prepay meter over-charging me?

freezingcold

I got the prepay meter installed from British Gas, and although i have debts with them, i think the amount they are taking from me is ridiculous.

I've waited four days literally freezing here for my top-up card to arrive, so i was happy when i took £10 to the local top-up point to feel warm for once this week!

But i put it in the machine and it said that they took a little under £9 for debts and a few pence for another charge? so i ended up with £1 worth of gas.

Well it didn't even heat a single room up and so i took my last fiver to the shop, thinking that they would take this £9 payment for this week or something, and allow me to have the £5 of gas. But no, it took £4.50 and left me with 50p worth of gas.

Now i have no money for two weeks and i'm literally freezing here. I know i have debts with them, but this seems really unfair for them to take so much. What can i do from here?

SwanJon

I'll start by saying I work for British Gas...
Before the meter went in, an amount should have been agreed for you to pay back toawrds your bill? How much was this?
You can double check the right information was sent to the meter by looking at Screen 27 (press and hold the red button when looking at your credit), then press again for Screens 25/26.
You should also have been left £10 Emergency credit when the meter was put in - this will also need to be paid back.

At the moment the meter has taken £13.50 - 90% of what you have put in, which is in line with what I'd expect. You need to pay the agreed weekly rate and the £10 back.
The meter starts a new week each Wednesday, so watch for that, and remember the bank holidays coming up.

If you are really struggling with the weekly amount you could give them a call/email/letter and try and negotiate a new amount.

Good luck,