[HCoop-Discuss] [docelic, ntk] Cracking down on negative balances

[John T. Settino]

j.c.hallgren at juno.com wrote:
> I'm more than willing to pay when needed, and I'm not that hard to 
> contact either, so the chances of not being able to collect from me is 
> pretty slim, (unless I'm incapicitated), thus having to keep $25+ 
> total, while not a real hardship, isn't my ideal desire either.
I pretty much agree with him on this one. I generally end up going 
negative then paying it because I was always taught growing up to pay my 
bills "as they came in," not keep a balance ahead of time. As a member 
since 2003, I've never really liked the idea of balances and shares but 
this is how our coop is run and my sole opinion doesn't hold a lot of 
clout. I've already been told on other issues that I should leave the 
coop if I don't like the changes being made, but it is not my desire to 
do so. Certain conversations about certain issues, I've received 
responses and replies from a board member that made me feel, "I don't 
care what you think and it doesn't matter whether you like it or not. If 
you don't, leave, we won't care." Makes me feel welcome.

I digress. Now, my understanding is policy is changing in such a way 
that if I don't keep this larger balance, if I go under this for a month 
or two, I can have my account frozen with seemingly with no warning 
because I'm supposed to "know" what my balance is ahead of time. I'm not 
okay with that. I rarely get on my computer, I rarely check the portal 
or my balance and the only time I realize it's low is when I receive an 
"your balance is low" email. I have other, more important things to 
think about. It's easier for me to get low balance warnings and make a 
payment than all of the sudden my stuff stops working. Perhaps there 
could be an option in the portal to have an email sent to you every 
month when there has been a withdrawal from your balance, how much, and 
your remaining balance. To be honest I rarely think about how much money 
is in my hcoop account until it's low.

I'm sure the majority disagree with me on what I've said but I'm 
including my thoughts in this discussion. By the way, my balance, all of 
the sudden, is negative. I have to choose between gas in my car for a 
week or webhosting for a month. Makes sense, right? I'm glad we were 
notified before this took place.

- JTS