Recent Credit Meter Install - When to switch?

Pokey86

Hi All, hope you can help

This is the first time i've had a credit meter in any household i've lived in.

I moved to British Gas about 3 years back, after a credit check they've agreed to take out our prepayment meter, as i hear they tend to cost more than a credit meter.

However, now they've done that, free of charge, am i obligated to stay with them for a set amount of time, or am i able to up & leave at any time at this point?

I've had a thorough search online but have come up nion blank.

Thanks

torbrex

You need to check to see if BG installed one of their own meters, if so it might make it difficult for you to switch.

'Onstream' is the trade name to look for on the meter.

ETA
Spiro might be along to give more up to date info, I have been away from this for a couple of years

chanz4

torbrex wrote: »

You need to check to see if BG installed one of their own meters, if so it might make it difficult for you to switch.

'Onstream' is the trade name to look for on the meter.

ETA
Spiro might be along to give more up to date info, I have been away from this for a couple of years

This doesnt apply, as all they do when switching is change to their asset although normaly just adopt the asset.

However this is one of the reasons suppliers do charge for meter changes, bg have gone to the cost of changing and wont get any of their costs back

macman

PPM's cost exactly the same as the supplier's standard tariff. You can leave any time you like, but obviously if you have signed up to a tariff with a minimum term, you'll have to pay the ETC.

Pokey86

The operator didn't mention any Tariffs, just stated i should phone up a week later to arrange any Direct Debits. I was surprised, i expected they they'd have to question me for a suitable tariff to transfer me on to.

I don't imagine i can't be on a tariff though. I'll have to give them a bell to find out the SP.

Cheers for the help.

However this is one of the reasons suppliers do charge for meter changes, bg have gone to the cost of changing and wont get any of their costs back

Yeah i did expect this is why most suppliers charge, i was surprised BG didn't, but given the profits these companies make i'd personally feel no guilt swapping to whoever offers me the cheapest deal. Just unsure of my obligations to BG now.

Wywth

Pokey86 wrote: »

Yeah i did expect this is why most suppliers charge, i was surprised BG didn't,

Of the Big 6, 50% do not charge for such a meter change

http://www.moneysupermarket.com/c/news/how-to-switch-from-a-prepayment-energy-meter/0014939/

t0rt0ise

Pokey86 wrote: »

The operator didn't mention any Tariffs, just stated i should phone up a week later to arrange any Direct Debits. I was surprised, i expected they they'd have to question me for a suitable tariff to transfer me on to.

They probably won't mention a tariff because they will simply put you on the standard tariff which is the most expensive. Just do a check on somewhere like uSwitch and see which is now the cheapest supplier and tariff for you.

macman

Pokey86 wrote: »

The operator didn't mention any Tariffs, just stated i should phone up a week later to arrange any Direct Debits. I was surprised, i expected they they'd have to question me for a suitable tariff to transfer me on to.

I don't imagine i can't be on a tariff though. I'll have to give them a bell to find out the SP.

Cheers for the help.



Yeah i did expect this is why most suppliers charge, i was surprised BG didn't, but given the profits these companies make i'd personally feel no guilt swapping to whoever offers me the cheapest deal. Just unsure of my obligations to BG now.

It's up to you to specify the tariff you want. If you don't, you are placed on the default tariff (Standard), which is the most expensive. But it doesn't have a minimum term.