Why do people have pre payment electric and gas ?

Pincher

I last did the Power Key charging thing about 10 years ago.
It's a major pain, because nobody (students) wants to put too much on, so people end up having to go to the local shop every three or four days.

They should get their technology together, so you can go online and add credit when you see it flashing. While you still have the electricity to go online, of course.

gcl999

spinningsheep wrote: »

JasX, how nasty is that comment. "financial delinquents". Why not just say financial lepers and have done with it! I presume you are someone who has never had a financial problem and solvent so you never have to worry about a minor thing as a debt to a utility supplier. Many people are a victim of circumstance, they certainly would not choose to be in the situation they are in, and miss out on the discounts offered by suppliers on their cheapest credit meter deals. You make it sound as though anyone with a prepaid meter through a debt that prevents them being allowed a credit meter deserves it because they have a less than perfect credit score. If you haven't already, I sincerely hope you do get faced with a financial mess not of your own making and see how you enjoy joining the "financial delinquent" club!:(

How right you are. I had PPMs installed after getiing in to trouble once I had to give up my driving job (after losing my legs due to meningitis) and waiting for DWP to decide what benefit I was entitled to.
Was it my choice? No
Am I a financial delinquent? I don't think so, just a victim of chance.

PS Utility debt now paid but prefer PPMs especially now I'm with Ebico and don't pay extra for having them.

PPS Am now waiting for the flood of messages slagging me off for being on benefits at the moment.:embarasse

icelandic_queen

I have a meter for both my electricity and gas and I wouldn"t have it any other way! We only have the one electricity company here in Northern Ireland and only a few gas companies and so we are at their mercy!! My DDs went up and down all the time and still my bills were never in credit. Now that the summer is here I put the same amount on my cards as I do in winter and it's a great help when winter does come. By the way, just heard our very own Martin on Radio Ulster!!! it seems we are to have another electricity company enter the market which will be great, even if the prices are around the same price, it'll give NIE something to think about!!

daisy_jean

I currently bat for both sides of this equation;

My electricity is on Direct Debit - currently paying £35 a month to Atlantic, am £30 in credit currently with this expected to rise over the summer months (it did last year - I ended up over £100 in credit).

However, for our Gas, again with Atlantic, we are on a Prepayment Meter. I generally put on £50 a month over the winter, but as you can imagine this has now dipped remarkably due to the milder weather. The past couple of months have only been putting on £30, and I currently have about £32 left on it to last till the end of the month (lol, which is next week!). The idea is to keep putting on more than I need over the summer to build it up for the Winter - this is the first one where we'll have a baby so the heating will be on a lot more - this helps us to budget, rather than just having large rises suddenly from October/November onwards.

I am not a financial delinquent. Yes, I have quite large debt in terms of CC and loan, but it has never been with a utility company, and never will be! I always make sure my bills are paid, even if I have to go without treats!

The prepayment meter was not my choice admittedly - it was already part of the properly when we moved in (rented), and although we know the electricity also used to be prepayment and got changed, the landlord prefers us not to change the gas, which is fine by me!

Cardew

daisy_jean wrote: »

I am not a financial delinquent.

My goodness what a storm the term 'delinquent' has raised.

JasX's post really does bear repeating, to put this in context:

They're basically put in for financial delinquents who never have enough money in their bank account to pay their direct debits....

or people unfortunate enough to move into a property previously occupied by said delinquients who;ve not yet been able to get the meter replaced with a normal one again

Had he said 'people who have financial problems' instead of 'delinquent' I doubt there would have been this fuss.

I have not read of a single case of someone with a credit meter paying(without difficulty) quarterly or by Direct Debit, requesting a PPM. Especially as up until a short while ago you paid a higher price for gas and electricity as well as the administrative problems of topping up.

Joyful

Cardew

I have come across many people who request a PP meter. I often try to talk them out of it especially the older Customers. These are all Customers who like to feel in control and feel a lot happier not having another bill to pay.

JasX

Yes my post does seem to have turned into a bit of an enticement for people to come and demonstrate being quite ignorant of what a word in fairly common useage actually means......

Afitos

Hi,

Does anyone know if they charge to remove the meter? I have been renting a property to a friend who had one put in . They are now moving out and I don't want it left in.

Thanks

Premier_2

Afitos wrote: »

Hi,

Does anyone know if they charge to remove the meter? I have been renting a property to a friend who had one put in . They are now moving out and I don't want it left in.

Thanks

They may do, depends on the supplier.

Contact them for details and deduct the amount from the security deposit if it is a cost you will incur in returning the property back to the condition it was originally let in.

Premier_2

JasX wrote: »

Yes my post does seem to have turned into a bit of an enticement for people to come and demonstrate being quite ignorant of what a word in fairly common useage actually means......

Ignorant? Ignorant? :eek:

Oh boy! I'd better pull up a chair and make myself comfy!