Cheap Prepay Gas & Elec Article

niteseeker

:T Well! now I thought that those with prepayment meters, usually those who find it hard to pay their bills, are charged higher rates. Even though they are paying up front and the companies can make money on that money before it's used. I have spent many years fighting this inadeqacy.

So how pleased I was when helping someone to sort out their bills just before Christmas. I tried to say that it is cheaper to pay be direct debit a fixed fee. Whilst this is right because you will usually get 6% discount from most companies

But the person felt they could only manage their money with a prepayment meter, where they knew what they were spending and if they couldn't put money into the meter, then they would have to sit in the cold and light the candles.

So I got in touch with EDF (their choosen provider) and asked about installing a prepayment meter. They said no problem and they asked when would you like it installed (no credit checks) we agreed with January 8th.... the date was available and had the choose of AM or PM... I asked about the tarrif and how much extra would the person have to pay.... was told you can choose which tariff that you would like, anything on a credit meter is also available on the prepayment meter at no extra cost. Signed for the fixed 2017 tariff..... So far it couldn't be easier.... but I will be watching :-) :beer:

gemnomnom

niteseeker wrote: »

:
So I got in touch with EDF (their choosen provider) and asked about installing a prepayment meter. They said no problem and they asked when would you like it installed (no credit checks) we agreed with January 8th.... the date was available and had the choose of AM or PM... I asked about the tarrif and how much extra would the person have to pay.... was told you can choose which tariff that you would like, anything on a credit meter is also available on the prepayment meter at no extra cost. Signed for the fixed 2017 tariff..... So far it couldn't be easier.... but I will be watching :-) :beer:

What a lovely first post, made me smile! Excellent news, though I phoned up EdF myself and I thought the guy on the phone implied that the best rates are only available on credit meters?

Anyway, I came here to post that:

- Rang Ecotricity and they charge over £100 to remove meters. Asked if they would do it for free and it was a flat out no! No sales technique there
- Rang Scottish Power and they gave us the round around with all these different numbers to call so we could ask each time if they'd remove the meter for free.

Not worth it! In the end, going to change to EdF prepay, then to EdF credit, then switch again if I need to (getting cashback this time )

lstar337

niteseeker wrote: »

So I got in touch with EDF (their choosen provider) and asked about installing a prepayment meter. They said no problem and they asked when would you like it installed (no credit checks) we agreed with January 8th.... the date was available and had the choose of AM or PM... I asked about the tarrif and how much extra would the person have to pay.... was told you can choose which tariff that you would like, anything on a credit meter is also available on the prepayment meter at no extra cost. Signed for the fixed 2017 tariff..... So far it couldn't be easier.... but I will be watching :-) :beer:

Would love to see this confirmed by another user. If this is true, it is great news for prepay users. I fear an error on EDF's part though.

Hillards

Interesting reading at http://www.edfenergy.com/products-services/for-your-home/our-products/edf-energy-pay-as-you-go.shtml
One of the bullet points says "Pay the same for gas and electricity as our billed customers."
In the terms there's also a line which reads "As of 1st November if you’re using a prepayment meter to pay a debt then provided it’s under £500 you can switch energy suppliers and transfer the debt. Remember that you will have to carry on using a prepayment meter with your new supplier until your debt is paid off."
I'm not a customer or employee, was just reading this topic and thought I'd look for myself. Will certainly be looking at edf in more details and comparing with current supplier !

lstar337

Hillards wrote: »

Interesting reading at http://www.edfenergy.com/products-services/for-your-home/our-products/edf-energy-pay-as-you-go.shtml
One of the bullet points says "Pay the same for gas and electricity as our billed customers."
In the terms there's also a line which reads "As of 1st November if you’re using a prepayment meter to pay a debt then provided it’s under £500 you can switch energy suppliers and transfer the debt. Remember that you will have to carry on using a prepayment meter with your new supplier until your debt is paid off."
I'm not a customer or employee, was just reading this topic and thought I'd look for myself. Will certainly be looking at edf in more details and comparing with current supplier !

I tried to do some checking too.

I logged into my EDF account, alas the option to 'Change Tariff' still results in "We are unable to change your product(s) at this time, please contact us".

So you still cannot change tariff online if you have a PPM, you may be able to on the phone.

AFAIK, no comparison site offers the option of anything other than 'Standard Variable' when you have PPM selected as your payment method.

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

Hillards wrote: »

Interesting reading at http://www.edfenergy.com/products-services/for-your-home/our-products/edf-energy-pay-as-you-go.shtml
One of the bullet points says "Pay the same for gas and electricity as our billed customers."
In the terms there's also a line which reads "As of 1st November if you’re using a prepayment meter to pay a debt then provided it’s under £500 you can switch energy suppliers and transfer the debt. Remember that you will have to carry on using a prepayment meter with your new supplier until your debt is paid off."
I'm not a customer or employee, was just reading this topic and thought I'd look for myself. Will certainly be looking at edf in more details and comparing with current supplier !

All of the Big 6 now charge the same for PPM as those who pay quarterly on receipt of bill (and have done for a while).

Those that pay quarterly are needlessly paying more for their energy, they have access to a credit meter but willingly forego the 6% DD discount.

Also, all of the Big 6 will allow transfer for PPM customers with a debt of £500 or less.

Thriftkitten

Morning all pre payers,
I'm not sure about you but I seem to be forever needing to top up the PPM, the more money MSE I get the more it needs feeding, of course this is due to the recent hikes, but I seem to be struggling to keep up.
I have tried reading over changing tarrifs and have to admit to being totally confused by the whole thing. I like my PPM only because I don't have the huge bill at the end of the quarter, but hate that Im forever feeding it.
Currently I am with SSE and out most of the day at least 4 days per week, even when I'm home I use very wisely (fill the thermos to avoid boiling kettle constantly, very hot on lights being left on etc) If someone could explain in idiot terms what the difference between a standard PPM and a credit meter is plz and also how I compare energy companies. I am with SSE for both gas and lecki, I can feel a saving round here somewhere, but am blind to find it as I don't know what I'm doing and don't want to switch and make my matter worse. Many thanks Thriftkitten.

sofaman

I'm on pre-pay for both meters with Southern Elec. Is there another pre-pay provider that allow you to topup via an online account?

Nada666

Thriftkitten wrote: »

Morning all pre payers,
I'm not sure about you but I seem to be forever needing to top up the PPM, the more money MSE I get the more it needs feeding, of course this is due to the recent hikes, but I seem to be struggling to keep up.
I have tried reading over changing tarrifs and have to admit to being totally confused by the whole thing. I like my PPM only because I don't have the huge bill at the end of the quarter, but hate that Im forever feeding it.
Currently I am with SSE and out most of the day at least 4 days per week, even when I'm home I use very wisely (fill the thermos to avoid boiling kettle constantly, very hot on lights being left on etc) If someone could explain in idiot terms what the difference between a standard PPM and a credit meter is plz and also how I compare energy companies. I am with SSE for both gas and lecki, I can feel a saving round here somewhere, but am blind to find it as I don't know what I'm doing and don't want to switch and make my matter worse. Many thanks Thriftkitten.

Telephone SSE and ask them what your typical annual usage of gas and electricity is. Take those two numbers, with your postcode, to a comparison site such as energyhelpline.com or uswitch.com.

Plug those three items in (choose 'prepayment' as how you pay) and see the range of prices. Go through the site again but next time choose 'monthly direct debit' as your payment type. Contrast and compare.

Nada666

sofaman wrote: »

I'm on pre-pay for both meters with Southern Elec. Is there another pre-pay provider that allow you to topup via an online account?

British Gas do.