Switching supplier and from pre-payment meters?

grumpybee

hi guys,

I'm sure this will have been posted before but I'm struggling to find anything.

We've just moved into a new property, both the gas and electric are pre-payment meters with Scottish power which we don't want. Anyhow, to get the supply back on sp have sent out 2 new payment cards which we've had to use, then state we can request that the meters are change to credit meters after the supply is back on for us. We've got electric on so far adding the minimum of £5 but the gas we want checking out before we have the supply back (some dodgy looking pipes behind the cooker I don't want to risk!)

Sp informed me there is a charge for replacing the meter - for both it comes to around £100. I've found an mse article stating other suppliers don't charge for this service so as I'm keen to keep cost down wonder if we can change supplier and change to normal meters at the same time?

Any ideas or experience of this?

[Deleted User]

British Gas and I think EDF dont charge for replacing prepay to credit meters, but for now, thats the 4-6weeks switching period you are stuck with Scot Power. Theres not a lot of difference in the suppliers which offer prepay so you may as well settle for Scot Power. a comparison site like ukpower.co.uk will show all the prepay tariffs. All the tariffs and weekly standing charges are on the screens of the prepays if you scroll through.Just make sure that there s no debt from last occupiers on screens 26 /gas and I think "S" on the electric prepays, you can only see the debt screen on electric with key inserted. A new key/card should wipe the screens clear of debts. Screen "H" on the electric should be on zero as a new occupier
They do credit checks on you to remove prepay meters of course.I ve just switched my two credit meters to Eon and was surprised they are doing credit checks on me before accepting my business. I m certainly happy to do that as energy theft on credit meters is absolutely rife. I hope all suppliers do this at all times. Its needed badly

SwanJon

The MSE guide has recently been updated -
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/switch-prepaid-gas-electricity

advantix

AFAIK EON do not charge for changing PP meters to credit meters. Think you would need to pass the credit check though. They would change the meters usually within a week of them gaining the supply.

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

advantix wrote: »

AFAIK EON do not charge for changing PP meters to credit meters. Think you would need to pass the credit check though. They would change the meters usually within a week of them gaining the supply.

Spot on advantix. We don't currently charge for changing prepayment meters but do ask customers to go through a credit check.

Appointment times differ, though, depending on the region.

Malc

footyguy

grumpybee wrote: »

hi guys,

I'm sure this will have been posted before but I'm struggling to find anything.

We've just moved into a new property, both the gas and electric are pre-payment meters with Scottish power which we don't want. Anyhow, to get the supply back on sp have sent out 2 new payment cards which we've had to use, then state we can request that the meters are change to credit meters after the supply is back on for us. We've got electric on so far adding the minimum of £5 but the gas we want checking out before we have the supply back (some dodgy looking pipes behind the cooker I don't want to risk!)

Sp informed me there is a charge for replacing the meter - for both it comes to around £100. I've found an mse article stating other suppliers don't charge for this service so as I'm keen to keep cost down wonder if we can change supplier and change to normal meters at the same time?

Any ideas or experience of this?

No, one step at a time.
But which order you do the steps is entirely up to you.

You can either ask the existing supplier if they will install new credit meters and then ask a new supplier to take you as a customer on one of their credit meter tariffs.

OR

You can switch supplier as a PPM customer, and then ask the new supplier if they will switch your PPM for a credit meter (and so change to a credit meter tariff with them)