Meter needs changing due to fault but just changed suppliers

RobertPBham

Hi folks,

I'm hoping someone can offer a little advice.

I've just transferred suppliers from Eon to EDF and everything has just completed - 5th Oct.

I have received a letter from Eon dated the 3rd Oct that they need to replace my meter due to a fault.

I need to contact the Metering Services to arrange for this to happen (this is absolutely fine). My concern is, as the letter is from Eon, but I'm now with EDF do I need to speak to EDF before the metering services or does this not matter?

I'm based in the West Midlands area and was wondering if Eon look after all the meters in this area. My meter has a label that states it is the property of Eon - its a new build apartment which I purchased nearly 4 years ago.

Thanks for all your help
Rob

macman

The regional distributor owns the meters, not your individual supplier. So nothing to do with EDF.

Terrylw1

The meters are owned by a Meter Asset Manager (MAM), not the distributor. These MAM's may be owned by suppliers, distributors or any company though but their industry role is conducted regardless of ownership.

When you switch the old suppliers de-appoints their Meter Operator and their relationship with the MAM ends.

Anything now sits only with your new supplier.

Is it even faulty though? If your meter is faulty, suppliers don't tell customers to do this, they can't since the industry process instructs the supplier to send them out.

I'm wondering is this is a good advisor with your old supplier trying to get you to call your new supplier but making a mistake in thinking customers can contact a Meter Operator direct to report a fault?

Ask Eon to confirm the issue, use the board reps for this ratter than chance a call centre. Then contact the new supplier to take it forward.

It could even be a possible error, so requires investigation first.

Faults can affect your switch reading if the meter is slow or fast hence a recalculation is required.

RobertPBham

Thanks for all the advice - I'll give EDF a call.

The letter stated that the fault is due to the display failing and hence needs to be changed. I do remember seeing my next door neighbours meter not working (they are all stored in the same cupboard) and that was replaced but that was at least 3 years ago now.

Terrylw1

The supplier has to do that for you, they shouldn't tell you to call a Meter Operator. For a start, EDF might have contracted a new one.

Give EDF a call and ask them to book out a fault investigation job.

Just a question though...how did Eon know? If it came off the back of a meter reader visit, fair enough but otherwise they wouldn't be able to deduce this.

You could easily spot this by checking the display and making sure you can read it and take a reading. I though you had done this for your switch?

RobertPBham

Hi Terry,

My meter is working absolutely fine - no issues at all. I think they were implying that they have had a batch of faulty ones and as mine has come from the same batch, it could go faulty and hence them wanting to change it.

I spoke with Eon this morning and they have told me that EDF have just changed meter provider and it isn't them anymore, so I need to wait for a letter from EDF etc etc.

I'm going to wait for the letter from EDF as everything is working fine! :-)

Thanks
Rob

Wywth

RobertPBham wrote: »

Thanks for all the advice - I'll give EDF a call...

So how did you get on? What did EDF say?

RobertPBham

Hi Wywth,

I spoke to EDF initially and they said to speak to Eon - Eon have said to wait for a letter from EDF as EDF no longer use them for meter changes.

It's never easy! lol

Terrylw1

You are getting bounced around by both.

A customer never speaks to the Meter Operator for a meter fault, its the current suppliers responsibility.

The old supplier cannot take actions to investigate a meter using a Meter Operator after the switch date since they deappoint them and the new supplier appoints one they use for your region.

I don't think this is anything more than a possible issue flagged by data. If its a batch of meters, it will be a well known issues which will most likely be assigned in a project to ensure they are all resolved.

Since meters in a batch may be for one supplier and not another, EDF might have no knowledge of Eon's meter batch problem.

To resolve this, ask Eon to confirm the fault & why/how they found it. If its anything other than a reported issue with a batch of meters and you can see its working fine, its nothing more than a potential problem.

RobertPBham

Hi Terry,

I spoke with someone who was very helpful at EDF today and they have said not to worry about it. If it was a safety issue, they would replace the meter straight away, but as this isn't, it's nothing to worry about.

If the meter display does go faulty or looks as if it's going faulty, I just need to ring them and they will replace it.

That's great as I don't need to worry about it anymore as I hate having things outstanding - these things always seem to crop up just as you switch suppliers! :-)

Thanks for everyone's help
Rob

CloverLeaf

Hi,

The very same thing had just happened to me - Eon issued an 'exchange meter' letter on the 5th Oct, the day after I changed over to a new supplier. Eon have advised as such, it is now nothing to do with them - the meter 'agency' (my word) will be dealing with my new supplier. My new supplier has confirmed all details regarding the meter will be passed to them, it will take about 30 days and they will contact me after that if they need to exchange the meter. Hey ho.....