to not let the meter reader in?

[midastouch]

my electric meter is in my cellar/playroom, so they have to trapse through my house to get to the meter. I had a screaming baby so i told him it wasnt convenient I got quite a lecture about checking it for safety so i asked him to come back in a couple of hours (to give me a chance to sort lunch out and clear the playroom floor so he doesnt break his neck!) he was not impressed and knocked again half an hour later. I ignored it he knocked 3 times! It was only read 2 months ago and I dont really like strangers demanding entry to my home! Anyway i now have a note to say ive refused entry twice!

usual In my case it's because the meter isn't in an easily accessible place - it's at the back of a garage, so dh reads the meter and we send the reading in.

When a workman comes I let him/her in.

If you check his ID with your energy company then he isn't a random stranger anymore He is Joe Bloggs 'The meter Reader'

I feel sorry for meter readers after reading this thread.

I dont answer the door unless im expecting something as its usually salesmen or religious people and im just not interested. I let the same man in 2 months ago, i know exactly when it was, it was last day of term before xmas and i was wrapping presents. Youd think this day and age theyd be able to get the reading like the water people do, or at least send an email or something to say what day theyre coming round so i can find the floor and get everything out the meter cupboard beforehand.

I bet there would be uproar if the meter reader asked if their husband/DP was and wouldn't read the meter otherwise usual

I think it is fine to be cautious in this instance.

You don't have to clean up for the meter reader, I'm sure hes used to cluttered cupboards.

Can you imagine, if the meter reader asked 'is your husband at home' mantic.

Perhaps people feel vulnerable about letting people into their houses that they don't know? Nothing wrong with that.

in my area we all had to have our gas meters moved outside. We had no say in this - it was done when pipes were replaced in the road. It involved months of disruption on the road and, inside, we had our carpets and floors pulled up, they needed access to the loft and it the whole thing was a fucking nightmare....

Now our meters are outside - but that doesn't seem to have been passed onto the meter readers who still knock. And when they do read the meters they invariably read the wrong meter for the wrong house.

I never let anyone in unless I know them or they've got an invitation/appt. I don't answer the door otherwise. Its your house op. Its about your comfort.

YANBU. Whilst it may be inconvenient for him and how he does his job, it is his JOB. It was inconvenient for you personally not professionally and I would have done exactly the same thing in your situation. Like others have said, your home is supposed to be your own territory and you choose when it is convenient. I am an accommodating reasonable person but there is no way on earth I would let someone in if it is was inconvenient to me either- you should feel good that you stood firm.

We do pay for this service via our bills so should be entitled to have someone call when it is convenient for us (and I work for a major energy supplier!)

Workmen don't tend to turn up unannounced and ask to do work in your home.

I am fine with workmen coming in, the meter reader could be someone with fake ID. Probably unlikely, but there is a chance.

I dispare of the number of women who wont lt someone in to read a meter unless their big strong man is home. I thought we had moved on from the little woman being incapable and needs her man to look after her.

And if you are so worried about fake i/ds then each id will have a number on you can ring and check it is legit.

Well despair then because some women who have just had a baby and are tired and feeling vulnerable after a night up with said newborn don't feel like letting anyone through the door let alone a grumpy rude meter reader.

Maybe if these people learned some manners or customer service, all the ones that come to my door have been very pushy, and I have yet to meet one who doesn't traipse their muddy boots through my carpet.

Ah yes. Because if I ring the number on the fake ID then I wouldn't just be phoning fake ID man's friend who will of course say he's legit?

cantspell I feel particularly vulnerable after an accident so am reluctant to let someone unannounced in (meter is in the garage as I said earlier so doesn't apply but if it was in the house I wouldn't be letting them in), a few years ago it wouldn't have bothered me in the slightest. Perhaps have a bit of understanding and less despairing?

say completely agree

Ah yes. Because if I ring the number on the fake ID then I wouldn't just be phoning fake ID man's friend who will of course say he's legit?

Exactly.

Maybe if these people learned some manners or customer service, all the ones that come to my door have been very pushy, and I have yet to meet one who doesn't traipse their muddy boots through my carpet. Very good point!! Being a woman with 2 children you can feel vulnerable letting a complete stranger into your house, like zzzzz said it has everything to do with your life experience, at the end of the day its my home i should have every right to ask them to come back at a more convenient time

I wonder if that prick of a workman would have offered to scrub my back if my big strong husband was at home....

I'm not a frightened little woman, hiding behind the couch in case a big bad man comes and knocks on my door. I was, however, naked except for a towel and a dressing gown, with a brand new baby asleep in his cot.

I answered the door, hiding my body behind it, so that just my head was in view but this "gentleman" still offered to perform an intimate act for me.

I for one won't be answering the door to unannounced callers from now on and I hope the man in question remembers the tongue lashing he received from this "scared little mouse" every time he attends a premises, big strong hubby at home or no.

Some women don't feel happy to allow people through their doors at times when they feel vulnerable...deal with it! And in return, we shall deal with the fact that there are others who will let unannounced callers into their home.

Blimey a lot of you are determined.

How about this.

'hi, can I please read your meter'
sure, can you hang on a sec while I check your ID.

(you phone your utility company. The number to call is on your bill or on the utility companies website (eg see here Or here )
You can also take a moment to slip your coat on.
You open the door and invite the meter reader in.

sorry but would you mind taking your shoes off
'no problem'
And sorry about the mess
'doesn't bother me at all'

A couple of minutes later he has read the meter and left.......

Surely it's not that hard.

If you're in when he asks for entry, you might as well let him in and get it over with. Hopefully then you'll be out or not hear him in future and won't have to do it for another 6 months or even a year...