Scottish Power - Pre Pay meter change

cybermatuk

I am in the process of changing over my pre pay Scottish Power meter to a normal direct debit style jobbie and as info seems quite limited I thought Id put up what I have experienced so far in case it helps others.

I have had a pre-pay meter for many years now - probably about 10 or so and I get fed up with it going off as I havent filled the key for a while etc.
I finally decided to swap over to a normal meter and spoke to the people at Scottish Power today about the process.

I have to pay £40 -odd pounds to get the meter changed but.... you also need to provide a security deposit to prove you can afford to keep the meter in check. the security deposit is £150 and they keep it for 12 months just in case you don't pay your bill, I am in the lucky position to be able to say yeah fine go ahead, but I guess this will restrict some people from getting away from the pre-pay meter which is a bit mean but cest la vie.

They set up a direct debit but they struggle to give you the date you require - for example all of my direct debits go out on the first of the month, but the lady on the phone wasnt able to set up my new direct debit in this fashion, she said I can change the date after the first payment though so a little more rigmarole to come just yet.

I am also switching my gas meter over to Scottish power at the same time from my current provider Swalec. Eventually I will sign up to one of the SP online deals for dual fuel. I need to get my prepay switched over first though.

the process is a bit clunky for 2012, and reminds me of firms I used to deal with in the 90's that have 'come on' since then but non the less it will get there in the end I am sure.

I think that the £150 prepayment 'trap' may hold a few people back, and as I am switching gas suppliers and they have been estimating for 12 months then I may face a bill from my old gas supplier also, so think carefully before you swap over.

The outcome will be no more pre-payment (worth £200 just to see the back of it) - and eventually cheaper bills hopefully, especially as I have just hada combi installed as well.

So for those of you thinking about getting rid of your pre-payment meter just be aware its not cheap to do it!!

Neil_Jones

If you set up your account online with Scottish Power, you can pick whatever day you want the Direct Debit to go out on.

t0rt0ise

British Gas will change the meter for free as long as you pass a credit check. I just add that for anyone else reading.

spiro

Some suppliers appear to be cutting back on 'security deposits' but they are tightening up on credit checks and they all appear to demand that you pay by DD.

As to having to pay for the meter to be exchanged these cost money for the supplier (meter workers time etc) plus there can also be charges (from the meter rental company) for removing a meter before the end of its useful life.

chanz4

BG do them for free, think the reason companys are charging deposits and credit checks is due to the amount of false names and run up debts. People normaly have a high first bill when going from pre-pay to credit as they forget about how much they are using then blame the meter.