Scottish Power Faulty Meter for at least 10 months!

Shedgirl

I'm wondering if anyone out there can give me some help here. I've just discovered that my electric meter has not been working for approximately a year. Nothing has registered in that time AT ALL!! Where on earth do I go from here? The Scottish Power woman on the phone said "I see you haven't been using any electricity for quite some time" , after I questioned the fact that I was due approx £700 rebate! I nearly died. I'm going to kick up a stink tomorrow on the phone but would like to have some sort of preparation beforehand. I've been paying out my £70 a month DD (hence the £700)...but the question is do THEY know how much I've been using?!? Am I overpaid, or underpaid. How the hell do I know? Any thoughts anyone? Thanks so much.

insanegloss

First of all, don't worry, it's nobody's fault as meters can and do fail.

They have no idea how much you've really used in that time, and you will need to organise a replacement meter with them. It is at this point you negotiate the 'removal' read of the meter (essentially negotiating your bill to that point)

It is up to you what you think is fair for a bill.

I hope that helps.

jalexa

Shedgirl wrote: »

I'm going to kick up a stink tomorrow.

Why would you do that? The meter is proof positive of consumption unless successfully challenged as faulty. If they are smart, Scottish Power will inspect and/or replace the meter and test the removed meter. If found to be faulty then they will seek to agree an estimated consumption. BTW you would be a party to that agreement.

I'm not certain what the meter reading and statement frequency is on your contract. That is relevant to who's oversight has allowed this issue to run for 10 months. For example have you been submitting regular readings which Scottish Power have interpreted as "no-use" rather than "meter stuck"? Have you ignored any meter reader calling cards?

You are not in trouble by your answer but it can affect your rights.

You will do better to engage amicably with Scottish Power rather than "kicking up a stink".

Shedgirl

Thankyou so much for your reply. I'm worried because of the not knowing. The woman was pretty clueless to be honest, and just left it at that...I'm getting a new meter 6th Jan, but no mention at all of what happens now. Another reason to worry is how do they or the user know if a meter is faulty? I'm supposed to put in my readings on the website but sorry to say I didn't do so for months. The negotiating an amount thing - how does that work because the last two winters have been horrendous and an average based on those periods wouldn't relate to this winter. If I was dishonest, I could have agreed with her and said, "yes, I've been living in Spain for 10 months " I just don't know how this is going to work to be honest.

insanegloss

Its really fairly straightforward, nothing to worry about, they will estimate the consumption and ask you what you think. You can then negotiate ("I don't think I would of used that much for X reason") and repeat until your happy with what you believe to be a fair figure.

jalexa

Shedgirl wrote: »

I'm getting a new meter 6th Jan, but no mention at all of what happens now.

TBH the ball is in Scottish Power's court. Make sure you take a photograph of the old meter before it is removed. When the meter is replaced make sure you get (and keep safely) a card stating the old meter reading and the new meter start reading. Take a photograph of the new meter start reading.

Early days as to estimating. Let Scottish Power show their hand first.

Shedgirl

Thanks Jalexa. I'm not really going to go in with all guns blazing but I am dissatisfied with the lack of help given on the phone. Yes, I'm wrong in not giving my readings -I hold my hands up to that. But the customer service was not good.

SYNERGY

jalexa wrote: »

TBH the ball is in Scottish Power's court. Make sure you take a photograph of the old meter before it is removed. When the meter is replaced make sure you get (and keep safely) a card stating the old meter reading and the new meter start reading. Take a photograph of the new meter start reading.

Early days as to estimating. Let Scottish Power show their hand first.

When the meter is replaced make sure you get (and keep safely) a card stating the old meter reading and the new meter start reading.

Not forgetting a note / photo of both old and new meter serial numbers, it's not unknown for these to be either incorrectly noted by the meter fitter, or incorrectly input on to the system.

You don't want any further meter problems. :eek:

Shedgirl

All replies have been extremely helpful. Thankyou both. As a consumer, I feel a bit more confident of how the law lies now .... we are all pretty clueless when it comes to issues like this. Faulty meters are a reality yes, and it does make you wonder how many there are out there. Even wrong settings for off peak etc, could mean hundreds over a long period. I'm thinking of elderly and vulnerable people in particular. Are meters checked or monitored? It's slightly concernng. A friend of my parents, and elderly lady, was crying last week as she told them of her bill from Scottish Gas for £1000.. apparently she had underpaid. Heck that's a lot. Another meter malfunction?

Shedgirl

Brilliant Synergy. I would never have thought of this. I'm feeling a bit more confident now, but still worried that they may demand more than the £70 I've been paying. My storage heaters are never on because they are ancient, expensive and crap....oil filled radiator in my studio, and the usual wee electric heater or two in the house, with a woodburner. In general the house is baltic in the winter so if they demand more from me I'll weep!

johnatho

Well, since your meter is not turning you can turn up the heating until 6th Jan. :j

Just make sure with all the electricity you will be using until then that it doesn't kick start it.