British gas defraudEs customers-READ THIS NOW!

Razorbite

Am I missing something ? If the OP does not use any gas,why does he need a meter?

Nilrem

Razorbite wrote: »

Am I missing something ? If the OP does not use any gas,why does he need a meter?

I'd assume the op doesn't want to pay to have it disconnected properly (before it enters the property), or it's not the op's property (renting) thus can't have it removed.

As long as there is gas going into the property the gas maintenance/supplier/billing is responsible for ensuring the supply is safe and properly metered.
Hence even if you don't use the gas, you still need to let the meter readers in to check it is safe (and make sure you're not using a bypass), and at intervals to replace the meter (IIRC they tend to get replaced to meet current standards, or because they're at the end of their expected life).

As others have said, if the op is on one a tariff, it won't normally change when a meter is changed - the website only lists current tariffs, not historical ones that might still be in use, but not available to new customers.

Wywth

benefitquery wrote: »

I read this comment from one of the contributors: "What exactly are you complaining about? A change of meter due to a defunct battery will not change the tariff you are on. How are they defrauding you??? :huh: W.

Let me explain: a change of the meter will automatically cause a change of tariff.

Incorrect, as I already advised in the post you refer to, and now concurred by other users.

benefitquery wrote: »

ALL of British Gas' current pre-paid meter (on their website) have a standing charge.

Correct

benefitquery wrote: »

I was never told this when BG said I need to change the meter.

Why should you have been? Refer to the advice already given to you.

benefitquery wrote: »

I also found their explanation for a change of the meter very lame.

In YOUR opinion.
Such a basis for compliant will not get you far, I'm afraid (see below for further explanation)

benefitquery wrote: »

Why change a meter (hassle, engineers etc) when a battery pack is all that's needed.

Because they believe it's more efficient to simply change the complete meter. It's their meter (even if they do rent it), and they are not charging you for changing it, as already advised.

benefitquery wrote: »

BG said they couldn't categorize the "job" so would need to (quite wrongly) categorize it as a "fault".

What would you categorise a non working meter as then, if not a fault?

benefitquery wrote: »

Then, when I complain after the change of meter (and subsequent daily charge) they could say "look, we have it down as a fault". You even agreed for a meter change".

Incorrect - see above.

Perelandra

Reading through this, it looks as though:

OP is currently on a credit meter, and has an old no-standing charge tariff.

OP was advised by BG that they wanted to change the meter, and the OP then asked if this could be changed to a Prepay meter.

Is this correct?

If so, it's possible that this would require a tariff change- some tariffs can't be used with prepay meters, so if the existing tariff isn't available with a prepay meter, then yes a tariff change will be necessary. However, if you switch a credit meter for a credit meter, then no tariff change will be needed.

Probably best to mention, though, that regardless of the meter type, when the current tariff ends you will need to move on to a tariff with a standing charge (if you stay with BG), as in the future all BG tariffs (and most tariffs with other suppliers) will have standing charges on them.

(NB: I work for British Gas, but post in an unofficial capacity. Anything I post on this forum does not necessarily represent the views of my employer).

Kernel_Sanders

benefitquery wrote: »

. I may also email the local police because the installation of a unnecessary new meter (which would have a daily standing charge somewhere between 26p and 86pa day) could cause a breach of the peace.

I'm sure the police will be round (with blues and twos) within minutes of opening your email. That's the only thing that might cause a breach of the peace.