Pre-Payment meters, can i switch to credit then switch suppliers?

peemegee

hello

wonder if anyone can help me. We moved into our house three years ago and were surprised to find token meters installed. I think the previous occupants were paying back some debt.
We however are not and would like to switch to a credit meter as i believe this would be cheaper?! ( is it?) We're with British Gas for both gas and electric and would also like to switch suppliers as i believe i could get it cheaper.
Question is, how do i change?
will it cost me anything?
will i save money, (currently paying about £40 a month for elec and about £10 gas with the hot weather but in the winter this is considerably more!)
and how long do i leave it after switching meter to switching supplier?

any help would be gratefully received.
thanks

viktory

Hiya

I was with BG on a pre-payment meter when I lived at my old address. When I asked about changing to a 'normal' meter they said that they would do a credit check. If this was OK then they would install the meter. However, if I failed the credit check they would charge £100 to change. They would keep this money for a year and then, assuming all was well, they would give it back.

However, when I moved Powergen were totally happy to change from a pre-payment meter to a normal meter. No credit check and no charge.

You will save money as pre-payment meters cost more. Stupid as you pay for what you use.

The only thing I can't help with is how long you would have to stay with your supplier once you have moved from the pre-payment meter. Obviously if BG have got £100 of your money then it would be at least a year, until you got it back!

HTH

Bullshine_2

BG will usually seek a deposit for installing a credit or 'dry' meter. There is no price difference for prepayment gas compared to standard quarterly bills or regular payment scheme. You can however cut the gas bill by paying direct debit. Obviously the DD option is not available to you while you remain a prepay customer.

With electricity however it is usually more expensive for a prepayment meter.

I would suggest you consider Ebico as they are very competative and do not charge a premium for prepayment.

BG are at this moment in time the most expensive supplier for prepayment customers. (based on average consumption).

Hope this helps??

Spark

I had a prepayment meter for my electricity with British Gas, I asked to change the meter for a credit meter, the ingineer never turn up to 7 appointments, one year later they had to change the electricity meter because it was 10 years old, so they change it then for an economy 7 credit meter (I did asked for a standard credir meter, they couldn't have that right neither). Then, a few months later, I changed to Ebico.
I didn't have to pay anything, or never was told that they had to have a credit check on me.
If you decide to change your meter with British gas (beware, make sure not to have too much money in your meter, or you'll have some difficulties having it back, I had £35 in mine, I gave up trying to get it back after a year) and you feel that they are stringing you along (which I think they do, as prepayment meters are more expensive than normal credit meters), move to another company then ask them to change the meter, don't loose your time like I did.

espresso

Bullshine wrote:

There is no price difference for prepayment gas compared to standard quarterly bills or regular payment scheme.

Are you sure about this as it is not normally the case!

:eek:

masonic

espresso wrote:

Are you sure about this as it is not normally the case!

With British Gas, the unit prices are indeed the same (except for advanced payment). However, you do not benefit from the monthly direct debit discount of 10.3% or standing order discount of 4.79%, so prepayment is more expensive overall compared with those options.

Edit: You also cannot sign up online for paperless billing with prepayment and you do not qualify as a dual fuel customer.

anniecave

my advice - phone up BG and ask about the costs. I would think you can switch quite soon afterwards, I'd do it ASAP.

Is it possible to switch supplier whilst on prepayment? I assume it must be, so if BG are expensive it might be worth switching then asking for the meter change.

peemegee

thanks for the advice everyone!
i'll look into Ebico and maybe Powergen
can anyone tell me if i have to tell my landlord that i'm switching meters?

Bullshine_2

You will not switch meters by switching supplier.

It depends on your lease agreement if you have to speak to your landlord if changing the meter from prepayment to credit. Some landlords do not allow changing to credit meters as it prevents running up debts.

If you are considering Ebico, then their rates are the same regardless of payment method.