Pre payment meter - changing?

DebtHater

Hi all,

Does anyone know if its possible to change from a pre-payment meter to a normal one?

Looking to change to a direct debit scheme and this pre-payment meter was here before me moved in

Thanks

t0rt0ise

It is certainly possible. Who is your supplier? Some will do it immediately for free, some for a fee and some insist that you are with them for a length of time before they will change meters.

British Gas will change for free as long as you pass a credit check. If you don't pass they will still do it but ask for an enormous deposit first.

uolypool

t0rt0ise wrote: »

It is certainly possible. Who is your supplier? Some will do it immediately for free, some for a fee and some insist that you are with them for a length of time before they will change meters.

British Gas will change for free as long as you pass a credit check. If you don't pass they will still do it but ask for an enormous deposit first.

Hi do you happen to know how much the deposit is?:)

Premier_2

You need to speak to the supplier. The terms vary by supplier and (most often) the customer's credit profile. Where charged, the cost of a replacement meter is typically £45 -£60

A deposit (where requested) would typically be £200 -£300 (but would depend on anticipated usage as it is held in case of non-payment of bills). The deposit would normally be repaid, with interest, after 12 months (assuming payments are made on time and in full)

Agreeing to pay monthly by DD often helps remove the requirement for a deposit for those with less than perfect (but not atrocious!) credit ratings.

DebtHater

Premier wrote: »

You need to speak to the supplier. The terms vary by supplier and (most often) the customer's credit profile. Where charged, the cost of a replacement meter is typically £45 -£60

A deposit (where requested) would typically be £200 -£300 (but would depend on anticipated usage as it is held in case of non-payment of bills). The deposit would normally be repaid, with interest, after 12 months (assuming payments are made on time and in full)

Agreeing to pay monthly by DD often helps remove the requirement for a deposit for those with less than perfect (but not atrocious!) credit ratings.

Thanks for this. Currently with British Gas (but we are electric only, no gas) and I am making use of their Home TopUp service, which I find amazing..... topping up that key from the computer always makes me laugh, I just cant believe how easy it is.

I will give them a call and see what they say. I do always think that the meter is ripping us off as we are pre-payment, as we are on their "standard" tariff, as opposed to being on their cheaper tariffs. Currently we are spending around £80 a month on the electric, usually between £20-£25 per week depending on what we have switched on.

t0rt0ise

If you give them a ring they will do a credit check immediately and in a couple of minutes you will know their decision. If you don't pass the check and you can possibly get hold of the deposit money, it would be well worth your doing it and getting on to a cheaper deal.