British Gas and the Smart Meters

SilasMarner

Good Afternoon,
Today I received a letter from British Gas who are delighted to tell me that the benefits of the smart meter will be discussed when a representative of MPE utility will be "calling to discuss the nifty benefits of the Smart Meter."  As an OAP ( not quite vulnerable yet) I take great exception to this type of coercive cold calling practice from person or persons unknown. I have telephoned. I have complained. They claim to have removed me from the list. We will see! Any non Smart metered BG customers out there? they're coming for you. 

mr_stripey

perhaps you should consider the benefits of a smart meter before dismissing it out of hand...

I mean, you'll get one eventually, one way or the other so maybe embrace it now.

marcia_

SilasMarner said:

Good Afternoon,
Today I received a letter from British Gas who are delighted to tell me that the benefits of the smart meter will be discussed when a representative of MPE utility will be "calling to discuss the nifty benefits of the Smart Meter."  As an OAP ( not quite vulnerable yet) I take great exception to this type of coercive cold calling practice from person or persons unknown. I have telephoned. I have complained. They claim to have removed me from the list. We will see! Any non Smart metered BG customers out there? they're coming for you. 

 If they wrote to tell you in advance its not cold calling 

Qyburn

It really is time all this was knocked on the head. The position should simply be that the choice of meter is up to the supplier. 

SilasMarner

mr_stripey said:

perhaps you should consider the benefits of a smart meter before dismissing it out of hand...

I mean, you'll get one eventually, one way or the other so maybe embrace it now.

Thanks for your replies. I suspect the game is moving on now and I am on the brink of no choice. The tales of despondency and dismay surrounding the downsides of these meters and in some respects the way they were sold in to users, still echo in my mind. I guess the infantile nature of the letter with it's inertia approach doesn't sit well. Hey Ho - onward!

MeteredOut

Qyburn said:

It really is time all this was knocked on the head. The position should simply be that the choice of meter is up to the supplier. 

A bill supplement for those that refuse to support the need to balance the grid. Simple as that.

400ixl

SilasMarner said:

Thanks for your replies. I suspect the game is moving on now and I am on the brink of no choice. The tales of despondency and dismay surrounding the downsides of these meters and in some respects the way they were sold in to users, still echo in my mind. I guess the infantile nature of the letter with it's inertia approach doesn't sit well. Hey Ho - onward!

What downsides would they be then?

bob2302

I do think it's a bit much sending someone round. However, the "tales of despondency and dismay surrounding the downsides of these meters" are based on misinformation. 

matt_drummer

SilasMarner said:

Good Afternoon,
Today I received a letter from British Gas who are delighted to tell me that the benefits of the smart meter will be discussed when a representative of MPE utility will be "calling to discuss the nifty benefits of the Smart Meter."  As an OAP ( not quite vulnerable yet) I take great exception to this type of coercive cold calling practice from person or persons unknown. I have telephoned. I have complained. They claim to have removed me from the list. We will see! Any non Smart metered BG customers out there? they're coming for you. 

It's not cold calling though is it.

They sent a letter informing you of the visit.

Cold callers, by definition, come without warning.

SilasMarner

bob2302 said:

I do think it's a bit much sending someone round. However, the "tales of despondency and dismay surrounding the downsides of these meters" are based on misinformation. 

Thanks. I understood many were now dumb due to changing supplier, some bills being incorrect and also the possibility of losing control, down the line, of your energy as the supplier can turn you and on off at will. 
Perhaps my "intransigent position" seems a bit outdated now. 

doodling

Hi,

MeteredOut said:

Qyburn said:

It really is time all this was knocked on the head. The position should simply be that the choice of meter is up to the supplier. 

A bill supplement for those that refuse to support the need to balance the grid. Simple as that.

That already exists - people without smart meters tend to pay more due to their inability to get the best tariffs.

As smart meters are the norm then there is no point in adopting a particularly strong point of view either way (other than to support the suppliers' right to fit whatever meter type they choose providing it meets the accuracy requirements).