ᐅ Utility company has incorrect meter numbers in their system – what should I do?
Created on: 4 Sep 2023 15:53
K
kati1337
Hello everyone,
We have received the welcome letters from our local supplier (Pfalzwerke) confirming that we have been placed on the basic supply tariff. We have two meters, and Pfalzwerke is demanding a total prepayment of 390€.
Of course, we don’t want to pay that much, so we intended to switch to another electricity provider based on our actual, calculated electricity consumption.
However, we noticed that the meter numbers on the welcome letters are incorrect. After speaking with Pfalzwerke Netz by phone, it turned out that these wrong meter numbers from the letters are registered in their system. They do not recognize the actual meter numbers we have on our meters.
When I asked what I should do next, the customer service agent didn’t have an answer. He advised against signing a contract using the incorrect meter numbers registered in their system since these might belong to someone else (??). Also, entering a contract with the correct meter numbers likely won’t work because these are unknown to the grid operator’s system.
Do you have any suggestions on how I should proceed? I definitely don’t want to be stuck on their basic supply tariff. Their reputation in the region, judging by Google reviews, matches my experience: they seem overwhelmed and understaffed. I don’t expect any quick resolution from the grid operator.
What would you do in my place? Would you pay these absurdly high prepayments? Honestly, I don’t see why I should. Those aren’t my meter numbers, the calculation is baseless and not transparent. They don’t even have my SEPA mandate yet.
I am considering simply not paying when the first prepayment is due or disputing the payment because the meter number is not mine. Is the contract even valid? First, the meter number is wrong. Secondly, the cancellation policy states a "14-day period starting from the day the contract was concluded." The contract is dated August 14, but I only received the letter explaining these terms on August 28. Moreover, it was sent to the construction site address and just left there without a mailbox. The meters were also installed later than the supposed contract date.
On the other hand, I do not want them to cut off our power. The first prepayment is due at the end of September. If nothing is resolved by then, I am thinking of involving a lawyer.
Additionally, I am considering going ahead and signing my desired electricity contract using the CORRECT meter numbers as seen in the meter cabinet, and just waiting to see what happens.
We have received the welcome letters from our local supplier (Pfalzwerke) confirming that we have been placed on the basic supply tariff. We have two meters, and Pfalzwerke is demanding a total prepayment of 390€.
Of course, we don’t want to pay that much, so we intended to switch to another electricity provider based on our actual, calculated electricity consumption.
However, we noticed that the meter numbers on the welcome letters are incorrect. After speaking with Pfalzwerke Netz by phone, it turned out that these wrong meter numbers from the letters are registered in their system. They do not recognize the actual meter numbers we have on our meters.
When I asked what I should do next, the customer service agent didn’t have an answer. He advised against signing a contract using the incorrect meter numbers registered in their system since these might belong to someone else (??). Also, entering a contract with the correct meter numbers likely won’t work because these are unknown to the grid operator’s system.
Do you have any suggestions on how I should proceed? I definitely don’t want to be stuck on their basic supply tariff. Their reputation in the region, judging by Google reviews, matches my experience: they seem overwhelmed and understaffed. I don’t expect any quick resolution from the grid operator.
What would you do in my place? Would you pay these absurdly high prepayments? Honestly, I don’t see why I should. Those aren’t my meter numbers, the calculation is baseless and not transparent. They don’t even have my SEPA mandate yet.
I am considering simply not paying when the first prepayment is due or disputing the payment because the meter number is not mine. Is the contract even valid? First, the meter number is wrong. Secondly, the cancellation policy states a "14-day period starting from the day the contract was concluded." The contract is dated August 14, but I only received the letter explaining these terms on August 28. Moreover, it was sent to the construction site address and just left there without a mailbox. The meters were also installed later than the supposed contract date.
On the other hand, I do not want them to cut off our power. The first prepayment is due at the end of September. If nothing is resolved by then, I am thinking of involving a lawyer.
Additionally, I am considering going ahead and signing my desired electricity contract using the CORRECT meter numbers as seen in the meter cabinet, and just waiting to see what happens.
H
HeimatBauer5 Sep 2023 10:48Sometimes they also assign it to the main meter, which during a renovation was previously the heat pump meter. So it does NOT have to be a fabricated ID, but it CAN be.
M
motorradsilke5 Sep 2023 11:42kati1337 schrieb:
I’ve already had phone calls with them. There is Pfalzwerke (the energy supplier) and Pfalzwerke Netz (the grid operator). I spoke with both. The supplier referred me to the grid operator, but the grid operator is not very helpful. I don’t expect a quick resolution there. I would actually have to take the matter to the BNetzA (Federal Network Agency) if necessary.
If anything is wrong at all. Maybe it’s related to the virtual meter numbers that someone explained earlier.
Currently, I’m not getting any answers about this. I can’t reach an electrician, and the grid operator has a customer service hotline that just screens all inquiries but doesn’t know anything. In that case, I would send the grid operator a registered letter asking for clarification.
If that doesn’t help, I would proceed using the incorrect numbers, meaning you’d conclude a new contract. Those numbers are registered with the grid operator and assigned to you.
HeimatBauer schrieb:
The grid operator can certainly make up the heat pump meter with the number WP34567 and report the value of this meter as (GZ12345 minus HZ23456) to the electricity supplier.But you should be able to find this out from the grid operator, right? They must have it recorded somewhere that WP34567 equals GZ12345 minus HZ23456. Based on the findings here, I would probably try again by contacting the grid operator’s hotline (or try in writing) (or ask the electrician again?). They should be able to provide this in writing (and I would want to have that for my records). I would feel uncomfortable with the setup of “electricity contract linked to a meter number that I cannot assign,” regardless of whether it’s with the default supplier or not (what if there was simply an error during registration and it’s actually not your connection? If it is a virtual number for your connection, that’s great, but I would want confirmation before proceeding). And registering “just with the meter number shown on the meter” also seems problematic to me (this could mean either that the switch won’t work because the supplier says “I don’t recognize this,” or that you end up paying for both). To me, the priority before switching suppliers would be to clarify the meter numbers and, if possible, reduce the advance payments until then.
sysrun80 schrieb:
Ah, so we're talking about the market location ID and not the meter ID. This was introduced for these cascades a few years ago. Reading up on this here just now actually made me a bit smarter. That seems to be exactly what HeimatBauer is describing, right? Google also suggests that if you want to know the Malo-ID, you either check the latest bill or contact the grid operator...
Edit: I would have expected it to be named like that on the bill/registration as well.
Bayernwerk and EON took almost two years to properly register my cascade system in their system. Before that, I always had to pay for household electricity including the heat pump consumption on top (the heat pump consumption alone was, of course, also billed separately).
After dozens of calls, hours on hold, and many unanswered letters and emails, it finally worked out with a substantial credit.
First, check with the grid operator (after consulting the installer) what is actually recorded in their system and, if necessary, have it corrected. Once that is clarified, resolve it with the electricity provider.
Stay persistent and don’t give up. The poor customer service I encountered there made all telecom providers look like role models by comparison. I hope your process goes more smoothly.
After dozens of calls, hours on hold, and many unanswered letters and emails, it finally worked out with a substantial credit.
First, check with the grid operator (after consulting the installer) what is actually recorded in their system and, if necessary, have it corrected. Once that is clarified, resolve it with the electricity provider.
Stay persistent and don’t give up. The poor customer service I encountered there made all telecom providers look like role models by comparison. I hope your process goes more smoothly.
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