Removal of prepayment meter and swapping suppliers

jonnyb1978

Been meaning to do this for a while now but never get around to doing it. Now i mean it. However we have a prepayment meter with Scottish Power. We are not in debt, infact the last bill mentioned a credit of about £10.00 (Not sure how if i just top up what electricity i use). So hopefully should not be a problem. Anyways, how would i go about doing this as i dont want to exactly tell Scottish Power im changing. Can i request a certain tarriff to commence when meter is out? And do you get a 14 day notice or something where you can change your mind and then go with another supplier.
Thanks in advance

Magentasue

Your best best would be to ask SP to change the meter to a credit meter, hopefully for free, and as a reliable customer without a deposit. Then you could look at switching. If you wanted a new supplier to install a credit meter, they would be more likely to ask you for a sizeable deposit, returnable after a defined period.

fendforyourself

There's a 150.00 security deposit and a 44.00 charge to change the meter. Every company charges to have credit meters installed and other suppliers often charge more. You can have a credit on your statement if the reading is estimated. Credit on your meter will also reflect on your account, ie if you have 50.00 on your meter you might receive a statement that shows 50.00 in credit as you haven't used it yet.

Premier_2

fendforyourself wrote: »

There's a 150.00 security deposit and a 44.00 charge to change the meter. Every company charges to have credit meters installed and other suppliers often charge more. You can have a credit on your statement if the reading is estimated. Credit on your meter will also reflect on your account, ie if you have 50.00 on your meter you might receive a statement that shows 50.00 in credit as you haven't used it yet.

No they don't.

I've had a credit meter installed by British Gas (replacing a pre-payment meter) without any charge.

I was also advised by Eon at the time that they would replace the meter for me for free if I were to give them the supply contract.

I think the request for a refundable security deposit is dependant on your credit rating - as an existing customer of both suppliers at the time, they were happy not to want me to pay any security deposit.
Some suppliers may want payment monthly by DD to lower their exposure to risk associated with a credit meter to avoid the requirement for a security deposit. (but dependant on your credit profile, they may still request a deposit or refuse to supply a credit meter at all)

Edit: A recent post here by another poster found that Eon wanted £50 to change the meter, but nPower would do so for free.
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=21649293&postcount=8

If you don't get the deal you want, shop around!

Edit 2:
Here's a recent post about Scottish Power (the supplier the OP is with) not charging the poster anything to change their pre-payment meter to a credit meter
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=21949063&postcount=7

anniecave

I would guess it will depend on what company operates the metering in your area and for your supply. Then it will also depend on the policy of the supplier you ask and their attitude towards risk and their knowledge of you, this may give you an idea of why it can vary!