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SSE - cunning gits
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I have a pre payment gas meter, which I prefer. I got the letter saying the price is going up, but also they are changing the way they are charging for the standing charge.
They are now going to take 28p of me every single day....... Even on days when I don't use it  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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That is so wrong, alot of people use pre payment meters as they are on a budget or because its in a private rented house. You are paying for what you use before you use it so why should you be charged a daily fee?
Have they actually said what the fee is for? |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I on prepayment too for both gas and lekky just in process of switching as british are cheapest for me.
All energy companies are robbing fuckers. What i did previously and asked all major suppliers was if i left tv on 2hours per day as well as fridge etc how long would a tenners worth lekky last. You would think i had asked them to kill someone bar one theey all flustered and said they cant say. Because they all have different ways of calculating unit prices some have standing charge others do not but those who do not charge more per unit so theres little between them all.
I asked similar thing with gas with same result. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"but does that mean when yo do use it they are only going to take 28p?
I wish... Still got to pay for what I use"
pre payment meters charge more for gas than any other way of paying for it, plus the gas companies make interest from the day you use the gas. not like a quarterly bill, where they don't get money or interest for 90 days.
I use pre payment meters, because I am bad at managing my money |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Try Utilita. They didn't used to have a daily standing charge. They may also have changed that but it's worth checking. "
I tried utilita and yes no standing charge but way its structured as per unit of gas or lekky compared to some for what i use it equates to roughly same as others and only few pennies different either way.
They all buy gas and lekky same wholesale price the alleged savings only arise by reducing admin etc hence prices being so close together. |
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By *ee VianteWoman
over a year ago
Somewhere in North Norfolk |
"Try Utilita. They didn't used to have a daily standing charge. They may also have changed that but it's worth checking.
I tried utilita and yes no standing charge but way its structured as per unit of gas or lekky compared to some for what i use it equates to roughly same as others and only few pennies different either way.
They all buy gas and lekky same wholesale price the alleged savings only arise by reducing admin etc hence prices being so close together."
The OP may prefer that though since he seemed to prefer to pay for what he uses without being charged a daily fee. |
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By *ee VianteWoman
over a year ago
Somewhere in North Norfolk |
As for "admin" on a pre-paid account, I don't believe it. I think similar prices are at best due to companies following each other and at worst due to dubious business practices.
Admin on a pre-paid account is lower than on a credit account and yet the cost of having a pre-payment meter is much higher than a credit account.
The standard tariffs may be much the same but none of the discounted or fixed price tariffs are available to pre-payment customers.
Most people on a pre-payment meter have no option so the companies know they have a captive market and can't screw them. It's sick because those on a pre-payment meter are often the poorest and most vulnerable.
I was stuck on a pre-payment meter for nearly a year because of an arsehole landlord and it cost an absolute fortune. Despite the property being much smaller and me using it less, it still cost me nearly double what gas/electricity had cost the previous year on a credit meter. |
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this winter I'll be sat at home in a hat, scarf, gloves, 3 pairs of fluffy bed sock, 3 pairs of pjs and a big fleecy hoody, wrapped in a duvet!
I'm with Eon and not had a rise yet, but I'm expecting one |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"this winter I'll be sat at home in a hat, scarf, gloves, 3 pairs of fluffy bed sock, 3 pairs of pjs and a big fleecy hoody, wrapped in a duvet!
I'm with Eon and not had a rise yet, but I'm expecting one "
im sure you will receive a rise  x |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"this winter I'll be sat at home in a hat, scarf, gloves, 3 pairs of fluffy bed sock, 3 pairs of pjs and a big fleecy hoody, wrapped in a duvet!
I'm with Eon and not had a rise yet, but I'm expecting one "
welcome to the days before heating :D
Alot of people have a mentality of turning the heating up these days instead of putting a jumper and slippers on.. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Remember that the Pay point and the shopkeeper both need to make money every time the key for a pre-payment meter is topped up"
Also the meters are more expensive in the first place as they are more complicated, they do not charge you for the meter or to replace it if it becomes faulty. Unlike say the standing charge on a BT phone line where you pay for the line to be installed.
However it does seem mean that the people who are sometimes left with no option but to have prepaid meters installed are the ones who are the least well off. They usually only force these meters onto someone who hasn't paid their bill. If you move into a property and there is one already there you can get it removed and a standard quarterly meter installed, for no charge, they might check your credit rating though. |
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By *ee VianteWoman
over a year ago
Somewhere in North Norfolk |
"Remember that the Pay point and the shopkeeper both need to make money every time the key for a pre-payment meter is topped up
Also the meters are more expensive in the first place as they are more complicated, they do not charge you for the meter or to replace it if it becomes faulty. Unlike say the standing charge on a BT phone line where you pay for the line to be installed.
However it does seem mean that the people who are sometimes left with no option but to have prepaid meters installed are the ones who are the least well off. They usually only force these meters onto someone who hasn't paid their bill. If you move into a property and there is one already there you can get it removed and a standard quarterly meter installed, for no charge, they might check your credit rating though. "
If you're renting you can get it changed only if your landlord allows it. A lot won't. |
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By *ee VianteWoman
over a year ago
Somewhere in North Norfolk |
"Remember that the Pay point and the shopkeeper both need to make money every time the key for a pre-payment meter is topped up"
Utilita allow top ups by Internet or mobile phone. I expect others do too. |
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By *ee VianteWoman
over a year ago
Somewhere in North Norfolk |
"
If you're renting you can get it changed only if your landlord allows it. A lot won't.
Usually as a result of a previous bad experience."
True but that means subsequent tenants, no matter how reliable, get lumbered with paying far more for their gas and electricity than they should. |
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"Remember that the Pay point and the shopkeeper both need to make money every time the key for a pre-payment meter is topped up
Also the meters are more expensive in the first place as they are more complicated, they do not charge you for the meter or to replace it if it becomes faulty. Unlike say the standing charge on a BT phone line where you pay for the line to be installed.
However it does seem mean that the people who are sometimes left with no option but to have prepaid meters installed are the ones who are the least well off. They usually only force these meters onto someone who hasn't paid their bill. If you move into a property and there is one already there you can get it removed and a standard quarterly meter installed, for no charge, they might check your credit rating though. "
yep, we've just done that. It was a bit of a performance though, finding a decent tarrif, switching the key meter to that company and hoping the tariff would still be available when you then change from a key meter to a normal one. We were lucky, the tariff we wanted (fixed until 2017) vanished from the comparison sites 2 days after we arranged the the meter change. |
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"
If you're renting you can get it changed only if your landlord allows it. A lot won't.
Usually as a result of a previous bad experience.
True but that means subsequent tenants, no matter how reliable, get lumbered with paying far more for their gas and electricity than they should. "
Something else to take into account when looking at a rental property. |
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By *nnyMan
over a year ago
Glasgow |
"
If you're renting you can get it changed only if your landlord allows it. A lot won't.
Usually as a result of a previous bad experience.
True but that means subsequent tenants, no matter how reliable, get lumbered with paying far more for their gas and electricity than they should. "
Yep. 'Fraid so.
When it's their pocket or mine it's coming out of, the choice is easy. |
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By *ee VianteWoman
over a year ago
Somewhere in North Norfolk |
"
If you're renting you can get it changed only if your landlord allows it. A lot won't.
Usually as a result of a previous bad experience.
True but that means subsequent tenants, no matter how reliable, get lumbered with paying far more for their gas and electricity than they should.
Something else to take into account when looking at a rental property."
Sometimes people on a low income have little or no choice when it comes to housing.
Virtually no private landlords will rent to people on benefits, even if the benefit is just a top up because the person is on a low income.
That's often not even down to the landlord's preference. Many buy to let mortgages include in the terms that the property can't be let to tenants in receipt of benefits. Discrimination much?
Imagine if a mortgage company stated in the terms that black tenants were unacceptable, or Christians, or Buddhists or Muslims. |
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By *nnyMan
over a year ago
Glasgow |
"
If you're renting you can get it changed only if your landlord allows it. A lot won't.
Usually as a result of a previous bad experience.
True but that means subsequent tenants, no matter how reliable, get lumbered with paying far more for their gas and electricity than they should.
Something else to take into account when looking at a rental property."
That's part of the reason Energy Performance Certificates were invented. Not an absolute guarantee of how cheap or dear a home will be in fuel costs but a bit of an indicator.
The trouble is, most would be tenants don't look past the rent + deposit. |
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By *ee VianteWoman
over a year ago
Somewhere in North Norfolk |
"
If you're renting you can get it changed only if your landlord allows it. A lot won't.
Usually as a result of a previous bad experience.
True but that means subsequent tenants, no matter how reliable, get lumbered with paying far more for their gas and electricity than they should.
Yep. 'Fraid so.
When it's their pocket or mine it's coming out of, the choice is easy."
The thing is, it's nothing to do with the landlord. The liability for the debt is with the tenant and it's up to the utility company to chase them. The landlord has no legal responsibility.
And it's all well and good to shrug and pass on much higher costs to people who are likely on very low incomes on the basis of the behaviour of others but I think that's sucky behaviour. It's tarring everyone with the same brush.
I've been stuck in this situation, with no justification at all, through sheer bad luck and believe me, the significant extra expense made a bad situation much worse.
Very few people actually want to help decent people get back on their feet though. Pretty sad really when profit comes so far ahead of compassion and caring. |
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By *ee VianteWoman
over a year ago
Somewhere in North Norfolk |
"
If you're renting you can get it changed only if your landlord allows it. A lot won't.
Usually as a result of a previous bad experience.
True but that means subsequent tenants, no matter how reliable, get lumbered with paying far more for their gas and electricity than they should.
Something else to take into account when looking at a rental property.
That's part of the reason Energy Performance Certificates were invented. Not an absolute guarantee of how cheap or dear a home will be in fuel costs but a bit of an indicator.
The trouble is, most would be tenants don't look past the rent + deposit."
As above, a lot of tenants have no choice.
It must be lovely to live in an ivory tower and to believe everybody else has the same advantages and options as you do. |
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By *nnyMan
over a year ago
Glasgow |
"
If you're renting you can get it changed only if your landlord allows it. A lot won't.
Usually as a result of a previous bad experience.
True but that means subsequent tenants, no matter how reliable, get lumbered with paying far more for their gas and electricity than they should.
Yep. 'Fraid so.
When it's their pocket or mine it's coming out of, the choice is easy.
The thing is, it's nothing to do with the landlord. The liability for the debt is with the tenant and it's up to the utility company to chase them. The landlord has no legal responsibility.
................"
Whilst that's the legal position, it's not the moral position I'd take.
I'm aware Scottish Power can carry the loss better than I can but on the few occasions it's happened, I've seen it as MY responsibility to make good. |
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By *ee VianteWoman
over a year ago
Somewhere in North Norfolk |
"
If you're renting you can get it changed only if your landlord allows it. A lot won't.
Usually as a result of a previous bad experience.
True but that means subsequent tenants, no matter how reliable, get lumbered with paying far more for their gas and electricity than they should.
Yep. 'Fraid so.
When it's their pocket or mine it's coming out of, the choice is easy.
The thing is, it's nothing to do with the landlord. The liability for the debt is with the tenant and it's up to the utility company to chase them. The landlord has no legal responsibility.
................
Whilst that's the legal position, it's not the moral position I'd take.
I'm aware Scottish Power can carry the loss better than I can but on the few occasions it's happened, I've seen it as MY responsibility to make good."
How about your responsibility not to financially penalise people who have done nothing wrong, especially when they are probably already struggling? |
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By *nnyMan
over a year ago
Glasgow |
"..................
Whilst that's the legal position, it's not the moral position I'd take.
I'm aware Scottish Power can carry the loss better than I can but on the few occasions it's happened, I've seen it as MY responsibility to make good.
How about your responsibility not to financially penalise people who have done nothing wrong, especially when they are probably already struggling? "
I appreciate that. It's a dilemma but I'd be doing a number of tenants no good whatsoever if I allowed Onny plc to go bust. |
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By *ee VianteWoman
over a year ago
Somewhere in North Norfolk |
"..................
Whilst that's the legal position, it's not the moral position I'd take.
I'm aware Scottish Power can carry the loss better than I can but on the few occasions it's happened, I've seen it as MY responsibility to make good.
How about your responsibility not to financially penalise people who have done nothing wrong, especially when they are probably already struggling?
I appreciate that. It's a dilemma but I'd be doing a number of tenants no good whatsoever if I allowed Onny plc to go bust."
Like I said, treat people fairly and let the utility company chase the defaulters.
Putting a huge company which makes ridiculously enormous profits ahead of honest people in a crappy situation?
That's a dilemma? Really?  |
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By *nnyMan
over a year ago
Glasgow |
"..................
Whilst that's the legal position, it's not the moral position I'd take.
I'm aware Scottish Power can carry the loss better than I can but on the few occasions it's happened, I've seen it as MY responsibility to make good.
How about your responsibility not to financially penalise people who have done nothing wrong, especially when they are probably already struggling?
I appreciate that. It's a dilemma but I'd be doing a number of tenants no good whatsoever if I allowed Onny plc to go bust.
Like I said, treat people fairly and let the utility company chase the defaulters.
Putting a huge company which makes ridiculously enormous profits ahead of honest people in a crappy situation?
That's a dilemma? Really? "
Like I said, it's not my way. The moral responsibility I feel outweighs everything else.
It's not about maintaining Scottish Power's profits - it's about how I feel about me. |
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"In case anyone cares... Just signed up with BG
Didn't like Utilita then?
Or are you changing to a credit meter?"
I keep hearing bad things about utilita, I'm staying with the pre payment option. I hate running get up big bills. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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im lucky in that, since i had my combi boiler fitted, i have it on a flick switch, instead of timer or thermostat.
its either very on, or very very off, and seeings as i would rather sit under a duvet than have the heating on all the time, i have made £5 last over a month.
just turn it on for 20 seconds every now and then to heat the water to wash up.
shower and washing machine heat their wn water. |
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