The gasman cometh (or not as the case may be)

[rhionnach]

I've just got off the phone from talking to Dataserve UK to arrange an appointment for them to carry out a safety inspection and read the gas meter. I know that this is a legal obligation for them which they have to carry out every two years but why do they always seem to give the impression that you are a Bad Person for not being there when they turn up out of the blue to look at the meter?

The first I knew that they had been was when I came home from work to find a card which says, “Our representative called today.....but was unable to gain access. Considerable time has elapsed since the last Safety Inspection/Reading and as a result access is still required. It is in your interests to provide access and as such I would urge you to contact us to arrange a suitable appointment.”

Previously they have always written to me before turning up. I suppose they may have turned up unannounced even then but as I was out at work I was unaware of it. Their “safety inspection” is a bit of a nonsense as all they do it look at the meter (which is buried at the back of a cupboard) take the reading and go. It takes all of 5 minutes but that is usually after having to wait in all Saturday morning from 8.00am to 1.00pm as they are unable to specify a time.

So I called them today as I am off work getting ready to go to a funeral. The woman I spoke to called my details up and informed me that they had booked me in for Wednesday February 18th in the morning. I said that was unacceptable as I was at work and who had decided on that? So she began to try to tell me that it was a legal requirement etc. but as I knew that I told her so and said I wanted to arrange a time which would be suitable for me. She then wanted to give me an evening appointment but as their idea of evening is 5.00pm – 7.00pm and I don't get home until after 6.00pm there is no guarantee that I would be in when they came. And that would no doubt lead to stroppy letters from the gas people accusing me of being obstructive and threatening legal moves to gain access. (I know this, I've had a previous letter when I tried to be there for them in the evening and it didn't work out.) We finally agreed on a Saturday appointment on APRIL 25th! In the morning, between 8.00am and 1.00pm as it's clearly impossible for them to be able to plan their visits in advance on a planner unlike most people.

I know the meter needs to be read but I think that they could try to be a little less abrasive towards their customers about it. Better still, why can't meters be in cupboards outside so you don't have to be in for them?

Comments

[the-magician.livejournal.com]

why can't meters be in cupboards outside so you don't have to be in for them?

a) they are in a lot of newbuild houses (white plastic boxes on the wall either near the front door or just around the side)

b) a lot of companies have been rolling out "remote reading" meters, which use something like bluetooth/wifi (some radio signal) which a passing meter reader can read from a handheld scanner without having to leave their van (it includes the meter number so they know it is yours and not next-doors!)

[qidane.livejournal.com]

Ah well having the meter outside is no help. I have had to stay in so the gas man could come and check the meter because "he might need to turn off the gas as part of the test and could not reconnect it if he could not gain access to the house to ensure it had was safe to do so".

As it was he tested the pressure and sprayed soapy water around to look for leaks.

[heethen-crone.livejournal.com]

Having the meter outside would be more sensible. I'm surprised they put them inside, even in apartment buildings the meters are outside the building in the US, or in an accessible hallway.
That being said, I suppose the reason they don't have more or later evening hours could be that they would have to pay overtime to meter readers to accomplish this. They could (if they were trying to be accommodating to customers), arrange meter readers' schedules to do this. Every other business except banks does.