Beware of giving an incorrect meter reading to Scottish power

[flyingstoo]

Hi

 

In October 2009 I went on line to input my electricity reading to the scottish power website. The reading should have been 27855. I mistakenly put in a figure of 28855. I could not enter another reading for 24 hrs according to the system. So I tried later in the week to put the correct reading into my account. The system would not accept the reading as it was a lower reading than previously entered.

 

Anyhow , I had other things to do so left it to sort itself out when the next meter man came to read the meter. In November I decided to switch to EON and went through the usual routine via the internet. All seemed to go well I gave the change over reading to EON and assumed the meter error would sort itself out. OH NO it doesnt, Scottish power refused to accept the reading as it was still lower than the prevoiusly entered incorrect reading. Worse still they decided (scottish power) to make an estimate of their own and bump the reading upto over 30000 and give me an incorrect bill of nearly £200.

 

Many phone calls to EON ( who have been very good trying to resolve the problem ) and also to scottish power and yet another independent reading to confirm my meter reading and still I am getting the run around from Scottish Power who have since robbed me via direct debit.

 

It appears that if you put an incorrect meter read into your account and its in their favor Scottish power will not let you undo it. There is now an ongoing dispute apparently between the AGR (Agreed Reading Disputes) departments of EON and Scottish Power. Scottish power are deliberately being awkward and keep asking for more readings.

 

Any one else had this trouble with an incorrect reading?

[dx100uk]

can you not invoke the DD guarantee and get it back?

 

dx

[norse-storyteller]

Get a copy of one of today's papers and/or the most recent correspondance from Scottish power etc, ie a piece headed and dated correspondance from an outsider, place them along side the meter so that dates and 'mastheads' are clearly visible and then photograph the set up. The meter reading, the paper's masthead and date and/or the correspondance details/date should all be visible in the same photograph.

If you use a digital camera check your photo immediately to see that the above are visible and easily legible, if you used a film camera get the film developed immediately and check the results.

I did this with the supplier when I was changing the billing name on the account and I recollect that they were happy to accept the shown meter reading. Even if scottish power wont accept this as proof of an error it is still further evidence in your favour for whatever happens later on.

If you use a digital camera do not mess around with the image/s and back them up to multiple places. If you use a film camera keep the negatives and I'd suggest you take several shots from slightly different angles with and without flash just in case glare reflection from the meter's glass interfers with the legibility of the meter reading.

[loopinlouie]

They are being awkward. I did the same thing last year funny enough but with eon exactly 1000 over and they sorted it out straight away and reissued bill. I cant see what scottish power are playing at.

[Philip23]

I'm trying to sort out a big problem for work. I've phoned on numerous occasions and no one answers the call. After 10 minutes I just put the phone down. I've emailed twice - no response. I wrote to them two weeks ago, no response. The customer service is appalling. I'd advise everyone to go elsewhere for their supply.

[pelham9]

Certainly you should require your bank to reverse that direct debit Do mot take no for an answer - some bank employees have not heard of the direct debit quarantee and will suggest you take this up with Scottish Power. Cancel the direct debit mandate with your bank. Whether or not you inform SP of this is up to you.

 

Never ever accept an estimated bill. Insist that they either accept your reading or read the meter themselves.

 

Scittish Power are just being silly.

[shining Light]

My mother recently did this with UW, she put in a lower reading than she should have, and actually received a £21 credit.

 

The following month (last month) she put in the correct reading and paid a little more than she normally does so she asked me why, which is when I discovered her mistake.

 

The bottom line is, split between the two months she had effectively paid her usual amount.

 

Like was said before, Scottish Power are just being silly, and a check of the readings should show there is no actual problem.