British Gas - Faulty Gas PPM, free smart meter or charge for replacement

85MIG

Our gas prepayment meter needs replacing as we’re getting the battery low message and it’s not accepting the card. 

The response from British Gas is, we can have a smart meter for free or if we want a like for like replacement then there’s a £179 charge.

To me, the meter is faulty so it should be replaced with what’s currently there without being charged. Is that the case or are BG within their rights to charge?

MWT

BG are within their rights.

They are offering you a free replacement meter, but they are not obliged to offer you a free non-smart meter.

QrizB

BG are within their rights to charge.

Are they offering to set up the smart meter in PP mode?

[Deleted User]

85MIG said:

Our gas prepayment meter needs replacing as we’re getting the battery low message and it’s not accepting the card. 

The response from British Gas is, we can have a smart meter for free or if we want a like for like replacement then there’s a £179 charge.

To me, the meter is faulty so it should be replaced with what’s currently there without being charged. Is that the case or are BG within their rights to charge?

BEIS changed the rules last year. When a meter is deemed to be end-of-life, BEIS has agreed that suppliers can fit a smart meter without the consumer’s permission. BG appears to still have stock of analogue meters so it is offering to fit one provided you pay. Many suppliers would not be able to offer you this option.

MattMattMattUK

85MIG said:

Our gas prepayment meter needs replacing as we’re getting the battery low message and it’s not accepting the card. 

The response from British Gas is, we can have a smart meter for free or if we want a like for like replacement then there’s a £179 charge.

To me, the meter is faulty so it should be replaced with what’s currently there without being charged. Is that the case or are BG within their rights to charge?

Is there any particular reason you don't want a smart meter? Smart and dumb meters both do essentially the same thing, measure consumption, in this case one is free and one will cost you £179 for no benefit and potentially additional cost as the cheapest tariffs are often smart meter only. 

As you are using pre-payment with a smart meter you also have the added benefit of online top-ups, so you can pay using a debit card and top up online, rather than having to charge the card in a shop. 

MWT

MattMattMattUK said.
As you are using pre-payment with a smart meter you also have the added benefit of online top-ups, so you can pay using a debit card and top up online, rather than having to charge the card in a shop. 

I have some sympathy with those who do not want a smart Prepay meter if they are not 'online' as it is rather assumed by a lot of the smart meter prepay systems that everyone is an internet user and that just isn't true.

QrizB

MWT said:

MattMattMattUK said.
As you are using pre-payment with a smart meter you also have the added benefit of online top-ups, so you can pay using a debit card and top up online, rather than having to charge the card in a shop. 

I have some sympathy with those who do not want a smart Prepay meter if they are not 'online' as it is rather assumed by a lot of the smart meter prepay systems that everyone is an internet user and that just isn't true.

Although if you're posting questions here, chances are you do have some sort of internet access.