Eon & unjustified legal threats

CarlBateman

Just a quick warning about Eon.

They recently contacted me to arrange an appointment to inspect our gas meter, mystifyingly they also felt the need to threaten court action.

If this is is their idea of customer service then I strongly recommend everyone to steer clear of them. Naturally, I'll be changing suppliers and complaining to their CEO as soon as possible.

backfoot

Indeed a mystifying set of circumstances.

Are you sure there isn't anything else you want to tell us?

This happened on first contact? :eek:

In writing or verbal?

Can you scan in the correspondence,removing any personal identifying detail?

I am sure the Eon Reps will have a look at the whole story for you.

KimYeovil

I think more an overly-emotional reaction to a blandly worded informative statement. If access is not granted then legal action does have to be taken - the supplier has a legal obligation to inspect the meter.

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Hi CarlBateman

I suspect the appointment you refer to is a 'Must Inspect' one.

As Kim says, we have a legal responsibility to inspect gas meters at least once every 21 months. If we've not been able to do this during the normal course of business, we do write to customers to make an appointment.

As there are safety issues involved, the letters do highlight the importance of the inspection.

Recourse to warrants is a last resort. It is included to advise customers of what ultimately might happen if we are unable to gain access to carry out this very necessary work.

These are standard communications which are meant to cover all the relevant points and, as such, can sometimes come across a bit terse. Sorry about this but the work does need to be done and this is the message we're trying to put across.

Apologies if I'm barking up the wrong tree CarlBateman. Let me know more details if I am and I will be happy to look at this again.

Malc

CarlBateman

Problem solved, I've switched supplier.

Tupperware_Queen

will the new supplier not still need to check the meter?

Premier_2

Tupperware_Queen wrote: »

will the new supplier not still need to check the meter?

spiro

Tupperware_Queen wrote: »

will the new supplier not still need to check the meter?

Yes within the next month or so, so expect a similarly worded letter from your new supplier.

Tupperware_Queen

Premier wrote: »

love it!!!

the OP has wasted his time then really - should have just let Eon in!

I have had several visits from the supplier and Transco (leaking gas meter!!!) and the landlord appointed safety inspector since moving in 6 months ago - its for the safety of me and my family, so whilst it is indeed a pain in the bum, its essential. I got a very strongly worded letter from the landlords agent, threatening legal action etc - because they had tried to visit between the old tenant leaving, and me moving in. I just rang them to explain, and it was fine. People who don't respond and refuse entry are the ones who ultimately are the reason the stroppy sounding letters are sent in the first instance.

sorry OP, but I think on this occasion Eon were in the right.

grahamc2003

Nice one Premier!

If the meter hasn't been read for a well over a year (as appears to be the case), I'm not sure whether a supplier transfer is possible with so many recent readings either being estimated or customer reads. The op may have brought on an even earlier read/inspection! So the op hasn't switched supplier - he's just put in place the very first steps, and the switching process will probably be delayed or extended until the meter reading company (which isn't the supplier, new or old, anyhow, I don't think) gains access.

t0rt0ise

They probably are in the right but I have to admit that when letters arrive with aggressive wording at the start, it really does get my back up too. I don't know the wording of Eon's letter so can't comment but I used to get one in my last rented house when the time for the gas boiler inspection came around. It really was a nasty threatening letter from the first contact. Totally unnecessary. Treating everyone like irresponsible scum just because some people are, is not the way to go.