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.
R
RotorMotor4 Sep 2023 16:28Hmm, just because it took you three years doesn’t mean you have to mock others.
As I said, your case is a special one that doesn’t necessarily have to be accepted.
If the metering point operator is not fulfilling their duties (which first needs to be clarified!), I would contact the Federal Network Agency (bnetza).
As I said, your case is a special one that doesn’t necessarily have to be accepted.
If the metering point operator is not fulfilling their duties (which first needs to be clarified!), I would contact the Federal Network Agency (bnetza).
H
HeimatBauer4 Sep 2023 16:35I laughed at your use of the word "simple" in connection with the meter number allocation by the network operator. I have already gone through this with conventional meters as well—and as objectively simple as it may seem, for the network operators it is apparently anything but simple.
If it were that simple, they would already have the correct numbers.
And as I already mentioned: The network operator must correct the meter allocation. The escalation authority of the BNetzA was new to me, thanks for that—maybe it will already be a good help for kati.
If it were that simple, they would already have the correct numbers.
And as I already mentioned: The network operator must correct the meter allocation. The escalation authority of the BNetzA was new to me, thanks for that—maybe it will already be a good help for kati.
If the grid operator/meter operator does not correct this quickly, I would actually try to register with another energy supplier using the meter numbers in the box.
Either Pfalzwerke will correct it once they receive the switching request (it should now be noted in the system that something is wrong here). If not, their rejection formally documents both the error and your request to switch...
Either Pfalzwerke will correct it once they receive the switching request (it should now be noted in the system that something is wrong here). If not, their rejection formally documents both the error and your request to switch...
H
HeimatBauer4 Sep 2023 16:59In any case, I would definitely make the request to the network operator by email. Meanwhile (thanks to Rotormotor), I have also found the complaint form from the Federal Network Agency (BNetzA), very interesting. It is always better to be able to refer to a written request. I called multiple times, but they simply entered something different into the system than what was agreed. Written communication is just better.
X
xMisterDx4 Sep 2023 17:03Once again, the usual circus... The utility company initially applies an average estimate for new customers because they don’t know what your household’s energy usage looks like. Some people heat their homes to 24°C (75°F), others are fine with 21°C (70°F). They also don’t know if you have 5 televisions running or none at all.
Any overpayment will be reimbursed later...
Calling it outrageous right away is actually the real outrage.
The meter numbers should be correct, and that is something you will have to resolve.
Any overpayment will be reimbursed later...
Calling it outrageous right away is actually the real outrage.
The meter numbers should be correct, and that is something you will have to resolve.
RotorMotor schrieb:
What @HeimatBauer is describing is a completely different issue. A cascade with virtual meter numbers has nothing to do with incorrect numbers in the system. If necessary, involve the grid operator (bnetza). Could it be possible that we have something similar?
We have two meters and a photovoltaic system that supplies the storage, household, and heat pump. I’m not sure exactly how everything is connected, and I haven’t been able to reach the electrician yet. I didn’t even know that virtual meter numbers existed.
Maybe I caused unnecessary concern, and the numbers on the statement are actually correct after all?
Of course, I understand that overpaid advance payments must be reimbursed.
From personal experience within my family, getting a refund from this provider isn’t that straightforward. My sister has been chasing a large, four-figure refund for almost two years now. I don’t want to give the regional utility an interest-free loan for several years as well. That’s why I would like to avoid paying such high advance payments from the start.