Would you let a stranger into your house?

Would you let a stranger into your house?

Poll: Would you let a stranger into your house?

Total Members Polled: 202

Yes: 26%
No: 74%
Author
Discussion

KobayashiMaru86

1,190 posts

211 months

Thursday 12th May 2022
quotequote all
No. Have a door cam for this reason. If I don't know them I don't even answer

vixen1700

23,134 posts

271 months

Thursday 12th May 2022
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blueST said:
Is this not the normal way meters get read/checked periodically? I have been letting these chaps into my house about once a year for as long as I can remember. Am I doing it wrong?
Yep, we get them from British Gas from time to time too.

Baffled at all the people who wouldn't let them in too. confused

768

13,771 posts

97 months

Thursday 12th May 2022
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The Rotrex Kid said:
My meter is outside. Next question please.
Yeah, mine too.

He can come in after the ex-offender selling cloths and the guy in a cheap suit who's going to do me a deal on a conservatory because they happen to be fitting one a few streets over.

Spare tyre

9,684 posts

131 months

Thursday 12th May 2022
quotequote all
blueST said:
Is this not the normal way meters get read/checked periodically? I have been letting these chaps into my house about once a year for as long as I can remember. Am I doing it wrong?
Oh lord, you are not going to like the truth……

dundarach

5,116 posts

229 months

Thursday 12th May 2022
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Fortunately both mine are in the garage and the butler directs them to their location regardless.


GreatGranny

9,169 posts

227 months

Thursday 12th May 2022
quotequote all
KobayashiMaru86 said:
No. Have a door cam for this reason. If I don't know them I don't even answer
Wow! So if a guy from Amazon or DPD rings the bell and you've never seen them before you won't answer?



LosingGrip

7,841 posts

160 months

Thursday 12th May 2022
quotequote all
I wouldn’t. Then again I don’t answer the door unless I’m expecting someone/something (really pisses my other half off as deliveries get missed).

I like what one company my brother has come round to service his hoists in his house.

Send a letter a couple of weeks before with the name and a photo of the person coming around. Very good idea considering they go into vulnerable peoples homes.

Zetec-S

5,941 posts

94 months

Thursday 12th May 2022
quotequote all
blueST said:
Is this not the normal way meters get read/checked periodically? I have been letting these chaps into my house about once a year for as long as I can remember. Am I doing it wrong?
About once a year, do you wake up feeling drowsy, can't remember the last few hours, and have a sore arse...?

limpsfield

5,896 posts

254 months

Thursday 12th May 2022
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After being on PH for so long, I am not surprised that so many are afraid of answering their own front door.

Spend less time in NP&E. It's not that scary out there.

Sheetmaself

5,691 posts

199 months

Thursday 12th May 2022
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With my job i go into other peoples houses often and i was having a discussion just yesterday about this with a client.

It is amazing just what people have left out, not talking tvs and stuff which can’t be out away but expensive watches and such like and how quick they are to offer info such as “can’t do next week as we’re on holiday for a fortnight starting the 5th”!

blueST

4,408 posts

217 months

Thursday 12th May 2022
quotequote all
Zetec-S said:
blueST said:
Is this not the normal way meters get read/checked periodically? I have been letting these chaps into my house about once a year for as long as I can remember. Am I doing it wrong?
About once a year, do you wake up feeling drowsy, can't remember the last few hours, and have a sore arse...?
Not every time.

Register1

2,155 posts

95 months

Thursday 12th May 2022
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No.
Not coming in.
Door on chain, as what they want.
Aaahhh, the meter is outside, help yourself.

djcube

382 posts

71 months

Thursday 12th May 2022
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In recent years I have let meter readers in, a prearranged visit with my leccy supplier. I have a PV array and the FIT meter needs to be checked every couple of years, again done by prior arrangement.
Because of Covid the biennial inspection of the FIT meter hasn't happened. To correct this I could have a guy call or send a photo of the meter. I sent a photo.

GreatGranny

9,169 posts

227 months

Thursday 12th May 2022
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LosingGrip said:
I wouldn’t. Then again I don’t answer the door unless I’m expecting someone/something (really pisses my other half off as deliveries get missed).
You mean, like a delivery.


bobtail4x4

3,730 posts

110 months

Thursday 12th May 2022
quotequote all
Sheetmaself said:
With my job i go into other peoples houses often and i was having a discussion just yesterday about this with a client.

It is amazing just what people have left out, not talking tvs and stuff which can’t be out away but expensive watches and such like and how quick they are to offer info such as “can’t do next week as we’re on holiday for a fortnight starting the 5th”!
I find the same, you have to almost force them to look at your ID.

devnull

3,754 posts

158 months

Thursday 12th May 2022
quotequote all
I had one last week - they immediately said what provider I was with. Also questioned why they were here when I had a smart meter, said they had a spate of non readings. He did duly take the reading and leave.

Evoluzione

Original Poster:

10,345 posts

244 months

Thursday 12th May 2022
quotequote all
77% wouldn't have let him in.
New house, never had this before, last house the meter was outside.
Thanks for all the valid points and the recurring classic PH two dogs and being bummed, I had it in mind when posting up. Lol and yes I do remember a thread where many PHers didn't answer the door biggrin

furrywoolyhatuk said:
Personally, no, but maybe that’s because I’m not very trusting.

What was the outcome in your case?
Yes I let him in, but wasn't happy with it.
I suppose with increased WFH they find more people in, but still, it must be largely a waste of time when people are out at work.
It would be a much better idea to send cards out saying to expect a visit sometime from Monday to Friday of a certain week, it doesn't have to be a specific time, at least it would set peoples minds at rest. It makes it even worse when they've got masks on.


devnull said:
I had one last week - they immediately said what provider I was with. Also questioned why they were here when I had a smart meter, said they had a spate of non readings. He did duly take the reading and leave.
Similar to my 'Oh they don't always work' when I'm stood there thinking 'What kind of excuse is that?' Surely he should have tried it. Next time I'll tell him to use it first.

He kept saying 'Oh I haven't been out here for a while' and 'You've got a lovely view' which I suppose was trying to be friendly, but that made it worse as i'm just thinking 'You're BS isn't working with me!' and kept an eye on him.

AyBee

10,550 posts

203 months

Thursday 12th May 2022
quotequote all
Yes, but I work in the industry and know the companies who do the meter readings (and the meter is just inside the door anyway, so he's only making 2 steps in).

Sheetmaself

5,691 posts

199 months

Friday 13th May 2022
quotequote all
With my job i go into other peoples houses often and i was having a discussion just yesterday about this with a client.

It is amazing just what people have left out, not talking tvs and stuff which can’t be out away but expensive watches and such like and how quick they are to offer info such as “can’t do next week as we’re on holiday for a fortnight starting the 5th”!

jdw100

4,166 posts

165 months

Friday 13th May 2022
quotequote all
Yes, frequently. I don’t live in the UK though.

For electric and water the meters are in the garden.

Gas is in cylinders.

Gates are always unlocked - I presume the guys that let themselves in are legit.

Not had a dog stolen as yet.

In fact had two chaps yesterday ask if they could go upstairs and hang precariously off our roof to reach a pole in the road to do something with internet cables.

Pointed them in the direction of our stairs; can access the roof from a 1m wide ledge that goes around the house.

Was expecting one to fall off and impale himself on top of a our wall, but that didn’t happen..