more to digital rather than making payments in person,” said Consumers Energy spokesperson Brian Wheeler. Each of the two locations now sees about 6,000 people a month, about half the number from a decade ago. Wheeler said the main offices will remain open, but the direct payment offices will close. “Consumers Energy has actually been in the process of closing our service centers. We had about a dozen or so as of 2020. And over the last few years, including this year, we've been going through this process. Flint and Saginaw are actually the last two that we're making the change,” Wheeler said. Wheeler acknowledged some customers are unhappy about the closures. “They're this is something they're comfortable and accustomed to doing. So hopefully the next three months ahead of give us that time to really brace people, really help people be ready for the change,” he said. The Flint and Saginaw payment centers will close Nov. 30. After that, customers can pay by mail, by phone, online, or in person at designated retail locations. Wheeler said there are 19 retail payment locations within 10 miles of the Flint service center, including stores such as Meijer and Walmart. Within 10 miles of the Saginaw location, he said there are seven other payment locations. “So people still can make payments in person,” Wheeler said. Consumers Energy said it saw a major shift during the pandemic, with more customers paying bills online instead of in person. A list of retail payment locations is available at midmichigannow.com.