Pre Payment - wanting to swap

Ekimmu

I am moving into a home that has pre-payment meters and I would like to switch to normal meters for various reasons.

I have been in touch with npower who want £120 up front non refundable, M&S Do not deal with meters so are out of the question and finally I have contacted First:Utility who are willing to swap for free after 3months debt free/no usage of emergency credit.

Npower and First:Utility are very similar is yearly costing based upon my usage this year to date. While First Utility had no problems, npower said it was nothing to do with them and all to do with metering services.

So I was wondering if anyone had an advise at all, or should I just pay I think £20 pr year more and then get them for free from First Utility ? I have never had a properly with pre payment so I am unsure if this is my best solution.

Thanks in advance.

macman

£60 is a normal charge per meter. Some suppliers will do it for free in return for your business.
Bear in mind that your LL (if renting) may expect you to replace the PPM's at the end of the tenancy-at your expense. PPM's cost the same as Standard tariff.
Before you go with FU do a forum search. Lots of billing issues.

Ekimmu

I have read the FU thread with various reports. I have been in contact with several suppliers, each of which have stated I will have to join them as a PP customer before being able to switch.
That brings another round of fun with varying costs for changing, credit checks, possible deposits .... sigh the joys

macman

The alternative was the previous system, whereby you often had to put down a refundable deposit of one or two hundred pounds for the first year, until you had proved your creditworthness.
Remember that credit meters offer potentially unlimited credit.

nPower

Ekimmu wrote: »

I am moving into a home that has pre-payment meters and I would like to switch to normal meters for various reasons.

I have been in touch with npower who want £120 up front non refundable, M&S Do not deal with meters so are out of the question and finally I have contacted First:Utility who are willing to swap for free after 3months debt free/no usage of emergency credit.

Npower and First:Utility are very similar is yearly costing based upon my usage this year to date. While First Utility had no problems, npower said it was nothing to do with them and all to do with metering services.

So I was wondering if anyone had an advise at all, or should I just pay I think £20 pr year more and then get them for free from First Utility ? I have never had a properly with pre payment so I am unsure if this is my best solution.

Thanks in advance.

Hi Ekimmu,

Thanks for your post. It seems that macman has already assisted with your query, however I'd like to explain further.

To be eligible for a meter exchange from prepayment to credit you must:

Have no debt on any npower account and be able to pay £60 (per meter), prior to us booking the meter exchange appointment. This is non refundable and covers the cost of the meter exchange.

As you're currently not an npower customer you would need to transfer to us before we can book the appointment.

We'd love to have you and if you're still interested in transferring to us please contact us on 0800 316 3375 or 0330 100 8674 and we'll arrange this for you.

Thanks, hope this has helped.

Leigh