Omlet cube and run

[Forestchook]

...goes to my gas meter reader (or readers) who are unable to recognise a gas meter box from 2ft.

 

I kid you not! In order to hand deliver, yes, hand deliverthe letter to say they were unable to gain access to inspect the meter they must have been standing a maximum of 2ft from the meter box. And that is being generous! It is right next to the door, the same as every other house in the road, and probably most of the area. The letter claims they have made previous attempts too, although I suspect that might be them telling porkies. To make matters worse, I spoke to the company (a sub contractor a few times removed from my service provider) and told them where the meter was less than a month ago.

 

 

N

[Olly]

Reminds me of the time we were threatened with a court order because we would not let them in to read the meter. My (then) husband wrote back in capital letters: 'The meter is in a box outside the house. You put it there so you should know where it is'!

[Egluntyne]

Send them a photograph, including meter box and letter box along with your forthright letter.

 

They'll have no trouble finding someone else to do this incompetent individual's job.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Unbelievable . Make sure you put a big red arrow pointing to the box on your photo - just in case they still can't see it .

[Princess Leia]

We had the same thing happen (British Gas), although in our case the meter box is round the side of the house, so you have to go through the gate to access it. Wrote to them several times confirming permission to access it if we were out, all to no avail. We submit our readings on-line now, but they are obliged to do a physical reading - I think its every two years.

 

We also had a letter from them in 2007 saying that they needed access to install a new gas meter. It finally got done in February this year...

[Alis girls]

Drape yourself over it in your cossie like the women in car ads - suspect they'll have no probs finding then.

[Cinnamon]

Our Electricity box used to be around the back of the house & Southern Electric made a habit of just strolling in whenever they liked,without even knocking on the front door. As we are remote,it scared the pants off me a few times to see a strange man in the back garden.

 

We soon got a lock for the garden gate!

[Forestchook]

I sent a letter/e-mail last night charging them £50 for wasting my time

Given that I had already spoken to them about their first letter which basically asked me to read the meter for them. 20 minutes on hold before I could speak to anyone, and the person implied they had not even tried to read my meter before sending the letter out Rang my service provider to tell them their sub contractor was asking their customers to do their job for them and was told 1) they did not require a reading and 2) they had not heard of this company!

 

Interrestingly I realised this morning the lastest 'we have visited but were unable to read your meter' letter is pre-printed with my name and address Somehow I doubt the meter reader carries either a stock of pre printed letters for all the houses he has to visit or a printer with him on his rounds.

 

I have kindly offered to provide any information they require e.g. a photograph locating the meter box for the meter read, at £40 a hour plus expenses. I have also offer to meet their operative at the property for £150.

 

I suspect I may have to offer to send my 'representive' to their head offices (£75 an hour plus 45p a mile) in order to get any sort of satisfactory response.

 

Ironically, the meter in question is already capped off due to renovations, a fact my service provider is fully aware of.

 

N

[Chortle Chook]

Drape yourself over it in your cossie like the women in car ads - suspect they'll have no probs finding then.

You did make me laugh

[Charlottechicken]

What is it with meter readers and outdoor meter boxes though?!

 

I had a meter reader do the same thing after just having had the meter installed outside (at my expense). My mum was pestered for years by a meter reader who insisted she must have a gas meter, when she had solid fuel central heating, so no gas in the house

[redhotchick]

Years ago my OH wasn't able to be in to let the gas meter reader in, for a period of time which exceeded that which was acceptable to the supplier. They gained entrance and fitted a card meter. I don't know the details but my OH isn't willing to compromise when he thinks he is right!

I do know he never owed them anything. His energy use was so low they didn't believe it. He was mostly in my house or away. He would have had to pay to have it removed again (and be available for it to happen). Instead he paid the higher costs associated with having a card meter. Fortunately after many years he sold the house. Thank goodness!

The Gas Supplier was difficult to contact and reason with, plus my OH didn't have the time for sorting it out.

[Forestchook]

Update : No reply to a e-mail I sent (last week) yet but I yesterday there was an automated phone message asking me to provide a gas meter reading.

 

N