Eon - why the estimated readings?

ScarletBea

I'm really annoyed, because for the first time my bill came with estimated readings.
I'm in a complex of 4 apartment buildings, most of which are with Eon. The meters are in locked rooms and only the concierge/caretaker have access.
It would be much easier for the Eon person to arrive, ask for the key and read 30-50 meters, than every person going to the concierge, asking for a reading, they note it down and the next day we have the numbers on our mailbox.
Anyway, tomorrow I'll have to go ask them.

I'm pretty sure my reading will be lower than what they estimated because this quarter was the first one with single occupancy (no one in all day), so it's bound to be lower usage...

On the bright side, I'm getting £60 back from my credit account

kippen_noedel

If you have E7, you might want to look at alternative suppliers, E-ON are notoriously expensive for that type of tariff.

mattcanary

Is the concierge/caretaker there all the time ScarletBea?

If not, quite possible meter-man came when he/she wasn't there?

Also bear in mind that it may not be Eon who actually read your meter. It depends what contracts between suppliers are in place in your neck of the woods. For example, in East Anglia MeterU read gas and electric meters on behalf of Eon (as well as for some other suppliers).

Unfortunately the notes on the hand-held machine used to inform the suppliers of the readings taken are normally wholly inadequate. They are normally about 16-17 years out of date!!! It is very unlikely that the meter-man will have details of how to contact the caretaker if they are not about. Mind you, the meter-man should have used a bit of initiative by knocking on doors and asking residents.
Would have been in the interests of the meter-man as well in all likelihood, as they often get paid based upon the nu,ber and percentage of meters read. I loved meters in these locations - you could read them all really quickly once getting access - meaning loadsa dosh!

E.ON_Company_Representative

Hi ScarletBea,

Sorry you’ve received an estimated bill; I understand this can be frustrating.

Estimated bills unfortunately are not an uncommon occurrence in the industry, this usually happens when our meter reading agents are unable to access the meter to obtain a reading.

In the case of communal meters, I’d expect the meter reader to ask the concierge for access, maybe in this instant the concierge was unavailable.

Would the meter reader be aware that there was a concierge to ask for access? Not all apartment/flats complexes have caretakers or concierge on site at all times.

Like I say sorry we couldn’t get a reading this time, if you send the actual to us by phone, email, letter, online or even through me, we’ll get you an amended bill issued.

Just out of interest, have you got an online account with us? If you have we should have emailed you to advise that the bill was going to be estimated. The email would have asked for an actual reading.

If you’re not online maybe this is a facility you’ll find useful for the future. If you want more information, please give me a shout.

Brian

ScarletBea

Thanks for your reply.
I did get a mail, but I had one last time and when I was going to reply the next day with my reading (I asked the concierge), I got my normal bill with an official reading anyway, so I thought it would be the same this time.

Yes, it might have been a time when they were not around.

Matt, they know, this is quite a recent build and it's not the first time.

I will ask for the reading today and send it to Eon, thanks.

mattcanary

You would think they would know, ScarletBea.

Unfortunatey, there is often a ngeneral lack of communication in the gas and electric industry. If contracted firms (rather than EON directly) read meters in your area, they do not get told by the supplier of any access arrangements : eg: phone number to contact concierge on to arrange access at a later time.
Daft but true.
And normally, a different meter reader (who works from home and has very little contact with other meter-readers) reads your meter each quarter. So they cannot go from previous experience.
Of course, what should happen is for regular meetings to be held where meter-readers attend and report back on any special access arrangements for future info. Or you could have a newsletter produced say each month that contains such details.
Neither happens.

Anyway, glad you got the issue sorted.

ScarletBea

Hi Brian, I now have the true readings, and as I expected they're quite lower than the estimated.
I've submitted them online and also used the form to send an email to the company, asking for a revised bill.

The new values will increase my credit amount from £60 to over £100, so I'd really like to see this solved this quarter.

Thanks for your help with this - I was going to send you a PM with my account number, but you're not allowed.

E.ON_Company_Representative

Hi ScarletBea,

Sorry there's no PM function, this was removed from company representatives some time ago.

I have a personal email address for customer use in my profile; if you still want my assistance please feel free to email me.

Brian