NPower Bullies
My dilemma starts with the fact that I live in a top floor flat, I have lived at this property for about 25 years. Now the problem I have is the electricity meter is not situated in my property it is in another resident’s property below me on the ground floor. In all the time I have lived here I have never had such an intimidating letter from any utility provider and have managed to get by all these years until now.
I have no access to this property on the ground floor.
So with various telephone conversations I have had over different issues with ‘Npower’, I have explained when asked for a meter reading over the phone the situation I am in and I was lead to believe that the people I have spoken with, would have taken note of this and put it on their system. My recommendation was for them to contact the residents of the ground floor flat and ask for a meter reading for my property. Which obviously they have not and have simply sent me a threatening letter instead.
I was also told that a smart meter would be installed, and I refused on the grounds that I may not use ‘NPower’ as my supplier indefinitely plus the fact that these smart meters can spy on you (Read the articles below):
So obviously this has gone on deaf ears as I have had a letter (SEE BELOW) come through the post threatening me.
Now in my defence I have never had any letters or cards reminding me, as I always respond no matter how ugly things can get and obviously this is a threatening letter which I am not taking kindly to and will retaliate as I have rights.
So even if I ignored the letter and did nothing and they gained entry by force they would not find a meter in my property. I am laughing out loud as the lawsuit I would slap on them would cause a significant indent in their revenue. Obviously they do not know who I am lol or what I can do.
I therefore can already hear you ask so how will I be able to get a meter reading, the easiest answer is to ask my neighbour which is not always at home or I may be too busy with work to even see her.
Therefore if ‘Npower’ used their ‘brain‘ they you would think they would write a nice letter to my neighbour asking for a meter reading, instead of sending out a nasty threatening letter which I will show to all my connection on all social media platforms just to give them a taste of their own medicine. They say it takes years to build a good reputation and minutes to destroy one…..
Do I have to resort to recording my telephone conversations from now on, as they so rightly do for training and security purposes? Of course, I will be, seeing as during the day I work and am using my business phones. So, two can play at that game.
My answer is ‘DO NOT THREATEN ME”……………… ever !!!!!
I do not owe you any money I am in credit as you can see below and am happy paying my estimated bill, although am curious that seeing as I have not had a meter reading for some time now, how my payments have jumped by an extra £10 per month yet I have not changed my routine in anyway or added any extra devices.
Obviusly the CEO Paul Coffey of NPower needs to get his bonus and pay for his luxury home I suppose with this under-handed threats, whom I will be tagging on Linkedin.
My Linkedin profile just in case ‘NPower’ reads this is: https://www.linkedin.com/in/renata-barnes-48025811
NPower Harrasing Customers.
I have not been harassed but I have been intimidated and threatened so I will document everything so that if this gets out of hand and I get any unexpected visitors or my home gets broken into I will be able to take legal action.
Customers that have been harassed by Npower and got into the newspapers:
https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/8393795.npower-harassed-customer-judge/
With regards to installing a smart meter in your home, the things you should know.
Can I still switch suppliers with a smart meter?
In the short term, getting a first-generation smart meter could be a barrier to switching suppliers.
This is because first-generation meters don’t yet connect to the central wireless network, called the Data Communication Company (DCC).
So, if you get a first-generation smart meter installed and you want to switch to a supplier that doesn’t support your smart meter, you may find that the ‘smart’ functionality of your meter no longer works.
If this happens, you’d have to take manual readings again, like you would if you had a traditional meter.
At some point during the roll-out before the 2020 target deadline, many first-generation smart meters will be remotely connected to the DCC network.
When this happens, you wouldn’t have to do anything – it wouldn’t require a visit from a technician.
But a third of first-generation meters will need a different solution – and this hasn’t been developed yet.
Ultimately, if you have a first-generation smart meter that doesn’t connect to the wireless network, you’ll need to have it replaced.
Energy suppliers installing smart meters should tell you if you might lose meter functionality when changing supplier.
You can read the full report here:
https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/advice/do-i-have-to-accept-a-smart-meter
I will not be held hostage to a company that I believe I should change because of their lack of customer care.
I will NOT RECOMMEND Npower to anyone Residential or Business.
** Warning…..
DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY FOR RESIDENTIAL OR BUSINESS, FIND ANOTHER UTILITY PROVIDER! to avoid any altercations with them.
Trust Pilot Reviews, I have not made one as yet, will mine be the one that will break the straw of the camels back?
If I had that many bad reviews I would hold my head in shame and possibly call it a day.
I will be sending an official letter to ‘npower’ with a follow up phone call and will be linking this post to them.
Will let you know what they say….
10/03/20
I sent them an email with an attachment official letter of complaint yesterday and an updated meter reading and this is what I received from them by email today………..
“Thank you for contacting us recently. We’re sorry you had to bring this matter to our attention. We’ve now assigned your complaint to a dedicated Case Handler who will keep you informed of progress and endeavour to resolve your case. We aim to resolve your complaint within 28 working days, however should you have any questions please contact us, using the details opposite. It’s important that you continue to pay for your ongoing energy use while we work to resolve your complaint so that you keep your account up to date. If you’d like to know more about how we deal with complaints you can download a copy of our complaints procedure from our website npower.com or call us on the number opposite to request a copy in the post, free of charge”.
So my question is why does it take 28 days to respond? They have more than one person working there surely?, but from their bad reviews on Trust-pilot I suppose I need to allow them time to answer to me. What are they insinuating? suggesting for me to continue with my payments? are they planning to disconnect me? If I were them I would prioritise the more urgent complaints and employ contractual workers to sort out the complaints quickly. I would respond in less than 7 days and not keep someone hanging on for 28 days. I can already see they have bad management and they need to re-think how to respond to people quickly. Will just have to wait it out……..
