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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

Hedgeblunder · 30/09/2010 01:19

I don't let them in -
I had a really shitty experience with a guy from EON, he started going on about how when he reads meters in the next street he tries to peek at the girls knickers under their skirts while he's bent down Reading the meter. Oh and also that he always hopes that when a woman answers the door in her dressing gown he's praying that it slips off.
Fucking pig. He said all this to DP and was obviously oblivious that I was in the kitchen and could hear everything. I put in a complaint and switched to British gas that day.

wannabesybil · 30/09/2010 09:23

You can actually insist that they make an appointment or have a 'safe word' or password.

I know this because the last meter reader I let in picked up a pair of my knickers from the washing pile and started asking me if they were mine, etc...

I was in a room with him standing at the only exit. I had to get really Scouse to get him to leave, it was horrible.

loopyloops · 30/09/2010 09:33

Is getting Scouse a typical line of defense?

Giddyup · 30/09/2010 09:40

They only come here when either the house is a complete pigsty or I am in my PJ's in the day. I don't know how they tell....

wannabesybil · 30/09/2010 10:33

'Is getting Scouse a typical line of defense?'

I do a very good Lily Savage...

Also, I live in Yorkshire where most are not quite sure how to deal. Which is useful when faced with weird perverts.

cumbria81 · 30/09/2010 10:37

YABVU.

It's the gas man.

Jeez.

partyhats · 30/09/2010 10:41

I never open the door to anyone when I am not expecting I am on my own or with the dcs. Sometimes it is blatantly obvious I am in (through glass in front door) but I don't care, I did'nt ask for them to turn up at my doorstep. You just never know who the person is and what their motives are, not worth the risk.

2shoes · 30/09/2010 10:42

yabu
he has to read it

AgentZigzag · 30/09/2010 10:43

I take it you've never had a man try to con their way into your house then cumbria?

I have, and I don't let anyone try to use 'social conventions' to gain access ie 'I'll play this role which will force you to play the other role in order to be polite to me.'

I wont fall for that, and if I look like I'm being rude, then so be it.

If they're legit, they wont mind.

AgentZigzag · 30/09/2010 10:46

You are under a legal obligation to let them in 2shoes, but I would say they'd have to go to court and have the police with them if they went down that route.

There are plenty of ways to give your readings without letting random blokes into your house without an appointment.

NoahAndTheWhale · 30/09/2010 10:48

I am probably missing something here, but why does how dark it is make any different to whether someone is going to attack you or not? The people who are concerned about letting someone in at night; would you let them in during the daytime?

I am probably too trusting tbh.

I did think that meter readers weren't from the place where you get your power from - aren't they contracted out to a general place?

screamingskull · 30/09/2010 10:53

YANBU especially based on the time of call, hope you asked him to come back during the day.

JenaiMarrHePlaysGuitar · 30/09/2010 11:01

As Noah says, why would a psychopath meter reader be more likey to attack at 19:45 than 07:45?

To be fair though either time would irritate me.

Dylthan · 30/09/2010 11:01

They only have a legal right to check your meter once a year. This is to make sure your not tampering with the meter. Ring your gas/ electric company and make an appointment for them to come round.

No one else can just pop round whenever they feel like it demand access to your home and then get really shitty when you refuse because your busy.

Phone your readings in yourself to make sure your bill is always right and not an estimate.

huffypuffymummy · 30/09/2010 11:09

yanbu

recently 10 mins from where i live a guy from the local water company came to read a woman's meter had the uniform and the id etc

once he had gained access he started asking about her little girls bedroom and saying that he preferred little girls as they were easy? he made the woman really uncomfortable. she called the water company and they knew nothing about it so they called the police and e-fits etc were released through the local rag they didn't find him to my knowledge.

stressheaderic · 30/09/2010 11:11

I never answer the door during the day, unless I'm expecting someone. I look out of the bedroom window and if it's someone I don't know, no way. Too many dodgy types where we live, carrying random ladders or delivering bogus leaflets/charity bags.

I too give my meter readings online, think I even get a discount for it (Scottish Power).

wildmutt · 30/09/2010 11:12

YANBU, I never used to give a second thought about answering my door but now when I'm alone with the dc I won't unless I know who it is even in the daytime. I had the doorbell go the other night about 8 o'clock and when I looked through the spyhole I couldn't see anything so I just ignored it. Then sat there worrying for the next hour until dh got home wondering who it was. I don't like being this wimpy but I just seem to worry about things so much more since having the kids. Note to self - Must stop reading the local papers.

My poor Mum got scammed at the doorstep last year in the middle of the day. A pleasant looking lady knocked saying she lived across the road down a bit and that she'd locked herself out and needed to get to her Mum house to get spare set so she could get back in and get her car keys. She asked for £20 for taxi fare and promised to come back later that evening. Surprise surprise she was never seen again. Mum was so sure she was genuine and felt really sorry for her. Why the hell does someone do that for £20

frgr · 30/09/2010 11:21

I used to be trusting - my bil has a part time job as a meter reader whilst he is also studying, it pays not bad for evening work. so i know that they are mostly genuine guys just doing their jobs.

but now i wouldn't

i wouldn't let ANYONE in the house if I'm alone, and I always check the peep hole before i open the door (put the chain on if I don't know them)

too many neighbours have been mugged, and there are drug problems here too

in early august about 5 minutes away from our house some guys forced open the door of a woman's home and robbed her in the evening, they haven't been caught (it's in the paper yesterday). that was with her 2 kids in the house. it was about 6pm at night, so not that dark/late - but it could have been so much worse than just being robbed of some cash - it's made me re-assess how i'd do these things

perfectly happy to let a single unknown person in if H is here or they write to request an appointment to be arranged

BibiBlocksberg · 30/09/2010 14:07

This is a very interesting thread. My DP is a meter reader so I hear the stories from the other side (almost every night, sigh!)

Where DP works they are supposed to work between 7am and 8pm to maximise reads. DP never bothers working that late though since many people don't answer the door after a certain time (quite right too!)

I can't believe so many of you had such weirdos turn up at your doorstep - no wonder people are reluctant to let the Meter Reader in these days!!

DP would rather be waiting outside while his badge details are checked. He says the amount of people (especially elderly) that tell him to come in and THEN ask if he has ID is staggering. Bit late really when he's already across the threshold!

Although it can be quite handy having him there sometimes - lost count of the amount of pensioners he's picked up when they've fallen while he's been reading the meter. I always say to him he obviously has a strange effect on the eldery

2rebecca · 30/09/2010 15:20

YABU at 7.45. If you'd said 9.45 I'd agree but 7.45 seems a sensible time to call to me as many folk work up until 6ish.
I suspect your terms of contract with the gas company say you have to admit meter readers if they have id.

amothersplaceisinthewrong · 30/09/2010 15:23

Thankfully my meters are in the garage!!

newwave · 30/09/2010 15:28

If you dont want them in then ask him to phone to make an appointment or let him wait outside and read the meter yourself.

naturalbaby · 30/09/2010 15:36

meters in my garage too - sooo glad i don't have to have a strange man with muddy shoes walking over my cream carpets when ds1 is mid-potty training!
most of the time i just don't open the door if i'm on my own with the little ones.

twopeople · 30/09/2010 15:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

notinmypocket · 30/09/2010 16:16

If you are really worried, and I agree an ID can be easily faked, you can set up a pass word with your gas supplier. I think all the big providers offer this.

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