Best way to get rid of prepayment meter?

factoryworker

gemmabe wrote: »

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.

from your previous post, i think your credits o.k ad your panicking unnecassirily; the fact that you've past for a phone line etc, bodes well, but the view is that if you have a lot in ashort space of time this can give people jitters; follow MSE's advice on credit checks, and utilise cashback sites for free credit searchs with the main agencies such as experian, which mean, providing you cancel within a month, it will cost you nothing to find out whats perceived about you (it will also show associted parties at he household); this will give you a good gut feeling, and considering previous debt issues will be illuminating and helpful; don't forget to cancel before 28 dats / 1 month...

if only we all had a crstal ball.....

factoryworker

Premier wrote: »

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.

will have to agree to disagree!.....i don't dispute BG change meters free of charge (or other companies), never have, and encourage people to request free exchange; but it is not standard policy for them (or others); i ascert where they do charge they are not the cheapest.

i'm not aware of any company that pays to replace, but that will become the next 'marketing' tool......

gemmabe

Yeah I do have a bad credit history and for instance I know that I cannot get credit cards, but imagine the credit check is different for an energy supplier anyway...but yeah I haven't had any trouble getting BT lines and post-pay energy accounts...I did actually get a free Equifax report recently and it wasn't as paid as I thought, mainly historical defaults. I guess it will help if I make sure I get put on the electoral roll straight away to bump up my credit score a bit. Overall though my actual credit score is very low (I paid extra to view this) and as I mentioned I know already I can't get credit cards or post-pay mobile accounts, catalogues and the like. I can get the fairly basic bank accounts with Solo debit cards etc. so don't think I am quite at rock bottom. I am a lot better with managing my money these days, was just very very silly when I hit 18 and wracked up a lot of debts that still haven't been paid off.

factoryworker

gemmabe wrote: »

I guess it will help if I make sure I get put on the electoral roll straight away to bump up my credit score a bit. .

it will make a tremoundous difference( but to be open, if you do it todat it'll take at least 6 mths to update- i.e. wont have any positive impact in the next 1- weeks); i personally don't believe in it, all thismonitoring etc, but thats life and you have to live with it. service providers take it very seriously and unless you have politacl/moral obligations against doing so (it will cost you for your concious), make sure your registered.

energy companies are very good in accepting customers with less than pristine records; we are all human and all make mistakes, but we should learn from them, and we sholdn't be held accountale for ever for them; it takes time, but actually your file will get updated to reflect improving circumstances(mobile phone companies are notoriously hard due to competivenicness of market so don't take a personl slight)

SwanJon

factoryworker wrote: »

will have to agree to disagree!.....i don't dispute BG change meters free of charge (or other companies), never have, and encourage people to request free exchange; but it is not standard policy for them (or others); i ascert where they do charge they are not the cheapest.

i'm not aware of any company that pays to replace, but that will become the next 'marketing' tool......

OK, I'll try again.
I work for British Gas.
British Gas do not charge to change a meter from a prepayment to quarterly billing, but if you have a lower credit score they will ask for a security deposit which is refunded after 12 months.

Gemma - Do not let the following affect your decision. If you do end up on a quarterly/monthly bill/DD with British Gas they will share your payment history with Credit reference Agencies - if you pay your bills on time it will improve your score & vice versa.

(If you are sure you want to switch, you might be better off cancelling the agreement over the phone and taking cashback form a switching site)

factoryworker

SwanJon wrote: »

OK, I'll try again.
I work for British Gas.
British Gas do not charge to change a meter from a prepayment to quarterly billing, but if you have a lower credit score they will ask for a security deposit which is refunded after 12 months.

Gemma - Do not let the following affect your decision. If you do end up on a quarterly/monthly bill/DD with British Gas they will share your payment history with Credit reference Agencies - if you pay your bills on time it will improve your score & vice versa.

(If you are sure you want to switch, you might be better off cancelling the agreement over the phone and taking cashback form a switching site)

excellent advice r.e affect on your credit reference and also on canclling.switching online...this only goes to prove that employees of energy companys that people universally slag, do care, and do want the best for customers/consumers.

further to previous post i am happy to apologise for ascerting that BG charge for a meter exchange; i am happy to reiterate that BG do not charge for meter exchanges from prepaymant and only 'levy' a deposit

Swanjon; i would happily buy you Tea at Claridges to make recompense for any bismirchment; i'm sure we would disagree on many things, agree on more, but ubdoubtedly have an engaging engagement; may i propose a date in the New Year?

gemmabe

Thanks, SwanJon!

Yes I have thought of doing that but will I not be in the same position with another supplier re. the credit check?

I do want rid of the meter but there is no way whatsoever I can afford to pay a £300 deposit if it comes to it...especially considering my usage is really low anyway - I live alone, etc.

gemmabe

factoryworker wrote: »

excellent advice r.e affect on your credit reference and also on canclling.switching online...this only goes to prove that employees of energy companys that people universally slag, do care, and do want the best for customers/consumers.

further to previous post i am happy to apologise for ascerting that BG charge for a meter exchange; i am happy to reiterate that BG do not charge for meter exchanges from prepaymant and only 'levy' a deposit

Swanjon; i would happily buy you Tea at Claridges to make recompense for any bismirchment; i'm sure we would disagree on many things, agree on more, but ubdoubtedly have an engaging engagement; may i propose a date in the New Year?

Is that invitation open to me? I definitely canNOT afford tea at Claridges myself, but am happy to drink the tea and scoff *ahem* the scones in return for your being able to delight in my good dress sense and tight pockets.

factoryworker

i've just reflected, and if that is the case, BG don't charge for exchanging meters they are breaking the industry mode, and whilst no fan of BG, i have to take my hat of to them and give credit where credits due; will ALL companies follow suit, and help the customer to help themselves?

gemmabe

factoryworker wrote: »

i've just reflected, and if that is the case, BG don't charge for exchanging meters they are breaking the industry mode, and whilst no fan of BG, i have to take my hat of to them and give credit where credits due; will ALL companies follow suit, and help the customer to help themselves?

Another poster said Southern Electric don't charge either.

You know, if this were down to me - i.e. it was me that had to have the prepayment meter fitted - I would have no problem dealing with the consequences. It is just the fact that I am being penalised by the previous tenant having the prepay meter installed that bothers me really. If there had been a credit account previous then I wouldn't be having any of this hassle.

The fact that certain companies charge to change the meter doesn't affect me in this case, as the landlord offered to pay, but I recognise the fact it needs to change. Particularly for others who find themselves moving into a property under my circumstances. There are definitely improvements to be made.