Electricity meter stopped working- scottish power guessing use

[gladio]

We were paying on and off £40 a month electric and £40 gas, and the meter wasn't read by anybody including me between Jan 2009 and August 2012.

 

During that period we missed some payments and they sent some guy round to talk us about debt, no appointment, we were out and we were charged

 

Gas 2 visits x£40

Electric 2 visits x £40

 

He didn't look at the meters which were outside to get a reading. It occurred to me that they had taken this action on estimated debt.

 

Finally I phoned in some actual readings and we got a huge refund £890 credit to our electricity account. But we owed the £ 800 on the gas so I asked them to transfer the balance across.

 

They agreed and then a meter reader appeared as if by magic and read the meters.

 

New bills arrived more or less the same as the earlier ones. then they contacted us and said the meter appeared to have slowed down or stopped. They immediately sent out a MASSIVE electricity bill based on guesswork. Later refered to as a "CATCH UP BILL"

 

I objected.

 

They fitted a new meter and after 30 days I phoned in the reading of 180 units.

 

Then they said they had "METERED our useage for the time the meter had stopped, which was some time between 2009 and Aug 2012, they decided it had slowed down for all of that period and we owed them a few £hundred then a ping pong discussion by email ensued, me asking for my credit back and them eventually reducing the amount they claim I owe to £29.

 

 

But they refuse to admit they are guessing when the meter stopped or slowed and what our useage was, they claim it is METERED but they have multiplied our use in September x 2 years, saying the CATCH UP bill and their charter allows them to do that.

 

I asked for the unsolicited visits to be refunded, they refused saying our contract allowed them to do that.

 

I asked to see the contract, they said it was verbal

 

I asked to hear the contract, they said the tape was wiped.

 

I asked if I could have information how to take this to the Ombudsman, they said they would reffer it to senior management, but would like to exhaust all avenues with me first.

 

Thoughts? Advice?? Similar experiences??

 

I just think it's wrong that they cut corners by not reading the meter, knew we had a crumby old meter and didn't bother renewing it, and cannot know what our useage has been, I don't like paying for guesstimates!

[BankFodder]

Why go to an ombudsman.

 

Just make an issue of it in the County Court.

 

Write to them and set out the entire position - everything that has happened.

Tell them what you want and tell them that if you don't have it within 14 days that you will sue them.

 

The use.

Don't threaten if you don't mean it.

They will ignore the threat - but when they get the claim form they will probably cave in - and if they don't then in court you will most likely win.

 

These people need to be pushed around a bit. They aren't used to it.

[dx100uk]

tell them you want the 'faulty' meter inspected.

and a copy of the report PROVING its faulty

 

they'll say they dont have it

 

they do.

[Surfer01]

Why go to an ombudsman.

 

Just make an issue of it in the County Court.

 

Write to them and set out the entire position - everything that has happened.

Tell them what you want and tell them that if you don't have it within 14 days that you will sue them.

 

The use.

Don't threaten if you don't mean it.

They will ignore the threat - but when they get the claim form they will probably cave in - and if they don't then in court you will most likely win.

 

These people need to be pushed around a bit. They aren't used to it.

 

The Ombudsman is there for a reason and any magistrate would ask if the issue was raised and submitted to the Ombudsman. This standard procedure with the utilities industry. Regulations state that suppliers are supposed to arrange a minimum of one visit per 2 years to a domestic property so for a start they are on a sticky wicket. If OP can find out when they read the meter prior to 2009, it would be helpful. I have never come across extra charges for gas or electric meter debt visits as there is no reason to actually visit a property.

If OP & Scot Power cannot reach an agreement, OP needs to get a deadlock letter from the supplier where the supplier states that a decision cannot be reached. Once the deadlock letter is received, OP needs to contact Ombudsman to raise a complaint. In the meantime the supplier cannot take any action while the account is being disputed.

The above is the correct procedure and does not involve using the county court.

[dx100uk]

i think we should also alert the scottish power rep.

 

i'll go do that.

 

dx

[gladio]

Thank you for your advice so far.

 

I see the loss of a credit balance as theft, so ultimately will use the County Court Option after all other avenues are exhausted.

 

After a few years of being super careful about not leaving lights on and stuff plugged in, this guesstimate as to our useage is a real slap in the face.

 

I will be happy for the Scottish Power rep to comment and am happy to put my real identity up pn here if it will help resolve this matter.

[stu007]

Hi

 

Also this website may be of use its the Association of Meter Operators: www.meteroperators.org.uk/

 

Now i would be making a Formal Complaint in writing to Scottish Power (always get proof of posting and keep a good paper trail)

 

and request the following information:

 

1. Inspection report of the faulty meters removed.

2. Full explanation as to Scottish Powers conclusion that the meters had slowed down or stopped and a copy of the Inspection report that concludes this to be correct with the full certified qualification of those involved.

 

Until this is forthcoming i refute your claims and place this issue on my account IN DISPUTE.

[dx100uk]

Thank you for your advice so far.

 

I see the loss of a credit balance as theft, so ultimately will use the County Court Option after all other avenues are exhausted.

 

After a few years of being super careful about not leaving lights on and stuff plugged in, this guesstimate as to our useage is a real slap in the face.

 

I will be happy for the Scottish Power rep to comment and am happy to put my real identity up pn here if it will help resolve this matter.

 

there will be no need to real your ID

 

this will be done off list

 

the rep will advise how

 

they are very good if you have a brief look at the threads they have been involved in.

 

dx

[stu007]

Hi

 

Have to agree with dx100uk give the Scottishpower Rep on the forum a chance to sort this for you.

 

The information is private between you and the Rep as the rep will give you info to do this privately and it only becomes public if you place it on this thread

[ScottishPower Company Rep]

Hi gladio sorry to see you've had problems sorting this out. Please e-mail some details to [email protected] and we will look into this for you. Thanks David

[gladio]

Sorry Scottish Power, I am with ATLANTIC POWER, but replies to my emails are from SOUTHERN ELECTRIC dunno if this the same group as Scottish Power because I'm convinced we had a letterheading that said that.

 

Dunno what a rep could do that the 3 that have already been emailing me cant. It is being dealt with as a complaint.

[ScottishPower Company Rep]

Hi gladio Atlantic are part of Scottish & Southern Electric (SSE) but they are a separate company from ScottishPower, which is owned by Iberdrola. Hope this helps, David

[dx100uk]

SSE, Scottish Hydro,Southern Electric, SWALEC and Atlantic are all trading names of SSE EnergySupply Limited Registered in England & Wales No. 03757502 (Supply ofElectricity, Home Phone & Broadband)

Southern Electric Gas Limited Registered in England & Wales No. 02716495(Supply of Gas)

SSE Water Limited Registered in England & Wales No. 06021063 (Supply ofWater) and SSE Home Services Limited Registered in Scotland No. SC292102(Heating & Wiring Cover),

all members of the SSE Group

The Registered Office of SSE Energy Supply Limited, Southern Electric GasLimited and SSE Water Limited is 55 Vastern Road Reading Berkshire RG1 8BU

The Registered Office of SSE Home Services Limited is Inveralmond House 200Dunkeld Road Perth PH1 3AQ

www.sse.co.uk www.southern-electric.co.uk www.swalec.co.uk www.hydro.co.uk www.atlantic.co.uk www.ssehomeservices.co.uk