prepayment to credit meter

Bryando

I've been having a few thoughts of going onto a credit meter in respect of electricity. As I feel there is more tariffs etc if I did.

Currently on pre pay for both gas and electricity with British Gas since 2008. In the process at the moment of going onto click energy for both.

Myself and my partner don't know if it would be a good idea changing to a credit meter, can't for gas as owe a debt in respect of the gas.

Am I wrong to believe there is better tariffs for electricty on credit meters? I also read that by going to credit meter this might improve my credit score.

Any suggestions etc?

Thanks

Bryando

Anybody able to advice?

Joyful

If you have a debt for gas you may fail the credit vet so would be asked to pay an amount up front returnable after 1 year of paying your bills on time.

wornoutmumoftwo

I'm on prepay all elctric and BG ask for a £200 deposit before getting a credit meter installed.

factoryworker

Bryando wrote: »

I've been having a few thoughts of going onto a credit meter in respect of electricity. As I feel there is more tariffs etc if I did.

Currently on pre pay for both gas and electricity with British Gas since 2008. In the process at the moment of going onto click energy for both.

Myself and my partner don't know if it would be a good idea changing to a credit meter, can't for gas as owe a debt in respect of the gas.

Am I wrong to believe there is better tariffs for electricty on credit meters? I also read that by going to credit meter this might improve my credit score.

Any suggestions etc?

Thanks

I would DEFINATELY change both to credit; whilst prepayment meters are not dearer than suppliers standard rates, they do not give you all the discounts available(so ultimately are ALWAYS dearer); I would change BOTH; the debt on the gas depends on the level; if its say around £50 a supplier should not stop you changing; with regard to exchange fees, some companies do free for vulnerable cust but most charge a flat fee, around £50, and most cheaper than BritGas; I would change supplier on both meters to a supplier with cheaper exchange costs (but don't mention your intention when signing up as they will want your current supplier to change first), and then request exchange, having made sure youve picked a supplier with low exchange fees; then you can pick cheapest (preferred) supplier; a meter exchange only takes about 10 days to arrange; do be aware that if you are eligble for BGas's social tarif, they must charge the CHEAPEST available price in your area (including Direct Debit/online tarifs), irrespective of whether you cant have such a tarif (because of a prepymt meter). If eligble I would ring BG and use this as a bargaining tool to reduce exchange costs....p.s at around £100 total, you will recoup the cost in less than a year

Mankysteve

TBH in you've run up a debt in the past and your financially situation hasn't improved. Then I would stay on pre-payment the tariffs are a lot more reasonable.

Plushchris

Mankysteve wrote: »

TBH in you've run up a debt in the past and your financially situation hasn't improved. Then I would stay on pre-payment the tariffs are a lot more reasonable.

Nonsense, its common knowledge that Prepayment is about the most expensive way of paying for your fuel.

OP, you should try and get your meters chaged to credit meters, but be aware that all companies changing from prepayment to credit meters will run a credit check on you.

Last I heard Southern electric were changing prepayment meters free of charge (although this may have changed) most other suppliers will either charge or ask for deposit that you would get back after 6/12 months

Having a credit meter opens up so many more options to you, monthly DD or quarterly billing, paper or paperless billing etc. Almost all of these will be cheaper than prepayment.

factoryworker

Plushchris wrote: »

OP, you should try and get your meters chaged to credit meters, but be aware that all companies changing from prepayment to credit meters will run a credit check on you.

.

Not ALL energy suplliers run a credit check automatically, although i accept mmost do-it realy does depend on your cirumstances; the way round this, once you know the cost of exchange, is to have friends rally round and clear gas arrears plus send make/send seperate pymts for exchange cost immediately prior to requesting. Diffirent companies have different rules but your best bet is, fingers crossed, you can get through to someone helpful/experienced and they will waive yearly deposit/credit check requirements - a lot depends on your previous payment history and personal circumstances. For instance if someone in the house is wheelchair bound or blind, they cannot (and shouldn't have) install a prepayment meteron vulnerability grounds. try ringing back of the week/ early evening when call centre staff have more time to help.

cons

wornoutmumoftwo wrote: »

I'm on prepay all elctric and BG ask for a £200 deposit before getting a credit meter installed.

i'm a first time buyer, moved into property today

i'm with british gas, phoned them up with meter readings.. asked me about my prepayment. Done a credit check , came back okay. Billed meter is being installed on 21st of December

earliest they could fit a new meter was Monday.. which i think is pretty good service

going to switch to the Websaver 5 @ end of january

worth giving them a call

Bryando

Thanks for replys.

The Gas is a no chance. £400.00 odd debt. This as it took a YEAR to get a meter changed when I moved in here. Then I could not go out to put money on a card they sent me. Lived alone and was well sleeping in a corner of the room. Mental health was bad.

The electricity that is fine. Never had debt on that. so would just be looking for that at the moment I think.

Currently pay a weekly charge £1.18 think it is. The 10.00 per KWH . This is click pay as you go tariff(Scotland) I'm a low user. Lucky if I put in 9.00 a week electricity. However appears i need more since the tariff changed to click. Which does not make sense.

I also have to pay 36pence a day on Gas meter. so it knows between the two tariffs. Yet only charges at the lowest tarriff. Think I'm getting the mick took out of.

Bryando

BG never phone me back. Always left stressing, checking meters. Then my tariffs(Gas) go up every time I top up!!! But BG can't explain it, alongside that being 3 to 4 weeks trying to ''fix it''