Failed Credit Check to change from Pre-Payment

mcweasel01

Hi All,
We have Pre-Payment Electricity & Gas metres & wanted to switch to a 'credit' meter as we're paying a fortune. We've just called British Gas to make arrangements & we've failed the credit checks. Well, my wife has as the account is in her name.
So, we've had to change the name on the account to mine & try again when I receive the documents. Does anyone know what the cause of this might be? We're due to complete on our mortgage today (RTB so been living here for a few years), so I'm wondering if its to do with recent searches for insurance etc & I'm wary that I may also fail.
I'm wanting to change suppliers as our electricity consumption is really high. Last year we used 5769kwh. Everything is switched off when we leave the house & on a night. We anticipate saving around £200+ by changing supplier.
Would a new supplier change the meters for us? Our Prepayment is showing as the cheapest when using comparison sites.
The prepayment metres were here when we moved into the property so we've not had them installed to repay debt.

Thanks for reading! Any suggestions are welcomed

Cardew

You could try and offer a deposit.

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

The anecdotal evidence suggests BG are the most stringent with credit checks. I believe most of the big 6 suppliers perform some sort of credit check, although their criteria are a little more slack.

A switch to a smaller supplier would probably do the trick if credit history is a real problem. Although no supplier will help you lower your consumption - that's down to you!

mcweasel01

If I offer a deposit would I need to stay with BG for a period? Say 12 months? The guy I spoke to said the tariff price between Pre-Payment & DD is the same so I don't really want to pay a deposit, stay with them for an extended period & not save any money.
If I also failed then check, would it possible to have a smart meter installed then change supplier whilst simultaneously changing to DD?

mcweasel01

I think my biggest worry is not being able to switch suppliers to one of the smaller ones whilst we still have these meters.
I understand that consumption reduction is down to myself, but I dont see what else I can do to lower it. The only things which are left on are fridge freezer, chest freezer, boiler/hot water & virgin box. Even if we pop out for 10 mins everything is switched off at the mains, even WiFi.
I do notice that when my neighbour uses his tools in his shed our lights dim briefly, but I always assumed this was due to the sudden increase on the grid before its compensated back to our normal level

SwanJon

Hi,
MSE article on prepay meters here:
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/switch-prepaid-gas-electricity

BG won't take deposit to remove the meters, that option was removed a few years ago.

Prepayment is the same price as a quarterly bill, but more expensive than direct debit, so it sounds like the agent was confused. As you pay as you go you will notice any seasonal changes (lights on longer, more heating required) much more than on a quarterly bill or DD.

Some of the smaller suppliers don't advertise the fact that they support these meters (or are not priced competitively on them) so you do have less choice. Not supporting these meters helps the small suppliers keep their costs (and therefore their tariffs) down.

Energy efficiency will always help, on top of any saving you make on the tariff.
Anything that generates heat will cost the most (showers, tumble driers, immersion heaters etc).

If want to test if there is a link to your neighbours shed, next time it happens turn off your electricity at the fuse board - if his tools stop then you have an issue. If not and the meter has stopped counting) then you've removed that as an issue.

mcweasel01

Thank you SwanJon that's exactly the kind of info I was after. I'll call the smaller suppliers & see what they can do. Even if we have to pay for new metres, at say £60 each, the annual savings across both Gas & Electricity would be over £160 for this year alone. Then back up to £320 the following year. Assuming consumption & prices stay the same.

Good tip on the neighbour too. I'll be certain to give that a blast!

mcweasel01

I've noticed EDF don't do credit checks so I've spoken to them & basically: change supply to them, wait 28 days then request meter exchange. Once this is done, change supplier to whoever offers best rate! The electricity is £50 more per year on prepayment but I don't expect to be on prepayment for more than 2 months.

GingerBob_3

mcweasel01 wrote: »

I've noticed EDF don't do credit checks so I've spoken to them & basically: change supply to them, wait 28 days then request meter exchange. Once this is done, change supplier to whoever offers best rate! The electricity is £50 more per year on prepayment but I don't expect to be on prepayment for more than 2 months.

I'm with EDF and I think you're right. As I understand it they don't carry out credit checks or report you to the CRAs - surprising, when you consider the bribes they will have been subject to from the CRAs. However, I'd try and get further confirmation about this. British Gas are to be avoided at all costs. They are one of an increasing number of companies who will shaft you financially for the most trifling of reasons.

mcweasel01

I used the webchat & emailed myself the chat as confirmation. I asked them outright if it was something I could do & they've said yes & there's no exit fees.

[Deleted User]

mcweasel01 wrote: »

If I offer a deposit would I need to stay with BG for a period? Say 12 months? The guy I spoke to said the tariff price between Pre-Payment & DD is the same so I don't really want to pay a deposit, stay with them for an extended period & not save any money.
If I also failed then check, would it possible to have a smart meter installed then change supplier whilst simultaneously changing to DD?

That guy was mistaken. theres a big difference with prepay/standard tariffs with all suppliers if a direct debit one year fix is taken .BG electric prepay rate in my area isare13.2 p kwhr aginst Sainsburys energy ( British Gas ) is 9.78 p..same daily standing charge. similar for gas 4.4p /kwhr down to 3.2 p/kwhr.. Maybe he meant that there was no difference with BGs Fix and Fall direct debit rates.