Corner shops refusing energy voucher

coconutcurls

Used my 1st voucher at my local corner shop where I always top up my meters’ key and card without any problems. 
This time round for the second voucher I was denied twice in two different corner shops - apparently something to do with the machine fees - couldn’t  undertand properly - however was assured if I come back with cash they will do it. 
Was also advised to go to big supermarkets and top up there - I didn’t know they provide this service tbh and I hope they do, otherwise my voucher will be useless. 

Anyone had similar experience? 

ariarnia

we dont have pre pay but the mse article has this link to find pay points (so you can check if your supermarket is on it before going there) 

https://consumer.paypoint.com

it also says you can redeam it at post offices if thats easier for you?

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2022/11/energy-prepay-voucher-ebss-claim/

coconutcurls

thank you

will try the post office but it means it is less convinient due to opening hours and distance but hey - no other option

both corner shops I tried to use have the paypoint logo and accept top up via bank card too although they charge 50p on top of each transaction - but no cash machine in sight to withdraw money - but I understand they have fees to pay too

everything is always against the less well off and this isn’t victm mentality

and I work full time btw - just for the record

doesntnotcompute

Using the PayPoint service is supposed to be free, they have a complaints thing on their site:

https://corporate.paypoint.com/customer-service-policy/resident-in-uk

coconutcurls

doesntnotcompute said:

Using the PayPoint service is supposed to be free, they have a complaints thing on their site:

https://corporate.paypoint.com/customer-service-policy/resident-in-uk

thank you
reported them

coconutcurls

I have had 4 refusals now from shops with the paypoint logo and also the post office. I don’t know what to do. 

Jyana

I've come across this, which doesn't suggest a solution but explains why stores are refusing the vouchers. Apparently the commission from them isn't enough to make it worth their while, even though they have to still do it, some are refusing to.

There is a phone number and other contact details on the link. though it states it is for retailers, but it may be worth giving it a go as a customer too?

https://www.betterretailing.com/industry-news/paypoint-stores-refusing-government-energy-support-vouchers-ebss/

ETA: Martin has mentioned this issue here too and suggests emailing PayPoint directly at enquiries@paypoint.com and MSE to give them an idea of the scale of it on news@moneysavingexpert.com

coconutcurls

Jyana said:

I've come across this, which doesn't suggest a solution but explains why stores are refusing the vouchers. Apparently the commission from them isn't enough to make it worth their while, even though they have to still do it, some are refusing to.

There is a phone number and other contact details on the link. though it states it is for retailers, but it may be worth giving it a go as a customer too?

https://www.betterretailing.com/industry-news/paypoint-stores-refusing-government-energy-support-vouchers-ebss/

ETA: Martin has mentioned this issue here too and suggests emailing PayPoint directly at enquiries@paypoint.com 

absolutely disgraceful

why is this not on the news? 

Jyana

I agree, it's totally unacceptable. Hopefully Martin and the team will be able to get some momentum on it if/when enough people contact them about it as this really should be highlighted.

macman

Why don't you apply for smart meters, as then the credit can be applied remotely to your meter, and you can top up online rather than have to go to a shop?

coconutcurls

@macman - I have tried but their time slots are never good for me so I will now have to make the decision to waste 1 precious day of annual leave to wait for them to install it for me. I have always paid my electric and gas via direct debt but when I moved to this flat not long ago this was the type of meter I found here and I just got along with it. But this is beside the point because what matters is that right now I have an energy voucher from the government and right now I can't use it through not fault of my own. How about all of the other people? I am fortunate enough to have money in my account and used cash to top up my meters today after I spent the whole morning walking from one corner shop to the other (I lost count in the end) and being refused - even by the post office - but what if I didn't have that money available? What about people who don't? What is the point of creating a voucher that can't be used?