British Gas are coming to take our stuff if we don't pay up! so angry. Who can help ?

happycat_2

We have been with them for about 18 months. They overcharged us on our gas bill ans undercharged on the electric. Anyway, in July we locked ourselves into British Gas to keep costs down. At the same time we sorted the direct debits out. We were more in credit with the electric than we owed on the gas, so we agreed to put the gas credit over to the electric and adjust the payment so we were paying the right amount.

At the time they said we couldn't transfer it because we are paying by direct debits. We had to cancel them and set up new ones. We then recieved a bill saying we hadn't paid. They had failed to set up new ones, so we got a read bill. We were on holiday at the time and had three letters on our return.

When we rung again it turned out that we had not even been locked in ( gas prices risen during this time) and the money had come out of the gas and gone missing. After more red bills and phone calls they have told us the money has turned up and has been paid in.

Today, we recieved a legal notice saying that unless we pay the outstanding amount in full they will apply for a legal warrant of entry to acess out property and fit a meter or disconnect us. They said we don't need to be there as they will gain entry anyway.

I am so angry and worried sick. What a huge mistake they are making. Nomatter how many times we try to sort this out , they are not listening. I don't want my property broken into - I am furious.

I rung them tonight and demanded to speak to the supervisor. The call centre told me he would ring me back within 15 minutes to sort it out. I left it half an hour - as I couldn't afford to be put on hold for another 8 minutes. When I called back the office was shut.

Where can I turn too. I don't know what to do. Please help!!

happycat_2

Sorry for my typo- I am so upset , right now.

Cardew

I take it all your correspondence has been on the telephone? i.e. you haven't written in response to the letters you have received.

I would contact Energywatch.

MammaCas

happycat wrote: »

We have been with them for about 18 months. They overcharged us on our gas bill ans undercharged on the electric. Anyway, in July we locked ourselves into British Gas to keep costs down. At the same time we sorted the direct debits out. We were more in credit with the electric than we owed on the gas, so we agreed to put the gas credit over to the electric and adjust the payment so we were paying the right amount.

At the time they said we couldn't transfer it because we are paying by direct debits. We had to cancel them and set up new ones. We then recieved a bill saying we hadn't paid. They had failed to set up new ones, so we got a read bill. We were on holiday at the time and had three letters on our return.

When we rung again it turned out that we had not even been locked in ( gas prices risen during this time) and the money had come out of the gas and gone missing. After more red bills and phone calls they have told us the money has turned up and has been paid in.

Today, we recieved a legal notice saying that unless we pay the outstanding amount in full they will apply for a legal warrant of entry to acess out property and fit a meter or disconnect us. They said we don't need to be there as they will gain entry anyway.

I am so angry and worried sick. What a huge mistake they are making. Nomatter how many times we try to sort this out , they are not listening. I don't want my property broken into - I am furious.

I rung them tonight and demanded to speak to the supervisor. The call centre told me he would ring me back within 15 minutes to sort it out. I left it half an hour - as I couldn't afford to be put on hold for another 8 minutes. When I called back the office was shut.

Where can I turn too. I don't know what to do. Please help!!

Hiya

You need to put your complaint in writing to Andy Eley, Head of Complaints. The address is on the back of the bills, its in Southampton.

If you dont get a resolution within 2 weeks phone the Energy Ombudsman.

I hope this helps

xx

1carminestocky

Before you contact ANYBODY at BG, IMO you should take Cardew's advice and contact Energywatch. From your account, I would be of the opinion that BG have been given ample time/info to sort this out. They haven't, so no more Mr Niceguy with this appalling monolith.

MammaCas

Energywatch cease to exist from the end of September.

The Energy Ombudsman can help, but you will need to show you have fully escalated your complaint to the highest level, which is the info I gave in my previous post.

MC x

happycat_2

Thanks for your advise ! We will get in touch with them by letter first.

What a bloody pain BG are. I will never go with them again, once we get out of this mess.

Dreamnine

Hope everything turns out well for you. I had similar problems once with Scottish Power.

spiro

Of no help to you I know but as a warning to others, when you agree to pay your bills by direct debit check a few days after the first payment is due to make sure they have taken the money. I know it sounds simple but companies do make mistakes and some responsibility has to rest with us as consumers to check.

waynedance

i never take it for granted that a direct debit is being taken each month.

I also keep an eye on the elec/gas bills and i have even called them in the past to adjust the direct debits so not to go too much over or under.

hope your sorted soon.