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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to not want to let the gas/electric man into my house to read the meters

62 replies

tassisssss · 29/09/2010 19:44

when it's 7.45pm, dark outside and I'm in on my own with sleeping babies?

(realise he's just doing his job, am I just being really pathetic?)

OP posts:
ndavy · 29/09/2010 19:46

Not at all unreasonable. Can't imagine many lone people being happy about it - the elderly in particular. He can come back in the day.

scurryfunge · 29/09/2010 19:46

You are being pathetic if he has identification and you do have a gas or electric meter.

Marchpane · 29/09/2010 19:47

Yabu.

Now if it was someone pretending to be the meter man and was a vicious psychopath then yanbu.

fuschiagroan · 29/09/2010 19:48

If he has identification, YAB a bit U

BaggyCoconut · 29/09/2010 19:51

YANBU

I say that as you feel vunerable. they can either come back in the day or when some else is there, or you can just phone them with the readings.

I am very wary of meter readers now. I had one come round, British Gas ID and everything (we are with British Gas). He came in and read the meters and so on. My DP was in at the time. Just after I twigged that we had only had the bill the month before, yes I was having a slow day. We thought it was odd to be getting another one, but as we had just moved thought maybe it was to get us into a more normal pattern. Three weeks later we ring british gas as no bill has come, and we are told they have sent no one to take our meter readings. I have no idea who he was or what he wanted, but very glad DP was in just in case.

nickytwotimes · 29/09/2010 19:52

a bit u.

too much crimewatch

diddl · 29/09/2010 19:56

I wouldn´t answer the door at that time unless I was expecting someone.

ja9 · 29/09/2010 19:58

i don't like this either - even in the day time . i'm reallly wussy Sad

foreverastudent · 29/09/2010 20:01

yanbu

just because he's got a badge doesn't mean he isn't a potential thief/rapist/murderer.

Say for instance he did rape you, how would you be able to prove it wasn't consentual?

You wouldn't and he would get away with it.

I never answer my door.

AgentZigzag · 29/09/2010 20:01

I've said one couldn't come in before, he was a bit shitty, but tough it's my house.

Usually I shut the door and they wait on the doorstep while I get the readings (our gas meter is in the pantry which is a fucking tip most of the time Grin) and they don't mind that.

Original poster
tassisssss · 29/09/2010 20:32

Thank you all, I'm feeling much less wussy now.

AngentZig - next time I'll copy you and leave him standing on the doorstep while I go read them.

OP posts:
lucky1979 · 29/09/2010 20:36

When I was 12 someone came to the door to read the gas meter, had ID and everything. I was on my own after school having just walked down from the bus. I wouldn't let him in, he was very insistent, then our family dog (a great big Irish Wolfhound) started growling like mad, and she never did that. So he went away (as pretty much anyone would when confronted with an angry wolfhound).

Three weeks later a girl in the year below me was raped in her home at the same time of day by someone pretending to want to read the meter.

I have no idea if it was the same guy, I could be maligning a totally genuine meter reader, but I would never let anyone in that I wasn't expecting when I was on my own. Not worth that tiny tiny chance.

dilemma456 · 29/09/2010 20:37

It depends if you would be in during the day to let him in. In my case I wouldn't. Our meter reader turned up at 7.30 the other night having already put a card through the letter box earlier in the day to say he'd be round between 7-8pm as he'd tried at 1pm and we were out. Lovely bloke just doing his job. He insisted on showing me ID before I'd even asked. I was by myself too with DD.

On the other hand he's been round before during the day a few months back so I recognised him otherwise I may not have let him in.

ratspeaker · 29/09/2010 20:37

Why not sign up to an online account with British Gas and submit readings that way.
We also do our electric that way
I think they may need to occasionally check the meter but not sure how often

RememberToPlaywiththeKids · 29/09/2010 20:42

I wouldn't know if ID was geunine or not - would any of you?

StealthPolarBear · 29/09/2010 20:44

no Rememeber, I've often wondered this
Anyone with a printer and laminator could print out a "british gas" ID card (or whatever) and I wouldn't know if it was real or not

scurryfunge · 29/09/2010 20:46

You call the British Gas or whoever and see if they authentic.

StealthPolarBear · 29/09/2010 20:47

But do you? Does anyone?

lovechoc · 29/09/2010 20:48

we had a meter reader round earlier when getting DC ready for bed around 6pm and true, how on earth can you tell if their ID badge is a genuine one?? I was lucky DH was around to answer the door. I don't mind when it's during the day but at night I'd be less inclined to answer the door when it's dark, when at home alone. Very cynical way of looking at life but there you go...

BaggyCoconut · 29/09/2010 20:49

Remember - I do often take peoples ID and find my own phone number for them from yell, and ring and check. I make them wait outside with the door shut. I never phone any number they give me. I will admit I only do this when i am on my own though, feel a bit more safe when other adults are in the house. Some of the callers must think i am a right PITA.Grin

greenlotus · 29/09/2010 20:50

IIRC you can make them wait whilst you ring up the company and check their ID (ring the number on your bill, not one they give you!)

defyingravity · 29/09/2010 20:54

Lucky, what a scary story - were you interviewed about it at the time - I bet you were so glad you didn't let them in.

OP YANBU, I wouldn't answer the door at that time. I would probably pop my head round the window and if I didn;t know the caller ask them to call back another time.

tudorrose · 29/09/2010 20:57

I am often on my own with sleeping little ones at that time too. No way would I open the door if it's dark. I am wary in the day, but obviously let them if need be. But not at that time.

talleyrandsOW · 29/09/2010 21:01

lucky1979 - seriously, did the police get a statement from you? Did they catch the rapist? If not, perhaps it is not too late for you to add in your evidence especially if you can offer some kind of description.

It is a great plus of having a big dog. You were probably saved by his presence. I let the meter man in but make sure he knows the dog is right next to me. The reality is that my dog would not hurt a fly but he looks the part especially if I hold him by the collar so it looks like I am trying to restrain him. I send in my own meter readings but the gas company still insist on reading the meter themselves occasionally.

MercenaryMom · 30/09/2010 01:02

Glad I'm not the only one who worries about meter readers turning up in the evening!

Wouldn't let them in if I didn't feel comfortable - which in the evenings when I'm on my own, I don't. Its not unreasonable to expect to feel comfortable and safe in your own home. And it won't kill him to come back later...

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