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It's all Martin Lewis' fault! [grin]

(87 Posts)
Teacheranne Thu 31-Mar-22 18:32:35

I hope that those on fixed tariffs did not send in meter readings, my sister did as she did not realise that her bill won’t increase until the end of her term, not even the standing charge. It’s only affecting those on the price cap variable rate. I don’t think that was made very clear in all the articles I read so I checked with Ofgen online.

Chestnut Thu 31-Mar-22 16:31:18

Octopus has a helpful message saying to read your meter Saturday as their prices go up from midnight Saturday! So now I have to go down to the cellar again. They say we have a week to submit them. I love ?Octopus ?

Galaxy Thu 31-Mar-22 16:28:17

We had numerous unexplained charges (100s of pounds) on our most recent bill from British Gas when queried they were apparently 'anomalies' that 'likely arent accurate'.

Ohmother Thu 31-Mar-22 16:24:49

They’re going to be taking your readings all week they said.

You shouldn’t worry if you’ve got a Smart Meter….but take a photo with time n date just in case.

FlexibleFriend Thu 31-Mar-22 16:24:03

I did mine yesterday, no problem.

JaneJudge Thu 31-Mar-22 16:23:52

I've taken photos

Pittcity Thu 31-Mar-22 16:21:28

I'll make a note of my smart meter readings later but won't need to send them.
Martin Lewis weekly email highlighted a new bank account with a good interest rate. It is app based and the app crashed yesterday.
He's got a lot to answer for but is an invaluable source of sensible advice.

Jaxjacky Thu 31-Mar-22 16:17:20

I’ve just noted the readings on my smart meter, both usage a price per unit. I had to get it out of the box and plug it in to do so, bit of a faff.

Wheniwasyourage Thu 31-Mar-22 15:51:18

I'm having the same problem with British Gas, Direne3. Yesterday I looked at the site and could get into my account easily, but I put it aside because I was trying to set up an online account with our electricity supplier, or find some other way of sending them a meter reading. That took until today, without success until I put in a complaint, at which point the previously unhelpful webchat managed to take my reading. hmm

We have now taken photos of both meters and I'll keep trying with British Gas until I can no longer summon up the energy. You wouldn't think that we were paying them, rather than the other way round, would you?

Oldbat1 Thu 31-Mar-22 15:42:05

We have a smart meter so they access data whenever they want. I will be keeping an eye though.

Rosie51 Thu 31-Mar-22 15:39:14

Anticipating this problem I put our readings in yesterday, as I knew I wouldn't be able to spend hours trying if that's how it turns out. One day's use at the increased price was worth it for peace of mind.
To be fair to the companies, many websites go down under extraordinary levels of traffic. I don't think they can just increase and decrease capacity at will. Some people are putting in their readings who are still on fixed price contracts. They don't need to but are being swept along by the Martin Lewis tweets etc.

Direne3 Thu 31-Mar-22 15:26:04

Along with so many others I have just attempted to enter my British Gas meter reading (following a request by email from them this morning) - result, website not available. Apparently, I read it's all Martin Lewis' fault for forewarning us customers!!! Did they not take into account that their customers might wish to guard against being charged anymore than absolutely necessary? Personally, I would vote for Martin to be on the board of some of these companies (indeed, how about 'Martin Lewis for Prime Minister'?).