Switch to prepay

Danhpool

My mam is moving into a bungalow and wants prepay the internet seems to indicate EON charge for this exchange as they are currently on the metres and there are credit metres who would swap them for free.

[Deleted User]

What do you mean by "prepay"?

Do you mean a key or card you take into a shop, and top up with credit, like a mobile phone, or do you mean where you pay a fixed amount each week/month, which is then used to settle a quarterly bill/statement?

Danhpool

Key and card.

[Deleted User]

Key and card is an expensive way to pay, not to mention the potential to be stuck without energy, if they are unable to get to the shops to top up the key/card.

Could they not go with monthly payments instead?

dunstonh

Is there a reason why she wants to pay more for her energy?

Robin9

dunstonh wrote: »

Is there a reason why she wants to pay more for her energy?

Some people find it easier to budget this way . I am not so sure as it means they have to have the cash available to buy the top ups.

Danhpool. Make sure than when she gets the keys she reads the meters and contacts the supplier - from your post I assume Eon. She will go onto a standard tariff. Help her to switch - she can get suppliers who will bill monthly if that helps.

[Deleted User]

Prepayment meter rates are now almost as cheap as a fixed rate. They are both subsidised and capped. Check the rates on Ukpower.co.uk running a search in prepay v standard variable v fixed year direct debit.
Eon are now fitting smart prepayment meters which can be set in either prepay or credit meter mode so they should not be charging £85 to fit a smart meter..
The expensive to run key and card meters are coming to an end. Cutting out the middle man at the Paypoint and all the other expenses just keeping the card/key meters going.
I can see a future where smart prepayment could be the cheapest way to buy energy once the suppliers get faith in the new meters.

[Deleted User]

Robin9 wrote: »

Some people find it easier to budget this way.

I don't see how it can be any harder to budget, by making a once a month card payment.

[Deleted User]

Houbara wrote: »

Prepayment meter rates are now almost as cheap as a fixed rate.

They're still a nuisance, if the credit runs out at an awkward time, such as when you are ill, snowed in, etc.

[Deleted User]

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

They're still a nuisance, if the credit runs out at an awkward time, such as when you are ill, snowed in, etc.

Smart prepay is nt a nuisance though and this is the future for all meters. Easy top ups online or on an app. We see the mess on here every week with a monthly direct debit which is set too low or suppliers helping themselves to whatever rise they fancy if they want to increase the d/d.. Smart prepays make sense and if the rates are similar to fixed rate deals I will switch to prepay myself..

[Deleted User]

When did I mention Direct Debit?