There’s no arguing that zero bills – or, at least, fewer bills – are every household’s preference, no matter the income status. The next best luxury behind eliminating monthly debt is paying it conveniently. As checkbooks continue to grow obsolete and money order purchases include added transaction fees, utility users are more and more open to new, simple ways to make monthly bill payments.

DTE Energy’s new Community Customer Office eliminates the need for many northeast side utility users to visit payment centers, while also helping those without web access, who can’t use online money transfers. Housed at the Samaritan Center, 5555 Conner St., the Community Customer Office will replace the former Eastern Market Business Office beginning June 12.

“Our Community Customer Offices are strategically selected in convenient locations right where our customers live, work and are already conducting other personal business,” says David L. Johnson, senior vice president, Customer Service and Economic Development, DTE Energy. “Our new community office in the Samaritan Center resides with other services including medical and mental health, job training and placement, educational programs and community partner agencies and organizations. Many of our customers are already utilizing these other services, and we hope that this new office location will provide a one-stop, more efficient and convenient means for them to manage their business with us.”

To assist customers with account access and payments, a DTE Payment Kiosk has been installed at the Samaritan Center Community Customer Office location to allow quick bill pay via cash, check and credit card. There are 37 payment kiosks in 28 locations throughout the community that now accept payments from not only DTE, but also the Wayne County Treasurer’s Department and the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department.

The Samaritan Center Community Customer Office will be staffed with DTE representatives to help customers with issues that can’t be addressed through self-service options. The office will open for business Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

In addition to Payment Kiosks, DTE offers a variety of other self-service payment and billing options that are free and available to customers 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help manage and pay bills.

• Customers can manage their accounts anytime, anywhere by downloading the free DTE Energy Mobile app from theApp Store or Google Play.
• Customers can also receive their DTE bill electronically every month with eBill Paperless Billing, and have the added convenience of not worrying about forgetting to pay their monthly bill with AutoPay.
• Additional self-service payment options can be found online at dteenergy.com/options.

Photo courtesy of DTE Energy