British Gas Card

[Lynn_M]

I've just moved into a new flat, and for the first time I'm paying for my gas via a card which I charge up at the local shop for a fee. It's horrendously expensive (costs about 75p to get a shower) and it even uses up credit when I'm not using any gas!

Does anyone have any experience in those matters?

[stonekicker]

sounds like you want to contact the gas company to get the meter changed and pay by direct debit monthly instead. i had the same problem with my first flat - everything was electric and i had a card to charge. it cost me �47 for three days and i soon had a meter installed. you pay higher charges on a card system as most people are put on them if they have debts with the company or use very little gas etc. if you use more, you end up paying the earth. conatact the utility company and see if they can help you with this

[themas]

I agree you should try to get this pre-payment meter removed, as they are the most expensive way of paying for gas or electricity.

However, it is possible that the meter has been set to recover a debt from the previous owner/tenant, in which case it will be taking more than the actual gas cost. Also, there is a standing charge on these meters, so they do rack up a cost if you are not using the gas (I think this is a relatively small part of the bill, but the supplier should be able to tell you exactly what the tariff is).

If they refuse to change the meter or do anything about it, go through their complaints procedure and then to the Energy Supply Ombudsman (see website) if necessary. A phone call to the latter may help anyway - they can probably give you info. on how to go about getting the meter changed.

[Lynn_M]

Thanks Guys, I think it will be prudent to get the meter changed.

[coweyes30]

If this is rented some landlords request these to be kept in so no bills are out-standing when tenant leaves.
Ring the gas company anyway because the previous tenant/owner may have been behind on a bill and so they set the meter higher to get this back.Then when you moved in it wouldn't have been lowered!
Hope this helps Good Luck