Scottish Power Faulty Meter for at least 10 months!

Ally74

Shedgirl wrote: »

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.

Do you have gas central heating or electric?

If it's the latter then please remember when negotiating that we have just had one of the mildest Novembers on record, hence why you have never used your heating at all in those 10 months.

Shedgirl

I've just got electric. Storage heaters, which are never on as \Isaid before and the usual stuff. Certainly nothing excessive. This is the thing which confuses me - how on earth to work out an estimate due to the dreadfully cold past two winters, coupled with this really mild period. The lady said she noticed I had used NO power at all in the past 10months!

Shedgirl

I forgot to mention that apparently there's a cheque in the post for the £689. Needless to say I won't be paying it in! (This happened before I twigged that something wasn't quite right.)

[Deleted User]

Hi,

they will probably base it on your previous average over the last two winters, and knock a bit off for nuisance value.

Or, see what you use for a month or so after new meter fitted.

The customer usually comes out to the good.

Oh, you say you are paying £70p/m, what were you paying previous winters, remember there has been a few increases.

macman

I fail to see why you would 'kick up a stink' if you haven't bothered taking and submitting readings for 10 months? The supplier has a legal obligation to read the meter only once every 2 years, all other readings are up to you unless you want to have your DD's based on estimated bills. You should be reading at least quarterly to coincide with your billing cycle.
Invariably in these cases where consumption has to be estimated, the customer comes out ahead.

Shedgirl

Frugalmacduga l(great name!) I was paying about 100 for a while and ended up quite a bit in credit so managed to get payments down to 70. Sometimes I wish I was living in a beautifully insulated modern house instead of a cottage! The last 2 winters were so bitterly cold here and I used more power because of that I'm certain. So I'll have to be really on the ball when they/we try to work a figuire out.

jalexa

Shedgirl wrote: »

I forgot to mention that apparently there's a cheque in the post for the £689. Needless to say I won't be paying it in!

I think it might be better to cash the cheque and either pay it back to your energy account or (if possible:D) keep it safe until the bill is sorted.

Shedgirl

Macman the 'kicking up stink' phrase was used probably as a result of a knee jerk reaction, based upon lack of knowledge. The woman on the phone offered very little help - in fact none- so therefore I am totally in the dark here. As I said in a previous post I hold myself to blame to an extent for not submitting readings and of course I realise that machines do malfunction. When I phone back tomorrow, I'll certainly have questions to ask about the customer service, or in this event lack of it. Not an iota of guidance has been offered. The product they have 'sold' me is faulty and I feel it's my right as a consumer to demand help, advice and guidance - in a civil manner, yes.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

Shedgirl wrote: »

Frugalmacduga l(great name!)

Thanks.

You say there's a cheque on its way to you.

Thing is, what might happen once things are sorted out, they will bump up your DD to collect what you have used last 10 months, and future usage.

Shedgirl

Jalexa I wouldn't feel happy doing that, and besides the woman told me to tear it up.