Crafty NIE (Keypad)

declanmcc

With the price increase on October 1st, I was hoping to top up my Keypad meter with a good chunk of credit on pay day on September 30th so that I wouldn't absorb the price increase for at least 4-6 weeks. Looks like NIE have stolen a march on me :-(

Q. When will this price change affect Keypad customers?
The increase is effective 1st October for all customers. A longer than usual 40 digit code (60 digits for E7 and Powershift) will be issued as part of all top ups bought from 20th September. Once this longer rate has been put in the Keypad meter, all credit will be charged at the new unit rate from 1st October.

So just a wee warning for Keypad customers ..... if you're intending to put a chunky top-up in there ..... do it soon!

steveymp

Cheers Declan, I'll top up the meter before the 20th then, anything to save a few quid these days, I also have Gas in my temporary accomodation, looking forward:eek: to that price rise too:(

northernireland10

I too have an NIE top up meter, i was just thinking surely what money is still on keypad from before 1st Oct should be charged at rate at present ... i thought it was pre-paid therefore shouldnt change the unit price until you top up after 1st Oct?

rolo1_2

Ditch NIE and move to Budget or Airtricity ASAP

gibbyni

I had been wondering the same thing

So if I load up a few months of elec before 20 sept I should get it at the old prices ??

saverbuyer

gibbyni wrote: »

I had been wondering the same thing

So if I load up a few months of elec before 20 sept I should get it at the old prices ??

There is possibly a max that can be put on the meter.

steveymp

rolo1 wrote: »

Ditch NIE and move to Budget or Airtricity ASAP

Unfortunately it's not my house, just renting at present, don't think the landlord would be too happy if I switched his leccy supplier:)

Max online top up for NIE key pad on their site is £175, I have no idea if you can top up more using your card in a shop as I have only ever used online:o

Bigcammy

I topped up early in the past for both NIE and Phoenix gas when in rented property. I was lucky to be in the position to afford to put cash in upfront and it paid off for me

yorkie98

There's no way to beat or cheat the price rise. Neither topping up early or late and no matter how much/little will make any difference.

If you top up after 20/09 you will get a 40 digit powercode, this code tells the meter the new rates and tells it to start charging it from 01/10, not before. From this date it will deduct money from your existing credit at the new rate per unit as you use it.
Whatever date you next top up, if its 20/09/11 or even any date after the price change, you will get a 40 digit powercode, you can't avoid it and if you did a massive topup before the 20th/09 then top up next in say December, it will work back and deduct what you owe.
To me this would be a worse scenario, as you could do a £20 top up and find it's all swallowed by debt due to trying to be smart and trick the meter.
You will not save a single penny no matter what you do so the best advice is to just carry on as usual, there's no reason not to.

gwni

Yorkie98 I agree with you, NIE you would imagine have covered all possible loopholes to get every penny out of us - sure they are now checking our meters as well just to make sure everything tallys up.

In my old flat I was on pay as you go phoenix gas and their meters have a value of so many m3 (metre cubed) when you top up - I wonder would buying in advance of a phoenix price rise save money whereas NIE meters use a money value.

steveymp

yorkie98 wrote: »

There's no way to beat or cheat the price rise. Neither topping up early or late and no matter how much/little will make any difference.

If you top up after 20/09 you will get a 40 digit powercode, this code tells the meter the new rates and tells it to start charging it from 01/10, not before. From this date it will deduct money from your existing credit at the new rate per unit as you use it.
Whatever date you next top up, if its 20/09/11 or even any date after the price change, you will get a 40 digit powercode, you can't avoid it and if you did a massive topup before the 20th/09 then top up next in say December, it will work back and deduct what you owe.
To me this would be a worse scenario, as you could do a £20 top up and find it's all swallowed by debt due to trying to be smart and trick the meter.
You will not save a single penny no matter what you do so the best advice is to just carry on as usual, there's no reason not to.

I don't see how we are trying to 'Cheat' NIE it's a simple case of bulk buying before a price rise, quiet a common thing in the world of MSE;)

If I buy washing powder in bulk today at £5 a box before a price rise to £6 tomorrow am I 'Cheating' Proctor & Gamble ? When I buy my next box can they then charge me £7 a box instead of £6 because I bought a few boxes cheaper. Apply this scenario to any product or commodity and it will seem nonsense. Having said that I wouldn't put anything past NIE, at least !!!!!! Turpin wore a mask:rotfl: