Payment Plans

t0rt0ise

caz2003uk wrote: »

Everyone says "avoid pre-payment meters" .....

Why? I was in debt to both gas and electric, i had pre-payment meters fitted and things are so much better now!

£3.30 a week on both to debt and current consumption is £15 a fortnight for gas and £10-15 a fortnight on electric....

Because they are expensive and inconvenient and difficult to get rid of later. But you're right, for some it is the best option.

spiro

t0rt0ise wrote: »

Because they are expensive and inconvenient and difficult to get rid of later. But you're right, for some it is the best option.

expensive - person is on a pay on bill tariff so I doubt there will be little/any difference in price. All the cheap deals appear to require DD payment.
inconvenient - several supplier now offer home vend units.
difficult to get rid of - I agree with that one

caz2003uk

t0rt0ise wrote: »

Because they are expensive and inconvenient and difficult to get rid of later. But you're right, for some it is the best option.

You think that £15 a fortnight on gas and £10-£15 a fortnight on electric is expensive?? I have my gas central heating on for 4/5 hours in the evening, a gas cooker and tap water from gas too! The hot water for the power shower is heated by the electricity as well as various appliances like anyone else has!

There is no dreaded wait for the "incorrect" or extortionate bill to land on the door mat, everything is paid up front!

Also with british gas you can top up at home I have a usb card and key reader so no inconvenience there!

macman

PPM's are no more expensive than the supplier's Standard tariff-typically 6% more than an online discount.
The PPM system cost much more to administrate, so is effectively subsidised by customers with credit meters.,

TC54

macman wrote: »

PPM's are no more expensive than the supplier's Standard tariff-typically 6% more than an online discount.
The PPM system cost much more to administrate, so is effectively subsidised by customers with credit meters.,

Over the industry, the average additional cost is £195 per annum and some companies don't update meters with increased unit prices on a timely basis, causing customers to have additional debt flung at them suddenly. Its not always possible to switch to a 'friendly' supplier if you have an existing debt either.

macman

That additional cost is over the average, not over Standard tariff though.

gentlebloke

chanz4 wrote: »

Your best option would be a pre-pay, if for medical (proved) or unable to fit fuel direct @ £3.30 plus consumption

If on JSA supplier MUST offer Fuel Direct - currently at £3.40 per week, per fuel

TC54

nPower_company_representative wrote: »

Hi TC54,

Just to let you know that I have received your emails and this is being looked into.

I'll give you an update as soon as I have checked everything.

Best wishes,

Adam

Just to update, The only response from NPower was an almost instant standard threatening letter, followed by another, the latest is from their debt collectors who have added £10 to the debt!! So, no further forward, except that I have managed to reduce the debt a bit myself, but no real offer of help from NPower - and it doesn't seem as if Adam has helped either.