British Gas Price up 35% - full details

soappie

This is a question for Martin or anyone else who may have enough insight to advise.

When fuel companies announce a price increase midway between bills, they always estimate the reading at the time the price increase was announced on the next bill.

I have, just this minute, checked my gas meter and will swear on an affidavit that it says 8303

Where do I stand, legally, if I find when my next bill comes in (given that I've only recently paid one) that their estimated reading at the point of price increase is lower than the one I've just taken meaning I will end up paying more for the units I used prior to the price increase?

How do I prove their estimated reading is wrong? Is it enough to photograph the meter reading with a copy of today's paper, showing the date, next to it in order to challenge it? Or what?

Your ideas on this would be greatly appreciated

freddykrueger

It's a really good question - personally what I would do is either phone them today/tomorrow or go online - either way submit a meter reading and then they have a written or recorded reading from you.

Just an idea.....

larmy16

MrBlonde wrote: »

larmy16 you have 14 days from date you agreed but normally about 7 days left by the time you receive correspondence/comfirmation. Did you sign up for Price Guarantee 2009 December?

MrBlonde thanks for replying. To be honest I don't know what tariff I signed up for .
MSsupermarket said that it could take up to six weeks to go through. At the bottom of their email, it said I had 7 days to cancel. EDF said I had 12.

I have had no direct communication with British Gas atall. Do you mean I have seven days from when they accept me on their scheme? I have to confess I find all this stuff so confusing. It's just so much panic and hype about that I didn't know what to do. The site said I would be better off by around £159 per year. This was on 20 July. Also do you think it means working days?

Maybe too late now, but I wish I had just stayed with EDF - its all such a palaver.:rolleyes:

I have to go out now, but will look for your reply tomorrow if you are so kind to get back to me.

chrism_scotland

soappie wrote: »

This is a question for Martin or anyone else who may have enough insight to advise.

When fuel companies announce a price increase midway between bills, they always estimate the reading at the time the price increase was announced on the next bill.

I have, just this minute, checked my gas meter and will swear on an affidavit that it says 8303

Where do I stand, legally, if I find when my next bill comes in (given that I've only recently paid one) that their estimated reading at the point of price increase is lower than the one I've just taken meaning I will end up paying more for the units I used prior to the price increase?

How do I prove their estimated reading is wrong? Is it enough to photograph the meter reading with a copy of today's paper, showing the date, next to it in order to challenge it? Or what?

Your ideas on this would be greatly appreciated

You can provide the reading from today when your next bill is received, should be no problem to have it amended,

Poppycat

I gave BG a meter reading on the 25th July so surely they could only charge the new rate after that meter reading

Although I am sure the main head of BG on newsnight said that the new rates will be differer for vulnerable customer until April 09

Poppycat

I think its 10% discount off your Gas & 4.5% discount off your electricity

To apply ring BG 0845 8502207

You didnt show them any prove only that we are in receipt of certain benefits

Scarlett.1974 wrote: »

Hi Poppycat,

What does it actually 'mean' though? Discounts? Capped rates?

It would appear, from looking at the criteria, that we would be eligable for this, but it doesn't actually say anything on the BG website as to the actual advantages of it?

Thanks

chrism_scotland

Poppycat wrote: »

I gave BG a meter reading on the 25th July so surely they could only charge the new rate after that meter reading

Although I am sure the main head of BG on newsnight said that the new rates will be differer for vulnerable customer until April 09

No, the Essentials Tariff will not be rising before April 2009, and that also applies to New Customers who join British Gas and are eligible for the tariff not just existing customers.

Poppycat

So if the new rises take immediate effect surely its within all customers interests to tell them the new readings

chrism_scotland

Poppycat wrote: »

So if the new rises take immediate effect surely its within all customers interests to tell them the new readings

I would agree with that, although should be no problem even with changing them later!

bluewire

Does anyone know wht is happening with Click Energy 5? I see that this has not increased as of yet. This is what I am on at the moment.