British gas

dawn060861

We have just switched to British gas for our gas and electricity, we are on a prepay card meter, we assume it is cost effective which is why we switched but have we done the right thing.

Dawn

masonic

I'm confused. Are you asking if paying using a prepayment meter itself is cost effective, or whether British Gas offers good rates for prepayment customers? (In either case, I think the answer might be 'No' )

dollarjon

their rate will be higher than what you used to pay. Now did the sales guy say you'll get credit? BG dont charge a weekly meter charge some sales guys say you'll get this in credit (about £1.20) a week whenever you want some dont. you dont accually get a credit they just offset your rate to reflect the saving.
Also they will change your 'card' meter to a 'key' meter and if your rate is quite old you will notice an increase what you feed it.

tripled

For gas BG charge the same on a pp meter as a billed meter, and don't charge a standing charge. This means if you are a low user you may make savings. With electricity again BG don't charge a standing charge on pp meters (I think they are the only one of the 'big 6' not to, but I'm not 100% on that), so again you could benefit if you are a very low user. However their standard rates are amongst the highest in the country so most people could find savings elsewhere. They have announced a price cut for the spring although not by how much yet, but it will have to be quite substantial to make their rates competetive.

masonic

tripled wrote:

For gas BG charge the same on a pp meter as a billed meter, and don't charge a standing charge. This means if you are a low user you may make savings. With electricity again BG don't charge a standing charge on pp meters (I think they are the only one of the 'big 6' not to, but I'm not 100% on that), so again you could benefit if you are a very low user.

You still miss out on the duel fuel payment and (obviously) direct debit discounts if you are on prepayment, do you not? Also for electricity, last time I checked, the tier 1 unit price of prepayment electricity was significantly higher than for any other form of payment (although the tier 2 rate was lower). I also believe if you are on prepayment, you are stuck with BGs standard tariff, which as you say, is amongst the highest out there (the highest in my area).