estimated utility bills

[Kuffy]

I recieved a bill from my gas supplier and noticed it was much much higher than normal. So i looked through the bill to see how much the gas/mj had increased from last time. it was only minimal. And then i noticed that this bill was an estimated bill...makes my mind boggle. If i did a job which required 100lm of timber, and then i need to do a very similar sized job again, i would order somewhere close to 100lm of timber...makes sense right??? check the image to see the estimation that they made. all previous bills were done via an actual reading. the aug15 reading was estimated at 9975, my meter is actually reading 9939.

estimated.jpg

[DaveTTC]

they can collect interest on your money ... they have done well

DaveTTC

Turning Wood Into Art

[Sir Stinkalot]

There would have been a reason that they couldn't take a reading of your meter on the day.

1. Couldn't access your yard;
2. Bins in the way;
3. Gate closed;
4. Raining;
5. Meter reader couldn't be bothered.

Take your pick.

On your next reading of the meter they will get the accurate reading from the period before the estimate up to your next reading. If your previous reading was 9900, your estimate 9975 and your actual use at the end of the next billing cycle 9980 you will only be charged for the 5 additional over your estimate.

I would guess they are a little generous on their estimates but provided it is actually a valid reason they couldn't take a reading I expect they are just protecting themselves. Perhaps you could ring up and enquire why an actual reading wasn't taken and if there is no valid reason ask them to come back and do an actual reading and reissue an appropriate bill.

[Kuffy]

There would have been a reason that they couldn't take a reading of your meter on the day.

1. Couldn't access your yard;
2. Bins in the way;
3. Gate closed;
4. Raining;
5. Meter reader couldn't be bothered.

Take your pick.

On your next reading of the meter they will get the accurate reading from the period before the estimate up to your next reading. If your previous reading was 9900, your estimate 9975 and your actual use at the end of the next billing cycle 9980 you will only be charged for the 5 additional over your estimate.

I would guess they are a little generous on their estimates but provided it is actually a valid reason they couldn't take a reading I expect they are just protecting themselves. Perhaps you could ring up and enquire why an actual reading wasn't taken and if there is no valid reason ask them to come back and do an actual reading and reissue an appropriate bill.

Raining??? Does that really stop them from checking meters?
The meter is out the front, nothing blocks access to it.

[Sir Stinkalot]

Sorry ... just being a little sarcastic.

Upon the next reading your bills will be adjusted so that you are only paying for what you have used. As Dave said they have the upper hand as they have your money in their bank account until the next reading corrects the usage/cost.

[Big Shed]

Unless of course you turn their game back on them, ring them, claim hardship and offer to pay in instalments.

More than one way of skinning a cat.

[Kuffy]

I have been meaning to ring them to demand a better deal. Its just one of those things I cant be bothered doing. But now they have annoyed me, so I have to be annoying in return. Its the mature thing to do

[ian]

I recieved a bill from my gas supplier and noticed it was much much higher than normal. So i looked through the bill to see how much the gas/mj had increased from last time. it was only minimal. And then i noticed that this bill was an estimated bill...makes my mind boggle. If i did a job which required 100lm of timber, and then i need to do a very similar sized job again, i would order somewhere close to 100lm of timber...makes sense right??? check the image to see the estimation that they made. all previous bills were done via an actual reading. the aug15 reading was estimated at 9975, my meter is actually reading 9939.

estimated.jpg

Look on the bright side, it's only a little bit over "normal"
I got a bill last December that was 10x the normal bill -- the meter reader had managed to transpose two digits.
talk about sticker shock.

eventually sorted, but not before the gas company refused to accept an estimated payment and then tried to charge a late fee for the disputed bill !


I likely reason you got an estimated bill is the meter reader skipped your meter -- I understand that in some places they are expected to read more than 40 meters per hour