New prepayment supplier

ThemeOne

I'm in the process of transferring my gas and electricity prepayment meters to a new prepayment supplier.

The advice from the new supplier is to run down the existing credit until it's under £1 "just in case" it doesn't transfer on to the new supplier's card / key on first use.

My question is will existing credit transfer or won't it? Running down the credit isn't that easy for me at present due to being away from the property a fair bit, yet on the other hand don't want to lose up to £10 credit on each meter.

trickytree1963

You can normally claim back the unused credit from your old supplier, it is a bit time consuming which is why most new PAYG suppliers suggest running the balance down. If its a Smart PAYG it seems to get paid back faster. Is it a "traditional" key/card meter?

ThemeOne

It's a traditional key and card setup.

I went through the same thing previously, changing the gas from Economy Energy to Robin Hood. I carefully ran it down to 11p before inserting the Robin Hood card, only to find the 11p was transferred anyway.

And yet companies always seem to advise that it "might not" transfer, like they don't really know, hence my question.

Wolf3

In theory the credit "should" transfer on the traditional key/card meters but it depends on what message is stored on your new suppliers key, which you will have no control over.
The meters were designed to still accept and be able to top up on the old suppliers key, long after the transfer date. However you will still be paying the old suppliers rates. There is a misdirected payments process in the industry to allow your new supplier to claim the payments from your old supplier.
If your new supplier incorrectly wipes the credit from the meter with the wrong message on their new key, you still can claim this back from your old supplier. This means having to contact them and arranging for them to send the money back to you, normally by cheque. Be aware that the transfer process can take up to 6 weeks after the transfer date before they can confirm the credit which was on the meter.

ThemeOne

Wolf3 wrote: »

In theory the credit "should" transfer on the traditional key/card meters but it depends on what message is stored on your new suppliers key, which you will have no control over.
The meters were designed to still accept and be able to top up on the old suppliers key, long after the transfer date. However you will still be paying the old suppliers rates. There is a misdirected payments process in the industry to allow your new supplier to claim the payments from your old supplier.
If your new supplier incorrectly wipes the credit from the meter with the wrong message on their new key, you still can claim this back from your old supplier. This means having to contact them and arranging for them to send the money back to you, normally by cheque. Be aware that the transfer process can take up to 6 weeks after the transfer date before they can confirm the credit which was on the meter.

If only the utility companies could explain it so clearly!

Looks like I'll have to start using the new key and card and go through the reclaim process if it doesn't transfer.

If I do have to claim back from the older supplier, what amount should I claim, given my transfer date is already passed (about 5 days ago) yet I'm still using up old supplier's credit. Or do they sort it out automatically?

SpotlandRules

Once your readings have been finalised, ie the end reading from old supplier and start reading from new supplier, they will calculate what is owed and issued it to you, if it is wiped.

ThemeOne

Took a deep breath and registered and topped up the electricity key today. Glad to report the existing credit was transferred.