OVERLAND, Mo. – A business man in Overland Plaza said a simple repair job by one utility company has caused him to lose thousands of dollars.
The problem started last Monday and now business owners want to know when someone is going to put them back in business.
“It’s very frustrating," Jeffery Carpenter, who owns the Signature Room, said.
American water said one its crews was repairing a water line and accidently cut the AT&T phone cable for the block.
The utility company claims it reported the incident to AT&T, but Carpenter said all he knows is that he hasn't been able to take phone calls and run credit cards for days. And that isn't his only problem.
“No one can call in to book a party. No one can call in to reserve. You call the phone number and it says it’s not in service, that kills us," Carpenter said.
Carpenter said he wrestles with the idea of closing down his bar temporarily or making his customers choose between his bar or someone else’s.
“If someone came in with a credit card or a debit card and they wanted to pay for a meal or their drinks, we can’t do it. That’s money lost," Carpenter said. “There’s nothing we can do because we can’t communicate."
5 On Your Side reached out to AT&T about the repair work. The company issued a short statement:
"Service for some customers in the Overland area may be affected by a cable cut. Technicians are working to fix the problem as quickly as possible."
