Pre-payment meter switch

kevin63

Looking at moving into my first home soon (woohoo) but there is an issue with the gas and electric both being with Southern Electric via a pre-payment meter.

I'd prefer direct debit due to the cost and ease and to swap SE is saying i need to oay £56 to swap the meters.

Would i be able to swap to say British Gas who do meter swaps for free and get them changed straight away do you think to avoid this SE charge?

I said to SE i'll leave them as i think charge is unfair, as i didnt personally pick them and thought to keep my custom they would swap for free, but no luck.

Basically wanting a way to get a free meter swap asap as soon as i move in so your help would be great

Wywth

kevin63 wrote: »

Looking at moving into my first home soon (woohoo) but there is an issue with the gas and electric both being with Southern Electric via a pre-payment meter.

I'd prefer direct debit due to the cost and ease and to swap SE is saying i need to oay £56 to swap the meters.

Would i be able to swap to say British Gas who do meter swaps for free and get them changed straight away do you think to avoid this SE charge?

I said to SE i'll leave them as i think charge is unfair, as i didnt personally pick them and thought to keep my custom they would swap for free, but no luck.

Basically wanting a way to get a free meter swap asap as soon as i move in so your help would be great

First you'll need to register with the existing supplier (Southern Electric)

You will then be free to switch to any supplier you wish. Switching typically takes 4-6 weeks.

Each supplier will make their own decision on whether or not to grant you credit by installing a credit meter, and if so, under what terms.

This link may help you better understand how the major suppliers treat such requests.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/switch-prepaid-gas-electricity#freecreditmeter

kevin63

Wywth wrote: »

First you'll need to register with the existing supplier (Southern Electric)

You will then be free to switch to any supplier you wish. Switching typically takes 4-6 weeks.

Each supplier will make their own decision on whether or not to grant you credit by installing a credit meter, and if so, under what terms.

This link may help you better understand how the major suppliers treat such requests.

Thanks,

Looks like i need to ring british gas, edf and eon when i move out then and see where I stand as it looks like im going to get nowhere with SE!

Anyone had any experience with being in the same sotuation as me?

macman

Why is the charge 'unfair'? There is a cost involved in a meter change, and you chose to take on a property with PPM's. The actual price charged is already subsidised.
You need to work who offers the best credit tariff and the factor that in-no point in a free meter change if you are going to pay more than £112pa extra for that tariff.

Southern_Electric_company_representative

Hi Kevin63, there is normally a charge for customers with ppm meters who choose to change them to credit, however this fee can be waived in some circumstance such as your own where you are moving into a property with one already present.

You would still be subject to the same checks and would be required to set up Direct Debit but this should not be an issue for having the meter changed free of charge. If you have any further issues please contact me using the address on our profile.

Many thanks,

Holly.

kevin63

Southern_Electric_company_representative wrote: »

Hi Kevin63, there is normally a charge for customers with ppm meters who choose to change them to credit, however this fee can be waived in some circumstance such as your own where you are moving into a property with one already present.

You would still be subject to the same checks and would be required to set up Direct Debit but this should not be an issue for having the meter changed free of charge. If you have any further issues please contact me using the address on our profile.

Many thanks,

Holly.

Hi Holly,

If the fee can be waived, how would I go about this please? When i contacted SE directly via their site they said it would not be possible as I was currently not a customer of SE (First time buyer you see).

You're help would greatly be appreciated. Not sure what you mean by contacting you with the address on my profile.

lstar337

kevin63 wrote: »

Hi Holly,

If the fee can be waived, how would I go about this please? When i contacted SE directly via their site they said it would not be possible as I was currently not a customer of SE (First time buyer you see).

You'll find lots of companies will bend over backwards to help you in a public space.;)

Behind the privacy of a phone call, you are on their terms. Out in the public, they are on yours.

This is why I have found it is great to complain to companies through their facebook page. Firstly, you don't have to pay silly phone charges, and secondly, they will try so hard to help you because they have to look good in the public eye.

Try it yourself next time you have a problem with something. Post a question on their facebook page and watch the reps fall over each other trying to help you. That is real customer service!

Southern_Electric_company_representative

Hi Kevin63, if you click on our name and then on the drop down, public profile this will give you our email address to contact me directly and I can arrange for a member of the team to contact you to discuss further.

Many thanks,

Holly.