Southern Electric. One step ahead.

s666lag

I have just rang Southern Electric and asked for confirmation on Jo Public being one step ahead of them.

My question was:

I am on a pre pay meters. If I top up both my meters BEFORE the 15th November 2013 with a large amount when will the price increase come into effect.

Answer. Not until you top your keys up after the 15/11/13.

I am in a position fortunately to be able to top both meters with a substantial amount and already have a large credit on my meters so I feel that I have one over on them.

If anyone else is in this position then top up before the increase comes into effect.

:T

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

s666lag wrote: »

I have just rang Southern Electric and asked for confirmation on Jo Public being one step ahead of them.

My question was:

I am on a pre pay meters. If I top up both my meters BEFORE the 15th November 2013 with a large amount when will the price increase come into effect.

Answer. Not until you top your keys up after the 15/11/13.

I am in a position fortunately to be able to top both meters with a substantial amount and already have a large credit on my meters so I feel that I have one over on them.

If anyone else in this position then top up before the increase comes into effect.

:T

Interesting, if you stick lots of money into your energy account on a credit meter, I believe it gets billed at the price you use use it.

Price rises this winter will be much higher than DD discount, so if you can load enough credit on your meter, it's entirely possible you'd be better off with a PPM.

I have no idea what the top up limits are though!

SwanJon

It might work, but the meters are not vending machines.
The reads are billed against payments on the suppliers system, and any underpayment will show up. This also happens when payments are sent to the wrong account/supplier.

Whether this is enough for them to chase is a different matter, but when you move/switch you may find you have a balance to pay.

The meters can take around £250 each.

s666lag

I live in rented accommodation. I have a pre pay key and card for the meters.

I have no arrears just top up weekly with the same amount meaning I always have credit on the meters.

Before the previous rise I asked the same question. I was told that it is not something they make public.

If I do not top up again until my Credit is depleted then the increase cannot be charged.

Hope that makes it clearer;)

SwanJon

My comments here are my own, based on my experience.
If the supplier chose to, they could bill you for anything you have used after the price change at the post-change price (less what you have paid).
So, the increase can be charged, but they may choose not to.

I meant that prepay meters are not like vending machines - there have been many occasions of the meter and the billing system not having the same prices, and contractually you need to pay the price on the billing system.

Paul38

I am on pre pay meters and have recently received the letter regarding the re-introduction of Standing/ Service charges. I am a low user so clearly I am going to be one of those hit the hardest.

£100 per year on each meter and I have used about a fiver on the gas in the past 3 months......I called them and pointed out that for many years now we have been encouraged to use less and now it seems when you do they penalise you.

I have also noticed that the Standing/ Service charge is more for people on Prepay meters.....how fair is that. I would happily change but at £52 per meter, its not that easy...oh and a credit check.

Nada666

Paul38 wrote: »

I am on pre pay meters and have recently received the letter regarding the re-introduction of Standing/ Service charges. I am a low user so clearly I am going to be one of those hit the hardest.

£100 per year on each meter and I have used about a fiver on the gas in the past 3 months......I called them and pointed out that for many years now we have been encouraged to use less and now it seems when you do they penalise you.

I have also noticed that the Standing/ Service charge is more for people on Prepay meters.....how fair is that. I would happily change but at £52 per meter, its not that easy...oh and a credit check.

It is Ofgem, not the suppliers, that demand you pay a standing charge. Complain to them.

The standing charge is higher because the costs of prepayment machines are higher. That is fair.

No-one needs to use prepayment meters if they do not want to. Change them if you like.

Andy_WSM

Nada666 wrote: »

It is Ofgem, not the suppliers, that demand you pay a standing charge. Complain to them.

The standing charge is higher because the costs of prepayment machines are higher. That is fair.

No-one needs to use prepayment meters if they do not want to. Change them if you like.

Totally agree with this.

Also to point out, there are supplier that still charge £0.00 standing charge. Ebico being one of these. I have just moved my Gas from Eon to Ebico as I too was paying £100 a year standing charge and virtually nothing for gas used for cooking only.