jevansio Posted August 10, 2007 Share Posted August 10, 2007 Can't be arsed to go into detail, but apparently when I thought I was paying a gas & electric bill, it was electric only, & I haven't been paying gas for over a year, can't believe they've let it drag on this long before sending a letter saying I haven't been paying. I was cut off the phone to them several times today as I find it hard to control my language when I'm angry (poor BG front line staff were getting it big time ). Anyone thinking of moving to British Gas do me a favour any go elsewhere. Jay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesmark Posted August 10, 2007 Share Posted August 10, 2007 I can answer that as I work for them. New billing system called SAP, and there has been isolated cases where accounts have not billed. Our fault however it would have clearly stated on your bill what it was for, thats why bills are sent out with full details on them of charges and what your exactly paying for. If you wish me to have a look at it and maybe "cough" sort something out for you, just PM me. Swear at me and you wont get a thing, if it is your fault you wont get a thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jevansio Posted August 10, 2007 Author Share Posted August 10, 2007 I can answer that as I work for them. New billing system called SAP, and there has been isolated cases where accounts have not billed. Our fault however it would have clearly stated on your bill what it was for, thats why bills are sent out with full details on them of charges and what your exactly paying for. If you wish me to have a look at it and maybe "cough" sort something out for you, just PM me. Swear at me and you wont get a thing, if it is your fault you wont get a thing. Cheers James, really appreciate you taking an interest Once I'd calmed down I was on the phone to a really helpfull chap for a while, I don't think there's any way out of me paying as I did actually use the gas, just a bit disappointed it was allowed to get to where it did. I'm obviosuly moving suppliers as soon as I settle, I'm just one of these people who take for granted that when you move to a new company they will set up the correct direct debits etc, lesson learned for me I guess Thanks anyway though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesmark Posted August 10, 2007 Share Posted August 10, 2007 Once I'd calmed down I was on the phone to a really helpfull chap for a while, How much did he knock off the bill for you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snake Posted August 10, 2007 Share Posted August 10, 2007 1k for gas clucking bell Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BEERSHZ Posted August 10, 2007 Share Posted August 10, 2007 When we moved our gas and electricity to BG they didnt bill us for a whole year every 2 months i rang them to give readings etc they admitted there fault and told me i could take the same amount of time to pay them back. We had the money for them but made them wait for it for 6 months instead of 1 year coz it done my head in knowing i owed them money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pot Posted August 10, 2007 Share Posted August 10, 2007 When I moved into a house last year, it took 5 months, god knows how many phone calls, with waits constantly past 45 minutes, just to get an account set up!... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jevansio Posted August 10, 2007 Author Share Posted August 10, 2007 How much did he knock off the bill for you? Nothing , is there any chance like? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesmark Posted August 10, 2007 Share Posted August 10, 2007 Nothing , is there any chance like? You didn't want my help lol There could be a chance depends how high up you speak to people in British Gas, if you know what I mean. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jevansio Posted August 10, 2007 Author Share Posted August 10, 2007 You didn't want my help lol There could be a chance depends how high up you speak to people in British Gas, if you know what I mean. Lol, I feel a PM coming on Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neil tt Posted August 10, 2007 Share Posted August 10, 2007 Hope you get something sorted, well done that man:)(James) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snake Posted August 10, 2007 Share Posted August 10, 2007 good luck mate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fargo Posted August 10, 2007 Share Posted August 10, 2007 I can answer that as I work for them. lol me too, although im one of them dodgy engineers. You didn't want my help lol There could be a chance depends how high up you speak to people in British Gas, if you know what I mean. chris weston Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tricky-Ricky Posted August 11, 2007 Share Posted August 11, 2007 I made the BIG mistake of switching to British Gas last year, just managed to switch back, had phenomenal bills! To me BG are = http://maximumbob.files.wordpress.com/2006/10/highwayman.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dnk Posted August 11, 2007 Share Posted August 11, 2007 Its a nightmare dealing with British Gas, i swapped my electric to them and really wished i hadn't, lost count of the amount of times i called them and sat on hold for an eternity, the only way my probs were resolved was when i got a debt agency letter saying i owed £££'s. Funny as my electric is on a smart card meter !! Since speaking to the debt company my probs seem to have ended ?? I hope !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carl0s Posted August 11, 2007 Share Posted August 11, 2007 We've just discovered that we haven't been paying gas either. I kind of knew it actually since looking at Amanda's bank statements and seeing nothing going out. Electricity is on a pay as you go card.. can't recommend them enough Anyway, so we got a bill for £450 covering a two-week period (June 16 - June 28th). I rang and said this seems suspiciously like the dates that I filled in the meter reading card. What had happened is that Amanda was sold on the "move over to us for cheaper gas bills. We'll set up direct debit right now", and did all that, but they failed to setup the direct debit or even send any bills. The guy confirmed that it was their fault, and now we're paying the £450 for the last year over the next 12 months (£37.5/month), and the same again every month for the forthcoming year since that's supposed to be our estimated usage. What concerns me still though, is that this £450 is based on an initial estimate. i.e. the bills starts with an 'estimated' meter reading, and then ends with an actual reading that I had given on the meter reading card. How can they take-over a gas contract, i.e. take on a new customer, without actually taking an actual meter reading? Surely as part of a new contract/customer, you would start with an actual meter reading? This is Southern Electric by the way. Hope you get sorted with British Gas Jay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike B Posted August 11, 2007 Share Posted August 11, 2007 We had massive stress with BG on our busines electric bill. They put our cost up to 3x what it was before and would not let us cancel the contract for a year.... sounds illegal to me, but apparently not. You get one chance per year to cancel your contract and unless you do, non communication is counted as instruction to renew!! so basically they can triple your rate, the month before your renewal, and then legally charge you for this for the next whole year.. Everyone should make sure they cancel their contract every year!! now I have to sit and watch them spend our money on TV adverts telling us how they have cut their prices... just not on existing (my) contract. It's a pretty disgusting way of doing business. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesmark Posted August 11, 2007 Share Posted August 11, 2007 We've just discovered that we haven't been paying gas either. I kind of knew it actually since looking at Amanda's bank statements and seeing nothing going out. Electricity is on a pay as you go card.. can't recommend them enough Anyway, so we got a bill for £450 covering a two-week period (June 16 - June 28th). I rang and said this seems suspiciously like the dates that I filled in the meter reading card. What had happened is that Amanda was sold on the "move over to us for cheaper gas bills. We'll set up direct debit right now", and did all that, but they failed to setup the direct debit or even send any bills. The guy confirmed that it was their fault, and now we're paying the £450 for the last year over the next 12 months (£37.5/month), and the same again every month for the forthcoming year since that's supposed to be our estimated usage. What concerns me still though, is that this £450 is based on an initial estimate. i.e. the bills starts with an 'estimated' meter reading, and then ends with an actual reading that I had given on the meter reading card. How can they take-over a gas contract, i.e. take on a new customer, without actually taking an actual meter reading? Surely as part of a new contract/customer, you would start with an actual meter reading? This is Southern Electric by the way. Hope you get sorted with British Gas Jay. Carlos, under the rules of competition it is written that a supplier should get an actual meter read from the customer. This is done only by either a card sent out 6 days before supply starts and you have a 6 day window to take the reading, 3 days before and 3 days after. Or the CSA or door to door man advises you that you will get a letter to confirm your supply date and give you advice to call the nominated supplier with your start read. One thing to actually add to this, if yiour meter read is wrong at the start of your new account then the SAME meter read will be used to close down your old account at the supplier you left. So IF southern is cheaper that your o0ld supplier (bearing in mind standing charges if applicable) then having the wrong start read with your new supplier will work out in your favour. Hope this makes sense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carl0s Posted August 11, 2007 Share Posted August 11, 2007 I know some people pay more, but I think £40/month is quite a lot of money for something like Gas. Here's what we use gas for: the cooker and hot water. That's it. We use a microwave a lot too, but it's just the cooker and hot water really. Yes we do have a combi boiler for heating, and it does get used in the Winter but not too much 'cause I like to feel cold in bed so I can cuddle up under the covers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carl0s Posted August 11, 2007 Share Posted August 11, 2007 One thing to actually add to this, if yiour meter read is wrong at the start of your new account then the SAME meter read will be used to close down your old account at the supplier you left. So IF southern is cheaper that your o0ld supplier (bearing in mind standing charges if applicable) then having the wrong start read with your new supplier will work out in your favour. Hope this makes sense. Thanks for the informative info James! Yes that makes sense, and without thinking about it too much, that seems to me to suggest that if costs are broadly similar between suppliers, it's going to work out fair one way or the other. If we're paying too much to Southern, we'd have paid less in a final bill to British Gas or whoever it was. Fair enough. Only problem is that we pay this amount again for the next year, so it works out fair for the first year, but if it was wrong, we don't recoup the loss second year on. hmmm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesmark Posted August 11, 2007 Share Posted August 11, 2007 We had massive stress with BG on our busines electric bill. They put our cost up to 3x what it was before and would not let us cancel the contract for a year.... sounds illegal to me, but apparently not. You get one chance per year to cancel your contract and unless you do, non communication is counted as instruction to renew!! so basically they can triple your rate, the month before your renewal, and then legally charge you for this for the next whole year.. Everyone should make sure they cancel their contract every year!! now I have to sit and watch them spend our money on TV adverts telling us how they have cut their prices... just not on existing (my) contract. It's a pretty disgusting way of doing business. Business British Gas although is run by Centrica it is a seperate company. Business Gas is a 12 months contract where as domestic is 28 days (as thats how long it takes to change) It is like insurance non contact is perceived as you are happy with the contract. However if you shout loud enough with British Gas I am sure you will see things change for you. Unfortunately I cannot help you with rergards to a business account, however check yiour consumption although you are a business if you fall under the consumption limit you may be able to change your status to domestic. However this may be written into your contract. Hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesmark Posted August 11, 2007 Share Posted August 11, 2007 Here's what we use gas for: the cooker and hot water. That's it. We use a microwave a lot too, but it's just the cooker and hot water really. Gas is a very dear item mate, you will be suprised that this maybe about right (excl any arrrears) I would say for that depending on the state of your boiler £25-£35 but depending on your useage aswell it could be a lot different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carl0s Posted August 11, 2007 Share Posted August 11, 2007 Gas is a very dear item mate, you will be suprised that this maybe about right (excl any arrrears) I would say for that depending on the state of your boiler £25-£35 but depending on your useage aswell it could be a lot different. Aye. What we need is something like this Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivan Posted August 11, 2007 Share Posted August 11, 2007 My Mum was paying well over the odds for her gas consumption and ended up hundreds of pounds in credit. British Gas ended up sending her a cheque for over £500. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jevansio Posted August 11, 2007 Author Share Posted August 11, 2007 Aye. What we need is something like this Lol, with a house like that in the North East I might get enough energy for a luke warm cup of tea for my breakfast & thats it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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