Electricity Meter Check.

[Deleted User]

Eon meter readers would have been trying for 2 years to read your meters, they dont send threatening letters like you received unless you have been a little obstructive in the past to access your meters. Eon are not stupid enough to dish out letters like you received as they are very likely to end up with you switching supplier. Eon are one of the worst companies for actually complying with OFGEMS rules for 2 year inspections , so I expect you have gone many years without anyone doing safety inspections on your meter.
I would advise you to either ask for a late evening or Saturday appointment for their 30 second quick glance at your meter. I hope you dont find this short visit too upsetting

[Deleted User]

At one time British Gas used to have a service depot just down the road from me, so when the boiler needed servicing I used to leave the key at the depot on the way to work. That way I saved taking a days holiday.

On one occasion I booked a service, left the key, and then when I got home there was the card on the mat: "Sorry you weren't at home when we called". So I rang them up, told the left hand what the right is doing, and booked another appointment. Again there was another 'sorry' card on the mat.

All in all, I've forgotten just how many times that was repeated, but eventually I came home one day and there was no card on the mat. And no boiler serviced either.

So I stormed into the lounge, picked the phone up, and just as I dialled, the Gas van pulled up outside. I hung up and opened the door:

"That was well timed I was just about to ring the office..........have you got my key?"

"Key? What key?" :wall:

Bigphil1474

Go to say, I generally agree with the OP. Every utility company must know that a large majority of houses are empty during the working week, so if they need to gain access, and have been unsuccesful during the week, why not send somebody out on a Saturday or early evening instead. Isn't that common sense? I think I'd be dubious about phoning a mobile number given on a card through my letter box as well - what if turns out to be a premium phone line scam or the likes. All they needed to do in this case, was tell the op when they booked the appointment online, that the appointment is set only when you receive a confirmation e-mail - no e-mail no appointment.

silverwhistle

Many, many years ago I was on a clerical section dealing with meter changes and recertification. Access was always a problem, but sometimes, depending on where people lived we could offer first call or Saturday mornings. The general principal was as long as we had had contact and an appointment arranged we were relaxed about it. These days, with the advent of privatisation people are probably less favourably inclined towards the RECs, cost cutting means less flexibility, and although email can be very convenient it can still introduce a barrier to communication.

Communication is a two way process but it certainly hasn't worked well in this situation.

silverwhistle

Incidentally, when it comes to unknown numbers I just do a quick internet search, and it usually throws up the relevant number. Recently had an unknown 0800 come up, and sure enough it was nPower, presumably phoning in what would have been a futile attempt at keeping me from changing suppliers..

sdavies13

sacsquacco wrote: »

Eon meter readers would have been trying for 2 years to read your meters,

No, afraid not. Only just switched to eOn, was with nPower previously.

Think used to have someone from Siemens come around to read the meter, though again that could be pretty hit and miss (though do recall them calling on a Saturday morning once).

Unsure if the meter has ever been inspected since installation (unless the Siemens visits to read the meter were also inspections). Before that it was one of those mechanical whirrling disc and bakelite jobbies.

Anyway I don't have a problem with them inspecting the meter the problem is with the lack of flexibility and a rubbish online booking system!

Anyhow the inspection will have to wait a little while longer as my colleague's husband sadly had a heart attack over the weekend so she is off on compassionate leave for the moment meaning I cannot take leave as that would leave one person to cover the work of three people (and yes I realise that sounds highly convenient and suspicious to some of the denizens of this neck of the woods).

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Hi sdavies13

Really sorry for the late reply. Hold my hands up, my fault, I missed this thread when last on the forums.

I'm sure we can arrange an appointment to suit your circumstances. I've just spoken to the team who handle these and they currently need a couple of weeks' notice.

Thought it might help if I let you know a bit about what happens in these cases.

We need to visually inspect meters at least once every 2 years. This is to make sure they're safe and accurate.

Where we haven't been able to do this, we'll start to contact customers a bit in advance of the 2 year anniversary.

We do appreciate people have busy schedules and can't always be available. For this reason, we offer various options for visits. This includes a 2 hour time slot from 6pm to 8pm weekdays and a 4 hour time slot between 8am and 12 noon on Saturdays.

Even though you've only recently joined us, your previous supplier will have told us the date of the last inspection and we work from that.

Where we're not able to contact customers by phone, we'll send several letters over roughly a 3 month period. These ask people to contact us to fix up a visit and let them know of any potential follow up if we're unable to see the meter.

Applying for a warrant is an extreme case and rarely happens for meter inspections. We have a duty, though, to make customers aware of the possibility.

When you say you booked an appointment through the 'indicated website,' do you mean via the email address in the box in the top right hand corner? If yes, we should've confirmed if the date asked for was available.

At the moment, there's no facility on our website to book this type of appointment.

Sorry again for the late reply but hope it's of interest. Let me know if you need any more information as happy to help.

Malc