Cheapest provider?

lilysgarden

We currently have our gas with British Gas and our electric through N Power, but I'd love to swop as the prices we pay at present are ridiculous!

Unfortunately, our electric is on a pre-pay meter due to the bad credit that the previous tenants ran up on the property. We've tried getting N Power to switch us to a normal pay monthly bill but they refuse, even though we've now lived at this address for over 5 years with no problems!

Is there a quick, easy and effecient way to swop our suppliers so we lose this expensive pre-pay meter? I've tried using price comparisons sites to find the best deal, but they all seem to try and quote me for the same type of payment just with a different supplier. When what I really want is to get shot of the damned thing!!!!

Any idea's?

Thanks, Nikki

Premier_2

Unfortunately, if you put in the comparison sites that you currently have a pre-payment meter, they will only give you results for a pre-payment meter.

You could put your comsumption into the comparison sites and say you have a credit meter - that will tell you the cheapest options available ... but only if you have a credit meter which you don't.

Your best bet would be to call the suppliers directly and try and negotiate that they switch your meter in return for you giving them your business.
However, that will probably involve a credit check on you first.
You really need to understand why nPower won't allow you a credit meter before trying to see if you can talk another supplier into giving you one.

lilysgarden

Unfortunately the meter is only in my boyfriend's name (he originally lived here with our now ex-flatmate) and he doesn't tend to argue until he gets answers like I do! All they've said is that it's bad credit against the flat. We still get mail for the ex-tenants (namely student loan related stuff), have recently had bailiff letters for someone who took out a loan under our address, and found out the landlord is struggling thanks to the recession!

Although the landlord has reassured us this property is safe, it's still worrying. And after the letter from the bailiff, I called them to let them know we don't know the person named on the letter. The bailiff was ok about it and assured us he'd get it straightened out. We've not heard anything since, but does any of this stuff have an effect?! It's just so tempting to switch prvider completely (N Power have been crap so far anyway!), but would I get charged for the cost of putting a new meter in?