Just received an email from British Electricity saying they need to replace our old decrepit meter and at the same time they will replace the old decrepit gas meter. Firstly, we didn't realise our meters were on their last legs. I call the number and asked for info. I was told if we had Smart meters, there would be no charge. If we didn't (and we don't) it would be £125 per meter to replace. We said we were broke and couldn't afford it.... and asked what should we do. After a long break whilst the telephonist asks her advisors how to answer the question... we were told to carry on with our existing meters but if we had any trouble with either they would replace them free of charge. Thoughts fellow Seagulls!
[News] British Electricity email... thoughts please.
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Neville's Breakfast
Well-known member
Who are British Electricity ? Is this a thread bounce from the 1970s ?
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Sorry, bit confused ... the email was from British Gas
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Neville's Breakfast
Well-known member
You should call them using the British Gas contact number on their website. Don’t use one contained in the e Mail.
Dick Swiveller
Well-known member
- Sep 9, 2011
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- Oct 12, 2022
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Ah, sounds a lot less scammy now. The old meters tend to go on for ever, there’s a concerted effort at the moment to push everyone onto smart meters.
The plus side is that you can monitor usage far more closely, the downside is that if you were to fall behind in payments, they can switch your meter to prepayment at their side in software, rather than have to organise bailiffs and enter your home.
Official Old Man
Uckfield Seagull
Sounds like a mis comunication. They said if you have smart meters it's free. You replied no to smart meters thinking they meant do you have smart meters.
What they meant is if you have smart meters installed it's free.
UPDATE ON TV LICENCE EMAIL
Had another this morning which is a very very good scam copy. WARN OTHERS>
What they meant is if you have smart meters installed it's free.
UPDATE ON TV LICENCE EMAIL
Had another this morning which is a very very good scam copy. WARN OTHERS>
Tom Hark Preston Park
Will Post For Cash
- Jul 6, 2003
- 72,348
Scammy McScammy
Martin Lewis had something on this recently. Both gas and electricity meters do lose their calibration standard over time and they get out of date will be replaced free of charge. The replacement will usually be a smart meter, but you can ask them to put the smart meter into 'dumb mode', so it just records the amount used, if you are a technophobe.
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Can't tell you if it's a scam or not, but as mentioned elsewhere, don't use phone numbers in an email - some may be expensive premium numbers. Go to the company web site for contact details.
British Gas have a web page detailing what to do if you get a suspicious email - https://www.britishgas.co.uk/help-and-support/my-account/if-you-get-a-suspicious-email
British Gas have a web page detailing what to do if you get a suspicious email - https://www.britishgas.co.uk/help-and-support/my-account/if-you-get-a-suspicious-email
Thunder Bolt
Silly old bat
Meters are generally changed every twenty years. Is British Gas your provider? We had our electricity meter changed a few months ago, but it was arranged by our provider, Shell.
beorhthelm
A. Virgo, Football Genius
- Jul 21, 2003
- 36,019
there's a push to move everyone to smart meters so they want to upgrade older units. which makes it odd to say there's a charge, pretty sure they should do the change free (its their equipment and the cost of maintenance is in the standing charge).
That's fine if British Gas have a contact phone number on their website. Many organisations don't these days - do British Gas? And if they do, is it just on a repeat loop saying, "Do you know you can get help on line at www..........."?
Neville's Breakfast
Well-known member
Yep, it’s on here. I have called it lots of times.
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Fairy nuff.Yep, it’s on here. I have called it lots of times.
Help & Support - British Gas
Get quick answers to questions about your energy or home services accounts in Help & Support. For other enquiries find British Gas contact details or live chatwww.britishgas.co.uk
