EON caught wrongly telling customers they NEED to

nicobrum

I see EON, having been pulled up for incorrectly telling customers they had to have a smart meter installed when changing meters, have now changed tact. The cheapest current new tariff launched I think yesterday (which for me is a lot more expensive anyway) means I would have to agree to have a Smart Meter installed unless they find they cannot install one. Otherwise I have to choose a more expensive tariff. Having last week post dated a change to GoOnline v11 for the beginning of June, its not an issue for me before June 2019.

But now those of us who would prefer not to have one installed for a variety of reasons will find we have to pay more or agree to an installation. Something tells me EON could find themselves losing a lot of customers to other suppliers when their tariffs expire if this policy continues. I thought the government's policy was that you had to be offered one not that you had to have one installed or pay more. I appreciate this was likely to happen at some point but it seems to be a bit premature if SMETS1 meters are still being installed which go dumb if you change suppliers.

brewerdave

Agree broadly with post #12.
Wonder what would happen if one signs up to one of these SMART meter only tariffs, having already got a SMETS1 installation from another supplier ? Are EON going to "send the boys in" to change one (not so) SMART meter for another ?? MORE unnecessary costs:eek:

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

nicobrum wrote: »

I see EON, having been pulled up for incorrectly telling customers they had to have a smart meter installed when changing meters, have now changed tact. The cheapest current new tariff launched I think yesterday (which for me is a lot more expensive anyway) means I would have to agree to have a Smart Meter installed unless they find they cannot install one. Otherwise I have to choose a more expensive tariff. Having last week post dated a change to GoOnline v11 for the beginning of June, its not an issue for me before June 2019.

But now those of us who would prefer not to have one installed for a variety of reasons will find we have to pay more or agree to an installation. Something tells me EON could find themselves losing a lot of customers to other suppliers when their tariffs expire if this policy continues. I thought the government's policy was that you had to be offered one not that you had to have one installed or pay more. I appreciate this was likely to happen at some point but it seems to be a bit premature if SMETS1 meters are still being installed which go dumb if you change suppliers.

Hello nicobrum and you're right. At the moment, the Smart Saver version 3 is our cheapest tariff. We're currently reviewing all our products and will update the website as and when new tariffs are released/withdrawn.

With the Smart Saver tariffs, customers agree to be contacted about having a smart meter. Where smart meters are already in place, we may still make contact to see if an upgrade is needed. Customers will be able to stay on this tariff if we aren't able to fit smart meters.

Smart meters aren't mandatory and customers can decline having one fitted even though they're on a smart saver tariff.

I'm glad you were able to make use of the forward switching tool on our website. It's a great way of making sure you stay on preferred prices for the maximum amount of time whilst not missing out on future deals.

Malc

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

brewerdave wrote: »

Agree broadly with post #12.
Wonder what would happen if one signs up to one of these SMART meter only tariffs, having already got a SMETS1 installation from another supplier ? Are EON going to "send the boys in" to change one (not so) SMART meter for another ?? MORE unnecessary costs:eek:

Hello brewerdave and, as above, customers signing up to our Smart Saver tariffs but who already have a smart meter may still be contacted. This is where we believe an upgrade is needed.

Malc

nicobrum

E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc wrote: »

Smart meters aren't mandatory and customers can decline having one fitted even though they're on a smart saver tariff.

Interesting Malc, I hadn't read the bit about being contact about a smart meter in quite that way. I shall keep that in mind for future tariffs.

As I've said previously on the forum, the only real benefit for me to switch would be to get my (to me) legacy Eco7 meter switched for a single reading meter as I don't need Eco7 as I have gas central heating. I'm assuming that could be done as part of a switch to a smart meter rather than me having to pay for the change or would I have to just have an Eco7 smart meter (don't think I've asked this before)?

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

nicobrum wrote: »

Interesting Malc, I hadn't read the bit about being contact about a smart meter in quite that way. I shall keep that in mind for future tariffs.

As I've said previously on the forum, the only real benefit for me to switch would be to get my (to me) legacy Eco7 meter switched for a single reading meter as I don't need Eco7 as I have gas central heating. I'm assuming that could be done as part of a switch to a smart meter rather than me having to pay for the change or would I have to just have an Eco7 smart meter (don't think I've asked this before)?

Morning nicobrum and, yes, this can be done. You'll need to specifically request this when arranging an appointment for a smart meter.

Usually, with meter exchanges, the same type of meter that's already at the property will be fitted unless we're told differently. If you do talk to us about smart meters and decide to have them please ask for a single rate at this point. There's no charge to have smart meters fitted.

Hope this helps.

Malc

brewerdave

E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc wrote: »

Hello brewerdave and, as above, customers signing up to our Smart Saver tariffs but who already have a smart meter may still be contacted. This is where we believe an upgrade is needed.

Malc

Sorry Malc.....but why would you contact someone who already has a smart meter to upgrade? The meters are unlikely to be "end of life" so the ONLY upgrade I can see,would be to fit fully interchangeable SMETS2 meters, which ,I'm led to believe, is not happening yet on any significant scale.

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

brewerdave wrote: »

Sorry Malc.....but why would you contact someone who already has a smart meter to upgrade? The meters are unlikely to be "end of life" so the ONLY upgrade I can see,would be to fit fully interchangeable SMETS2 meters, which ,I'm led to believe, is not happening yet on any significant scale.

Hello brewerdave.

Our smart meter programme is developing all the time and customers signing up to the Smart Saver tariff agree we can talk to them about these meters. We might not need to particularly if they're currently not eligible or already have smart meters and don't need an upgrade.

Upgrades could mean a new meter (SMETS2) or, if possible, remote upgrades to existing SMETS1 meters to either restore smart features or allow customers to switch supplier and remain smart. It depends on the individual circumstances.

Hope this explains brewerdave.

Malc