Forum Topic

Should I let Gorup 4 S into my house?

It is time for my bi-ennial gas meter safety inspection and I have had the British Gas card though the letterbox with the mobile number on it,  (G4S disguised as British Gas but not mentioning G4S), I have had the nasty threatening letter without either the British Gas logo or the G4S logo on it, and I now have a letter with both the G4S and the British Gas logo on the letter - less threatening and more pleading.From an appalling personal experience of G4S I am loathe to let them into my house. The press is pretty hard on them, and their gas and electricity meter readers and inspectors are known to work for other organisations at the same time as British Gas when inspecting customer meter installations.Do I have to let them in? Is there an alternative? Can I ask that a British Gas or Transco epmployee do the inspection?

Peter Mcleod ● 4317d11 Comments

You were so lucky! I suspect the guy who eventually put new meter in/updated may have been G4S since I heard later that BG were no longer using Siemens because of problems. That guy was absolutely fine - just very very late.  I think they also kept me updated - but the waiting just dragged on and on all day - and he then called someone else in and it was finally finished quite late in the evening.I'd re-arranged my workdays for the Siemens people twice so I was really cross.  Appointments made beforehand by them and then two no-shows. I suspect there was a problem with them trying to fit too many appointments into too small a time window and then not bothering to contact the BG customer.Your Siemens guy sounds a dream.  I wish they were all like that!

Philippa Bond ● 4316d

My Siemens guy was, I recall, bang on time, courteous and efficient and welcomed a huge mug of tea.

Nigel Brooks ● 4316d

Hmm.  It was the appointments system with Siemens as the sub-contractor that kept me hanging around for hours and days waiting for them.When the next lot turned up they were hours and hours late and they then called someone else out and disappeared.

Philippa Bond ● 4316d

G4S are only contracted out by BG to check on the ones which are deemed to be too dangerous for the normal reader :)

Charles Campbell ● 4316d

I guess I could have the place fumigated afterwards and have the house exorcised for evil spirits.

Peter Mcleod ● 4316d

You don't really have a choice as British Gas has a 'right of entry' to your home anyway so you might as well invite them in.

Nigel Brooks ● 4316d

I don't trust them.

Peter Mcleod ● 4316d

You're not a prisoner under escort nor are you asking them to arrange Olympic security, I don't see the problem.

Nigel Brooks ● 4316d

Siemens would be absolutely no problem. However, G4S?????

Peter Mcleod ● 4316d

Not a lot of choice Peter. If BG have sub-contracted out the inspections (mine was done by a nice guy from Siemens)  then let them get on  it.

Nigel Brooks ● 4316d

Can't answer you but in my experience these sub-contracted companies aren't very reliable at turning up for appointments anyway. Get ready to send them a bill for wasting YOUR time!  (Brilliant bit on You and Yours this morning re Npower not returning money owed to a customer.)

Philippa Bond ● 4317d