British Gas still using intimidatory tactics for smart meter appointments

artyboy

I have made an appointment at 6pm tonight for everyone that has read this thread to hit the 'thanks' button on my post. Failure to do so will incur a £30 charge.

(there, that should get my thanks count up nicely  )

Alnat1

Are there any T&C we need to read first?

Mstty

As someone that enjoys having a smart meter and the opportunities it provides for saving money I don't mind this kind of rollout of smart meters.

It is not intimidating or unacceptable and a customer can change the date if they want for free or even contact the supplier and give reasons why it may not be required.

Storm in a teacup really.

agentcain

Smart meters only save money in cases where the user is unwilling or inexperienced to provide the same savings themselves, by switching off devices, not wasting energy, sending readings etc. In no way meters actually do something to actively provide savings (e.g. the switching of devices when not in use, the prioritization of expensive chores in times of low cost etc). If anything, the net sum points to energy loss, energy for the meter to operate, be created and transferred to the user. 

The benefits to the supplier, producer and governing body, however, are hard to miss. No need to detail those, as the term "conspiracy theorist" is sure to follow. Until of course its proven right and stops being a theory, that is.

I do find any sort of fine quite intimidating when the user has done nothing wrong, for a service that's supposed to be optional. In an era where stress and anxiety is becoming the next pandemic, we should practice what we preach, care about the effect decisions and regulations have on others and minimize the pressure we cause on them. Who are we to say that OP was not affected by this situation as much as anyone else would be affected by anything marked *phobic or verbally abusive? Maybe he had a bad day, maybe their boss belittled them, maybe he was frustrated with their personal relationships and that annoying little email from a supplier who offers next to no real benefit to the consumer was the last drop. 

gbhxu

Mstty said:

As someone that enjoys having a smart meter and the opportunities it provides for saving money I don't mind this kind of rollout of smart meters.

It is not intimidating or unacceptable and a customer can change the date if they want for free or even contact the supplier and give reasons why it may not be required.

Storm in a teacup really.

There are 2 words I can think of. And the polite version is bovine excrement.

I think you will find that most people would not let anyone invite themselves into their home for whatever reason.

OFGEM state that you don't have to have a smart meter installed unless you don't want one.

jackieblack

gbhxu said:

OFGEM state that you don't have to have a smart meter installed unless you don't want one.

🤔 Huh? 🤔🤷🏻‍♀️

[Deleted User]

agentcain said:

Smart meters only save money in cases where the user is unwilling or inexperienced to provide the same savings themselves, by switching off devices, not wasting energy, sending readings etc. In no way meters actually do something to actively provide savings (e.g. the switching of devices when not in use, the prioritization of expensive chores in times of low cost etc). If anything, the net sum points to energy loss, energy for the meter to operate, be created and transferred to the user. 

You keep pedalling the same myths as if there are written in stone. The facts show that consumers with smart meters CAN and DO save on their energy bills.

Smart meters enable consumers to make changes to their energy usage pattern in the knowledge that they will make considerable savings on their energy costs. I have been able to avail myself of smart tariffs for 4 years. My gas tariff has just been renewed for a further year at a capped price of 6p/kWh. Today the gas price is 4.4p/kWh. I got through the whole of last Winter paying just 7.5p/kWh for electricity. Today, I am on Octopus Flux  which over the past 28 days has generated an income (electricity import - electricity export) of £64.14.

My daughter is on Octopus Agile. Here are her prices for today. Agile, like all smart meter tariffs, is saving her money. She couldn’t get on to Agile without a smart meter.

Marvel1

[Deleted User] said:

What_time_is_it said:

I don't have smart meters, but I'm not massively fussed either way.
What I do object to is when companies insist on saying something is "for my benefit" when clearly it is for their own benefit. I would be more inclined to listen if they were honest about the reasons for wanting to fit a smart meter. As it is, whenever I get a letter or email about smart meters being for my benefit I choose to ignore it.
And if I was threatened with a fine for not being in for an appointment I neither chose nor scheduled then I certainly would not pay that fine. Putting the onus on the individual to have to cancel something they never wanted in the first place is out of order.

I would argue strongly that there are consumer benefits from having a smart meter:

1. Cheaper time of use tariffs. I am presently paying just over 4p/kWh for gas.


5. Accurate monthly billing.

1. Who with so I can look into it.

5. For my parents it wasn't, I noticed their bills were estimated.

gbhxu

jackieblack said:

gbhxu said:

OFGEM state that you don't have to have a smart meter installed unless you don't want one.

🤔 Huh? 🤔🤷🏻‍♀️

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/information-consumers/energy-advice-households/getting-smart-meter

Do I have to have a smart meter?

Unless there is a good reason not to, suppliers must install a smart meter if they are:

• replacing a meter
• installing a meter for the first time, such as in a new property. 

You can choose not to accept an offer to have a smart meter fitted. You can also request to have one at a later date without being charged. Choosing not to have a smart meter might mean you have a limited choice of energy tariffs. Some smart tariffs could be cheaper.

matt_drummer

gbhxu said:

jackieblack said:

gbhxu said:

OFGEM state that you don't have to have a smart meter installed unless you don't want one.

🤔 Huh? 🤔🤷🏻‍♀️

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/information-consumers/energy-advice-households/getting-smart-meter

Do I have to have a smart meter?

Unless there is a good reason not to, suppliers must install a smart meter if they are:

• replacing a meter
• installing a meter for the first time, such as in a new property. 

You can choose not to accept an offer to have a smart meter fitted. You can also request to have one at a later date without being charged. Choosing not to have a smart meter might mean you have a limited choice of energy tariffs. Some smart tariffs could be cheaper.

So that is very clear.

You can decline an offer to have smart meters fitted early, but when the meters are eventually replaced you must have smart meters unless there is a good reason not to.

Once the meters are required to be replaced, you must have smart meters, there is no choice.

I don't know what constitutes a good reason not to fit them, but I doubt it is any of the common objections posted on this website.