British Gas Smart Meter

AJ1001

I've inherited a British Gas Smart Meter that won't let me change suppliers. New suppliers start off by taking me on (giving me a better deal and cashback) and then a few weeks later tell me they cannot take on the British Gas smart meter. I asked British Gas to change it (in the form of a complaint that I couldn't change suppliers) and they now say they want me to pay the £139 in order to change my supplier. My meter is a pre-payment meter. I don't want a direct debit. I do want the ability to move to a cheaper supplier. 

neilmcl

According to Citizens Advice you shouldn't have to pay to have a prepayment meter changed to a standard credit meter. Why don't you want a direct debit, if you want cheap electric/gas then that is the way forward. 

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/energy/energy-supply/your-energy-meter/get-your-prepayment-meter-replaced-with-a-normal-meter/

MattMattMattUK

AJ1001 said:

I've inherited a British Gas Smart Meter that won't let me change suppliers. New suppliers start off by taking me on (giving me a better deal and cashback) and then a few weeks later tell me they cannot take on the British Gas smart meter. I asked British Gas to change it (in the form of a complaint that I couldn't change suppliers) and they now say they want me to pay the £139 in order to change my supplier. My meter is a pre-payment meter. I don't want a direct debit. I do want the ability to move to a cheaper supplier. 

Do you have any more specific information on the issue with the Smart Meter? Is suspect that the issue might be around it being a pre-payment meter as much as a smart meter.  

sheramber

Could this apply?

https://www.britishgas.co.uk/help-and-support/meters/smart-meter-enrolment

If you had your smart meters installed before Summer 2019, you’ll most likely have a SMETS1 smart meter. These meters aren’t always compatible with all energy suppliers meaning that smart benefits can’t always be maintained if you switch energy supplier.

From 2020 onwards British Gas SMETS1 smart meters will gradually be enrolled into the Data Communications Company (the DCC). This means you’ll be able to keep your smart meter services if you decide to switch supplier or that you’ll regain the services you may have temporarily lost if you previously switched to us from another supplier.

AJ1001

I moved into this flat with the meter already in it. My previous flat had a standard meter that I swapped (and received savings as well as dual fuel and cashback). 

British Gas is asking me for £139 for electric and £179 for gas meters to be changed back to standard meters. The problem is that people can't change suppliers with these British Gas smart meters so stuck with high charges. New suppliers (for example E and Shell) will not take on the British Gas smart meters. The regulator (OFGEN) will not make rules to prevent these exhorbitant charges. When I worked for 4 hours last week I received £55 for that week's employment. How am I supposed to make ends meet? Your practices are both restrictive and unfair.

AJ1001

I don't want direct debit because I can't afford it - if I run out of gas or electric on a prepayment that's that. I just have to put up with it until pay day. If I run out of money in my bank on direct debit my bank charges me for going overdrawn

born_again

Rented flat?

Tokmon

AJ1001 said:

I don't want direct debit because I can't afford it - if I run out of gas or electric on a prepayment that's that. I just have to put up with it until pay day. If I run out of money in my bank on direct debit my bank charges me for going overdrawn

Considering that it's cheaper to pay by Direct Debit then you can afford it you just have a major budgeting issue that you need to sort out. If you sort out how you manage your money then you will save money by paying with Direct Debit and have more money overall.

Go have a look on the Debt Free-Wannabee part of this forum and they will be able to help you with your budgeting and probably end saving you a good amount of money!