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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU if I'm being unreasonable about meter reading for utilities bill

39 replies

onceamai · 07/05/2011 09:19

I'm not sure if I'm being unreasonable or not and would like some advice before I contact the utility company which I think is British Gas for Gas and Electricity.

On Monday, a bank holiday, a young man knocked on the door at 8.30pm and wanted to read the meter. He had the correct equipment and a badge but I thought it was very strange to call so late on a bank holiday. I said I wanted to check first and asked if he had a contact number. He gave me an 0800 number and got visibly agitated when I closed the front door to telephone - there was an out of hours recorded message. I said he couldn't come in.

He turned up again last night - again after 8.30. I said it was far too late (Friday night) and as I couldn't contact his office to check out of hours, he could not come in. He then wanted to argue that the meter had to be read, that it was his right and because I had said he couldn't do it on a bank holiday he had come back on a day that wasn't a bank holiday. It was the arguing that worried me although he seemed a presentable young man. He did not like it at all when I said in the circumstances could he please ask his company to contact me to make an appointment or to accept an estimate.

I am sure that usually the meter readings have taken place on Saturday mornings in recent years and this seems very strange. I feel more cautious because the calls have come when DH is away and DH says this doesn't seem to be falling in with the bill cycle - the bill is not due for about 4-6 weeks. DH is abroad a lot and I am beginning to feel paranoid that we are being cased.

I'm not sure if I'm being over anxious about this and don't want to contact the utility company and get this young man in trouble if he is a genuine employee but he seems a little too persistent and hasn't been able to leave me with a card so that I can contact the company for mutually convenient appointment.

The neighbours haven't had this young man calling but I don't know if readings take place a road at a time or if they link in with moving in dates. We have been here since 1994 and it seems rather unusual.

OP posts:

snice · 07/05/2011 09:21

read your own meter and tell the company your readings. Job done.

LoveBeingAbleToNamechange · 07/05/2011 09:24

Please give them a call for your own piece of mind. If he calls again just say you've given the Reading over the phone

screamingskull · 07/05/2011 09:26

hmm does sound funny, although he is most likely glad to see a face at the door and just wants it done. Round my way you are lucky if any one answers the door.

Our last reading was a few weeks ago and the guy left his calling card in all the doors (close), showing who had answerd him and who hadn't (cheers mate just let everyone know im working today).

The official card had a number where you take the reading yourself and call them with the information.....can you ask him if you can pass the information on this way, ensuring that he is not entering your home.

risingstar · 07/05/2011 09:27

it is not unreasonable to expect to be able to contact the company to check his ID, so therefore he should be reading the meter during office hours ( wonder if he was uncomfortable because he is behind and therefore working out of hours?)

it doesnt matter if you are being over anxious or not- its not a situation you have created. if he turns up again out of hours, tell him very firmly that until he arrives at a time you can phone and check his ID, you will not be letting him in.

strandedbear · 07/05/2011 09:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

onceamai · 07/05/2011 09:28

I feel even more uncomfortable about this now. It would have been so easy for him to have given me a card and to have advised me to do the reading myself and send it on. Now wondering why he didn't do that.

OP posts:

ZimboMum · 07/05/2011 09:29

If he is a genuine employee then he should have nothing to fear from you ringing to check him out. Most utility companies will accept your readings so just ring them through.

foxinsocks · 07/05/2011 09:31

Our british gas meter reader comes quite late in the day but as most people around here are 2 people working families, I guess he is maximising his chances of finding people in

Just call BG and check he is who he says he is

susall · 07/05/2011 09:35

If he was wearing a G4S uniform then he is legit as they took over Acuread (who do the readings for BG) a while ago, that saying the time he arrived at is very U and I would not have let him in either. Phone BG and give your readings then ask for G4S contact details as you wish to formally complain about his timing and his attitude.

NinkyNonker · 07/05/2011 09:37

Our reader never comes accompanied, sounds like this is unusual.

Original poster

onceamai · 07/05/2011 09:38

Not sure how I'm supposed to know if the uniform is correct or not. He was wearing a pale blue shirt and a lot of navy. Don't recall a log with G4S on it but now sure I looked very carefully.

I will follow advice and note down the reading and send them to British Gas.

OP posts:

susall · 07/05/2011 09:47

G4S uniform is navy polo shirt (with logo in red and white) and navy blue combats (well the guy that read mine did). DH works on the ATM side of things and it was him that found out they had taken over the reading side of things, but then maybe different companies for different areas.
He was still being U expecting you to be willing to let him in at that time of night when there was not much you could do to check he was who he said he was.
G4S contact no is 0191 201 3500 they may be able to tell you if they cover your area.

foxinsocks · 07/05/2011 09:49

I've never had a reader for electricity or gas who was accompanied! Why would they bring someone else with them?

IShallWearMidnight · 07/05/2011 09:59

we had a guy come to read the meter, then a week or so later the elec co rang up to ask if we remembered who it was, what were they wearing, did they show ID. I hadn't a clue (who cna remember stuff like that when they are juggling tea, homework and everything else) but I wonder if there had been complaints.

Punkatheart · 07/05/2011 10:01

Two people would send warning bells but I believe it was only one here. It could be a pushy man trying to fill quotas but it is unusual for them to work on a bank holiday? Call your utility supplier first and if not satisfied, call the police.

Don't panic - if it is a distraction attempt at burglary - it is never personal.

One thing though that if he was a thief - I don't feel he would come back the second time. It would be risky for him. He may just be pushy but 8.30 is not a good time.

Maybe google your area and any bogus caller stories. There is one here but obviously I am NOT saying that he was definitely bogus.

www.howto.co.uk/property/home-safety-security/bogus_callers/#bogus-meter-readers

microfight · 07/05/2011 10:07

We had a meter reader on Bank Holiday too, I let him in and he read the meter so he wasn't bogus. I thought it was a strange day too!

HecateQueenOfTheNight · 07/05/2011 10:09

I believe that legally you only have to let someone in once every two years. So if he comes back again, you can tell him that.

I think the law states that they are only required to read the meter once every two years. i think that's how it's worded.

Birdsgottafly · 07/05/2011 10:14

They are not supposed to call after 8pm. I would phone the company if you are worried. However, i think it may be that he is working two jobs or fitting other things in instead of working when he should be, so is having to make up his time.

Chil1234 · 07/05/2011 10:19

Even if you submit your own readings regularly, the utility company is entitled to send someone round to check periodically. If he's on your doorstep and you're at home, therefore, he's going to expect to be allowed access.

Original poster

onceamai · 07/05/2011 10:21

I don't see how they can expect access after 8pm, especially on a bank holiday and when I can't check they are legitimate.

OP posts:

TheVeryAngryMumapillar · 07/05/2011 10:26

I have never had one of them get agitated or be rude like that....even if he IS legit he needs a talking to about customer care.

LineRunner · 07/05/2011 10:28

I'm with British Gas too. The last bloke who came to read the meters told me that they get paid by the meter reading. I guess this means that they have a big incentive to get into as many houses as possible to read as many meters as possible.

Agree with posters who say that you should read your own meters and submit direct to BG. If they need to actually come and check the meters say, once a year, then ask that they come during normal working hours on a specific date.

Pigglesworth · 07/05/2011 10:44

YANBU, I would phone the company and ask about him - if he has done nothing wrong then he won't get in trouble. Strange for him to arrive so late at night by himself, be unable to prove his ID and become agitated/ angry when you would not let him in. Never compromise your own safety/ gut instinct for fear of looking "impolite", that's how many unscrupulous people succeed in taking advantage of others.

oldraver · 07/05/2011 10:49

Even if he is genuine I think you still need to contact the company he works for as he sounds as if he is being over officious at the least. He should understand you are cautious and of given you the altenative of ringing in your readings and not tried to bully you into letting him in

Original poster

onceamai · 07/05/2011 11:57

Have phoned British Gas and spoke to a very helpful lady who has taken the readings, told me the next bill is 486 (gas and electricity), tried to sell me cover for servicing, etc., tried to get me to sign up to dd's, registered my nectar card, got me to do a survey. Evidently because of the bank holidays they are working extra shifts to keep on top of things but she did think 8 was a bit late and he should have advised me to phone in with the readings.

OP posts:

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