Harassment of my elderly mother by SMS, on behalf of Shell Energy regarding Smart Meter fitting

Takmon

Robisere wrote: »

You know this how?

OP's mum has the right to refuse a Smart Meter atm. If she wishes to continue to refuse, that is her business, not yours.
Please post evidence of "unwarranted stupid propaganda" I am neither stupid nor gullible but I refuse a SM. In my case, I have checked out the Shell Energy Quotes and every one is more expensive than my EDF tariff. After EDF tried several times to get my permission to fit a SM, I eventually informed them by email and letter, that I do not want one. They have not approached me since with a SM offer.

But there is no logical reason no to have one and it makes everyone's life easier by having the readings taken automatically.

Just look at how many people post on this forum with issues with their bills and misunderstandings that all come down to regular readings not being taken.

brewerdave

Takmon wrote: »

But there is no logical reason no to have one and it makes everyone's life easier by having the readings taken automatically.

Just look at how many people post on this forum with issues with their bills and misunderstandings that all come down to regular readings not being taken.

....but also on these forums, there are multiple posts by customers who have had "smart" meters installed which have obviously never worked correctly since installation eg gas meters which can't communicate with the eleccy meter hub, or neither communicate back to the supplier. Some have had an unpleasant shock when the situation is corrected by a manual read!!

Takmon

brewerdave wrote: »

....but also on these forums, there are multiple posts by customers who have had "smart" meters installed which have obviously never worked correctly since installation eg gas meters which can't communicate with the eleccy meter hub, or neither communicate back to the supplier. Some have had an unpleasant shock when the situation is corrected by a manual read!!

Yes i agree that suppliers have to ensure the smart meters work correctly and they have to setup their systems properly to ensure regular readings are being received.

But just because some people have issues with them doesn't mean the entire smart meter changeover should stop and people should stop having them fitted.

[Deleted User]

Justiceforme wrote: »

As there is no proof that smart meters actually save money unless you turn off gas or electric why bother having one. Meter readings are easy to submit online and provide an accurate bill. Many companies are offering outdated meters because they have a lot of outdated meters. If people are having unwanted calls just tell them you are changing supplier. Unless the provider specifies that you must have a smart meter, then you have a choice to say no thanks and not be bullied.

Can you stop using emotive words like "bullied " . or even worse "harassed " like the OP did on behalf of her Mum. Personally I d like to hear what the OPs Mum has to say, not her offsprings idea.
.Maybe less offensive words such as "persistent " are more suitable. I don t apply the word "bullied " to say, a call centre trying to sell me a funeral plan or a PPI claim.
Its not clear if the meter fitting company were not trying to just replace the end of life meter with a smart meter in dumb mode or just a regular dumb meter.The meters within are not the property of the householder and access to them is mandatory.
There are still millions of old analogue electric meters around, dial meters and electro mechanical electric meters and Imperial gas meters, such as my own, which are at least 25 years old . I see them widespread in properties all day in my job. They ( legally ) need to be changed and that is in everyones T and Cs and accepted by agreeing to have an energy supply... Fitters will use a smart meter with the "hub " or sim card absent to turn them effectively into dumb meters for those who believe all the hype and don`t fancy one..
I have to visit many properties on 2 year to 5 year safety checks on both smart and dumb meters and get refused access all the time because the occupiers, in their wisdom, do not feel why they should admit anyone to check what they consider to be "their " meters. These safety checks just get recycled every 12 weeks and we have to keep revisiting where the occupier then considers it a degree of harassment /bullying .
Cut out the over emotive words like "bullying " and "harassment " please for persistent/constant .

meldrew58

Of course the OP's mum is being harassed if they continue to ring her after she has told them she is not interested.
I have had a similar experience with Shell and SMS and went through their complaints procedure about this. Despite their written assurance that I would be removed from their list, I still had further calls.
More annoying though is the manner of SMS's approach. They start the call by saying " Just a quick call to arrange an appointment to install your smart meter" or something very similar. This is without ever having had a discussion about, or expressed any interest in, having a smart meter. I believe that many will be given the false impression that this is mandatory. I am still pursuing this issue with Shell who persistently fail to answer my questions and have so far refused to issue a deadlock letter to allow me to refer this to the Ombudsman.
Beware, Shell, the eight weeks is nearly up!
It seems that npower are behaving similarly as an elderly neighbour has had two unsolicited emails from them simply stating a date to come and fit them!
I know the Government and energy companies are getting desperate but, for the moment at least, it remains a matter of personal choice.

Streaky_Bacon

emmac1 wrote: »

she has been harassed by many phone calls from SMS, trying to bully her into getting a smart meter. She told them several times she does not want one, but they continue to call.

Houbara wrote: »

Can you stop using emotive words like "bullied " . or even worse "harassed " like the OP did on behalf of her Mum. Personally I d like to hear what the OPs Mum has to say, not her offsprings idea.

.Maybe less offensive words such as "persistent " are more suitable. I don t apply the word "bullied " to say, a call centre trying to sell me a funeral plan or a PPI claim.

Cut out the over emotive words like "bullying " and "harassment " please for persistent/constant .

If you politely told the call centre, several times, that you weren't interested in the funeral plan or the PPI claim, but they continued to call you wouldn't consider that harassment, just persistence?

You wouldn't suspect that it was a deliberate ploy to put you under pressure to agree, to avoid further calls?

Paenymion

And here is me wanting a smart meter but not being able to get one, something about a lack of installers in the area...