Meter Reading Job. A Con?

[Wispy68]

I've just filled out an application form for employment with a gas/electric meter reading company (Meter-U). I have just read their employment information and the company are expecting successful applicants to hand over �520, which would then be re-imbursed weekly over the first three months of employment. I would have to 'beg, borrow or steal' this amount of money! Does anyone else on AB have any experience or advice about this company? Many thanks in advance.

[mazamoo]

hi i start a job next week through bms ltd and the work is for meter u , there was no mention of this franchise thing at all !!!, do you think they will spring it on me or just not say any thing?, there is no way i'd be doing it. i was told an amount per meter if hitting target and an amount if not hitting the target, with a max of 300 readings per week, and that all fuel and food expenses can be claimed through PAYE umberalla.
will let you know how i get on.

[mazamoo]

i started with this company through an agency last week, it was bms ltd, i went for the training in dudley (2 days) then on the "site training" another 2 days , and i have not heard from them sinse! i have all the uniform but no I.D. badge or hand held thing,
my messages are being ignored by both meter u and the agency. so not looking to good . im still in contact with others that were at the training and they are in the same boat, so looks like you were right to say its a scam

[miningboy]

Hi Wispy. I have just been for an interview with meter u and I would say they are 100% genuine. I wanted the franchise which is now 800 quid, but they said to work for them for 4 months before making that decision. No con just bloody hard work for very ordinary pay. That's why they are successful, you will make them money. Still I'll be going for it, keep me fit at least. Hope this helps mate.

[miningboy]

I have just had the interview with Meter-U and unless they are very good, it's no con. I have lived in West Africa for the last five years, so seen a few. This is, like one of the previous responses say, a three month trial. However yesterday I was told not to pay anything until after 3 months serving as an employee. Only if they thought I was suitable, would I be offered a franchise. It depends on whose meters you read as to your rate. British Gas meters paying the least as they are easily accessible. Mine would be Scottish Power, who pay more, but your availabilty to read rate is lower. I would say it is very genuine, but you could be un-popular, then the team leader could assign you all the rural areas which wouldn't pay. So thats one to watch. Overall just normal dogsbody wages for a hard days work. Which right now I am grateful for.

[anglowelshTGC]

Just finished a short period of work for Meter-U, via BMSL agency in bristol.
Have to say, M-U seemed pretty legit - no hidden surprises from them, although the amount of work that came through in the the 3 weeks was around 2-300 meters a week, so no great money to be made there.

BMSL (Beaver Management Services) on the other hand... some sound advice, if you happen to get an interview with these guys, please ensure you get an honest and open answer as to realisitic take home pay, because you will be given a payment-per-metre figure for your area. BEWARE! This might seem attractive but it is a GROSS figure, before deductions:

even though you are technically self employed, they will force you to use an umbrella scheme for PAYE. (unless you have a limited company set up, in which case they will pay you the gross directly, leaving your accountant to do the rest) This will remove £10-20 in costs from your nett pay immediately.

Then your gross will have employees AND employers PAYE and NI conts removed.

You can file expenses of up to £117 per week - to clarify, these will not be reimbursed , but are tax deductable. In my first week, I read 227 metres at £1.32 = £299 gross. I filed £100 of fuel and meal expenses, so £100 of gross pay was tax free, then you have the personal allowance (according to your tax code). The umbrella company then deducted holiday pay 'layaway' of £30. After PAYE and NI, I then took home the grand sum of £180, for a 38 hour week, at roughly 78p per metre, having forked out 60 quid on diesel!

Added to all of this is the insult of spending 2 days classroom based training 60 miles from home, plus 2 days on the job training - with NO PAY for any of these days. Again, BMSL were less than forthcoming with this info, promising at the interview that these days would be paid at 'a training rate of £50 per day'. (To be fair to M-U,

[anglowelshTGC]

(cont from previous)
M-U did pay £50 per day 'down time' money whilst we waited for equipment to arrive.

In summary, M-U seem like an up front and genuine company. This is a good job for those who are self motivated and like being outdoors. Watch you joblist, because the rural ones will leave you potentially out of pocket. Fuel costs are high, and wear on your car will be considerable even in urban areas.

BMSL were less than open in their recruitment, and in the rush to bank their fees, did certainly not tell any of the 3 of us at the interview how much we could realistically expect to take home. Whilst they were honest about the rigours of the job, they skirted around the umbrella scheme, (in fact, did not even tell us how to join such a scheme, or indeed which company they used) only gave gross figures, lied about training payments and were less than helpful in the following week when we were all left in limbo awaiting equipment. Approach with caution!

[mark0]

Does anyone know what type of crb check meter-u perform? Basic, standard or enhanced? I have had a conviction 10 years ago but it is now spent. I shouldn't have to declare it but I'm worried that it may show up on my crb check.

[aidie]

they do a basic disclosure check which will show all convictions including spent ones, i advice declaring it as it will show up anywhere. If its 10 years ago u should be ok inless it was for wounding, GBH or robbery....

[wares1t]

Morning. Just been offered an interview with these guys in Croydon of all places. I'm in Brighton, that's miles away! I just hope if I get it, I'll be working closer to home!

Further to this, can anyone clarify weither accomodation is provided or weither I would have to pay for this?

Also, is there any deposit for the data unit's for recording the meter readings on.

Thanks and best wishes,

Tony.

[wares1t]

Just got the details from meter-u about the interview. They sent me a Basic disclosure form. I wasn't told this vacancy was due for CRB checking. I've booked my rail tickets, thinking all will be well. Just be carefull.

I'm still goign to attend the interview as if nothing's wrong, but if I hear nothing, i'll know why. I have an unspent conviction on file, but unsure how it'll effect me.

I'm now very wary of agencies, as most of them require special terms imposed on working with them.

I would have avoided this like the plauge if I had known, but for the right people, this job COULD be a fantastic money earner. I'm unfortunatly not one of them.

[MordenJoe]

Hi all.
I have read with interest all the comments that everyone has posted. I found this job through my local jobcentre (Sutton - South London/Surrey), and I have an interview this Friday - 28th Feb (At Croydon Job centre). I would be very interested to hear any up to date comments from anybody who has any recent experiences, especially in my part of the country, and would also love to pick the brain of user 'DTURN' if he/she is still active in this forum, and also still working with Meter-U.

Regards

Joe

[MordenJoe]

Hi all

I have read with interest all the comments posted here regarding this job/company. I am booked in for an interview with this company this Friday at Croydon Job Centre and would be keen to hear if anybody has any up to date/recent experience of this job/opportunity, especially in my area - Sutton/Morden/Croydon. I would be particularly keen to hear from user 'DTURN' if he/she is still active on this site, and maybe still in the job.

Regards

Joe

[nicby77]

have recently just applied for a job at meter-u,i live in morecambe area.i was buzzing when i first applied for it but have now read this forum and im a little apprehensive about going for it now.here seems to be no complaints on this area but if anyone has had any probs or good experiences in my area. then please could you let me know via this forum.thanks.nick

[nicby77]

i am gutted now after reading this.have an interview coming up soon in morecambe area.does anyone work for meter -u in this area?if so please could you tell me is the entry success rate any good and do you think imwasting my time going for it?many thanks.nick

[mememememe]

no dont do it they are cutting wages by another 6%

[JonnyBoy1980]

I had my franchise terminated 2 and a half years ago because Siemens thought I was earning too much, so they figured I was making up readings. I was there for over four years and was always lauded from all senior levels for my access rate until they decided I was surplus to requirements.

After the initial shock of being let go had worn off and considering how much I enjoyed the work, I decided to continue as a meter reader for another meter reading company (Lowri Beck.) Even though I enjoy working for the LB (the money is less,) I was told that I can reapply to Meter-U after a year, which I did, but have yet to receive a response of any kind.

Does anyone on this board think there can be a precedent for rehiring fired personnel and should I attempt to phone the recruitment manager to convince them of the value I can be to them again?

Thanks for any advice.

[Selina77]

I've read through the posts that some have had there franchises terminated. Does that mean that meter-u are reducing earnings expectations to curb high earners from falsifying readings to unrealistic levels? Has a salary cap been introduced for different regions of the country?

I would be interested to read from current employees/franchisees what their present status is? Thanks!

[Nellie75]

My other half works for them and the amount per meter has been cut yet again, we live in a rural area and last week alone he covered 650 miles just to go to the different locations of the meters, many of which he couldn't get. Is it legal for them to cut pay with no warning or no agreement just because you are self employed?

[Selina77]

@ Nellie75 - Which part of the country is your other half working? Do these pay cuts affect all regions?

[CW1]

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