Meter readers - can you tell them to go away?
Discussion
Ken Sington said:
Laurel Green said:
I think they have to inspect the meter at least once a year for safety purposes.
That may be the case, but some of those that turn up round here don't look or sound as though they can be trusted to find their own backsides.Every time I let them in to do a reading, I later get an email saying I have to do a reading. I email them to say they did a reading last week. They say they only have one reading despite the guy taking both. It's easier, therefore to say, "No, you can't do your job." and then wait for the request to read my meter.
Kindersley said:
No chance in hell a meter reader will also be doing a Safety check etc
why are they not all remote control etc and can be read from outside etc ??
Well, they should be doing one, although I agree that many of the readers make monkeys look modern and useful.why are they not all remote control etc and can be read from outside etc ??
Smart meters are en-route. The Gov't have said you should have by 2020 at the latest. Eon will probably start fitting them to domestic properties in the next 18 months or so. There are already some in place on industrial/3 phase supplies, but until everyone stops arguing about the data transmission side of things, not too much will happen.
Simpo Two said:
Here's an idea.
Refuse the meter reader access.
Get estimated bills for ten years.
Then the Day Of Reckoning arrives and you get a bill for £5K. Whose fault is that then?
Or...get a lump sum back because you've been supplying over-reads for the past few years to buy fuel at lower prices?!Refuse the meter reader access.
Get estimated bills for ten years.
Then the Day Of Reckoning arrives and you get a bill for £5K. Whose fault is that then?
Zeek said:
Simpo Two said:
Here's an idea.
Refuse the meter reader access.
Get estimated bills for ten years.
Then the Day Of Reckoning arrives and you get a bill for £5K. Whose fault is that then?
Or...get a lump sum back because you've been supplying over-reads for the past few years to buy fuel at lower prices?!Refuse the meter reader access.
Get estimated bills for ten years.
Then the Day Of Reckoning arrives and you get a bill for £5K. Whose fault is that then?
zebedee said:
Simpo Two said:
Here's an idea.
Refuse the meter reader access.
Get estimated bills for ten years.
Then the Day Of Reckoning arrives and you get a bill for £5K. Whose fault is that then?
or refuse access, provide your own readings and pay the right amount?Refuse the meter reader access.
Get estimated bills for ten years.
Then the Day Of Reckoning arrives and you get a bill for £5K. Whose fault is that then?
DJFish said:
Odd that this has come up as I had to let my neighbour know yesterday that an energy company had just broken into her house with the help of a locksmith, presumably executing some kind of warrant.
It's quite suprising the amount of people who can legally enter your house!
Whilst I can't speak for other companies, we will only enter properties to either disconnect them or to forcibly fir a pay as you go meter set with a high weekly charge for debt recovery.It's quite suprising the amount of people who can legally enter your house!
But as you say, many folk are quite surprised when they refuse entry to the bailiff so he just calls the police. Who get us in, one way or another.
Milky Bar Kid said:
If it really bothers you that much, then just do it all on-line yourself, or ring the automated phone system to hand your own readings in.
This ^^^Every month they send me an SMS saying "Oi git, send us your readings"
Every month I read the meters, text them back with the numbers.
Or I could do it online which would save me cost of an SMS message if I were over my allowance, which I never am.
They then text me back saying "Fanks"
If I forget I get an estimated reading for that month.
Not difficult.
Milky Bar Kid said:
However, having folk turn up unannounced is a PITA. We do all carry ID's which can be checked. There will be a freephone number, 08000322409 in my case, that you can ring and confirm a 3 digit pin with the person carrying the card. It is perfectly ok to lock them out whilst you do this. If the code they give is wrong, put the phone down and call the police ASAP, and they will respond as they and the companies get quite upset with people using false ID's.
The householder would need to know the phone number in advance though, or be able to look it up quickly. It's certainly not safe to call the number printed on the card to check their identity!Marf said:
I provide my own readings but BG still pop round every so often to take their own.
I suspect they have to, by law. Otherwise if you were less than honest, possibly a used car dealer for example, you could simply under-declare for ever.Quite astonished at the paranoia here, thinking that meter readers are going to rape your children etc. You could get the meters moved outside - which would cost money of course, but what price the children's safety?
Edited by Simpo Two on Saturday 21st August 20:49
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