BG direct debit increase when in credit!

backfoot

MarkyMarkD wrote: »

I'm not saying your case is 100% definitely right - you know more about that than I do. But in many cases people can be in credit and STILL get an increase in DD, and it can be completely valid.

No it wasn't right.Far from it.After two complaints, it was conceded that the DD for gas should drop back to £30 p.m ,with which I agreed. They initially wanted £44.00 p.m. They still have a credit of £98 which we will cash in by switching when they raise the Click 5 prices.

Still trying to get a response for the increase in the first place. Despite your protestations,my case goes to prove that BG do get it wrong and that if you are persistent they can't keep fobbing you off with false information.

I didn't have any particular axe to grind with BG. I am speaking from current experience and a good grasp of finance.I have simply reported the facts as a warning and hopefully help to those in similar predicaments.The ongoing denial of fault was galling to say the least when it could have been easily resolved.So BG have generated their own bad press and I am willing to report it. :wall:

jp01_2

I'm with Atlantic Electric and Gas.
They wrote to me today to put up my DD up from £35 to £47
I was actually a few pounds in credit.
I phoned up and explained I'd just had cavity wall insulation and additional loft insulation added and I'd liked to keep it at £35.

Their response

No problem at all, that's done for you now!

30 second phone call.

Well done Atlantic

MarkyMarkD

1carminestocky wrote: »

Pray tell, why on earth do you believe I was making insinuations about you or any other individual? Did I specifically name you in my post? All I'm stating is that, contrary to what certain posters on this board would have you believe, people who work for a utility company (or even in a related field) MUST declare it in their posts. It's site rules, not something I've instigated.

Because there would be no logic in making such a comment, if you didn't believe that someone posting on the thread had an axe to grind because of their employment.

The site rule regarding such disclosure is poorly thought out, in any case. The boards would grind to a halt if every thread posted by anyone with any relevant knowledge had to include wording explaining why.

I've now posted my (trivial and historical) links to the energy industry in any case, so that's all I'm going to do on this thread.

CarmineStocky_2

MarkyMarkD wrote: »

1) Because there would be no logic in making such a comment, if you didn't believe that someone posting on the thread had an axe to grind because of their employment.

2) The site rule regarding such disclosure is poorly thought out, in any case.
3) The boards would grind to a halt if every thread posted by anyone with any relevant knowledge had to include wording explaining why.

4) I've now posted my (trivial and historical) links to the energy industry in any case, so that's all I'm going to do on this thread.

1) All I'm saying is if someone is defending the energy industry from a standpoint of WORKING for them, unless you have something to hide it's common decency (quite apart from forum policy) to make it clear to the reader your links with the industry so they can take that fact on board whilst reading your views. No?

2) I suggest you take it up with Martin. Or read point 3 and follow the instructions....

3) If you click on User CP towards the top of the screen), you can add the relevant industry experience in your signature, thereby negating the need to post it every time you made a post. Easy.

4) Where?

Cardew

CarmineStocky wrote: »

1) .

I thought there was a site malfunction when I read this post, and then I saw that you have changed your name from 1carminestocky to carminestocky.

Do you post under any other names to get around being on people's ignore list?

tinky37

I work for British Gas and just wanted to advise WE (the lowly advisors on the phones) are not allowed to reduce Direct Debits AT ALL! They have been calculated to be correct by the system. If there is a credit on the account this will not have been taken into account so we can manually adjust the DD but this does involve cancelling and resetting it. We are definitely not allowed to set a DD at what the customer requests under any circumstances. If a customer wants to pay a specific amount my advice would be to set up a standing order as these are for a fixed sum whereas a DD is variable. At the end of each quarter any debit balance would then be payable. Please don't think we are being awkward - I would dearly love to reduce everyone's DD's but it would cost me my job! And please don't think speaking to a Manager will make a difference - it won't. And to the person who said he would stay on the phone until he spoke to a manager as he knew we are not allowed to release a call - we are allowed to!!

Hope this helps!

Sprintblue

Tinky, useful info to know ... BTW I found a free number for BG 0800 048 0505, hope that helps someone

MarkyMarkD

Strange that, tinky.

I have just joined BG and was phoned by a very helpful member of staff who set the DD amounts at exactly what I wanted.

MarkyMarkD

CarmineStocky wrote:

1) All I'm saying is if someone is defending the energy industry from a standpoint of WORKING for them, unless you have something to hide it's common decency (quite apart from forum policy) to make it clear to the reader your links with the industry so they can take that fact on board whilst reading your views. No?

Yes, fine.

CarmineStocky wrote:

2) I suggest you take it up with Martin.

Having attempted to check forum policy, I can't actually find the policy you are referring to. Perhaps you could enlighten me by quoting (and referencing) rather than paraphrasing?

CarmineStocky wrote:

3) If you click on User CP towards the top of the screen), you can add the relevant industry experience in your signature, thereby negating the need to post it every time you made a post. Easy.

No. Easy if you have worked in Tesco all your life and don't know anything about anything else. (No disrespect to people who work in Tesco, by the way). Rather more difficult if you have had a varied career and lots of different experiences, as applies to many of the more knowledgeable members on MSE. And as I said before, my energy related experience is pretty trivial. But I understand how a gas bill works, and how an annual payment plan may result in customers - correctly - being hundreds of pounds in credit (or debit) at particular times of year.

CarmineStocky wrote:

4) Where?

MarkyMarkD wrote: »

I haven't had any involvement with the energy industry since 1996 when I audited an electricity generator. Oh, apart from my brother who currently works for a (relatively small) electricity generator.

:rolleyes:

littleange

Crazy! This is why I pay my bills by standing order!