Meter reading problem

[Firemouth]

A young woman came to read our electric meter yesterday. as i took her to the meter she said "get me a stool, so i can read your meter". we aint got one, a point i made too her. "so you wont let me read your meter, then"? she replayed. i pointed out she should have all the equipment she needs to do her job. as i thought it was not my part to provide it. the upshot is, she is reporting me for, "refusing to allow her access to the meter".
can she do that, and, what are the possible consequences?
Personally, i couldn't give a toss (they cannot disconnect us because of my disabled daughter). but can they really expect you to provide their equipment. and take sanctions if you do not?

 

[srgberian]

why did she want a stool,to sit on? if it was to stand on ,and u did provide her nad it broke,or she fell,you would be sued. i wouls ask the meter reading peaple why she wanted said stool,and if it was to stand on point out there are designed for sitting on only.

 

[Firemouth]

yeh, it was to stand on. and she had no hat, hi viz vest, cones, signs or indeed anything else she needed, for working at heights. anything she is to clime on, needs checked by her health and safety officer, anyway.

 

[phawk754]

this is all down to health and safety ,if you would have giving her the stool and she fall of it ,who do you think would get in the shit ,yep it would be you ,,so you did the right thing

i would phone her boss and have a chat with him about it as this sounds right out of line to me

 

[Blackdavie]

think she's just bein a moody, menstrating jobsworth dude who doesn't deserve the smell off your piss.

 

[jaffa]

That is so ridiculous...unbelieveable.

Can you imagine if everyone was like this.

Window cleaner....you got a ladder I could use. No, clean your own windows.
Plumbler.....you got a wrench I could use. No, no water for you then.
Painter...you got a brush I could use. No, paint your own wall.

If the meter reader cant read the meter then they can get a stilt walker for all I care...not your problem, they fitted the meter there in the 1st place not you.

I would write a sarcastic letter/email to them.

 

[Rodbouy]

I would have said ok Hold on a few min, went upstairs done a jobbie in a bag and say their you go heres my stool !!!!!!!

 

[Spectre]

Report her to the HSE for unsafe work practices, health & safety is everyone's responsibility - Or so I'm constantly told .

 

[2primo]

Who do these fookers think they are tbh i often go to the door and point blank tell them to fook off as there always knocking to read one or the other
You only have to let them in once every 2 years not every 2 weeks
which is how often they seem to call
tbh there out and out toss pots with bad attitude
they pick the most impromptus times to call like 7.30 am or 6.00 pm right when ya getting ready or eating dinner ...
and then get shitty with you !! if you ask them to call back when it suits you !
whats with em most peps work so sure it would be a good idea if they worked
weekends ,, having said that i once had one round on new years eave !!
he was told to go forth !!

 

[pipsqueaker]

It beggars belief that she said that.
I haven't even got a stool in my house.
Cheeky bugger!!!!

 

[K]

I work for npower and understand where she's coming from.. but she shouldnt of told you she was entry refusing your read lol.. what time of the day was it?? if it was late on you have to understand shes been told to feck off, abused and taken shit all day long off customers.. its suprising how people treat meter readers.. but she should of said ok is it ok if i call back later, or she should of noted ladders needed then this would be classed as a read for her.. As for her saying it.. ring up your provider explain the situation, she will be pulled in for a disiplinary.. if it's e'on your with she will more than likely get sacked..

'@2primo, i get your drift. but if you want to be estimated 15 times in that time then thats upto you.. but in 2 years time don't come whinin on here about you bill being high because you havent paid enough money with your direct debit to cover your usage.. like above.. everytime you tell them to **** off its not only classed as a read for the reader(they get paid) it also gets noted for a future warrent to gain entry. and if you really do tell them to **** off.. they wouldnt come back.. you would get a letter from your provider and an appointment will be made.. if you still tell them to **** off they will come back with a letter of intent of warrent.. if there is still no entry a warrent is ordered and then entry will be gained with the police and your meter will be read.. in other cases pre pay meters are installed

At the end of the day this is her job.. it pays the bills.

 

[Firemouth]

I would have said ok Hold on a few min, went upstairs done a jobbie in a bag and say their you go heres my stool !!!!!!!

lol, wish i had thought of that!

I work for npower and understand where she's coming from.. but she shouldnt of told you she was entry refusing your read lol.. what time of the day was it?? if it was late on you have to understand shes been told to feck off, abused and taken shit all day long off customers.. its suprising how people treat meter readers.. but she should of said ok is it ok if i call back later, or she should of noted ladders needed then this would be classed as a read for her.. As for her saying it.. ring up your provider explain the situation, she will be pulled in for a disiplinary.. if it's e'on your with she will more than likely get sacked..

'@2primo, i get your drift. but if you want to be estimated 15 times in that time then thats upto you.. but in 2 years time don't come whinin on here about you bill being high because you havent paid enough money with your direct debit to cover your usage.. like above.. everytime you tell them to **** off its not only classed as a read for the reader(they get paid) it also gets noted for a future warrent to gain entry. and if you really do tell them to **** off.. they wouldnt come back.. you would get a letter from your provider and an appointment will be made.. if you still tell them to **** off they will come back with a letter of intent of warrent.. if there is still no entry a warrent is ordered and then entry will be gained with the police and your meter will be read.. in other cases pre pay meters are installed

At the end of the day this is her job.. it pays the bills.

Ahh, never mind. whats up? do these people not know what work is. if its too much for her, she should jack in, not make her customers suffer. i could not give a toss how long she had been at work, its simply not my problem! (1pm ish actually). she came unprepared for the work she had, again not my problem!

as for estimation. i have offered her access to the meter. she refused to accept it. again, not my problem. and if you are suggesting that i could have a warrant served (for access), what they gona do, smash their way in and ask for a stool? its up to the supplier to ensure readings can be made, refusing to do a reading because I would not supply the equipment she needed, will not go down too well, with anyone.

we always have, and will continue to give full access to the house to the agents of the utility's. i will not, however, supply any equipment in order for them to achieve that.

It's not really my thing, but this time I'm going all out to get her sacked. fcuk it. why should i have to take that in my own house. oddly, every house around us, has suddenly lost their steps and stools. lets see how long she lasts, . after reporting half an estate for "refusing to allow access".

 

[Rodbouy]

I hardly ever getm them round prob once or twice a year, I update my meter reading online every month when DD comes off as it makes life easy and save a big nast feckn bill

 

[digidude]

no meters are massivly high, nothing stopping then carrying a 3' H&S approved step ladder in the car with them

 

[K]

no meters are massivly high, nothing stopping then carrying a 3' H&S approved step ladder in the car with them

How many meter readers do you see parking outside every customers house?? umm

I dont think there is any written rule for meter readers to carry ladders.. infact its upto the provider to send someone with ladders... like a special meter reader..

Don't think this has anything to do with ladders.. granted it started over ladders... i think its more to do with the way she spoke to you and saying im entry refusing top topped it off..

As for getting sacked.. are you with e'on?? if you are i can almost garentee she will get the sack.. They have lost all the contracts they used to read.. now they only read their own meters. they have too many readers to do the job.. you may remember at christmas they published that a 1000 jobs where going.. this was the reason for this but they used the credit crunch as an excuse..

If your with npower... same as.. southern(birmingham down) are all new.. theyre on trial periods..

Im not sticking up for her.. she definatly should not of done what she did.. for the ladders you cant expect someone to carry ladders around allday long 250 houses a day.. i know you will say not your problem..

 

[Firemouth]

Im not sticking up for her.. she definatly should not of done what she did.. for the ladders you cant expect someone to carry ladders around allday long 250 houses a day.. i know you will say not your problem..

every other trade carries the gear they need, why meter readers? the meter is just over 6 feet from the ground, so not too high, and the supplier is British Gas

 

[digidude]

most houses on a street will have the meters in roughly the same place

if number one and 2 in a street have a beter 7' high, its a high probability that the other 100 or so houses on the street will have as well

so go to the car on the first job, grab the small ladders out of the boot weighing about 2.5 kilos, and go up one side of the road and back down the other to the car

i carry a tripple extending ladder from my van to the job of each house i work on, most of the time im only 10' up a wall, but if i need to get on a roof, which most of the time i dont, i still have the equipment to do it

simples

 

[jamesyboyjim]

shes clearly just a miserble unreasonable old cow.

end of.

 

[K]

most houses on a street will have the meters in roughly the same place

if number one and 2 in a street have a beter 7' high, its a high probability that the other 100 or so houses on the street will have as well

so go to the car on the first job, grab the small ladders out of the boot weighing about 2.5 kilos, and go up one side of the road and back down the other to the car

i carry a tripple extending ladder from my van to the job of each house i work on, most of the time im only 10' up a wall, but if i need to get on a roof, which most of the time i dont, i still have the equipment to do it

simples

But theyre not.. i dont know about other areas but in the northwest meters are usually in the hall, under stairs kitchen and in the cellar.. every house is diferent in location.. i think this is because they didnt fit all the meters at the same time.. ie some decided to opt out and stick with burning coal or oil and then opt in.. its very rare in the northwest for ladders to be needed and if they are the customer always has a set close by because they usualy read it thereselves.

What i was trying to get at earlier was that it isnt the meter readers problem if ladders are needed but it is however upto the meter reader to note that laders are needed.. then the provider can organise ladders for another meter reader who has ladders to then visit.. or the provider can organise for the meter to be moved to a location where it can be read..

@ boboboy.. you should forward your complaint to Acuread.. but i think british gas would sort this out for you..

What to do though, book an appointment for the meter to be read on the day if they dont turn up.. ring up and complain you will be entitled to £20 compensation.

 

[bigadec]

In my house the meter is over 9 foot off the floor. I need step ladders to read it. Plus its a analog one. Pain in the arse...All they seem to do is post a card through the door i read the meter and phone up...