Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Big_Al on 15 August 2008, 21:58:45
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Just looking back at Taxi drivers poll about leccy bills . I noticed that a few on here have pre - payment meters.
I have these for both as it does away with unexpected high bills. Had them put in yonks ago now when things were a bit tight & have just got used to topping them up like you do a "pay as you go" mobile phone. No bills - already paid for all the juice we use.
Now point I am trying to make is: I feel there is some sort of "Stigma" about paying for your power & gas this way.
I was talking to some friends at a party recently about household fuel price rises & said that I get no bills by paying this way this way. But the reaction from some of these people was "Shock/ Horror" with statements like " Oh my God no - only "Scrungie council tennants use that method"
Now I have my own house (almost paid for) 2 cars & a van, I have a very good credit reference & yet because I wish to pay for my gas & electricity by pre-payment, some people look down on me.
Strange that . Just wondered what others OOFers thoughts are on this one. :y :y :y
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Just looking back at Taxi drivers poll about leccy bills . I noticed that a few on here have pre - payment meters.
I have these for both as it does away with unexpected high bills. Had them put in yonks ago now when things were a bit tight & have just got used to topping them up like you do a "pay as you go" mobile phone. No bills - already paid for all the juice we use.
Now point I am trying to make is: I feel there is some sort of "Stigma" about paying for your power & gas this way.
I was talking to some friends at a party recently about household fuel price rises & said that I get no bills by paying this way this way. But the reaction from some of these people was "Shock/ Horror" with statements like " Oh my God no - only "Scrungie council tennants use that method"
Now I have my own house (almost paid for) 2 cars & a van, I have a very good credit reference & yet because I wish to pay for my gas & electricity by pre-payment, some people look down on me.
Strange that . Just wondered what others OOFers thoughts are on this one. :y :y :y
I'm a scrungie council tenant.
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Just looking back at Taxi drivers poll about leccy bills . I noticed that a few on here have pre - payment meters.
I have these for both as it does away with unexpected high bills. Had them put in yonks ago now when things were a bit tight & have just got used to topping them up like you do a "pay as you go" mobile phone. No bills - already paid for all the juice we use.
Now point I am trying to make is: I feel there is some sort of "Stigma" about paying for your power & gas this way.
I was talking to some friends at a party recently about household fuel price rises & said that I get no bills by paying this way this way. But the reaction from some of these people was "Shock/ Horror" with statements like " Oh my God no - only "Scrungie council tennants use that method"
Now I have my own house (almost paid for) 2 cars & a van, I have a very good credit reference & yet because I wish to pay for my gas & electricity by pre-payment, some people look down on me.
Strange that . Just wondered what others OOFers thoughts are on this one. :y :y :y
I have one per- meter my gas and because you choose to have them put in that's doe's don't make you a scroungier so i wouldn't worry what your freinds say at least you can pay for your bills and i bet they struggle but don't let on :y
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Just looking back at Taxi drivers poll about leccy bills . I noticed that a few on here have pre - payment meters.
I have these for both as it does away with unexpected high bills. Had them put in yonks ago now when things were a bit tight & have just got used to topping them up like you do a "pay as you go" mobile phone. No bills - already paid for all the juice we use.
Now point I am trying to make is: I feel there is some sort of "Stigma" about paying for your power & gas this way.
I was talking to some friends at a party recently about household fuel price rises & said that I get no bills by paying this way this way. But the reaction from some of these people was "Shock/ Horror" with statements like " Oh my God no - only "Scrungie council tennants use that method"
Now I have my own house (almost paid for) 2 cars & a van, I have a very good credit reference & yet because I wish to pay for my gas & electricity by pre-payment, some people look down on me.
Strange that . Just wondered what others OOFers thoughts are on this one. :y :y :y
I'm a scrungie council tenant.
I was offended too. But the point is some people think because I pre-pay this way - they just class me as that. "Scrungie council tennant" was their words not mine . Certainly no offence meant to any council tennant from me. I work hands on in local authority housing and the vast majority of tennants are very very respectable.
Sorry for any offence :( :(
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What sad and judgemental people would look down on others for 'taking care of business' and paying upfront for things! :(
It`s only the same principle as buying petrol at a garage BigAl; absolutely no stigma about 'buying' fuel by prepaying at the petrol-pump is there. ;)
It`s a blessing that I have a woodshed full of logs ready for the Autumn/Winter.....and, like for your energy needs; all prepaid-for in advance, only in my case, mostly with backache, blisters and perspiration. :y
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Big Al - you have a caravan, hence a pikey :P
Just kidding. What difference does it make how you pay for energy? I thought prepayment was more expensive though?
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Big Al - you have a caravan, hence a pikey :P
Just kidding. What difference does it make how you pay for energy? I thought prepayment was more expensive though?
It is jaime but only by a few pence i use to have both in my last council house and i was happy to have them with trying to find money for every 3 months and it helped when i was a single parent :y
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Just looking back at Taxi drivers poll about leccy bills . I noticed that a few on here have pre - payment meters.
I have these for both as it does away with unexpected high bills. Had them put in yonks ago now when things were a bit tight & have just got used to topping them up like you do a "pay as you go" mobile phone. No bills - already paid for all the juice we use.
Now point I am trying to make is: I feel there is some sort of "Stigma" about paying for your power & gas this way.
I was talking to some friends at a party recently about household fuel price rises & said that I get no bills by paying this way this way. But the reaction from some of these people was "Shock/ Horror" with statements like " Oh my God no - only "Scrungie council tennants use that method"
Now I have my own house (almost paid for) 2 cars & a van, I have a very good credit reference & yet because I wish to pay for my gas & electricity by pre-payment, some people look down on me.
Strange that . Just wondered what others OOFers thoughts are on this one. :y :y :y
I'm a scrungie council tenant.
I was offended too. But the point is some people think because I pre-pay this way - they just class me as that. "Scrungie council tennant" was their words not mine . Certainly no offence meant to any council tennant from me. I work hands on in local authority housing and the vast majority of tennants are very very respectable.
Sorry for any offence :( :(
I'm easily offended me ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Just looking back at Taxi drivers poll about leccy bills . I noticed that a few on here have pre - payment meters.
I have these for both as it does away with unexpected high bills. Had them put in yonks ago now when things were a bit tight & have just got used to topping them up like you do a "pay as you go" mobile phone. No bills - already paid for all the juice we use.
Now point I am trying to make is: I feel there is some sort of "Stigma" about paying for your power & gas this way.
I was talking to some friends at a party recently about household fuel price rises & said that I get no bills by paying this way this way. But the reaction from some of these people was "Shock/ Horror" with statements like " Oh my God no - only "Scrungie council tennants use that method"
Now I have my own house (almost paid for) 2 cars & a van, I have a very good credit reference & yet because I wish to pay for my gas & electricity by pre-payment, some people look down on me.
Strange that . Just wondered what others OOFers thoughts are on this one. :y :y :y
I have one per- meter my gas and because you choose to have them put in that's doe's don't make you a scroungier so i wouldn't worry what your freinds say at least you can pay for your bills and i bet they struggle but don't let on :y
Maria,
I got a bit involved in this one , but over looked the most important bit. A few days after that party , one woman at the party who was making a big issue of it being not the right way to do it, i was waiting behind her in a queue at the newsagents & what was she doing & saying ? " can you put me £15 on this electric key please"
I was gobsmacked - but made sure I said hello to her as she turned to leave the shop. The words "Got Ya ! " seems to come to mind on that one. ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Big Al - you have a caravan, hence a pikey :P
Just kidding. What difference does it make how you pay for energy? I thought prepayment was more expensive though?
Jamie, I think your're right there, but it's only a tad different. and what with all the haggling going on between the energy suppliers for our business, I've just stuck with this method.
you got me thinkin' now --Might even get a pre-pay meter for the old "Pikey Van" LOL ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Just looking back at Taxi drivers poll about leccy bills . I noticed that a few on here have pre - payment meters.
I have these for both as it does away with unexpected high bills. Had them put in yonks ago now when things were a bit tight & have just got used to topping them up like you do a "pay as you go" mobile phone. No bills - already paid for all the juice we use.
Now point I am trying to make is: I feel there is some sort of "Stigma" about paying for your power & gas this way.
I was talking to some friends at a party recently about household fuel price rises & said that I get no bills by paying this way this way. But the reaction from some of these people was "Shock/ Horror" with statements like " Oh my God no - only "Scrungie council tennants use that method"
Now I have my own house (almost paid for) 2 cars & a van, I have a very good credit reference & yet because I wish to pay for my gas & electricity by pre-payment, some people look down on me.
Strange that . Just wondered what others OOFers thoughts are on this one. :y :y :y
I have one per- meter my gas and because you choose to have them put in that's doe's don't make you a scroungier so i wouldn't worry what your freinds say at least you can pay for your bills and i bet they struggle but don't let on :y
Maria,
I got a bit involved in this one , but over looked the most important bit. A few days after that party , one woman at the party who was making a big issue of it being not the right way to do it, i was waiting behind her in a queue at the newsagents & what was she doing & saying ? " can you put me £15 on this electric key please"
I was gobsmacked - but made sure I said hello to her as she turned to leave the shop. The words "Got Ya ! " seems to come to mind on that one. ;D ;D ;D ;D
I just hate people who have to be hypocrites and look down at you
when they pay the same way for there electric , I would of said i
thought that you was saying at the party that it is a big issue for
paying for that way and see the look on her face and i bet she would of rush off very quickly , so next time you see her then say it and see
what she says :y
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Just looking back at Taxi drivers poll about leccy bills . I noticed that a few on here have pre - payment meters.
I have these for both as it does away with unexpected high bills. Had them put in yonks ago now when things were a bit tight & have just got used to topping them up like you do a "pay as you go" mobile phone. No bills - already paid for all the juice we use.
Now point I am trying to make is: I feel there is some sort of "Stigma" about paying for your power & gas this way.
I was talking to some friends at a party recently about household fuel price rises & said that I get no bills by paying this way this way. But the reaction from some of these people was "Shock/ Horror" with statements like " Oh my God no - only "Scrungie council tennants use that method"
Now I have my own house (almost paid for) 2 cars & a van, I have a very good credit reference & yet because I wish to pay for my gas & electricity by pre-payment, some people look down on me.
Strange that . Just wondered what others OOFers thoughts are on this one. :y :y :y
I have one per- meter my gas and because you choose to have them put in that's doe's don't make you a scroungier so i wouldn't worry what your freinds say at least you can pay for your bills and i bet they struggle but don't let on :y
Maria,
I got a bit involved in this one , but over looked the most important bit. A few days after that party , one woman at the party who was making a big issue of it being not the right way to do it, i was waiting behind her in a queue at the newsagents & what was she doing & saying ? " can you put me £15 on this electric key please"
I was gobsmacked - but made sure I said hello to her as she turned to leave the shop. The words "Got Ya ! " seems to come to mind on that one. ;D ;D ;D ;D
I just hate people who have to be hypocrites and look down at you
when they pay the same way for there electric , I would of said i
thought that you was saying at the party that it is a big issue for
paying for that way and see the look on her face and i bet she would of rush off very quickly , so next time you see her then say it and see
what she says :y
Got another party coming up soon -- Sure her & her stuck up husband will be there-- Can't wait ::) ::) ::) ;D ;D ;D
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You pays yer money and makes yer choice.
It's your call how you pay your bills.
In fact from what you have writen, you are probably more sorted than they are. You may choose to pay your bills via pre payment and for other things I am guessing you buy it (cash) if you want it and can afford it, i.r. 2 cars.
People who look down thier noses are typically trying to prove some in my opinion and have soooooo much on credit just to look good. Ah well. :y
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Just looking back at Taxi drivers poll about leccy bills . I noticed that a few on here have pre - payment meters.
I have these for both as it does away with unexpected high bills. Had them put in yonks ago now when things were a bit tight & have just got used to topping them up like you do a "pay as you go" mobile phone. No bills - already paid for all the juice we use.
Now point I am trying to make is: I feel there is some sort of "Stigma" about paying for your power & gas this way.
I was talking to some friends at a party recently about household fuel price rises & said that I get no bills by paying this way this way. But the reaction from some of these people was "Shock/ Horror" with statements like " Oh my God no - only "Scrungie council tennants use that method"
Now I have my own house (almost paid for) 2 cars & a van, I have a very good credit reference & yet because I wish to pay for my gas & electricity by pre-payment, some people look down on me.
Strange that . Just wondered what others OOFers thoughts are on this one. :y :y :y
I have one per- meter my gas and because you choose to have them put in that's doe's don't make you a scroungier so i wouldn't worry what your freinds say at least you can pay for your bills and i bet they struggle but don't let on :y
Maria,
I got a bit involved in this one , but over looked the most important bit. A few days after that party , one woman at the party who was making a big issue of it being not the right way to do it, i was waiting behind her in a queue at the newsagents & what was she doing & saying ? " can you put me £15 on this electric key please"
I was gobsmacked - but made sure I said hello to her as she turned to leave the shop. The words "Got Ya ! " seems to come to mind on that one. ;D ;D ;D ;D
I just hate people who have to be hypocrites and look down at you
when they pay the same way for there electric , I would of said i
thought that you was saying at the party that it is a big issue for
paying for that way and see the look on her face and i bet she would of rush off very quickly , so next time you see her then say it and see
what she says :y
Got another party coming up soon -- Sure her & her stuck up husband will be there-- Can't wait ::) ::) ::) ;D ;D ;D
Let us know what they say when you happen to mention about per- pay meters :y
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Pre-payment meters are perfectly ok, but I did find them more expensive when I moved and had prepayment meters already in place in the new place.
Then to make matters worse, was presented with a large bill anyway when I swapped them over.., apparently the prepay meters aren't that accurate. So defo would never have one again. I do find I pay a lot less per month paying by direct debit and seeking cheapest supplier.
Just gone on to a capped rate (thank god, just managed to get my name down before rates went up again lol) cause i do believe rates are gonna go up a huge amount over next few months.
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i was under the impression that meters were a lot more expensive?
My provider gives online paperless discount and a direct debit discount (allegedly) ::)
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I pay for my gas and electric by monthly direct debit, is this really much different.
Too many people are too fond of looking down their noes, usually the ones with the largest credit card balance.
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I pay for my gas and electric by monthly direct debit, is this really much different.
Too many people are too fond of looking down their noes, usually the ones with the largest credit card balance.
I have all my bills on a monthly bugdt via DD. If they get cheeky and put them up by 40% like the Gas and Electric tried to did recently , they got a swift phone call and were told the DD would be cancleed and I may or maynot decide to Pay via Standing order. After a recaluation on my useage my DD went down by £4 and as I allways overpay to be safe I nearly allways get a refund. Last Electric one was £98. Maybe I ought to charge them.
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I am on prepay. & people can think what they wont what you see is what you get & if they dont like it tough sh*t. At least i dont have to worry about any unexpected bills.
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As said, been on both prepayment meters and payment by direct debit. After I got stung by huge bills inspite of having prepayment meters.., I find payment by DD a lot easier.., no weekly panic in a short week trying to find the money to keep electric going, (I'd rather panic once a month, thank u very much he he), I save money cause the rate is cheaper and if there is some kindof undercharge I can just increase my monthly DD by a small amount so its covered over time. Much better for planning lol.
I must admit, prepayment meters do carry a slight stigma for me, but am also aware that for many people they work. Stigma or not, if they worked for me I'd have them.., they just didn't lol. But would never judge someone who had them, far more sensible to have a prepayment meter than a large bill u can't pay.
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As said, been on both prepayment meters and payment by direct debit. After I got stung by huge bills inspite of having prepayment meters.., I find payment by DD a lot easier.., no weekly panic in a short week trying to find the money to keep electric going, (I'd rather panic once a month, thank u very much he he), I save money cause the rate is cheaper and if there is some kindof undercharge I can just increase my monthly DD by a small amount so its covered over time. Much better for planning lol.
I must admit, prepayment meters do carry a slight stigma for me, but am also aware that for many people they work. Stigma or not, if they worked for me I'd have them.., they just didn't lol. But would never judge someone who had them, far more sensible to have a prepayment meter than a large bill u can't pay.
You go with whatever suits you best.
Upuntill last month the only bill I paid manually was my BT, nornally £45/55 monthly, but occasionally way over.
Went over to Friends and family all day.
All UK no cost up to 59 mins, except premium rate and mobiles. 25% off all mobile calls for 3 months and discount on the package as well.
1st bill £22, but that was partial refund from changing over.
£5 monthy saved for DD
£1 monthly saved for going paperless.
All adds up. :y
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i was under the impression that meters were a lot more expensive?
My provider gives online paperless discount and a direct debit discount (allegedly) ::)
You are right, it is cheaper paying quarterly, by D/D, and also by entering my readings online for my joint gas and electric joint supply I collect large quantities of Nector points over the year!! ;D :y
However many of my friends have pre-payment meters and I certainly don't decry them from doing so as it works for them. I though just want the convenience and cheapness of quarterly bills, with the added saving of not having to go out regularly, using time and petrol on top, to obtain a "recharge"! :y :y
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Thanks for the replies everyone.
Debs made a good point that when we go & fill up our Miggys at the petrol station- we all pre- pay for that fuel. Not much different really is it.
Am really waiting to confront that woman at the next party though. But She will probably stick her nose in the air & say she was just getting it for a friend or relation or something ;D ;D ;D ;D
Regards , Big Al :y
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The main problem with pre-payment meters was highlighted on BBC a couple of weeks back. Apart from the fact that you receive no discount for DD or whatever. Whenever energy companies raise their tariffs, as was seen with BG's whopping 35% recently, they should adjust your meter accordingly. This can be done manually or, with more modern meters, remotely. But it usually takes about TWELVE MONTHS, by which time, you are way behind on your bills and another rise is usually in the pipe line.
One poor guy on the telly thought he was up to date but actually owed more than a grand.
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Big Al - you have a caravan, hence a pikey :P
Just kidding. What difference does it make how you pay for energy? I thought prepayment was more expensive though?
It is slightly but not very much difference.
Now surely if you pay as you use shouldn't that actually be a cheaper...you don't generate paper bills....no chance of running a big bill up and not paying.
There is without question a stigma with pre-pay meters...typical dole scroungers way of paying.
My electricity is on prepayment and its the only way id do it....saves people like British gas demanding £1200 for gas that's not been used. :D ::)
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Thanks for the replies everyone.
Debs made a good point that when we go & fill up our Miggys at the petrol station- we all pre- pay for that fuel. Not much different really is it.
Am really waiting to confront that woman at the next party though. But She will probably stick her nose in the air & say she was just getting it for a friend or relation or something ;D ;D ;D ;D
Regards , Big Al :y
Well there is! We don't get a discount at the garage as you do on gas & lecky if you pay quarterly, by D/D, and enter your readings on line! :D :D :D :D ;)
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Thanks for the replies everyone.
Debs made a good point that when we go & fill up our Miggys at the petrol station- we all pre- pay for that fuel. Not much different really is it.
Am really waiting to confront that woman at the next party though. But She will probably stick her nose in the air & say she was just getting it for a friend or relation or something ;D ;D ;D ;D
Regards , Big Al :y
Yeah that's what i was thinking she will say but me and you will know
different and its for really for her,she is to stuck up to admit it was for
her and want you to think she pays by d/d but even so she had no right to say what she said to you