It takes 30 seconds?

Question

To read a meter why are companies still doing estimation bills is it because they no the customer will go over the amount? Then they will have their claws in them till the debt is gone.

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/pressass/20080712/tuk-energy-bill-debts-warning-6323e80.html

Answer 1

you can do online too

Answer 2

I read this article and checked my on line account.  The meter was read by a meter reader at the end of May and my direct debit was adjusted accordingly.  Yes, people need to take care but they must also take responsibility for their own lives and not expect big business to look after them - it ain't going to happen.

Answer 3

Nobody has been to read my meter in quite some time, I wonder if they will hammer me with a huge bill.

Answer 4

Unfortunately many meters are still inside properties and if no one is in when the reader calls they issue an estimated bill - if it only takes 30 seconds to read the meter then the householder can also read it and ring up/go online etc to supply the correct reading and get an uptodate bill.

I'm not going to be daft enough to wait a year before getting a correct bill and if I was it would be my own fault not the suppliers.

However the companies do offer various repayment plans so you don't have to pay it all at once.

Answer 5

You could well be right, you hardly see a meter reader.

They are rather fond of sending estimates. I hate not knowing precisely where I am. I read my meters & phone it in.

I will not ever pay an estimate, even if it arrives a couple of days before Christmas. They know a lot of people want to sit down to their Christmas dinner without unpaid bills hanging over their heads. I don`t fall for that. I will have the money aside for them anyway, so I bide my time & force  accurate bills out of them at the first opportunity.

Answer 6

It saves the Utility ( all of them are guilty ) money.

an estimate means no meter readers & they cost money!

a friend of mine has asked her supplier for the details on their guidelines regarding estimated readings.

whereas a few years back, the company was expected to read the meter at least once a year,

it was changed ( without telling the customer ) to every 2 years.

it would d**n well seem like a conspiracy to get many into debt, through no fault of their own

as most people ( sad but true ) can't read the meter accurately which also adds to the confusion.

My friend either owes them £ 2,000 or they owe her.

it's in mitigation.

back 6 years ago, her meter was changed & the wrong tariff was set. 6 years of  questionable estimates & inaccurate bills!

Answer 7

they DO call to read your meter and if you're not in you can phone them with your reading when you get your bill if it is over/underestimated ,whats your problem?