I have to pay £104 to get 2 prepay meters removed?

Vistrix

Ive recently bought a new house and I'm sorting out the gas and electricity. The current supplier for both gas and electricity is with Swalec.

I rung Swalec and they told me it would cost £104 for them to remove the prepay meters. They also require a credit check on me and they have to set up direct debit payments all at the same time.

I dont wish to stay with Swalec and was wondering if there was a way around this £104 charge. Will another company remove the prepay meters for free?

I'm a first time buyer so I've never had gas and electricity bills...

Moomum

British gas were happy to do ours for free and didn't credit check us as we were previous customers. HTH

Vistrix

I would love to go with another company but because the current supplier of the house is Swalec, does this mean Swalec is the only company that can remove the prepay meters?

divadee

nope we had this with scottish power they wanted a similar amount. we switched to southern electric and then after 2 weeks asked them to take them out they did this free of charge no problem.

Its the company that supply you that change them, so whoever you move to they will change them.

not all companies do them for free so check before moving,

Moomum

Sorry I too meant I switched to British gas from npower and BG did them for free

KimYeovil

I once had to pay £400 for some new wallpaper. I once had to pay £900 for a new bathroom suite. I once had to pay £20 for lightbulbs 'cause the scrotes went off with them.

A new home is almost never exactly the way you want it. If you want to make adjustments then you have to pay for them. Who else would you expect to pay?

Poosmate

KimYeovil wrote: »

I once had to pay £400 for some new wallpaper. I once had to pay £900 for a new bathroom suite. I once had to pay £20 for lightbulbs 'cause the scrotes went off with them.

A new home is almost never exactly the way you want it. If you want to make adjustments then you have to pay for them. Who else would you expect to pay?

You're a little ray of sunshine aren't you? lol

Vistrix

KimYeovil wrote: »

I once had to pay £400 for some new wallpaper. I once had to pay £900 for a new bathroom suite. I once had to pay £20 for lightbulbs 'cause the scrotes went off with them.

A new home is almost never exactly the way you want it. If you want to make adjustments then you have to pay for them. Who else would you expect to pay?

It all adds up. If another company would remove the prepay meters for free then its worth asking right? I'm assuming you asked around before paying £400 for wallpaper right?

Thanks for your help everyone.

davidgmmafan

Were you with another company for a period of time (eg 12months ideally) with another company on a credit meter? If so I expect they would be happy to change the meter free of charge. Only your current supplier can change the prepayment meter, so you need to change to someone who can do it for less or for free

To be honest I do have some sympathy with the companies here, I imagine there is a cost to fitting prepayment meters but no charge is made unless it is fitted under warrent. There is likely a cost to removing them. Imagine if you were the comapny and you'd just paid say £50 each to install prepayment meters, then a month later somebody else moves in and demands them taking out.

You should be able to find a solution I think though.

Premier_2

Vistrix wrote: »

It all adds up. If another company would remove the prepay meters for free then its worth asking right? I'm assuming you asked around before paying £400 for wallpaper right?

Thanks for your help everyone.

Correct, so shop around for the best deal you can get.

But be aware suppliers are not obligated to provide you with credit and if so, may only do so on specific terms such as a successful credit check/monthly payment by DD/up front security deposit, etc

Vistrix

Thanks for the replies.

Just an update in case someone else is in a similar situation...

EDF Energy have agreed that if I switch with them, but keep the pre pay meters for 1 month - they will remove the meters free of charge and switch me to a pay monthly direct debit.

Both Swalec and E-ON wanted £52 x 2 to remove both meters.

Saved myself some cash! EDF were cheaper than most suppliers too (aside from npower).