Meter Plus

cats_arent_just_for_xmas

Hello, I'm an NPower customer and have been for many many years. I pay DD each month and have recently been given a large refund as I had paid too much. My complaint is with Meter Plus, I was advised that MeterPlus would have to come and check my meters and for personal reasons, I requested that they send a female representative. I was told that this wasn't possible and was advised to get someone to be with me when they called. I have to admit that the lady from NPower was very helpful and said that she could narrow down the time to within an hour. So I had originally arranged an appointment for today but because I would be alone we changed the appointment to 9th December. Low and behold at 8.30 this morning there was a knock on the door and it was a man from Meterplus. I was so shocked I didn't have time to say yes, no, or simply close the front door. I am absolutely traumatized by this intrusion and feel physically sick now. I called NPower to tell them what happened. They have of course apologised and said they would contact Meterplus.

I am incensed that vulnerable customer's cannot be catered for, and a simple request for a female to be present at the inspection appointment could not be made. I also don't understand why they needed to inspect the meter's, as I put in my readings on time and online. Should I complain to the energy regulator?

zax47

Do you really object to having a a man spending a whole 30 seconds to a minute in your house to do his daily job?

They need to inspect your meters to make sure you aren't on the fiddle!!

If it's that vital for you to have a female accompany you during such a visit then couldn't you get a neighbour to help out.

macman

The meter requires a statutory inspection at a minimum of 2 year intervals. This is for your safety. They can if necessary obtain a court order to forcibly enter the property for this purpose.
I can't ever recall having my meter read by a female, though I don't keep records.
No you can't complain to the regulator until you have gone through the company's own complaints procedure.
You had the option of declining him admittance if you so wished.

undaunted

I'm sorry to read of your distress. Obviously it could be inappropriate to detail why you are so distressed on a public forum but unlike some posters I assume you have a good / genuine reason for your request.

I'd suggest that you put your complaint in writing rather than rely on the phone or them "contacting Meter Plus" (if it's left to a call centre operative you may well find that they don't do as they've said) detailing your complaint and if you wish your reasons / why you felt unable to just refuse him entry as another poster has suggested.

If you fail to get a satisfactory resolution in due course you can take your complaint to the Energy Ombudsman rather than the Regulator (rightly or wrongly Ofgem do not get involved in individual complaints I'm afraid)

cats_arent_just_for_xmas

zax47 wrote: »

Do you really object to having a a man spending a whole 30 seconds to a minute in your house to do his daily job?

They need to inspect your meters to make sure you aren't on the fiddle!!

If it's that vital for you to have a female accompany you during such a visit then couldn't you get a neighbour to help out.

Yes, I do object to having a stranger in my home. Had I been visited on the correct day, I would have most definitely had someone with me.

Yes I could have refused entry if I had been given the opportunity and not in such a frightened, off guard state, but it is difficult to speak let alone think clearly when confronted with your fears.

undaunted

cats_arent_just_for_xmas wrote: »

Yes, I do object to having a stranger in my home. Had I been visited on the correct day, I would have most definitely had someone with me.

Yes I could have refused entry if I had been given the opportunity and not in such a frightened, off guard state, but it is difficult to speak let alone think clearly when confronted with your fears.

:grouphug:

zax47

undaunted wrote: »

If you fail to get a satisfactory resolution in due course you can take your complaint to the Energy Ombudsman rather than the Regulator (rightly or wrongly Ofgem do not get involved in individual complaints I'm afraid)

Unless you can find something which states you have a legal right to dictate the gender of your meter reader then then the EO isn't going to touch this with the proverbial bargepole. Funnily enough, Companies aren't legally obliged to accomodate every request made to them.....

macman

Had he forced his way in then you would have every right to complain. But since he didn't, what your complaint would amount to is that a meter reader rang your doorbell a day early. If your situation is such that you feel unable to knowingly open the door to a man, then the solution is to install an external meter box and have the meter moved, which would be at your expense.

undaunted

cats_arent_just_for_xmas wrote: »

I was advised that MeterPlus would have to come and check my meters and for personal reasons, I requested that they send a female representative.

I was told that this wasn't possible and was advised to get someone to be with me when they called.

I have to admit that the lady from NPower was very helpful and said that she could narrow down the time to within an hour. So I had originally arranged an appointment for today but because I would be alone we changed the appointment to 9th December.

Low and behold at 8.30 this morning there was a knock on the door and it was a man from Meterplus. I was so shocked I didn't have time to say yes, no, or simply close the front door. I am absolutely traumatized by this intrusion and feel physically sick now.

The insensitive nature of some of these replies is appalling. Whilst I can only guess at what motive the original poster may have had for their request it almost certainly wasn't mere whim!

Her complaint would therefore be legitimate enough in my opinion - ie that she made a specific enquiry which she was told they could not accomodate. She accepted this and trherefore made alternative arrangements with the supplier.

Having made this agreement with her they failed to fulfill it which the poster states has caused her considerable distress in her own home. No supplier has the right to do so!

SYNERGY

cats_arent_just_for_xmas wrote: »

Hello, I'm an NPower customer and have been for many many years. I pay DD each month and have recently been given a large refund as I had paid too much. My complaint is with Meter Plus, I was advised that MeterPlus would have to come and check my meters and for personal reasons, I requested that they send a female representative. I was told that this wasn't possible and was advised to get someone to be with me when they called. I have to admit that the lady from NPower was very helpful and said that she could narrow down the time to within an hour. So I had originally arranged an appointment for today but because I would be alone we changed the appointment to 9th December. Low and behold at 8.30 this morning there was a knock on the door and it was a man from Meterplus. I was so shocked I didn't have time to say yes, no, or simply close the front door. I am absolutely traumatized by this intrusion and feel physically sick now. I called NPower to tell them what happened. They have of course apologised and said they would contact Meterplus.

I am incensed that vulnerable customer's cannot be catered for, and a simple request for a female to be present at the inspection appointment could not be made. I also don't understand why they needed to inspect the meter's, as I put in my readings on time and online. Should I complain to the energy regulator?

You said the following:

Low and behold at 8.30 this morning there was a knock on the door and it was a man from Meterplus. I was so shocked I didn't have time to say yes, no, or simply close the front door.

I am absolutely traumatized by this intrusion and feel physically sick now.

Could I respectfully suggest that due to the obvious trauma you appear to be overcome by, when a stranger enters your home, that you do the following.

BEFORE YOU OPEN THE DOOR.

1) Make sure who is calling, check their ID by asking to see their ID either via a card slot, letterbox or through the window.

2) Phone the company they purport to represent to verify who they are and why they are there, ID card number etc.

3) Phone a friend or neighbour to call round.

4) Make sure you are happy for them to enter your home.

If you are unsure of 1), 2), 3) or 4) DO NOT, I REPEAT, DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR.

It may appear harsh to say, but if you hadn't opened the door and invited the meter reader in, you wouldn't feel sick and traumatised.

We can't go around blaming everyone else all the time, we are responsible for the consequences of our own actions.

*dietcoke*

i want my electric meter moving i am currently residing in south yorkshire who do i contact ?

National grid ? or someone else

TIA