This is out of order.

[zoombini]

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

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

[iadom]

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

[zovat]

Originally Posted by zoombini

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

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

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

[ian@huth]

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.

[SMHarman]

Originally Posted by andygrif

I don't see how the electricity company could have done anything differently, they can't be expected to flag up an alarm every time someone uses more electricity than normal, or tells them (in this case incorrectly) that they have.
<snip>

Originally Posted by punky

Well, I think it just one of those things. Noone deliberately did anyone else any harm. If I was working for the electricty company, and someone gave me a meter reading with such a jump I would have at least asked her to check again or questioned her about it. (If I was allowed to. Things like have people moved in recently, anyone using an electric heater, etc).

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.

[altis]

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?

[orangebird]

Originally Posted by Steve H

Sounds a bit crappy tbh - very unprofessional

Is it standard procedure to ring up and ask the customer to give a readout? Maybe the customer should get some kind of price cut or something for doing their job .. I know it's trivial, but...

Technically what if your mother had a fall whilst reading the meter? Could the company be held liable ?

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.

[iadom]

Originally Posted by orangebird

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.

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.