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Original poster

We have been ripped off have'nt we?

6 replies

totaleclipse · 04/05/2007 11:30

We were behind on our gas bill, so asked them to put in a meter, they did this, we recieved a bill a month later for £200 more than the original, dh called and they said, having the meter put in cost £200
DH has just accepted this and wont do anything about it (its in his name)

T he meter was put in in November, and we were charged £11.50 per week through the meter off our bill, and had to put extra in to get gas, the price dropped in April from £11.50 a week to about £1, we recieved a bill yesterday and according to that we have only paid just over £30 towards our debt, yet dh still does'nr seem bothered

OP posts:

NuttyMuffins · 04/05/2007 11:31

I have had prepayment meters fitted in 2 seperate proerties and have never been charged a sinbgle penny.

Which company is this ?

Original poster

totaleclipse · 04/05/2007 11:35

Its powergen, I cant understand it, we are being charges weekly rental for the meter, which is how it is supposed to be.

OP posts:

MissGolightly · 04/05/2007 11:40

Did they make it clear that you would be charged for the meter beforehand? If not, I think this is outrageous. If I were you I would write to Guardian Money or some consumer organisation, making a big deal out of the fact that pre-payment meters are aimed at the hardest-up members of society and are supposed to help REDUCE debt, not increase it. The consumer editor may be able to help you get your money back as the adverse publicity makes most firms cave quickly.

Original poster

totaleclipse · 04/05/2007 11:45

No mention of the charge at all, until we recieved the bill.

OP posts:

NuttyMuffins · 04/05/2007 11:45

My gas meter is with powergen and although it was already fitted when I moved in I have never had any charges made except for the standing charge which was in with the gas used.

I wasn't actually in any debt with them though so maybe it's different then. Still outragous though.

I'd get in touch with energywatch.

MissGolightly · 04/05/2007 11:49

Oh except I should have said in my last post that you would need to pursue it with the company first, the consumer pages won't wade in unless you seem to have exhausted the normal methods of appeal.

If I were you, what I would do is write a letter on behalf of you and your DH (you can sign it) with the following:

Ask for an explanation IN WRITING of the £200 charge
State that you were not warned beforehand about the charge (if you are sure your DH wasn't)
Explain that you had the meter installed to help prevent debt and have been put into a financially precarious position by this unexpected charge (a little violin music won't hurt)
Ask for the £200 charge to be waived (or whatever you think would be fair

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