Gas meter exchange needed

Busyisy

Hi, thanks for your reply. Yes, I've done all that already, I have also asked for all transcripts and calls to be sent to me. I would be happy to leave the meter in situ, but the gas network came out in August and said as it is 8 years over the 15 yr period for replacement, I was to contact my provider asap, who would replace it for me urgently, as it was so old.... and here I am !! 2 months later, after 2 'no shows' of engineers, on 2 different dates.. ( apparently the appointments hadn't been sent to engineers in the first places ) I tried to call them today and it's over 40 minutes wait on call.. I've just requested a call back so we'll see what happens.. I don't hold up much hope, as they have been very reticent up to now :mad:

Smodlet

It seems to me this "gas network" (presumably your power distribution company?) are talking through their hats. Again, afaik, one's energy provider decides when meters need to be replaced unless you report a fault. Their meter readers seem charged with inspecting (cursorily glancing at) the meters when they read them; this is how I arrived at the belief mine still does not require replacement.

I don't see the point of replacing them just because they reach a certain age if they still work properly, which I think mine does; readings are consistent with previous usage/fluctuating weather conditions, etc.

All I can suggest is to persevere. I am sure my nPower account must be like War and Peace by now so maybe they think it quicker just to deal with me, who knows? As I am sure you do not need to be told, Busyisy, remaining calm and polite however useless they are being achieves better results. If I don't like what they are saying, I just escalate and escalate and escalate. Last time I had to go to the third level on one phone call; took over an hour and this was over the DD amount! Hardly rocket science, is it? I got the correct result though paltry compensation for my wasted time.

Hope your issue is resolved soon with no further wasted days off.

Busyisy

It was SGN gas network who came out to check the pipes ( apparently it's their gas pipes) and the engineer confirmed the meter was to be replaced asap and to get in touch with npower.. as it's them that should replace the gas meter.. and here I am trying to get that done! oh the joys eh ... lol Anyway, npower have just called me back ..and as I'm fourth in the queue for a callback from complaints dept, he felt it best I wait and talk to them when they call me back ( he thinks it will be today!! ) he did however confirm about the compensation standards and told me to remember to quote this, when I DO speak to them.. all very helpful, but if they would just do their job!! It's very frustrating.
Hey ho Smodlet, the wheels of big industry keep turning eh?? and we little people just have to wait in line .. unfortunately it looks as if I'll just have to buckle up tightly for this one... Thank goodness for a sense of humour eh ?? thanks for your input

Smodlet

I have a couple of minor niggles I have wanted to discuss with them for a while, now... Nothing important enough to be worth waiting "more than 40 minutes" for someone to answer the damned phone, though and the online chat takes about as long even to start! You are just left hanging, waiting for someone to come along and type.

They used to tell you how long the wait was estimated to be and not allow you to start the chat until there was an actual human being (one assumes) available to tell you to call someone in the UK because they did not have a clue. Now you begin the "chat" (monologue) and wait and wait and wait... Not impressed, NP. I did leave a few choice comments, though; bet they don't read 'em.

Fight on, Busyisy!

ETA: I persevered and have just finished a very productive phone conversation with the lovely Claire (spelling?) at NP, who was able to answer a very diverse range of questions; their customer service can be great. It really does seem to be the luck of the draw in who you get to speak to.

C_Mababejive

Busyisy wrote: »

It was SGN gas network who came out to check the pipes ( apparently it's their gas pipes) and the engineer confirmed the meter was to be replaced asap and to get in touch with npower.. as it's them that should replace the gas meter.. and here I am trying to get that done! oh the joys eh ... lol Anyway, npower have just called me back ..and as I'm fourth in the queue for a callback from complaints dept, he felt it best I wait and talk to them when they call me back ( he thinks it will be today!! ) he did however confirm about the compensation standards and told me to remember to quote this, when I DO speak to them.. all very helpful, but if they would just do their job!! It's very frustrating.
Hey ho Smodlet, the wheels of big industry keep turning eh?? and we little people just have to wait in line .. unfortunately it looks as if I'll just have to buckle up tightly for this one... Thank goodness for a sense of humour eh ?? thanks for your input

But the meter has little to do with SGN. Why did he say it needed replacing? Surely not simply on grounds of age? Thats nothing to do with SGN.


The only time SGN would change the meter is if they attended your property on an emergency visit, for example a reported gas leak, and they found the meter was defective/leaking. In that cicumstance they could replace it there and then as long as there is a PEM contract in place.


Other than that, it is for the MAM to decide when the meter needs replacing, and nothing much to do with the network operator !

macman

OP still does not appeared to have made a written complaint. In the meantime, I'd ask for the £60 compo that will be paid without a fight.

J_B

A few years ago ..

We had a holiday home in N Wales and the current electricity supplier said we needed a new meter.
Appointment made for a Saturday - changeover day for guests.
Nobody came
They paid £20 compo IIRC


Tried to book another appointment but was in the process of changing supplier so, old supplier wasn't interested any more and new supplier said it was fine!!!!

Smodlet

Just remembered I was told yesterday the online chat (dis)service has been relocated to the UK from Somewhere in India... Not a good look, is it?