Pre-payment meter and power cut

NRGMAN

Our area experienced a brief power cut on Sunday. Was only out for 2 hours so we were lucky. Happened to notice, though, that the digital display on my Scottish Power pre-payment meter was blank despite power being restored in the property. I spoke to my neighbour about it and she said that the last time we had a power cut (years ago, I can barely remember) and she had the same style meter then and same thing happened, but screen displayed again a couple of days later on its own.

Anyway, I called SP. Was VERY lucky to get a very decent sounding and very helpful customer service adviser from Glasgow who talked me through the process of how they operate in situations like this. He says to give it two weeks. It actually CAN take that duration to reset itself. Who knew? Yep, it is a waiting game, says the fella. If, after that time still nothing, they will come out and repair it if possible. Or replace with another PAYG meter (if available) or just your regular credit meter. But NOT a smart meter unless I want one. SP says they don't force it on their customers, apparently. Reckon they have had their backsides kicked. 

Absolute worse case scenario is property losing power without warning. In which case it is call SP and they get someone out in 4 hours.

Anyone been in this situation before and, if so, what was the outcome?

CSI_Yorkshire

I know several people with that situation.

They all ended up with smart meters.

QrizB

NRGMAN said:

But NOT a smart meter unless I want one. SP says they don't force it on their customers, apparently. Reckon they have had their backsides kicked.

If SP have had their backsides kicked by anyone, it will have been by Ofgem for not fitting enough smart meters!

From a couple of years ago:
https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications/ofgem-investigates-scottish-power-smart-meter-obligations

Ofgem has launched an investigation into whether Scottish Power breached rules around obligations to install smart meters for domestic consumers in 2019.

Under the Government’s smart metering implementation programme, suppliers are required by their licences to take all reasonable steps to rollout smart meters to all homes and small businesses by 30 June 2021.

To work towards this, suppliers set their annual targets for smart meter installations and Ofgem monitors performance against these targets on an annual basis.

The opening of this investigation does not imply that we have made any findings about non-compliance by Scottish Power.

As far as I can see the investigation remains open.

NRGMAN

QrizB said:

NRGMAN said:

But NOT a smart meter unless I want one. SP says they don't force it on their customers, apparently. Reckon they have had their backsides kicked.

If SP have had their backsides kicked by anyone, it will have been by Ofgem for not fitting enough smart meters!

From a couple of years ago:
https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications/ofgem-investigates-scottish-power-smart-meter-obligations

Ofgem has launched an investigation into whether Scottish Power breached rules around obligations to install smart meters for domestic consumers in 2019.

Under the Government’s smart metering implementation programme, suppliers are required by their licences to take all reasonable steps to rollout smart meters to all homes and small businesses by 30 June 2021.

To work towards this, suppliers set their annual targets for smart meter installations and Ofgem monitors performance against these targets on an annual basis.

The opening of this investigation does not imply that we have made any findings about non-compliance by Scottish Power.

As far as I can see the investigation remains open.

More than likely. I'm not interested in having one anyway. I'm only concerned about getting this PAYG meter repaired or changed. 

My consumption is low as I'm the sole occupant and I work full-time.

imeach

There are thousands of these with blank screens.
Unfortunately Scottish Power are one of the worst at replacing them, although for you and many more this is probably fortunate.
I've seen similar meters blank for years!!
The customers love it as they are not topping up and the suppliers just don't seem bothered.
Highly unlikely the meter will turn the power off.
Enjoy it while you can

NRGMAN

imeach said:

There are thousands of these with blank screens.
Unfortunately Scottish Power are one of the worst at replacing them, although for you and many more this is probably fortunate.
I've seen similar meters blank for years!!
The customers love it as they are not topping up and the suppliers just don't seem bothered.
Highly unlikely the meter will turn the power off.
Enjoy it while you can

Thanks for your response. That's pretty alarming to learn how common this is, actually. I had no idea. I've never been in this situation before and can't deny that I'm pretty uncomfortable with it. I'm undoubtedly too honest for my own good, I dunno, but will be glad when things are back to normal and I can do my top-ups again. You're spot on, Scottish Power don't seem overly concerned at all, it's me that's get all anxious. At least I'm keeping myself right by having called them (three times now) and I've retained the receipts of my last three tops if these are ever needed.