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Gas meters - Siemans
fizzlebottom
Posts: 65 Forumite
in Energy
Has anyone else experienced trouble with Siemens replacing gas meters? I have had a three year wait for my replacement meter (Siemens working on behalf of British Gas contacted me to say it had to be replaced for safety and accuracy reasons). I was let down twice with engineers not turning up for appointments (8am to 8pm) and only got my meter changed by stating that I would contact the ombudsman if I was let down again. Have received a letter today stating that delays was due to 'unforeseen shortage of engineers in your area' !! and offering me "£20 as a gesture of goodwill for the inconvenience you feel this has caused you" Is it just coincidence bearing in mind today's news regarding gas meters? :mad:
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You on a winner, Fizzle...keep complaining, they keep missing appointments and pay you £20.0
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Tell them that you will accept a payment of £20 for each missed appointment.:doh: Blue text on this forum usually signifies hyperlinks, so click on them!..:wall:0
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I have had this as well.
They sent an appointment for January, stayed in all day and got a call at 4pm saying the engineer is of sick. Got sent another appointment, stayed in all day again, no one turned up.
Got a letter a few days later saying that they tried to contact us but couldnt so set another appointment date for a few weeks time.
A week before this new date, they sent out yet another letter for March.
I am fed up of them messing us about, I am not making the effort to stay in all day again, I have to find someone else to take my dd to school and back again.
I might have to contact them about messing us about!0 -
Thanks for replies. I rang Siemens and asked to speak to a supervisor who booked the next call out and said she would personally 'monitor' the work. It was at this point that I also mentioned the Ombudsman and asked to put in an official complaint. They try to fob you off with all sorts of excuses so just stick to your guns. I also rang British Gas (who subcontract to Siemens) and put in a complaint there. Have to say it did work as engineer turned up at 9am on due date (although 3 years late and two broken appointments) So give it a go Demonicangel.
Like 'espresso' suggestion of asking for £20 for each broken appointment especially as you have to ring an 0845 number :eek: and pay through the nose to complain.0 -
Should also add that it is important to take the name of the person you are speaking to and the time/date of conversation as Siemens stated that they did not have any record of my previous conversations with supervisors.0
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I got £40 from BG for two appointments (to replace my gas meter) that Siemens missed but they turned up on time for the third one.. grrrr0
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Still a pain, but good to know I'm not alone in this.
Second failed appt today, despite the assurance that 'I will arrange to have this job monitored for you'.
Frustration!! So much wasted time, inadequate compensation, incompetent staff... I even resorted to good ol' fashioned paper correspondence in an attempt to highlight problems, evidently to no avail.
I shall now pursue the suggested Ombudsman/Energywatch path.
I wouldn't mind so much if there was actually any problem with the meter; I suspect that their reason for wanting to replace it is due to significantly reduced fuel usage following installation of an extremely energy-efficient boiler. Ho-hum!
Thanks to all for advice & suggestions.fizzlebottom wrote: »Has anyone else experienced trouble with Siemens replacing gas meters? I have had a three year wait for my replacement meter (Siemens working on behalf of British Gas contacted me to say it had to be replaced for safety and accuracy reasons). I was let down twice with engineers not turning up for appointments (8am to 8pm) and only got my meter changed by stating that I would contact the ombudsman if I was let down again. Have received a letter today stating that delays was due to 'unforeseen shortage of engineers in your area' !! and offering me "£20 as a gesture of goodwill for the inconvenience you feel this has caused you" Is it just coincidence bearing in mind today's news regarding gas meters? :mad:0 -
It's all worked out, costs of diverting/sending an engineer, maybe at overtime rates plus travel costs...put into a computer and it tells the jobs manager whether it's cheaper to let the customer down.0
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Yes I can see it is to Siemens advantage to let customers down but it does make our blood boil! Have written a letter saying I am amused that they would think £20 would cover two broken appointments plus numerous emails, telephone calls and nashing of teeth. We'll see what they come up with. Te He0
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At long last received reply to letter ref. missed appointments. Siemens have agreed to cough up £40 in total for two missed appointments. They have already sent £20 but promised another £20 within two weeks. Pays to complain? No brilliant but some sort of a result I suppose.0
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