To be angry with Scottish Power

[daisypetula]

They’ve been calling me to get me to have a smart meter fitted.

24 times in 48 hours.

I’ve blocked their number but the phone stores the details.

if I didn’t already have a smart meter this would put me off getting one. I’m changing energy suppliers because of this.

Been calling me 3 times a day too … they try to pretend it’s compulsory but can never offer a weekend appointment, why would I take time off work to change a meter, there is no benefit. I can read my meter and add readings to app daily if they like - that would be easier lol.

Changing supplier is a good idea actually if they don’t stop the calls.

I don't think it's ever unreasonable to be annoyed with Scottish Power.

If your meter is beyond a certain age, having it replaced is compulsory. This has always been true.

If your meter is actually due for replacement, every supplier will endeavour to replace it, as the law requires them to do.

They keep haranguing me I tell them contact my landlord they say no YOU contact your landlord I said no im not the one wanting to change my property YOU do you call

They haven't called

If the bills are in your name, the meters are nothing to do with the landlord. They are not allowed to prevent you having smart meters fitted.

I understand that but it’s a smart meter that’s only been in for a month.

They use that as a ruse to get people on smart meters IMHO. My energy supplier sent me a letter years ago that the electric meter needed replacing etc. They didn't follow up on it, but I do get loads of calls and texts about smart meters now.

I have seen several threads where people talk about meters needing to be replaced. In my ignorance, is this really a thing? When we moved into our house, around 20 years ago, there seemed to be a problem with the meter, we called our supplier who sent someone out, he investigated and rectified the problem, which was nothing to do with the meter, he said he would change the meter anyway as that was what he was there for. But said the meter was probably only 25 to 30 years old so was not really in need of replacement.
What has changed in that time, does anyone know?

It is really a thing, and always has been. Like any other device or machine, meters can’t stay accurate forever, and the law stipulates that customers are billed via a certified meter. See the Gas Act (1986) and Electricity Act (1989).

Have you tried lodging a formal complaint?

It can’t be a ruse if it’s literally a legal requirement! It’s certainly the case that the smart meter roll-out has forced suppliers to concentrate of fulfilling their obligation to bill us via certified meters. That’s a good thing! Would you go to a petrol station that refused to allow government inspectors to conduct their regular tests on the accuracy of the petrol pumps?

Energy meters absolutely have to be replaced after a certain time period, old gas ones can acutually be dangerous if not replaced.

Not only do energy companies have an obligation to replace them, they actually have powers to force entry to your property and replace the meter. Obviously they rarely us those powers as most peope are happy to have their meter replaced.

I don't think that old meters are dangerous. This is what British gas says:

I keep getting emails on a weekly basis telling me I need to get a Smart Meter - hell will freeze over before that happens.

They even sent me a letter saying that their engineer would be calling on a particular date to fit my new meter. I phone to say no but I wish I'd just let them turn up and say I didn't ask for it.

No, I just blocked their number. A complaint won’t change anything.

I happily have a smart metre, but getting it fitted was a pain. They kept making and then cancelling appointments. It took over a year to get sorted. Great once it’s in

If your meter has reached the end of its certification period, the law requires it to be replaced, whether you like it or not.

Yeah but my meter is relatively new because was a prepayment when I moved it so I got it changed. (And probably used half a day annual leave for that)

So they can’t use the “old meter” as an excuse but when I speak to them they almost claim smart meters are compulsory which they are not! Although they are very careful not to say they are mandatory because that would be a lie.

Clearly they have been set targets by the government but that’s not my problem … ringing me 3 times a day isn’t going to help! What might encourage me is a credit on my bill (eg £50) or a 1hr window for installation at a weekend rather than a 4hr window which is not convenient !

I wish you the best of luck trying to leave Scottish Power. Have a quick google about what a nightmare company they are to try to leave. You’ve probably not been paying off your account for the duration of your time with them, and they’ll be bailiffs trying to get money for your account at the wrong address…..

Yep. Scottish Power are basically a scam company.

It may be that the records weren’t updated when your meter was changed, so they still think you have an older one that’s due for replacement. If that’s the case, just ask them to stop offering you a smart meter, and lodge a formal complaint if need be.

They strong armed us into getting one, then blew up our boiler installing it by not shutting it down properly first, in the middle of winter when I had a tiny baby. Then refused to do anything about it and said it was coincidence, it was freezing for days. Legal and general fixed it even though we weren't with them because they saw my complaint on Twitter (and do boiler cover work for SP) . We left them soon after and they could give energy away for free and I wouldn't go back to them.

They email me too but they have put someone randomly on my email so it's addressed to Ms unamedcat and Mr random stranger....I don't live with another adult and if they can't even get that right why should I trust them to run a dam smart meter