Meter reader damaged box - E.On says tough

C_Mababejive

Meterbox is down to householder.

Check this website for spares

http://www.meterboxes.co.uk/

Terrylw1

C_Mababejive wrote: »

Meterbox is down to householder.

Check this website for spares

http://www.meterboxes.co.uk/

The issue is that the meter reader has damaged the meter box and the completely incorrect information provided by the supplier.

Whether its a meter box or a plant pot (per other thread) the issue would be the same, damage to your property since you have to replace it.

Given the meter reader is likely to deny it or maybe it was vandalised, there is no real proof. However, its a common problem as revealed by sacsquacco hence the agent is likely to understand and if its pennies, just resolve it.

Terrylw1

undaunted wrote: »

Sorry I think I've made myself a little unclear as you & I basically agree.

I meant Chanz4 statement that it wasn't in the suppliers contract of responsibility was ared herring.

I would expect the customer to contact the supplier in the first instance. Whether supplier then wishes to just end it & provide a lock or pass it on to their contractor to do so is neither here nor there I don't think just as long as one of them fixes the lock that they / their representative broke.

Where Chanz4 & I do agree on this occasion though is that as I said above if they deny breaking the lock it will probably be difficult for the customer to prove otherwise.

As you say they could state that they will take it to the Ombudsman, I doubt the Ombudsmans decision would get them a lock but perhaps it would incur the supplier in more costs than its worth to find out

Ah, I read it the other way. Totally agree.

Does the ombudsman cover agents though? I'm wondering if the ombudsman would say its not in their remit and waive the charge? Hopefully not, hence I'm sure the supplier will be eager to avoid the cost of that.

undaunted

I'd have thought this fell within their terms of reference as being associated with metering & billing

Services

The services provided by Participating Companies of the Ombudsman Services: Energy which will be covered by, and fall within the jurisdiction of, the Ombudsman and the Ombudsman Services: Energy are the services associated with the metering and billing of customers for the supply of energy, the transfer of customers between energy suppliers, sales of products and services and the provision of regulated products and services by holders of a gas transportation licence or electricity distribution licence.

chanz4

They only get charged, if the case is accepted. A data collector is not covered as they don't hold a license in the same way as a supplier / distrubutor

Terrylw1

They cover distributors and they cover billing & metering. So, its a service related to the billing since its a reading on behalf of the supplier.

The ombudsman hopefully covers it from that angle.

E.ON_Company_Rep_Chris

I’m sorry to come in so late on this one Robert.

I’m not sure our advisor has dealt with this correctly

If our meter reader took a gas reading while you were away and now you can’t open the box then I think it’s fair to say that they caused the damage to the lock. We’d make a complaint on your behalf and contact the meter readers to investigate and arrange a repair.

If for any reason, we find that the meter reader is not responsible. Then we would ask you to contact National Grid to arrange the repair. If it’s just a replacement lock or hinge this is often free of charge.

I’m sorry that this wasn’t explained to you when you called. If you’d like me to help, just email your details to the address on my profile and I’ll see what’s going on.

[Deleted User]

National Grid will definitely not come out and repair the sheared lock for free, and if the meter reader says he did nt " cause " the lock breaking, ( it was possibly weakened by prior use or the lock had recieved zero maintenance ) its back to square one. I , m surprised the EON rep could nt just say heres a new lock (costs 50p ) to avoid the OP getting on the comp sites in retaliation. eon still say "tough "

chanz4

Its cost mate

lemontart

E.ON_Company_Rep_Amanda wrote: »

I’m sorry to come in so late on this one Robert.
r.

If for any reason, we find that the meter reader is not responsible. Then we would ask you to contact National Grid to arrange the repair. If it’s just a replacement lock or hinge this is often free of charge.
.

This is 100 per cent incorrect advise it is not free of charge - Under the Gas Act 1996 the meter box is part of the fabric of the property and as such it is the responsibility of the property owner/occupier to ensure it is adequately maintained. All repair / replacement work is chargeable.


http://www.nationalgrid.com/uk/Gas/Connections/GasServices/MeterBoxSpares/

http://www.nationalgrid.com/uk/Gas/Connections/GasServices/MeterBoxSpares/MeterBoxSparesChargesNetwork.htm