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Original poster

-2 and no electric

59 replies

cheshirecatssmile · 07/12/2022 08:54

My meter has just decided to do whatever it shouldn't do.
It's a prepayment. I have £3 left on my meter. Money on the key but keeps saying token excepted then doesn't take credit.
If it goes into emergency I won't be able to sort.
I've tweeted bg help and waiting till 9am for the helpline to open.
If it can't be sorted I'm in for a cold day.
It's -2 here.
Just wanted to vent.
And before anyone says it's your own fault for having a pre payment meter , we couldn't afford to have it replaced with a normal meter .

OP posts:
PAFMO · 07/12/2022 08:56

You'll be able to ring them in 5 minutes. If they open at 9.
Good luck.

lookersnoopy · 07/12/2022 08:59

I hope they sort it quickly for you.

Don't be explaining yourself as to having a pre pay meter. I have changed to a pay as you go smart meter so I can top up online but I absolutely refuse to change to monthly bills given how much people seem to be paying in comparison to me. Perhaps that's an option for you? If you switch to smart meter you still have control but can pay by app which takes away the pissy key problem.

Tumbleweed101 · 07/12/2022 08:59

We're due a planned power cut from 9am until 2.30pm! I kept heating on overnight to make sure house stays as warm as possible. Typically it's my day off, might go xmas shopping if it gets too cold indoors.

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Original poster
cheshirecatssmile · 07/12/2022 09:50

Phoned the help line.
Went through everything, sent copies of receipts of purchases
They can send out an engineer to replace meter tomorrow between 1-5pm
Said to the lady I have £3.23. I won't even be able to access emergency credit.
So torches tonight
And luckily I have a gas hob and hob top kettle.
I know I'm whinging as people live like this day to day.

OP posts:
EmmaAgain22 · 07/12/2022 09:54

Tumbleweed101 · 07/12/2022 08:59

We're due a planned power cut from 9am until 2.30pm! I kept heating on overnight to make sure house stays as warm as possible. Typically it's my day off, might go xmas shopping if it gets too cold indoors.

Shit, where are you if you don't mind me asking?

OP what a mare, are you in England? Are there any warm banks you can go to today?

lookersnoopy · 07/12/2022 09:54

I expected them to tell you where to pick up a new key, make sure you get one with the new meter, in case it's the key that is faulty.

FatEaredFuck · 07/12/2022 10:01

Call your MP. Thats outrageous! So sorry.

Original poster
cheshirecatssmile · 07/12/2022 10:03

lookersnoopy · 07/12/2022 09:54

I expected them to tell you where to pick up a new key, make sure you get one with the new meter, in case it's the key that is faulty.

This is what I asked where can I get a new key.
I'm going local top up shop to see if they do them

OP posts:
Original poster
cheshirecatssmile · 07/12/2022 10:05

@EmmaAgain22
I'm in the chilly north west.
I will just put on extra jumper and thermal socks.
Mum has offered for me to go round today to hers
I have jobs to do here so keeping busy will keep me warm.

OP posts:
lookersnoopy · 07/12/2022 10:07

This is what I asked where can I get a new key.
I'm going local top up shop to see if they do them

You need to call your supplier to arrange this

kittensinthekitchen · 07/12/2022 10:10

cheshirecatssmile · 07/12/2022 10:03

This is what I asked where can I get a new key.
I'm going local top up shop to see if they do them

Show quote history

A new key needs to be programmed for you. The company should be able to sort that and arrange one to be ready for you to collect within a few hours.

Why can't you access the emergency credit once yours has depleted?

POTC · 07/12/2022 10:12

The meter doesn't stop overnight, just keeps going into a minus amount. If you can make what's on there last until tonight (usually 7pm) it won't then stop until 9am tomorrow.
Also, keep trying the key. Mine did this and after numerous attempts it did finally load the key. The key was faulty so I then collected a new one.

Original poster
cheshirecatssmile · 07/12/2022 10:17

@kittensinthekitchen
I need the key to work to access the emergency credit 😩

OP posts:
Original poster
cheshirecatssmile · 07/12/2022 10:19

lookersnoopy · 07/12/2022 10:07

This is what I asked where can I get a new key.
I'm going local top up shop to see if they do them

You need to call your supplier to arrange this

Last time it buggered up I got a new key, came home put it in meter, that registered it
Went back to the shop put credit on new key and problem solved.

Wondering if it's been timed like this on purpose as I kept saying I wouldn't have a smart meter unless my hand was forced

OP posts:
Original poster
cheshirecatssmile · 07/12/2022 10:19

POTC · 07/12/2022 10:12

The meter doesn't stop overnight, just keeps going into a minus amount. If you can make what's on there last until tonight (usually 7pm) it won't then stop until 9am tomorrow.
Also, keep trying the key. Mine did this and after numerous attempts it did finally load the key. The key was faulty so I then collected a new one.

Thank you for that.

OP posts:
Decafflatteplease · 07/12/2022 10:26

@cheshirecatssmile can you access any warm banks for today? Have a look on your council website ours has a list and there's one most days although obviously some are far away in our county. Ours habe standard eg a warm room and enhanced which provide food

Original poster
cheshirecatssmile · 07/12/2022 10:35

There isn't a warm bank near me and not sure if I can take the dog!

There are folk in a worse situation than me. People who live like this day to day and here's me moaning about 1 day.

OP posts:
ancienthouse · 07/12/2022 10:59

@cheshirecatssmile have you got any wool clothes and hot water bottles? It's freezing here today too and I live in a draughty, single glazed, no insulation cottage. I can't have the heating on as people are here working on my bathroom.
Lots of thermal wool layers and a hot water bottle under a quilt have been keeping me toasty while I work!

Original poster
cheshirecatssmile · 07/12/2022 11:08

Got vest , thermal top , woolly jumper
Long johns , thermal walking pants , thermal socks. Spare blankets and duvets.

I'm putting up the Xmas tree. Dog walk, and various other jobs. I will survive.

In fact the dog needs her jumper on as well.

OP posts:
Tidsleytiddy · 07/12/2022 11:18

Not meaning to sound ridiculous but when our meter wouldn’t accept the electric key I used to blow on it (the key, not the meter) and nine times out of ten it worked. Very frustrating, I know. Swapped to topping up on an app now

Plump82 · 07/12/2022 11:21

This happens to me. I refuse to call Scottish Power because they just go on about getting a smart meter which I don't want.
Anyway I find giving the wee bit the key goes a good blow in case there's any dust or fluffy (it's in the coat cupboard) stuck in it. Some times takes a few goes but eventually registers the key.

GatesToTown · 07/12/2022 11:27

@Plump82 can I ask why you don't want a smart meter? Just curious.

lookersnoopy · 07/12/2022 11:34

Plump82 · 07/12/2022 11:21

This happens to me. I refuse to call Scottish Power because they just go on about getting a smart meter which I don't want.
Anyway I find giving the wee bit the key goes a good blow in case there's any dust or fluffy (it's in the coat cupboard) stuck in it. Some times takes a few goes but eventually registers the key.

The only difference I have between my key meter and smart meter is that I can top up on the app.

I do t use the IHD as I'm not at all interested in counting every penny. I can easily become obsessed with things and my electric use is not something I want to be obsessive over.

Original poster
cheshirecatssmile · 07/12/2022 11:50

No spare keys at local shop.

It's warm in the sun at least so dog walk and then come home and put tree up.

Tried blowing on it, wiped with a cloth. No luck.

OP posts:
Original poster
cheshirecatssmile · 07/12/2022 11:52

Just for the ahhh I will upload a pic of the dog in her Xmas jumper when we get home .

OP posts: