Best way to get rid of prepayment meter?

cons

As above

I phoned BG on the 11th December, they are changing my meter on the 21st Free of charge

Premier_2

Yes, BG will change a PPM gas meter to a credit meter for free (subject to passing their credit checks)

I'm pretty sure Ebico would too, especially as appears to be the case, SSE do

gemmabe

Hi guys

Thanks for all the advice.

I have had a helpful response from Consumer Direct, the main suggestion being that I find out the companies that will remove the meter and do it for free and get it in writing, then I can switch, and also what to put in my complaint to EON.

Helena, thanks v much for your reply too. It is interesting to get the clarification on EON policy. It is a shame though, as EON will now lose me as a customer.

Ta to those who suggested British Gas and Southern Electric. I will give them both a call.

Does anyone know if I am then going to be tied into a contract? As I would then do a price comparison and switch if there are decent enough savings. I know it's a bit cheeky but needs must.

Premier_2

You won't be tied to any contract with Ebico.

Whether there is any early exit fees with BG or SSE will depend on the tariff chosen.

gemmabe

Still waiting for a response from Ebico but they have read my email so hopefully will have one soon.

Have just called British Gas and spoke to v helpful chap. I've arranged switch to British Gas over the phone which should be active just after I move into new place. I then have to prepay for a month and they will then do a credit check and if all OK will replace meter for free. I am on standard tariff til then so no charge if I want to switch afterwards

Now I am worried if I fail the credit check. I just passed credit check for my new BT line though and recently switched to EDF at current property so if they did a credit check all was obviously satisfactory...so am I worrying about nothing?

factoryworker

SwanJon wrote: »

Not sure where you got that from factoryworker.

BG will run a credit check first, and if you pass will swap the meter.
If you fail the credit check they will ask for a security deposit of £300 (or based on usage if you've been with them a year). You will get this back agter 12 months of paying your bills/DDs on time.

So either way, you pay nothing for getting the meter exchanged.

BG are not the cheapest to exchange meters; offical and unoffical posters of energy companys here, including Scottish Power, Eon and BG are all aware of other companies charges, and i challenge them all to post their offical company cost of exchanging a meter to prove me wrong in my ascertion that BG is one of the dearest.

That said, as this thread highlights, and i have highlighted in other threads, often they are exchanged free, often for those with children/disabilities/the elderly AND those who have moved into rented accomodation with good (note, not excellent), payment records. I have not excluded BG from this ascertion as they DO change meters free of charge along with others.

My ascertion is, if you have to pay, BG are one of the dearest; I am happy to be proved wrong.

As for your ascertion that if you pass credit check free, if not deposit (paid back )either way free, if the latter, i would suggest this is an interset free loan and actually a cost of about £14 on best available interest rates with 12 months notice- admittedly cheaper than the £50 of most energy companies!

factoryworker

gemmabe wrote: »

so am I worrying about nothing?

yes, but credit to you for exploring your options....

moral of the story:

1) don't feel you have to do something before seeking advice

2) sometimes you can ring the same company get an idoit, ringback and get an expert

energy company employeees are human beings, and accordingly you get those that care and those that don't, those that are knowledgeable and those that aren't...sometimes its luck, improved by perceiverance.

Good luck with managing your fuel costs; once you've changed supplier, then changed meters, you'll be be back for advice on the best tarif (currently online by direct debit, irrespective of supplier, but watch the exit fees/restrictions). The time and effort you have spent wil be well worth while

gemmabe

Does anyone happen to know what happens if you fail the Southern Electric credit check? i.e. Is there a deposit and if so how much? Having just shelled out over a grand on house deposit etc, there is no way I will be able to pay BG £300 deposit if it comes to it. Just wish I could know NOW whether I will pass the credit check lol.

factoryworker

E.ON_Company_Representative:_Helena wrote: »

Just wanted to make a few points clear regarding changing a pre-payment meter to a credit meter with E.ON.


If it is agreed that the meter is to be removed, the customer will need to pay their future bills by monthly Direct Debit.


Helena

are we sure certain about that- would quarterly bill payment not be acceptable?; runs contrary to OFGEM guidelines regarding restricting choice; would appreciate clarification

Premier_2

factoryworker wrote: »

BG are not the cheapest to exchange meters; offical and unoffical posters of energy companys here, including Scottish Power, Eon and BG are all aware of other companies charges, and i challenge them all to post their offical company cost of exchanging a meter to prove me wrong in my ascertion that BG is one of the dearest....

Well unless you know of a supplier that pays you for allowing them to swap your meter, you won't find cheaper than BG. :rolleyes:

As already posted, BG is one of the company's that do it for FREE.