Pre Pay - Save Money

Christopherj_2

Hello,

I'm currently with Southern Electric for both my gas and electricity. My gas is on pay monthly and my electric is on a pre pay metre.

Currently on pre pay, there is a 20% administration charge for each time you top up (correct me if I'm wrong). If I contact Southern Electric and offer to pay a certain amount upfront, could I request to have the administration charge deducted as I'd be paying them directly?

Christopherj_2

I'm just bumping this thread.

Bark01

Never heard of such a thing; most suppliers now charge the same for prepay and credit on core tariffs.

Do you get a dual fuel discount? Even if you do it sounds like it would be cheaper to switch to another supplier as 20% sounds ridiculously high and would probably negate any dual fuel discount.

Christopherj_2

Bark01 wrote: »

Never heard of such a thing; most suppliers now charge the same for prepay and credit on core tariffs.

Do you get a dual fuel discount? Even if you do it sounds like it would be cheaper to switch to another supplier as 20% sounds ridiculously high and would probably negate any dual fuel discount.

They charge 20% because you have to go to a shop to top up and I'd assume the shops themselves charge the 20%.

I think all suppliers have an extra charge for pre pay as the shops need to make money.

SwanJon

Christopherj wrote: »

They charge 20% because you have to go to a shop to top up and I'd assume the shops themselves charge the 20%.

I think all suppliers have an extra charge for pre pay as the shops need to make money.

I've just had a quick play on energyhelpline.
For the 'average' user Prepay is actually £1 a year cheaper than paying the bill quarterly (for electricity only).
I work for BG and electricity prepayment customes pay the same as quarterly bills too.
In fact, I wouldn't be suprised if the same was true of at least 3 of the other 4 (big suppliers - no idea about the smaller ones, except Ebico, which is also the same price)

Wher did you get the 20% from?

Christopherj_2

SwanJon wrote: »

Wher did you get the 20% from?

A Southern Electric representative told me at the door.

How do the shops make their money? They wouldn't do it for free!