Prepayment meters and online payment

Dec 06, 2010 3 Replies

I have recently moved and inherited a prepayment meter. With all the hassle in the past with credit meters I don't dislike the idea of having a prepayment meter.



However I'm not so keen on the tariffs.



I note that BG used to have an online payment system, but it wasn't any cheaper than going to the local shop and paying by credit card.



I would have thought an online payment would be cheaper for the power utility companies, where there's no shop's commission, no PayPoint charges, and no credit card charges. Yet I can't see any prepayment online payment system which gives an increased credit when payment is made online.



Given the low risk of payment meters, far lower than credit meters, I'm surprised that no one has taken this further?



Any suggestions?


How would the payment get onto the key or card?

British Gas (I beleive) had/have a system where they issue a customer with a USB card reader and a key reader. I guess they have the algorithm and can tie the account to the cards. However any payment through this system is no cheaper than wandering down to the local PayPoint shop.

...

Ebico offer, as a matter of principle, the same tariff for electricity and gas however you pay.

This usually makes them the cheapest option for prepayment meters.

Colin McKenzie

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