Great 'Energy pre-payment meter issues' Hunt

Joyful

Prepayment customer WILL be getting Nector credits for each Fuel from British Gas. It is also currently being looked at other ways to add to this for PP.

CazGreg

I agree with a lot of the points made about the hassle of the pre-payment meters etc., BUT:

I have a gas debt of over £1000 (the person I shared my house with ran the heating all day, every day while I was at work etc., and although she paid her half, it still left me with an amount I would never have used in a million years and a debt I just couldn't pay) - and if I didn't have the pre-payment meter (which collects £5 of the debt each week, and which they installed at my request) then I'd have baliffs at the door asking for over £1000.

So frankly, it's sometimes the best option...

hfc53

Hello all,
The big question I would like answered is why do I pay a standing charge for the meter?
I pay in advance for my gas, so surely BG are earning a little interest there. I can only use that which I have already paid for, so no debt build up. My 'bill' is always available to me all I have to do is look at the meter, so no paper bill production costs and no admin costs. I successfully requested my own top up equipment to use from my computer, so no 'middle man' costs.
So why am I charged more than any other customer on the market? and why do I have to pay up to 30p per day to have a pre-payment meter?
If anyone can answer these two questions please feel free. It really does seem strange that the one area of society who actually CAN NOT build up a huge bill are penalised.
The reason I have a pre-payment meter is because I live in a privately rented property.

Joyful

You are not being charged a standing charge. If you were on a credit meter your first 7.5 units of gas would be charged at the higher cost then it would drop to tier 2. A Prepayment meter cannot be set up the same so it charges all the units at the lower price then plays catch up in the early hours to make up the tier 1 difference.


Prepayment meters cost companies a lot more money to administer than credit. Even when you use the Home Top up the infrastructure is there in that the money still goes to Paypoint and then gets transferred to British Gas. This costs the company. Also Prepayment meters break down more easily. During the Winter there were thousands that either have failing batteries or freeze therefore meaning an Engineers visit is needed. When the Engineers were unable to get to Customers due to the snow thousands were paid out to either get food delivered or pay for electric heaters. This does not happen to credit customers.


Even after all the costs incurred above you are still charged the same as a credit customer that pays his bill when he receives it. You just cannot get a DD discount or online tariff.

emmadragon

I think the best fun I've had with a pre-payment meter was getting a BILL at the end of its use... When I bought my first house there was already a pre-payment meter fitted and so I made sure I went with an utility company who offered a free switchout service after being with them for a year. When it came time to change to DD they came and changed the meters over, recorded any payments left on the cards and then left. 2 weeks later I recieve a BILL for both my gas and electric. I then spent the next month trying to get someone to explain to me how someone builds up a debit balance on a PRE-PAYMENT metre!

As a "gesture of good will" they "refunded" the amount on the bills and I promptly switch providers a week later!

Ironically it appears I spent less on my Gas and Electric when I had a pre-payment meter but thats another story...

emmadragon

blondemoment99 wrote: »

I have asked about havin my meter took out so i can pay monthly direct debit but i have been informed that i must pay to have it removed . They dont tell you when they install them of this , me i think this is like been robbed even further seen as we pay plenty is gas and electric so i am stuck with my pre payment meter as i refuse to give them anymore money than i have to .

There are companies out there who will do it for free after you've been with them for a year, Scottish Power did for me but make sure you take metre readings yourself and record all payments made! Don't trust them but at least it will save you £400.

eve13_2

On prepayment with leccy, absolutely no problems. It focuses the mind wonderfully on how much electric you use, which is neccessary on a v low income. Works out £7-10 a week. Gas was billed, and £60.40 for last quarter. Used to do direct debits but they seem to have a habit of "helpfully" re-jigging figures meaning they get payed interest on the extra money, before crediting you with the overpayment. Cynical, moi?

SaintMark

richie53 wrote: »

Hi Mark, My name is Keith and have been reading what you have to say here about ppm and agree with you and lots of other posts about them, anyway I would like to pick you brains a bit with the following:- Who are EBI? Are they nationwide? And lastly how do I get in contact with them ? I am at the moment with British gas for leccy and for gas and would really like a cheaper source. Thank you in advance. Regards. Keith

Hi

Their e-mail address is [EMAIL="info@ebico.co.uk"]info@ebico.co.uk[/EMAIL], and I think their web-site is www.ebico.co.uk

Dizzy_Ditzy

i moved into a rented house with prepay for both gas and electric- i dont like them but my landlord wants to keep it that way, which is fair enough.

Just before christmas someone came from EDF to read the electric meter, and suddenly i started using way more than i used to- £80 a month doesnt cover it and we are now having to put somewhere in the region of £100 a month on it, whereas before we were only spending about £50.

I know I need to ring them but I think of it and something else always comes up and I forget. Seeing this thread has made me make a space in my diary to call them up and get it sorted. My usage hasnt changed from one side of christmas to the other so I cant see what the problem is

Byatt

I'm on a pre pay and it was a shock to the system. As I'm in rented accommodation I have no choice. However, like some other's said it does focus the mind and I am much more careful about the electric I use. I am on a limited income, and late last year, in Martin's newsletter, noticed that I could possibly get some help to reduce costs. I'm with EDF and called them and they have given me a reduction as I come under "poverty fuel" help. I know I won't have any big bills as I've already paid. The downside is topping up enough money when you know you will be away. I have come back 2-3 times to find the electric is off! I hate that side of it and was especially worried when we had all that snow, although I am fortunate in that I just have to pop around the corner to a shop to top up.