Laserfiche WebLink
. <br />� . ,: a , � 3 ,� .. . �. .... <br />�:.. - „ „ 1 ,: _: 'r, l. �.' : A �-' <br />How long has the company been in business? <br />The company was originally formed in 1998 wit�in Columbia �nergy ta <br />provide service fine warranties for its €�tiliiy custamers. USP was formed in <br />5eptember 20D3 to purchasa Columbia Service Pariners from Columbia <br />�nergy. USP continues to expand fihe product ofFerings and grovr the <br />business ihrough cily and �tility pdrtnerships. USP is a pro�d member <br />of tE�e Better Business Bureau. <br />', i �,�,�, i..j� ►�L <br />ls this program ava�lable everywhere? <br />The I�lLC Service Line Warrartty Program wil[ be introduced t�tovghout the <br />contiguous United 5tates in phases over the next 18 manths. Please see <br />our National Rol]-Out Schedule map for cfetails regarding your stAte, <br />Haw are our citizens notified oF the program? <br />USP mails each resident a campaign letter which oullines the cities' <br />endorsement, foqowed 6y a reminder letfer two weeks (ater io ensure <br />the highest response rate. USP only solicits through direct mai( — no <br />telemar[ceting is ever employec€. All homeoWners will ha�e the option to <br />enrol[ in the program, regardfess of the age of their residence. <br />What cooperation will be needed from the cities? <br />USP desires to snler into a co-branded marketing services agreement wEt� <br />eac� cify. The a�reement provides for tf�e vse of fhe city name/loga, in <br />conjunclion with USP's lago, on marketing materials sent to citizens. The <br />ciry is endorsing LfSP as iha service provider for fhe warranly program. <br />When do you solicit r�sidents? <br />Through ihe years, we have found 3he aptimal �imes to inviie eitizer�s io <br />participate are in t{te Spring and Fall of each year. <br />Does NL.0 or USP sefl or rent the p�rsonal in�ormation <br />of resic�ents that enroll in t�e program? <br />I�o, Neither the NLC nor U5P will sell or rent the names of prospective <br />customers or participanls. <br />How much does the resident �ay for this service? <br />Each warrctnty is sold separately and ihe price range is generally between <br />$A and $5 a manfh per product. <br />i�r� �� � <br />Now r�uch will resid�nts save by using the warranly <br />program? <br />While cosls fo€ water line and sewer [ine repc�irs cqn vary, ihe averctge <br />cost of repairing a 6roken water line or sewer line may range from <br />$1,240 to over $3,500, <br />Will this program cost the city any money? <br />Naf a cent. USP pays for a[I marketing materials and program <br />adrr�inistrafi€on. F�rfhermore, USP v✓i[I pay the city a royalfy #or every <br />resident fhat p�rticipates €n fhe progra[n� <br />What ber�efit does the city receive from endorsing <br />these prograrns? <br />By endorsing Ihe 115P programs, the city is able to reduca residenYs <br />frustration over uti�ity ]ine failures 6y bringing them low-cost service <br />aptions. 9fi% of survay resportdents say thaf their image of the city is <br />enhanced because the warranty program is offered as a service by Ihe <br />city. These pragrams also generate exlra revenue for the ciry through the <br />royalty that is paid by USP to the city. �inally our programs help to <br />stimulate t�e �oca[ economy. U5P on�y uses Iocal coniractors to complete <br />the repairs which hel�s to keep the dollars in the loca[ comtnunily. <br />; : ; ' �1��7T3T�Y�1 � _ - <br />Who administers the program? <br />Uti�ity Service Partners (USPf Qdmir�isters the program and '€s responsible <br />for a{I aspecls of the prograrr� including markeling, �illing, customer <br />servic�, and perFarming all repairs to local code. <br />What are the city`s responsibilities? <br />We ask each ci€y to work with USP �o provide the followir�g; l} a copy of <br />the city seal, if availa�le, For ilte sol'scitation letterhead 2� ihe city's return <br />ac[dress for outer enve[ope (this ensures a high "open-rafe"� 3] tl�e rtame, <br />titfe and signatore sample of the designated so[icitafion signor and d) the <br />appropriate zip codas of the city to aflow USP to purchase a mailir�g list <br />oE the residents. <br />Why cfo�s the city have ta provide a city sea1, address <br />and signature? <br />We have found thaE while the fetter is writfen in such a manner as to leave no <br />c�ou�t Iltat it is a USP progrart (tE�e llSP loga is on t�e enrollment fo€m the <br />ciiy ac€dress drives a very high "apen-r�te" ond the ci�y seal and signature <br />lend c€edibifity ta the offer, thus driving a much highe€ enrollmen� rals. <br />