Fair trading and prepay meters

[wicket]

Hi all,

Without going through all the ins and outs I've recently fallen foulf of my gas supplier - (estimated readings etc etc) and have a bill of £800.

They've installed a prepay meter and were paying back an agreed amount each week which seems normal practice.

What is annoying me about this arrangement is the current rate for the gas supply which appears to be much hgher than "normal" customers. Surely there must be some legislation or similar that should stop a company discriminating against it's customers in this way. I am a trapped customer.

I'm assuming I can t switch supplier whilst I owe this company so i'm stuck with them. They insist on a prepay, no choice for me. They get the money up front and the debt prepaid without any further managment by them so why should the gas rate be much higher.

Is there an ombusdman or OFT I can take this up with

[ozzywizard]

Is it the standing charge you are refering too ?
I agree it does seem unfair but the companies say it is for higher maintanance on the meters with cards and using outlets for top ups and support etc.
Your right if you owe 50+ they will not let you leave their supply and they will not change your meter untill it is cleared and even then you have to meet certain criterias.
You will get no were going to complain as they will state it is the same for all prepay customers and it is not a unique charge to you. Although I do personally think this is somthing that needs contending as it seems another way of making the poor poorer etc.

[davethorp]

There isn't a lot you can do until the debt is cleared however then you want to switch to EBICO who use southern electric. Their rates are higher than most firms DD rates however they charge the same rate regardless of how you pay making them the cheapest prepayment supplier (double check on uswitch of course before switching in case things have changed)

[ozzywizard]

What is cheapest for one consumer can be the most expensive for another, in the utility market it goes on a combination of a few factors such as area you live in, consumption, method of payment, if you have any other services with the company even the time of day you consume etc etc. I made a huge post on this months back, I will try to find the link on it and possibly ask it is made sticky.

Dave makes a good point though.