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MrsM84
LIF Adult
Member since 2/13 2352 total posts
Name:
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F U National Grid! Long. Sorry!
So a few weeks ago, a National Grid guy came around our neighborhood to attach an automated meter reading (AMR) to our gas meter. He explained that the AMR is free and that if you choose NOT to install it, starting in around December, you'll have to pay a monthly fee, as National Grid now will have to send someone out to read your meter. In addition to the monthly fee, there is a one time $90 declining fee. The ARM is basically going to be replacing many National Grid workers and will be "cost effective" since it will transmit your actual usage to them monthly -- no more estimated billing. So the guy goes down to the basement where our meter is located in a closet within the wall. Calling it a closet can be deceiving -- its a cutout in the wall with doors to conceal it. He tries to attach the ARM (which snaps on the meter and protrudes from it) but can't because there isn't enough clearance from the closet wall. He says he is going to put in an order to have a National Grid worker come out and move the meter so the ARM can be attached and that if I don't hear anything from them within 2 weeks to schedule the work, to call and inquire. Well 3 weeks go by and I hear nothing so I call today. There is no order in the system. No record of anything the guy said. I explain to them what happened and the response I get from several people is that either I have to demolish the closet to allow the ARM to be attached to the existing meter in its current location or I HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THE METER MOVED WHICH COSTS A MINIMUM OF $1300 AS I WOULD HAVE TO USE A NATIONAL GRID LICENSED PLUMBER. Are you flipping kidding me?!?! So let me get this straight -- your company is implementing a new device that is free, but if I don't allow you to attach it, I pay both a one time AND recurring monthly fees and now I either have to do some demo work or pay for my meter to be relocated to accommodate a device you are requiring? WTF?
Thoughts on how to proceed? I'm so pissed right now!
Message edited 8/13/2014 9:26:39 PM.
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Posted 8/13/14 9:23 PM  |
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jessnbrian
Only God knows His plan for us
Member since 4/13 7238 total posts
Name:
Jessica
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F U National Grid! Long. Sorry!
Id write a letter explaining the situation and state that since this is not something you are asking for you do not expect to be penalized for a brand new policy they are implementing.
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| Posted 8/13/14 9:28 PM |
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Re: F U National Grid! Long. Sorry!
Honestly, call once more but I'd probably just have DH do the demo work.
I feel like you really can't fight city hall with these utility companies.
They're going to make the money somehow and it's us who have pay.
I learned that earlier this winter when my NG bill more than doubled.
I have a really hard time believing it's because the winter was colder....sounded like a convenient excuse.
Sucks being a homeowner sometimes....
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| Posted 8/14/14 6:45 AM |
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alli3131
Peanut is here!!!!!!
Member since 5/09 18388 total posts
Name:
Allison
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F U National Grid! Long. Sorry!
I would guess there are clearance regulations regarding meters. If there is you won't be able to fight it. I'm sure your meter was put in and the closet put in after the fact and it never was really an issue until now even though it might not have been up to regulation the entire time.
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| Posted 8/14/14 7:18 AM |
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LIRascal
drama. daily.
Member since 3/11 7287 total posts
Name:
Michelle
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F U National Grid! Long. Sorry!
I would call 7 on your side, or some TV crew. They can't get away with making you pay for this if their device is mandatory. Nothing like a public shaming to get them to change their tune!
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| Posted 8/14/14 8:03 AM |
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bpmom
Feeling Blessed
Member since 6/07 2963 total posts
Name:
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Re: F U National Grid! Long. Sorry!
This is crazy. We had a lot of trouble with National Grid three years ago when we lifted our house -- Getting someone on the phone who can be helpful is very difficult and if you try to push them on any fee issue, their frequent reply is - "Sorry, we're mandated by the state - there are laws in place - can't change the fees." 
I'm going to PM you the name and number of a guy who was very helpful in our instance. It's difficult to do, but I find that being very nice and friendly to the customer service team really helped out.
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| Posted 8/14/14 9:19 AM |
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ave1024
I Took The Wrong Road
Member since 12/07 6153 total posts
Name:
That Led To The Wrong Tendencies
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Re: F U National Grid! Long. Sorry!
Posted by LIRascal
I would call 7 on your side, or some TV crew. They can't get away with making you pay for this if their device is mandatory. Nothing like a public shaming to get them to change their tune!
The OP isn't giving National Grid the proper interior clearance for their equipment. She can call the news media, but I don't see this accomplishing anything. Do you really think National Grid should be responsible for doing a ton of interior work to accommodate the OP's finished basement? I don't. And National Grid isn't going to pay to move a meter for this reason either.
I actually like having an automated meter. My house in Florida must have an automated meter that sends the meter reads. Since it's automated, I can actually drill down and see daily energy usage and even hourly usage. This is a big plus. We don't get these kind of specific readings with LIPA/PSEG.
Message edited 8/14/2014 10:28:18 AM.
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| Posted 8/14/14 10:27 AM |
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MrsM84
LIF Adult
Member since 2/13 2352 total posts
Name:
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Re: F U National Grid! Long. Sorry!
Posted by ave1024
Posted by LIRascal
I would call 7 on your side, or some TV crew. They can't get away with making you pay for this if their device is mandatory. Nothing like a public shaming to get them to change their tune!
The OP isn't giving National Grid the proper interior clearance for their equipment. She can call the news media, but I don't see this accomplishing anything. Do you really think National Grid should be responsible for doing a ton of interior work to accommodate the OP's finished basement? I don't. And National Grid isn't going to pay to move a meter for this reason either.
I actually like having an automated meter. My house in Florida must have an automated meter that sends the meter reads. Since it's automated, I can actually drill down and see daily energy usage and even hourly usage. This is a big plus. We don't get these kind of specific readings with LIPA/PSEG.
My main issue is that I will be penalized for not attaching the automated meter reader. If there wasn't a one time decline fee and monthly fees, there would be no problem, because I would say, "I'm not paying for the meter to be moved and I'm not doing the demo work", but if I choose either of those options, I'm being financially penalized.
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| Posted 8/14/14 1:02 PM |
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ave1024
I Took The Wrong Road
Member since 12/07 6153 total posts
Name:
That Led To The Wrong Tendencies
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Re: F U National Grid! Long. Sorry!
Posted by MrsM84
Posted by ave1024
Posted by LIRascal
I would call 7 on your side, or some TV crew. They can't get away with making you pay for this if their device is mandatory. Nothing like a public shaming to get them to change their tune!
The OP isn't giving National Grid the proper interior clearance for their equipment. She can call the news media, but I don't see this accomplishing anything. Do you really think National Grid should be responsible for doing a ton of interior work to accommodate the OP's finished basement? I don't. And National Grid isn't going to pay to move a meter for this reason either.
I actually like having an automated meter. My house in Florida must have an automated meter that sends the meter reads. Since it's automated, I can actually drill down and see daily energy usage and even hourly usage. This is a big plus. We don't get these kind of specific readings with LIPA/PSEG.
My main issue is that I will be penalized for not attaching the automated meter reader. If there wasn't a one time decline fee and monthly fees, there would be no problem, because I would say, "I'm not paying for the meter to be moved and I'm not doing the demo work", but if I choose either of those options, I'm being financially penalized.
By agreeing to use gas you have to abide by their rules when it comes to placement of their equipment and in this case you are not giving them what they require due to your renovations in the basement. Equipment changes over time and they have a right to change the equipment they own as part of your agreement with them.
And as I said they are installing these new meters as a benefit to you since these meters that read the info automatically give more accurate and detailed readings.
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| Posted 8/14/14 1:24 PM |
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BabyBoy
is Skylar Elizabeth
Member since 5/05 4189 total posts
Name:
Tom
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Re: F U National Grid! Long. Sorry!
Posted by MrsM84
Posted by ave1024
Posted by LIRascal
I would call 7 on your side, or some TV crew. They can't get away with making you pay for this if their device is mandatory. Nothing like a public shaming to get them to change their tune!
The OP isn't giving National Grid the proper interior clearance for their equipment. She can call the news media, but I don't see this accomplishing anything. Do you really think National Grid should be responsible for doing a ton of interior work to accommodate the OP's finished basement? I don't. And National Grid isn't going to pay to move a meter for this reason either.
I actually like having an automated meter. My house in Florida must have an automated meter that sends the meter reads. Since it's automated, I can actually drill down and see daily energy usage and even hourly usage. This is a big plus. We don't get these kind of specific readings with LIPA/PSEG.
My main issue is that I will be penalized for not attaching the automated meter reader. If there wasn't a one time decline fee and monthly fees, there would be no problem, because I would say, "I'm not paying for the meter to be moved and I'm not doing the demo work", but if I choose either of those options, I'm being financially penalized.
The meter belongs to NG, not you. They are trying to give you better service and since they can't, they need to take action to get personal to your location to do it manually. The monthly fee is worth it but not the 1 time fee? I get it you were mislead at first but I'll be happy not to let Gas guy in to read the meter. Every month I have to do it myself. 1 less person knocking on the door and 1 less thing I have to do.
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| Posted 8/14/14 1:27 PM |
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MrsM84
LIF Adult
Member since 2/13 2352 total posts
Name:
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Re: F U National Grid! Long. Sorry!
Posted by ave1024
Posted by MrsM84
Posted by ave1024
Posted by LIRascal
I would call 7 on your side, or some TV crew. They can't get away with making you pay for this if their device is mandatory. Nothing like a public shaming to get them to change their tune!
The OP isn't giving National Grid the proper interior clearance for their equipment. She can call the news media, but I don't see this accomplishing anything. Do you really think National Grid should be responsible for doing a ton of interior work to accommodate the OP's finished basement? I don't. And National Grid isn't going to pay to move a meter for this reason either.
I actually like having an automated meter. My house in Florida must have an automated meter that sends the meter reads. Since it's automated, I can actually drill down and see daily energy usage and even hourly usage. This is a big plus. We don't get these kind of specific readings with LIPA/PSEG.
My main issue is that I will be penalized for not attaching the automated meter reader. If there wasn't a one time decline fee and monthly fees, there would be no problem, because I would say, "I'm not paying for the meter to be moved and I'm not doing the demo work", but if I choose either of those options, I'm being financially penalized.
By agreeing to use gas you have to abide by their rules when it comes to placement of their equipment and in this case you are not giving them what they require due to your renovations in the basement. Equipment changes over time and they have a right to change the equipment they own as part of your agreement with them.
And as I said they are installing these new meters as a benefit to you since these meters that read the info automatically give more accurate and detailed readings.
Just to be clear. I made no renovations to my basement. This is where the meter was always located.
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| Posted 8/14/14 1:40 PM |
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Blazesyth
*yawn*
Member since 5/05 8129 total posts
Name:
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Re: F U National Grid! Long. Sorry!
Posted by MrsM84
Just to be clear. I made no renovations to my basement. This is where the meter was always located.
You were there when they installed the meter in this spot?
If I had to guess, they put the meter in, then the prior homeowners built this around it. If it's that tight I doubt that National Grid would install there.
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| Posted 8/14/14 1:53 PM |
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alli3131
Peanut is here!!!!!!
Member since 5/09 18388 total posts
Name:
Allison
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Re: F U National Grid! Long. Sorry!
Posted by MrsM84
Posted by ave1024
Posted by MrsM84
Posted by ave1024
Posted by LIRascal
I would call 7 on your side, or some TV crew. They can't get away with making you pay for this if their device is mandatory. Nothing like a public shaming to get them to change their tune!
The OP isn't giving National Grid the proper interior clearance for their equipment. She can call the news media, but I don't see this accomplishing anything. Do you really think National Grid should be responsible for doing a ton of interior work to accommodate the OP's finished basement? I don't. And National Grid isn't going to pay to move a meter for this reason either.
I actually like having an automated meter. My house in Florida must have an automated meter that sends the meter reads. Since it's automated, I can actually drill down and see daily energy usage and even hourly usage. This is a big plus. We don't get these kind of specific readings with LIPA/PSEG.
My main issue is that I will be penalized for not attaching the automated meter reader. If there wasn't a one time decline fee and monthly fees, there would be no problem, because I would say, "I'm not paying for the meter to be moved and I'm not doing the demo work", but if I choose either of those options, I'm being financially penalized.
By agreeing to use gas you have to abide by their rules when it comes to placement of their equipment and in this case you are not giving them what they require due to your renovations in the basement. Equipment changes over time and they have a right to change the equipment they own as part of your agreement with them.
And as I said they are installing these new meters as a benefit to you since these meters that read the info automatically give more accurate and detailed readings.
Just to be clear. I made no renovations to my basement. This is where the meter was always located.
And the old homeowner probably built the closet and in turn its now your closet that was built without the proper clearance.
IMO you either have to pay or remove the closet. I side with the gas company on this one. I am doing a conversion now and there are regulations on how things can be installed.
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| Posted 8/14/14 3:17 PM |
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JDubs
different, not less
Member since 7/09 13160 total posts
Name:
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Re: F U National Grid! Long. Sorry!
ugh this worries me, my gas meter is in my basement too. looks like it can open up a floodgate of things!
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| Posted 8/14/14 3:38 PM |
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Re: F U National Grid! Long. Sorry!
Ave gave really good advice, and something I didn't initially think of.
Things do change over time, and I also stand by my original statements that this is one thing you really can't fight...and obligation of being a responsible homeowner.
I also think there's a time and a place to involve the media, and this is certainly not one of those instances. 
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| Posted 8/14/14 4:25 PM |
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jessnbrian
Only God knows His plan for us
Member since 4/13 7238 total posts
Name:
Jessica
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Re: F U National Grid! Long. Sorry!
Posted by MorningCuppaCoffee
Ave gave really good advice, and something I didn't initially think of.
Things do change over time, and I also stand by my original statements that this is one thing you really can't fight...and obligation of being a responsible homeowner.
I also think there's a time and a place to involve the media, and this is certainly not one of those instances.
Yeah, I have to agree... My initial gut reaction was "heeelll no am I paying for a change in your policy"... but then I read ave's response and it made a lot of sense to me.
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| Posted 8/14/14 4:31 PM |
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MrsM84
LIF Adult
Member since 2/13 2352 total posts
Name:
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F U National Grid! Long. Sorry!
Guess the closet is going!
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| Posted 8/14/14 5:39 PM |
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tourist
Member since 5/05 10425 total posts
Name:
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Re: F U National Grid! Long. Sorry!
Posted by MrsM84
Guess the closet is going!
That does seems like the least expensive way to go. I wouldn't want the to move the meter b/c it sees like a PIA & you have to use their vendor. If you can't remove the closet yourself ( and make the wall look normal) , at least you can shop around for someone to do it at a reasonable cost.
Good luck!
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| Posted 8/14/14 6:28 PM |
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