Changing meters - U Switch are so wrong Beware

barmybird_2

Please, if you have a prepayment meter and want it changing, read this before going to U Switch - it may help you

I recently moved into a rented house for the first time.
It had prepayment meters and British Gas were the suppliers. Within the first week or so it became apparent that they were costing me a lot of money, far more than I should be paying.
Following advice of this great site I contacted U Switch for help and advice about switching. At the time they recommended EDF energy - but I knew that they were at that time not the cheapest option. U Switch were adamant that I needed to do the following:-
Switch to EDF energy - would take 4-6 weeks
Stay with them for a minimum of 6-8 weeks
Then ask them if they would please swap the meters for credit meters - could take anything from 2-4 weeks
Stay with them for approx. 4-8 weeks then phone U Switch and swap to another supplier who is cheaper
The whole process could take 20-26 weeks by which time my lease will be up for renewal and I may not stay here.
They were adamant that I shouldn't ask British Gas to change the meters as British Gas charge £100 per meter to swap out the gas & electricity. This charge was told to me by each of the 3 U Switch call centre staff I spoke to.
After deciding that 20-26 weeks was unacceptable and the charges over that period would have been too much I told them that this was ridiculous and that I would sort it out myself.
I called British Gas immediately after (which was a Monday) - this was my experience:-

They assured me that I could be moved to their lowest tariff that would be equal to having a credit meter
They assured me that they would not charge me for a swap out
They would phone me back an hour later with a date
They did call at the agreed time
Whilst on the call with me they liaised with the engineering team for a date
Gave me a date & a time slot
Swapped out the meters on the Friday !

A great engineer who called before coming, arrived punctually, did a cracking job & he was pleasant, clean, presentable & efficient.

WELL DONE BRITISH GAS !!!!

The whole process took less than 4 days :j

Wywth

barmybird wrote: »

Please, if you have a prepayment meter and want it changing, read this before going to U Switch - it may help you

I recently moved into a rented house for the first time.
It had prepayment meters and British Gas were the suppliers. Within the first week or so it became apparent that they were costing me a lot of money, far more than I should be paying.
Following advice of this great site I contacted U Switch for help and advice about switching. At the time they recommended EDF energy - but I knew that they were at that time not the cheapest option. U Switch were adamant that I needed to do the following:-
Switch to EDF energy - would take 4-6 weeks
Stay with them for a minimum of 6-8 weeks
Then ask them if they would please swap the meters for credit meters - could take anything from 2-4 weeks
Stay with them for approx. 4-8 weeks then phone U Switch and swap to another supplier who is cheaper
The whole process could take 20-26 weeks by which time my lease will be up for renewal and I may not stay here.
They were adamant that I shouldn't ask British Gas to change the meters as British Gas charge £100 per meter to swap out the gas & electricity. This charge was told to me by each of the 3 U Switch call centre staff I spoke to.
After deciding that 20-26 weeks was unacceptable and the charges over that period would have been too much I told them that this was ridiculous and that I would sort it out myself.
I called British Gas immediately after (which was a Monday) - this was my experience:-

They assured me that I could be moved to their lowest tariff that would be equal to having a credit meter
They assured me that they would not charge me for a swap out
They would phone me back an hour later with a date
They did call at the agreed time
Whilst on the call with me they liaised with the engineering team for a date
Gave me a date & a time slot
Swapped out the meters on the Friday !

A great engineer who called before coming, arrived punctually, did a cracking job & he was pleasant, clean, presentable & efficient.

WELL DONE BRITISH GAS !!!!

The whole process took less than 4 days :j

The situation has changed recently.

This recent article explains how the major suppliers now treat requests to change to a credit meter
http://www.moneysupermarket.com/c/news/how-to-switch-from-a-prepayment-energy-meter/0014939/

4 days to get a PPM changed to a credit meter? That is amazingly quick.
It took BG about 2 weeks when we requested it