Cant get a key meter for my gas

happymummy

Because I'm not with transco I'm on an independant pipeline.
I get paid weekly by cash and I'm finding it really hard to budget and juggle all my DDs so a pre-pay meter would really be better for me, is there anything I can do?

I'm with scottish hydro electric for both my gas and electric atm and I dont really want to switch as I moved in 2 years ago but for the first year I didnt get a gas bill because the meter was registered to somewhere nowhere near here and it was a nightmare trying to sort out!

SwanJon

As far as I know, the independent pipeline companies won't install prepayment meters. Sadly only the builder gets to choose who runs the pipes.
Do you know who the company is? You could try getting in touch, but don't hold your breath.
Would a weekly payment be easier for you to manage? You could ask SH if they could help (it's in their interests too)

happymummy

A weekly payment would be better yes but I really dont want any more direct debits just now.
They were wantng me to pay £104 a month for 6 months to pay off the arrears, I asked if they could spread it out and he said yes if we give you a key meter then when he found out I couldnt get one he said I can pay £60 a month because he'd made a mistake and my usage is acutally only £38 a month.

What a palava!
I might just get the key meter for my electric instead, that would help.

Thanks for your help

Oh forgot to say, I used to know what pipeline it is from when I was trying to sort it all out before but I cant remember!

SwanJon

Do they offer a payment card that you could pay at the post office/newsagent? I know you wouldn't get the DD discount, but it would put you more in control.

Keep in touch with them, you are doing the right things.

happymummy

Ah yes thats definitely something worth looking into, I'll ring them tomorrow.
Thanks!

Gman0365

IGT's are now installing prepayment meters at the request of the gas suppliers. As you can imagine people on IGT's can fall into debt aswell and as such the gas supplier needs a way of getting the debt back and ensuring that the debt doesn't increase.

It may well be that your particular IGT doesn't install them at the moment. Sadly the only way I can think that you would find this out is by running up a huge bill, you wouldnt be long in having one fitted then!

You could contact Scottish Hydro every month or even every week and provide them with a meter reading so you can accurately judge how much gas you are using.

happymummy

Thanks.
I called them today and was told I cant get a card to pay it off as they'd need half of the balance to be able to do it so it looks like I'm stuck on monthly DD for the time being.
If things get any worse financially for me I'll get in touch with welfare rights as I've spoken to a guy there before who was going to help me with my meters and supply.

I prepay meter would've been ideal so I'm not best pleased with the outcome, oh well.