Pay as you go British Gas card doesn't work-any ideas?

advanta

We had our gas meter replaced a few days ago, and were told we had to get a new card from a paypoint outlet.
Our nearest outlet gave us a payment card which we dutifully stuck into the meter as instructed. However, when we brought it back to the shop to be topped up they told us the card was invalid. They gave us another but the same thing happened.

We went to a different paypoint outlet but the guy there was clueless, asking us for a sort code and a payment of eight pounds, both of which British Gas had told us clearly weren't required anymore. Eight quid isn't a fortune but I thought purchasing another one would be unlikely to solve the problem and a waste of time.

We are waiting for a new gas card to arrive in the post on Monday, but we have almost run out of emergency credit, so can't use the heating. It seems quite possible that the card that arrives in the post will in any case produce the same problems. British Gas is currently only offering a helpline emergency service due to the weather, and I doubt we qualify as an emergency, unpleasant as being without gas for two nights during snowfall is.

Any suggestions on how to proceed or stories from people with similar experiences would be extremely helpful. Thanks.

Landlord-Certificates

Having a customer without heating is an emergency for British Gas - I cant think of anything else more serious that they deal with - except possibly an older customer who would have more priority.

If this was a straight gas meter swap then your old card would have worked and any money transferred over very easily. If you changed from a credit meter to a PP meter then a card should have arrived in the post beforehand.

I didn't know the customer has to pick up a card from paypoint shop now, that must be a very recent change.

A BG guy will be able to come out and top you up within 4 hours I think it is

t0rt0ise

I'd think having no heating in winter would count as an emergency and they should get out to you if they possibly can. Have you rung them to see?

advanta

Thanks very much for the clarification. This isn't a life or death situation as me and my SO are young and in good health, but I can see now how this can be interpreted as an emergency.

Currently being put on hold for an estimated 45 mins, ouch. Think I could do with never hearing the British Gas ad music again, its beginning to sound eerily like the Imperial Death March from "Star Wars".

advanta

Finally got through. The girl on the switchboard couldn't identify the problem and refused to send out an engineer until our emergency credit was completely used up. I explained we would probably run out tonight and she said "make sure you do". Barking mad. Oh well. Will try again tomorrow.

t0rt0ise

That must be their emergency measures. They will usually make an appointment a day or two ahead if you've got money on the meter. If there's 50 pence left they will send someone out immediately. So their special measures is to reduce the 50 pence to nil. Like it's going to make any difference. They're still going to have to send an engineer, just a couple of hours later.

Joyful

If the engineer transferred all the information from the old meter to your new meter your old card should have worked. If there was a problem with that card a new one could be acquired through a paypoint for free.

If these cards are not working it may be that he did not transfer the info across and a card needs to be sent through the system from Siemens.

Many of the Meter Operators have been in recent weeks operating *Force Majeur"(not sure of spelling). This means they cannot give a timescale for the call out due to adverse conditions. When they do come out if anyone has money on the meter so is still on supply the Engineer will walk away without doing anything.

In these circumstances Vulnerable people will take priority.