Oh for fuck's sake

[andrewducker]

My gas meter needs to be replaced.

I was phoned by a representative last week, and I arranged a visit for today to get it installed.  I was promised an early appointment, and that it should be done by 9:30.

So I'm sitting here, ready for work, waiting for the person to show up and replace it, and I hit 10:00.  And still no sign.

So I phone up and I'm told that my appointment is for between 8am and 1pm, and that nobody has been assigned to me yet.

And...I was expecting to pick up food on the way into work, so I have nothing to eat in the house.

Not happy.

Comments

[poisonduk.livejournal.com]

Oh I got that done a few weeks ago - the same palaver for me, but I was only offered between 8am and 1pm - no specifics given for time.

[poisonduk.livejournal.com]

I could courier you a kilo or two of Cadburys Mini Eggs?

[jinxremoving.livejournal.com]

If I lived nearby I'd drop round to deliver supplies.

I'd advise heading on out since they didn't stick to their side of the deal, but I guess you just want to get it over with.

[andrewducker]

Sadly, for meter replacement they can get a warrant to come in and replace it, so I really have to be here.

I think I may have some noodles. Investigation required!

[meaningrequired.livejournal.com]

Leave the door unlocked stick a notice on the door then *run* to the corner shop - run back.

[stevegreen.livejournal.com]

You only have illiterate thieves in your neighbourhood?

[autopope.livejournal.com]

As far as I'm concerned, they can replace my gas meter at my convenience.

Last year I got a note saying "we want to replace your meter -- please phone us to make an appointment." And giving an 0845 number to call.

No, sonny, I am not going to pay your premium rate phone line for the privilige of spending fifteen minutes waiting in a call queue, just so I can lose a morning and then mess around re-starting the pilot light in the boiler. It's not as if I'm not giving you upside of a thousand quid a year for the service already.

If they want to replace the meter, well, I'll be at home -- I work here -- but they can do the rest of the job themselves, at their expense.

PS: So I didn't call the number and they neither sent another letter nor obtained a warrant to break the door down.

[andrewducker]

I got the same letter. I didn't phone them, and eventually they phoned me and booked a visit.

I suspect I was just promised something they shouldn't have done - as they can't be more specific than 8-1.

[drainboy.livejournal.com]

Nearly everyone I've used recently has been able to give me 30 minutes or an hours notice on arriving at my house. Enough time to quickly drive home.

Can your gas company not do that? Have you tried asking? I find it real useful, like.

[andrewducker]

Good suggestion. I'll try that at some point!

[meihua.livejournal.com]

It's a good idea, I use this too. What actually happens is that they forget to give you a reminder, then the gas company phones you at work and says, "The van is outside your house, where are you!" to which you reply, "You forgot to remind me. I'll be there shortly."

[endless-psych.livejournal.com]

Yeah they can't make appointments for any other times then 8 til 1 and 1 til 6 (or 8 possibly).

[stevegreen.livejournal.com]

As far as I'm concerned, they can replace my gas meter at my convenience.

My thoughts, too. If I'd been promised a visit by 9:30am, they hadn't arrived by 10am and their office couldn't confirm they were literally minutes away, I'd simply inform them I was going about my business.

Ref non-geographic numbers, I find myself forced to use Say No to 0870 with increasing frequency.

[meihua.livejournal.com]

So, on my friends list, theferrett posted about waiting late for a gas man to arrive, and then shortly afterwards you post explaining that they were in fact scheduled to visit tomorrow.

How do you know so much about theferrett's domestic arrangements? And why does this screw-up make you so angry?

Damn icons. And you must know it, too, since you also read theferrett!

[andrewducker]

aaah, the Buddy Christ icon. I'm not actually sure which of us had it first...

[meihua.livejournal.com]

hehe, it's hella confusing.