Card Meter - British Gas, Can they do this?

RockyRobin_3

I've had a card / meter for my gas for near on 2 years, at the time it suited me perfectly, made redundant and it was a good way for me to pay exisiting bill and pay for future gas without running up a bill, the company actually suggested this method. Now however circumstances are much improved and I am constantly told by my friends that I am paying much higher rates. My supplier is British Gas, I have rang them and asked to come off the meter and that I would like to pay monthly via DD however they say this cannot be arranged?? When I rang again I was told I would be charged for this? I have tried phoning alternative suppliers but they don't want to know as I'm on a meter. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

ShaunJUK

Are you still paying off a debt on your pre-payment meter?

spiro

A prepayment exchange can happen but (a) they will do a credit check which you need to pass and (b) they will in most cases expect you to pay for the exchanges.

RockyRobin_3

ShaunJK, no, no debt.. I cant understand why I cannot go onto DD payments, so frustrating..

Glittermonkey

I had the same problem.

BG quoted me around £500!! to remove my meter.

So ti can stay where it is, least I know where I am and don't get big bills through the door, especially at this time of year.

SwanJon

I'm not sure about other suppliers, but the 'charge' from British Gas is a security deposit - you'd get it back after a year with interest. If they can they'll base it on your consumption, otherwise it's £300 for gas and £200 for electricity.

Doesn't make it any easier to pay though.

Did they ask to credit check you? They should have offered that at least.

Lighteater

One of my tenants asked me if they could come off pre-paid meters back in the summer.

We sat together at her kitchen table. I called British Gas to explain what I wanted. Then they spoke to her - as the account holder - and explained that they would run a credit check. This they did, while we were on the phone, and she came back fine.

BG then arranged two appointments in the same day for two guys to do the switch. They turned up on time, did the work (the electric meter only took ten minutes!) and there was no charge at all.


I would challenge them on this, if I were you. Maybe they just can't be arsed!

1carminestocky

So, depending on who picks up the phone in BG Towers, this can cost you anything betwen nothing and £500? Hmmm...

louiser123

i have had mine changed also but im with n power, i had the prepay meter removed and credit meter in, no charge at all, then had hubby redundant about 8-9 months later and asked to go back to prepay, again changed and no charge!
i would challenge them on it definatly

Pssst

The charge is not a charge ofr doing the job,its a security deposit if your credit check doesnt look good. If you feel you are creditworthy but they want a big deposit,tell them you will be changing suppliers and ring some other suppliers to see if they will change you to credit. Remember,credit is exactly that and in this day and age they are not obliged to give it to you.

RockyRobin_3

Thanks everyone. No, they have never mentioned a credit check etc, which i'm confident would come back ok, i'm going to give them a call on Mon, see where I get armed with this new info. Thanks again.