As Jalexa has indicated it is important we differentiate between readings you have provided and readings that have been obtained by meter readers or meter operators. If its possible for you to edit those readings to indicate this it'd be very helpful.

Meter readings do not need to be "signed off" and I cannot think of anything that would that even remotely sounds plausible - so i can't see what your supplier is attempting to do here. With regards to the meter readings being reported at the time of exchange. The readings will almost definately be excactly as reported, the company who exchanged your meter is an entirely seperate entitity to your supplier as such they do not have access to the records your supplier may have. To them its just another exchange of meters, one of several they probably have done that day -- so your suspicions of foul play are unfortunately highly unlikely to have occured.

In addition to editing the meter readings, it may also be helpful if you begin to pull together every piece of infomation you have regarding these events, and then play the waiting gamew while they prepare the amended statement for you.

DrrnCour:

Usually customer readings are marked (C). Am I right is thinking that what you have described as "actual" are actually "customer"?

There is definately something not right with the readings. Its not possible to determine much from a estimated to actual going negative but the actual of 3/11/2008 is less than the actual 1/5/2008. SWALEC should gave spotted that and taken some action. Usually sending a meter reader round for starters. If they didn't I would say that was negligent of SWALEC.

That said, somthing is causing strange readings. Maybe the catch-up bill will clarify.

When you get it do not let them off the hook regarding their failure to provide you with the final reading on the removed meter. At least prepare for that by printing off the code of practice on complaints.

BTW how is your house heated?

Updated, thanks

DrrnCour:

Useful info. Can you update the meter readings to indicate whether the bill says they are Estimated (E), Actual (A) or Customer (C).

Thankyou for replying.

I called Swalec today at 15.30, and spoke to an advisor (i have her details). She said to me that all meter readings had to be signed off by the engineer, so someone had to be at home at present when the engineer came. So they followed the law of sending the engineer out within then two year period, and as i wasnt home it was my Fault. Althoguh it was me who requedted the meter reading, to ensure my readings were accurate. (We booked his for one day when we was off, he didnt turn up and then did turn up unannounced when we was at work).

When we updated the meter reading, we called the customer service line, gave them the dial meter reading over the phone per their instructions, and they then sent us an updated bill, which we paid straight away.

In regards to the meter being changed, that was requested by my other half, as she though it would be easier to read a digital meter. Although when they changed the meter the engineer did not leave us a copy of the previous meter reading, or a yellow sticker on the new meter as the advisor called it. Swalec had to chase up these numbers with the engeneer. So i only have their word to what the previous meter reading was.

13 feb - 01 may 2008 Actual Meter Reading

last meter reading = 27861. Reading this time = 28182. Units used = 321. Price = 40.13

02 may - 11 august 2008 estimated

last meter reading = 28182, Reading this time = 28450 E. Units Used = 268. Price = 41.11

12 aug - 3 nov 2008 = Actual Meter Reading

last meter reading = 28450, Reading this time = 28063. Units Used = minus 387. Price = 73.09 refund

4 nov 2008 - 27 feb 2009 Actual Meter Reading

last meter reading = 28063, Reading this time = 28220. Units Used = 157. Price = 34.92

28 feb 2009 - 10 june 2009 estimated meter reading

last meter reading = 28220, Reading this time = 28324 E. Units Used = 104. Price = 25.20

Awaiting confirmation of new bill and catch up bill. Advisor says it has been worked at at £1300.

Thanks for your help.

Darren

DrrnCour:

These bills have been estimated, and i update the meter reading every time I receive a bill with Swalec, to get an accurate bill....

.....Do i have any grounds to appeal this catch up bill??

There are quite a few seperate issues going on here but to focus on the catch-up bill, the issue is what happenned when you updated the meter reading every time you received an estimated bill. What method did you employ to update the reading and (not to doubt you) can you prove it?

The relevent SWALEC code of practice is here....

http://www.swalec.co.uk/Help/ForYourHome/YourBills/EstimatedMeterReadings.aspx

and Page 17 of

http://www.swalec.co.uk/SSEInternet/uploadedFiles/CoreMarketingSites/Assets/Documents/CustomerCharterSWALEC_V1.pdf

You need to go through these with a fine tooth comb and identify any areas you think SWALEC did not comply with 100%.

You refer to something about having to sign the meter reading off and that "according to SWALEC" it's your fault. Is that exactly what was said because its certainly not true? Can you clarify exactly who said that and when.

You're right that £40/qtr is low but that in itself shouldn't be grounds for taking two years to find out. It's true that meters are changed from time to time, but who exactly informed you the previous meter was "outdated"? Is it possible that SWALEC changed the meter because they thought it was reading low?

Things might be clearer if you could post some meter readings from your bills, especially the bills which covered the meter swap and the £1300 catch-up bill.

Am currently with Swalec electricity. They fitted a new digital electricity meter a few months ago, due to the previous meter being outdated. Swalec have now been in contact to say that they have been under charging me for the past two years, and am now liable for a catch up bill of £1300! I have paid my quartly bill on time for the past two years, and never had any issues. These bills have been estimated, and i update the meter reading every time I receive a bill with Swalec, to get an accurate bill.

I also called to have an engineer come to read the meter back in June, which he failed to turn up to. He then came on another day unannounced so no one was home. So that is there fault as they failed to keep the initial appointment. I understand that by law Swalec have to send an engineer out every two years to read the meter, but as i wasn’t home he was unable to do so, although the meter is outside(so he has excess) i have to sign the meter reading off, is this correct? So it’s my fault apparently the meter hasn’t been professionally read according to Swalec.

I was paying £40 a quarter for electricity for a small 2bed terrace, which does seem low come to think of it, but i am young and this is my first house, so never knew any different. I am only home in the evenings for a few hours, and am home in the day once/ twice a week.

Do i have any grounds to appeal this catch up bill??

Any help would be greatly appreciated.