MSE Switch and Pre-Payment to Bill Meters

SoWhatIsNext

I was wondering what the situation is when you are currently on pre-pay meters and require bill meters to be fitted when switching on the MSE collective switch deal. There's no debt, and I'm sure there would be no issues with passing a credit check if needed.

The MSE energy guide page says EON doesn't charge for bill meters for existing customers, but what about new customers?

Also, is there a way of seeing the Tariff Information Labels without signing up to the club?

MSE_Dan_L

Hi SoWhatIsNext

I'm afraid the current switching process doesn't let you move from a prepayment to a credit meter when you change suppliers.

Instead you'd need to first arrange for your meter to be changed to a credit meter and then switch.

Alternatively you could switch to your chosen supplier's prepayment tariff and then ask it to do the meter change.

I'm afraid that in this scenario, you wouldn't be able to move to Eon's collective switch tariff.

The Tariff Info Labels are shown on the Cheap Energy Club results page (under feedback and full info). As the prices are regional, we don't show this outside the club.

I hope this clears things up for you.

SoWhatIsNext

Thanks for the reply.

Looks like I'll have to do the latter in switching supplier then changing the meters.

The supplier that was here when I moved in (Utilita) only does pre-pay.

Does anyone know if there is a minimum waiting time once the supplier is switched to getting bill meters fitted?

cifpower

SoWhatIsNext wrote: »

Thanks for the reply.

Looks like I'll have to do the latter in switching supplier then changing the meters.

The supplier that was here when I moved in (Utilita) only does pre-pay.

Does anyone know if there is a minimum waiting time once the supplier is switched to getting bill meters fitted?

When I switched to EDF for a free meter switch, I had to remain with them for 4 weeks before I could request a swap. I did this on 1 September and my new meter is being installed on 21 September. Then I will switch away to a cheaper supplier.

footyguy

MSE_Dan_L wrote: »

...Instead you'd need to first arrange for your meter to be changed to a credit meter and then switch.

Alternatively you could switch to your chosen supplier's prepayment tariff and then ask it to do the meter change.

I'm afraid that in this scenario, you wouldn't be able to move to Eon's collective switch tariff....

I fear, in the OP's situation, they are not going to be able to obtain the current CEC/Eon collective switch tariff for credit metered customers in either scenario, as whichever scenario is adopted, it will probably be after the cut off date for applications for this tariff by the time a credit meter has been installed.

However, a credit meter would seem like a good thing to arrange in the OP's position as it will allow them access to much more cost effective tariffs than the current PPMs do.
(in fact most people should be able to beat the collective switch gas tariff anyway, and I'm sure those alternatives will still be available after the collective switch tariff has closed to new applications; electric alternatives probably won't be too far off either)

This MSE article is quite good in helping to decide how best to obtain a credit meter.
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/switch-prepaid-gas-electricity#freecreditmeter

SoWhatIsNext

footyguy wrote: »

I fear, in the OP's situation, they are not going to be able to obtain the current CEC/Eon collective switch tariff for credit metered customers in either scenario, as whichever scenario is adopted, it will probably be after the cut off date for applications for this tariff by the time a credit meter has been installed.

However, a credit meter would seem like a good thing to arrange in the OP's position as it will allow them access to much more cost effective tariffs than the current PPMs do.
(in fact most people should be able to beat the collective switch gas tariff anyway, and I'm sure those alternatives will still be available after the collective switch tariff has closed to new applications; electric alternatives probably won't be too far off either)

This MSE article is quite good in helping to decide how best to obtain a credit meter.
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/switch-prepaid-gas-electricity#freecreditmeter

You are right. I'll probably miss it, however a bill meter is worth it anyway like you said, and something I've been meaning to do before I start needing to use the heating again.

Also, EDF Price Promise isn't a terrible tariff and doesn't have a minimum term, so I can switch if a better deal comes along at a later date.

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

SoWhatIsNext wrote: »

I was wondering what the situation is when you are currently on pre-pay meters and require bill meters to be fitted when switching on the MSE collective switch deal. There's no debt, and I'm sure there would be no issues with passing a credit check if needed.

The MSE energy guide page says EON doesn't charge for bill meters for existing customers, but what about new customers?

Also, is there a way of seeing the Tariff Information Labels without signing up to the club?

Hi SoWhatIsNext

Thought I'd pop on with a bit of information about what happens when our customers ask for a prepayment meter to be replaced with a credit one. We're happy to do these switches provided the customer passes an external credit check and there's no debt involved. There's no charge for this work regardless of whether it's an existing or new customer.

There may, though, be a delay depending on how busy our technicians are. Also, for customers going through a change of supplier, there'll be a further delay of about two and half weeks whilst the account comes over. As footyguy and Dan say, this means you'll be too late for the MSE Collective tariff which runs out at 10pm on 17 September 15.

Sorry I can't help much here SoWhatIsNext but hope the information's of interest.

Malc

SoWhatIsNext

Following on from my earlier post. I am not sure if I actually need to have my meters switched.

I think I have some sort of "old" type of smart meters already installed. The in-home display that I have isn't like the ones I see advertised by suppliers in that it only gives limited information.

I have the one with the red card:
http://www.utilita.co.uk/smart-meters/user-guides

And the meters are similar to:

http://www.securetogether.com/en/products/energy/gas-metering-products/gas-metering/liberty-gas-meter-family

http://www.securetogether.com/en/products/energy/electricity-metering-products/prepayment-metering/liberty-2

The electric meter is connected to a Skyline 110 communication hub.

footyguy

So are you currently supplied by Utilita?

If so, from their website:

We're a gas and electricity supplier, solely focused on the needs of the prepayment market. We've been installing 'Pay-As-You-Go' smart meters for over 10 years, and we're pretty pleased about that.

http://www.utilita.co.uk/about-us

What they don't seem to mention is that currently, if you have a smart meter installed (by any supplier), it will only work as a smart meter with the supplier that arranged for it's installation. i.e. it will not work with another supplier as a smart meter.
So it'll be a dumb meter, a dumb pay as you go meter in your case.

Unfortunately, because of "the smart way" Utilita meters are designed to be credited, I don't think they will work at all with any other supplier, so if you change away from Utilita you will need a new meter, I fear.

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Hi SoWhatIsNext

Looks like you've a Utilita Smart Prepayment Meter. Utilita can remotely read, top up and send replacement cards for their meters. I'm afraid, we can't support them and will be unable to supply your property without changing the meter.

To do this, a change of supplier needs to go through as usual but, when complete, we'll send an email/letter asking customers to contact us to arrange for the exchange. There's no charge for this.

Sorry I'm not able to offer anything more positive SoWhatIsNext but hope it helps and maybe saves you a phone call.

Malc