Atlantic don't know our electric usage!!

phoebe03cat

Around August time I realised we were being ripped off with economy 7(Thanks mse) and changed meter to standard tariff. We then went on a fanatical economy drive! Logged onto online payment last month to discover that Atlantic still thought we had old meter. Seimans who installed the new one had not informed them it had been changed(even though Atlantic made the appt.) nor had they logged the old meter reading before it went, nor the new meter reading of new meter. Apparently they can be started at any point, not necessarily at zero. Now Atlantic say they will have to gestimate our usage since Aug. based on previous usage.Well we have been on an economy drive haven't we!
Words are (temporarily) failing me on this. Obviously I will contest the whole basis of their use of an estimate but....any ideas of how to maximise on the compensation.. :mad:

ceebee_2

When our meter (Southern Electric) was changed a couple of years ago, the electrician left a sticky label near the meter which showed the date and the old meter reading. Have you checked?

For the record, I always take meter readings, and record them, approx. every month.

phoebe03cat

Hi yes I did check that one thanks. No, no sign of anything and no information sent back to Atlantic. They too, needless to say are not very happy. I have got a complaint opened with Seimans, but can't quite believe the incompetence!

Cardew

Why not wait until you get the 'gestimate' and if you think it unreasonable(because of your 'fanatical economy drive') put in for a reduction.

Did you not take any readings at all to monitor how well your 'fanatical economy drive' was going in the 5/6 months since August?

lindens

I used to work in the electric industry and this unfortunate event happens all too often I'm afraid.
There is not much you can do as neither Atlantic, siemens nor more importantly yourselves have any meter readings. I always keep a monthly check on my readings, and most certainly would have noted the readings had i known my meter was going to be changed.
I would do as suggested, wait for the gestimate and go from there. Siemens wont be very interested if you deal with them directly as your contract is with the supplier, Atlantic, as is theirs. ie their contract is not with you = not interested.
If you really don't get any joy out of Atlantic, go to Energywatch who are the Watchdog for the electricity industry, but you should exhaust all of your avenues with atlantic really before you go to Energywatch.

phoebe03cat

Thanks lindens. I have to say Atlantic are doing all they can to sort out the mess. Hopefully we can get an accommodation. Can I get this clear though that - nobody has a contractual obligation to the consumer?-

Cardew

phoebe03cat wrote:

Thanks lindens. I have to say Atlantic are doing all they can to sort out the mess. Hopefully we can get an accommodation. Can I get this clear though that - nobody has a contractual obligation to the consumer?-

I really am not certain what you expect to happen!

Someone has made a mess about recording meter readings after your new meter was fitted. According to you, Atlantic are doing everything to sort out the mess.

With all due respect it is hardly the gravest crisis. All it amounts to is that you are worried that your efforts in economising since August might not be recognised; but not having read the meter yourself you have no idea how much your savings should be; and Atlantic have not yet given you a figure.

You say you want to know how to "maximise your compensation". Well think of a figure and put it to them - why not try for free electricty from August and see what they say.

Incidentally you say in your original post you were being 'ripped off' by being on E7. To be on a published tariff that either you, or an earlier occupant, had requested is hardly a definition of being 'ripped off.'

Tim_L

It's always worth phoning in actual readings as often as you can. This is for a couple of reasons, firstly many of the meter reading companies claim they have read your meter when they have never been near it (I suspect they are paid per reading and falsify accounts when they can't get in) and this can lead to wildly inaccurate bills.

Secondly if you do happen to get an underestimated bill you can end up eventually paying the excess after a price rise.

So best to keep things up to date in my opinon. It's easy enough to do.

phoebe03cat

Cardew wrote:

.

You say you want to know how to "maximise your compensation". Well think of a figure and put it to them - why not try for free electricty from August and see what they say.

]Many thanks for this advice. Finally sorted out the mess with Atlantic which did compound as we went along. Final result x5 months free electricity. :beer: