Think Gas Meter is Broken but we put in cust readings which were wrong.

LegoBrick

We are with Utility Warehouse for our gas and electricity.

For years we've been supplying the gas readings on the meter when we remember to.

However back in November 2012 and again in December 2012 we couldn't enter the readings we had on the gas as they were "out of range" on the website. So my other half decided just to put the estimated value + 1 and get something registered.

However after looking at our notes I realise that our gas meter has had the same reading since march 2011. Which obviously means it's broken.

Had I realised before now and we'd not put in the "made up readings" in Nov 12 and Dec 12 - I could just own up to the meter obviously being wrong and we'd negociate the plan from there.

However because the other half put in two made up readings - just to get any readings into the system we've given two false readings - even if they were based on the estimate +1.

So I'm wanting advice on how best to resolve this without getting us into major trouble. We've had the meter reading people come round in the meantime twice to read the gas reader but their numbers haven't come up on the system yet it seems.

All of our gas bill from Nov 2011 to today has been based on estimates from the company and we have been paying. So I'm hoping that once the meter is fixed we won't be out by a huge amount. We do have a history with utility warehouse that they can compare our consumption between 2009-2010 as a model for our actual usage so I'm hoping that we can come a reasonable arrangement once everything gets fixed.

Before I go and call them about this and try and sort things out - I thought I'd ask for advice on how best to handle this all.

My rough idea was based on the following
1) Getting the meter fixed - not sure if this something that Utility Warehouse have to set up or I can arrange independently with British Gas?
2) Sitting down with a calculator to figure out our actual use based on our usage in 2009-2011 for the second half of 2011 till now?
3) Contacting Utility warehouse and fessing up to giving dodgy readings which were higher than our actual measurement.

I can see that there's a possibility of fraud being claimed if we stupidly put inaccurate readings which were higher than our meter. I can also see they will be furious that we never reported the meter wasn't working properly.

Any advice on how to handle this? Should I be calling a 3rd party to help smooth the waters (Citizens advice or Trading standards or a solicitor etc)....

Thanks in advance folks

Oh and I'm not posting on as my usual user id as I don't want to out myself on this just yet - just in case.

Wywth

LegoBrick wrote: »

We are with Utility Warehouse for our gas and electricity.

For years we've been supplying the gas readings on the meter when we remember to.

However back in November 2012 and again in December 2012 we couldn't enter the readings we had on the gas as they were "out of range" on the website. So my other half decided just to put the estimated value + 1 and get something registered.

However after looking at our notes I realise that our gas meter has had the same reading since march 2011. Which obviously means it's broken.

Had I realised before now and we'd not put in the "made up readings" in Nov 12 and Dec 12 - I could just own up to the meter obviously being wrong and we'd negociate the plan from there.

However because the other half put in two made up readings - just to get any readings into the system we've given two false readings - even if they were based on the estimate +1.

So I'm wanting advice on how best to resolve this without getting us into major trouble. We've had the meter reading people come round in the meantime twice to read the gas reader but their numbers haven't come up on the system yet it seems.

All of our gas bill from Nov 2011 to today has been based on estimates from the company and we have been paying. So I'm hoping that once the meter is fixed we won't be out by a huge amount. We do have a history with utility warehouse that they can compare our consumption between 2009-2010 as a model for our actual usage so I'm hoping that we can come a reasonable arrangement once everything gets fixed.

Before I go and call them about this and try and sort things out - I thought I'd ask for advice on how best to handle this all.

My rough idea was based on the following
1) Getting the meter fixed - not sure if this something that Utility Warehouse have to set up or I can arrange independently with British Gas?
2) Sitting down with a calculator to figure out our actual use based on our usage in 2009-2011 for the second half of 2011 till now?
3) Contacting Utility warehouse and fessing up to giving dodgy readings which were higher than our actual measurement.

I can see that there's a possibility of fraud being claimed if we stupidly put inaccurate readings which were higher than our meter. I can also see they will be furious that we never reported the meter wasn't working properly.

Any advice on how to handle this? Should I be calling a 3rd party to help smooth the waters (Citizens advice or Trading standards or a solicitor etc)....

Thanks in advance folks

Oh and I'm not posting on as my usual user id as I don't want to out myself on this just yet - just in case.

I think it's time you fessed up.

Better to do so now of your own accord, rather than waiting for an official meter reader to call and then the supplier start investigating the irregularity.

Your supplier is responsible for arranging a new meter if the current one is defective, so you'll have to call them about that too. The quicker you get the meter sorted, the less chance the margin for error will be on the estimated usage the supplier will have to assume for the period the meter was defective.

LegoBrick

I fully plan to "fess up" - I just want to make sure we do so in a way that gives us the least amount of exposure to any problems.

Sorry if I gave the impression we want to get away with anything. I just don't want us to end up going down a path which could end up with lawyers involved or a massive fine etc.

Wywth

LegoBrick wrote: »

I fully plan to "fess up" - I just want to make sure we do so in a way that gives us the least amount of exposure to any problems.

Sorry if I gave the impression we want to get away with anything. I just don't want us to end up going down a path which could end up with lawyers involved or a massive fine etc.

Just call them now and fess up

Fire_Fox

Get your other half to do his dirty work, don't get involved in their fraudulent activity.

LegoBrick

To be fair to the other half, she was trying to get a reading in to the system but it wouldn't accept any numbers she tried as it was out of range until eventually it took the estimate number + 1.

Other than fessing up which I think we've establish we are going to do anyway, is there any other advice on how to discuss it with the supplier? Any tactics others can recommend. I realise it's early in the day to discuss this but I had hoped for a bit more practical advice from fellow forum members. Anyone had to argue about their actual usage vs estimate before?

ic

Offer them a chocolate first.

Wywth

LegoBrick wrote: »

To be fair to the other half, she was trying to get a reading in to the system but it wouldn't accept any numbers she tried as it was out of range until eventually it took the estimate number + 1.

Other than fessing up which I think we've establish we are going to do anyway, is there any other advice on how to discuss it with the supplier? Any tactics others can recommend. I realise it's early in the day to discuss this but I had hoped for a bit more practical advice from fellow forum members. Anyone had to argue about their actual usage vs estimate before?

Fessing up means coming clean, telling the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

I suggested 90 minutes ago you call them immediately. Actions speak louder than words

Fire_Fox

LegoBrick wrote: »

To be fair to the other half, she was trying to get a reading in to the system but it wouldn't accept any numbers she tried as it was out of range until eventually it took the estimate number + 1.

Other than fessing up which I think we've establish we are going to do anyway, is there any other advice on how to discuss it with the supplier? Any tactics others can recommend. I realise it's early in the day to discuss this but I had hoped for a bit more practical advice from fellow forum members. Anyone had to argue about their actual usage vs estimate before?

She should have telephoned or written instead of doggedly insisting on using the online system. You just have to admit it, you don't have a good excuse so there is no point in lying (AKA tactics). Their computer will estimate your use based on your past years and on this winter being exceptionally long and cold. You aren't really in much a position to haggle, that would be drawing attention to the fact you submitted a reading you knew to be false and haven't been checking your bills properly, it is different when it is clearly the suppliers error.

LegoBrick

I can't call them till I get home - don't want to be having a discussion on public transport with them where the mobile could get cut off.

Wasn't planning on lying - have no intention of lying. Actually very annoyed anyone is implying that. If I didn't know any better I'd say that was trolling.

As for using the internet option doggedly - the other half doesn't do phone conversations as she has problems with accents and often finds the minute they realise she's not a uk native the attitude changes on the other end.

Anyway seems there is no helpful advice that we hadn't already considered. However I do think the chocolate might be an option.

techno12

I had a similar issue last year.

The gas meter seemed to be stuck when I came to do a couple of readings in Nov 2012. I ended up adding 1 to the total and submitting that online. After thinking about it, I realised that it was impossible not to have used a single unit of gas in 2 weeks (even though the CH was off, I still use gas for hot water and hob) so it must be stuck.

I phoned NPower up and they replaced they meter in January. I explained that I had to add 1 to the total, but they just laughed and said not to worry - they'd estimate the usage based on previous years. I'll see what they come up with when my next bill arrives in June, as the date when it became stuck isn't obvious - sometime in a 6 month period last year.

Had a slight shock when I read the meter the other day and I'd used 419 units (way more than twice the amount I expected). Double checked today and the new meter is metric - the old one was imperial, which explains the much faster rate of accumulating units. Phew!