Gas Meter Technician
By maddysmommy
@maddysmommy (16230)
United States
February 1, 2008 10:02am CST
Our gas bill has sky rocketed over the last few months because our gas company has been "estimating" our bills according to what was used last year and not to what our meter actually reads.
For the last three months we have called them regarding our charges and they have set up appointments for a gas technician to come out and check it. Third time round, he is suppose to be here today sometime between the hours of 7am and 5pm, so that means I can't leave the house (just as well the weather is crappy so I am not going anywhere).
What frustrates me is when you make one appointment why they don't stick to it? don't they know you have to scrifice your time to be at home to make sure they can get to the meter? we live in an apartment building and you can't get access through the front door without a security card or pin code so I have to be home to receive them.
If they don't turn up today, I am going to make a big fuss about it and complain too. I don't want our gas to be cut off because of their mistake. Just as well my husband has been dealing with this because I would of been yelling into the phone or demanding I talk to a Manager because this is just not on!
Would you take it and accept that ok they probably had a good reason for not turning up the first time, or the second time, but what about the third time? or would you have made a complaint after the first time the technician didn't turn up? I know I would of if my husband let me LOL
2 people like this
6 responses
@lucgeta (924)
• France
1 Feb 08
It's very common to have bills based on previous use rather than actual reading. Main reason is cutting costs with less visits and updating their database. In case they overestimate the value you receive cash back.
What is unacceptable is not respecting an appointment. Thou the person at the call center is not responsible for this situation. One thing you could do is call them to confirm the visit. Can you read yourself the meter and give them the number? Hope everything goes fine for you.
2 people like this
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
1 Feb 08
We can read the meter and have told them the difference for each bill but they won't accept it. They said their technician needs to come out and see it for themselves. Seems like they don't believe us :(
I might just confirm again whether they are coming today. Thanks for that!
1 person likes this
@cupid74 (11388)
• Pakistan
2 Feb 08
Ahhhhhh
so this practice is there as well, i was thinking that only third world nation has such problem
but. we are not alone
well if u think that after complaining about techniacian will not irritate him and he will check ur meter honestly then u should complaint
lol
1 person likes this
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
2 Feb 08
Yes it happens here and am sad to say they did not turn up once again. 4th time lucky I suppose :)
@patgalca (18366)
• Orangeville, Ontario
1 Feb 08
What I DON'T suggest you do is what the woman on Dr. Phil yesterday did. She got so mad at her cable company she went in with a hammer and smashed everything in the office. LOL! She "got their attention" and everyone cheered her on.
It is unfortunate but I am guessing that emergency situations are a priority over something like this. I wouldn't want to be sitting in a freezing house while some technician is going out of his way to read someone's meter. We had our furnace break down last month and our neighbour's had their's break down last week. It is winter time and getting heat is more important than checking on accounts. It is unfortunate that you have been put in this situation but I am sure that is the reason for the delay. It is what it is. If they cancel again, speak to a manager and explain that you have been given three appointments and all have been cancelled and that you have been sitting at home waiting when you could be out shopping for food for your family.
Good luck!
1 person likes this
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
1 Feb 08
She did what? haha I don't think I could ever do that but then again there is a first for everything LOL - No I couldn't!
Your probably right, there are more important issues to attend to than meter readings but it would be nice if they gave an explanation as to why they never turned up the first two times. Puts me at ease when they do explain :)
@kimbers867 (2539)
• United States
2 Feb 08
I heard about this because my husband works for Comcast, and that was the cable operator this woman went off on. I can understand her frustration. My husband comes home and tells me all about what goes on in their office and he sometimes suprised that they are still in business. Basically, I think a lot of companies (cable included) are being so micro-managed that things are getting out of control. Businesses need to weed out a lot of the middle managers and get back to serving customers.
1 person likes this
@Rozie37 (15499)
• Turkmenistan
3 Feb 08
No one gets away with wasting my time. This is something that I have always been real serious about. I guess because I have loss so many people when they were very young. I am a stickler for time.
My ex-boyfriend and I were together for 12 years and he was always late and we always fought about it. He would have the attitude that I should be use to it. But, my time is too valuable to sit around just waiting on someone.
If you tell me that you are going to be somewhere I expect you to make every effect to be one time. Now, if we are talking about business, that is a whole other ball game. I would be taking down names and going through the chain of command and reporting people.
This is very unprofessional. First of all, you would not be having this problem in the first place if they had been reading your meter correctly, instead of charging you whatever they chose to. So they are totally at fault. They sure are lucky not to be dealing with me. But, you are being patient and that is the right thing to do.
1 person likes this
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
3 Feb 08
Well luckily its my hubby that is handling it all and not me or else I would of complained about it after they didnt turn up on the first visit. He says I lose my temper too easily thats why he wanted to deal with it. Now look, three appointments later, and still nothing. Someone is going to be hearing from me on Monday (in a nice way that is LOL)
@Madona1 (2096)
• Gibraltar
1 Feb 08
Oh, maddysmommy, I fully understand what you mean and the situation you are experiencing. The place I live many people are also very lay back, who never consider other people's feeling and situation. Just like the technicians from the Gas Company, they never bother to be on time or turn up for the appointment. They forget people have to face their daily life and deal with all kinds of activities. Therefore, for the first time, I will let them aware that I am busy with my work and only can wait for them during a certain time. For the second time, I will send them a letter arranging an appointment officially, which also can be a proof. The third time, I will write them a complain letter.
1 person likes this
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
1 Feb 08
Its likely I will either write or complain to their management. It's almost 5pm now and still not technician :(
@squaretile (3778)
• Singapore
2 Feb 08
well recently some men came to do the air con servicing. they appeared on time and did an okay job. i was quite surprised because the door bell rang about an hour later. there was someone more senior from the same company who came as part of 'random checks' that the servicing men had come on time and they had completed their duties well! this is really five star service. sorry to hear that you are having problems. i think sometimes you have to kick up a bit of a racket and demand your customer rights before getting decent service.
1 person likes this
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
2 Feb 08
Wow that is great 5 star service squaretile. Have never heard of that happening before.!
