MidAmerican Energy Toutes Convenience Of Kiosk
Skip Joelson of MidAmerican Energy speaks with a customer on Friday about the new kiosk located at Penn Central Mall.
Oskaloosa, Iowa – MidAmerican Energy held an open house of sorts on Friday, for a payment kiosk it has set up inside Penn Central Mall.
Skip Joelson and Nina Ford with MidAmerican Energy said that the kiosk is “more convenient for customer payments. Better hours for customer payments. It’s open on the weekend. Later at night.”
A press release earlier in the week stated, “Our Oskaloosa customers can expect the same great service that we have provided and now our new kiosk is another way to support our customers,” said Kathi Allison, director of customer contact operations for MidAmerican Energy.
The release went on to say, “As MidAmerican Energy transfers its Oskaloosa-area customers over to using the new kiosk, its Oskaloosa office at 2411 N. Market St., will close in January.”
Oskaloosa News readers spoke out with their concerns about the change.
Leslie Ann wrote, “Kind of ironic that our landowners allow them to put up over 80 windmills that will allow them to save money (we certainly won’t see a reduction in charges) and then they take away our ability to deal with a live person. What a great way to thank a community!”
Carole Comstock said, “Not as handy for the elderly.”
Other readers were concerned that this change would cost local workers their jobs.
Joelson said that, “no one has lost their job, nobody will lose their job,” as a result of the installation of the kiosk.
When it comes to those with mobility issues, Joelson said that the location was chosen, “this is the closest accessibility we could get it to the door within the mall.”
Joelson once again highlighted the mall hours and having two entrances to the kiosk, “so there’s plenty of parking.”
Joelson said the move to the kiosk was made for “better convenience for the customer for payments.”
Several readers stated that the move had little consequence on them, as they already mail in their bill, or pay online or by telephone.
There is no fee for using the kiosk if you are paying by cash or check, but you will pay a $3.75 fee for using a credit or debit card.
“It’s going to be a transition for the customers, I understand that,” said Joelson. “Hopefully with the better hours and more accessibility on the weekends, and that kind of thing, it will help.”
