Re: This is out of order.
 

Good suggestion Seti, Iadom make sure you get the guy with the luvverly bottom :D

Isn't there a meter that can be automatically read by phone these days?

Re: This is out of order.
 

Thanks for that advice Seti, not to sure my mum is into botties at her age though. :tu:

Re: This is out of order.
 

There is a gas meter that can be read from outside the property - they just have to be within 5meters of the meter...

Re: This is out of order.
 

Our water meter is in the kitchen under the sink but is read from outside using a connection on the outside wall.

My daughter, when she lived in a flat in Essex, had an electricity meter that was read from outside the block by radio. She also kept getting gas bills and threats of disconnection although there was no gas supply to the flats and never had been.

Re: This is out of order.
 

Funny you should both say that, but I remember when I moved into a flat I bought in London and phoned up to switch the bill to my name, they immediately disputed the reading and said it must be incorrect. The reason, only 4 units of electricity had been used in the last 4 months (nobody was living there). When I explained the property had been vacant they accepted it was probably correct.

So London Electricity could see these things and ask are you sure, must depend on the billing system.

Re: This is out of order.
 

The meter reader that came round tapped the number into his machine and then waited. I quizzed him about this and he said it checked if the reading was within bounds before it would accept it. Sounds like a good idea - why don't other people implement this?

Re: This is out of order.
 

Sorry, but that's ridiculous.

Firstly, how is the company supposed to know she's old and fragile?
Secondly, the CUSTOMER gave the wrong reading - how is that the company's fault?
Thirdly, why on earth should any utility company be held liable for someone injuring themseklves whilst trying to read a meter? Surely, if they're not capable of reading a meter, they should tell the company?

This was an honest mistake on both parts and I don't see why the company should be blamed for it. :shrug:

Re: This is out of order.
 

1) The fact that they don't know who they are ringing should stop them using this practise.

2) Granted.

3) It is the duty of the utility company to read their own meters, they are their property after all.

4) If they intend to use this method of meter reading they should have systems in place that warn them when a customers bill goes from averaging around £40 per quarter to £342, I'm damn sure they would be round like shot to check if the reverse was the case.