BG "Best Fit" tariff

Hana

Hi All.

Hoping someone knows something about what I suspect is to become a new chapter in my ongoing nightmare with BG.

Long story, but as brief as I can:

I attempted to switch to BG Click Energy in April/May 06, using energyhelpline. This went horribly, horribly wrong, mainly because I had 2 meters (a standard one, and one that looked after my econ 7 and heatwise power). This took much sorting, but after many telephone calls I was eventually switched in Sept 06. The odd random bill arrived, which I paid, but I've never been able to log into my account online. No idea what's happened to the DD that is supposed to be set up.

Many, many calls later, I still can't get any joy out of them. I can't log into my account, I have no DD and I have no idea what tariff I'm on or anything. So I come up with the bright idea of just ignoring them until they remember me. Sigh.

All comes to a head earlier this year, when I get a bill for 600 odd quid. Well, like a good girl, I take (some of!) the money I've been putting aside, and pay it. 2 weeks later, two envelopes drop onto my mat. One is a statement showing me 600 odd in credit, the other 600 odd in debit. What?!?!? Start with the phone calls again.

Turns out, I have two accounts. These eventually get glued together, and I'm at zero bal. Fab. Starting to get somewhere. Only taken 2 years.

Until last month, when I'm billed for 700 odd quid. I call and say, "what tariff am I on again?". Turns out to be standard. I say "No, should be Click". Anyway took a few calls, but I eventually got a really helpful chap (probably been fired now), who said yes, I'll get you onto click and redo all your bills. Your £700 odd will probably reduce to credit. Don't do anything until you hear from us.

Well, like a fool, I've switched to the fixednessy tariff (2011) in the meantime, cos I'm panicking a bit, cos there's just me and I sorta like to eat as well as be warm. Anyway, I get a letter yesterday, confirming the 2011 thing and my new DD at £167 a month. Ouch. Seems the 700 quid hasn't been reduced. So I'm back on the phone for 70 minutes last night.

Seems the meter readings haven't been re-done, so the bill hasn't been recalculated. Am now about ready to slit my wrists. Then we do the bit about "Have you got 2 meters?" I say yes, and she says only one has been switched to Click, the other's still standard. Then she comes out with the reason for this post...

"You shouldn't be click anyway, it doesn't fit. You'll be on our "Best Fit" tariff. "Ooooh, what's that?" I say, getting excited about a non-advertised, potentially dead cheap tariff. "It's not a published tariff. How much is it?". Apparently, it's a tariff they dump people on who have a quirkyness that means they don't fit the regular tariffs - people like me, with 2 meters. The cost? Higher than the standard tariff. "Ludicrously inflated" was the phrase I used, and that she agreed with.

Now comes the advice needed bit.

Has anyone heard of this? And got any details about it please? (Actual cost, how long it's been about, etc etc).

Where do I stand legally if they try to force me on to it? I've emails and paperwork confirming the original agreement to click energy. No-one's ever mentioned the BF Tariff before. Obviously, I'd have gone elsewhere if I'd known. Can they force me on to it?

Apologies for the lengthy post - well, you didn't have anything else to do on what's probably the last sunny Saturday afternoon this year, but read about my problems, did you? Any advice would be hugely appreciated. Shall be writing to various official-sounding places on Monday too.

Thanks in advance, everyone.

brysiewysie

I'm afraid to say it's a normal E10 type of problem. 2 meters, 2 meter references and uncompetitive tariffs. E10 is more of a convenience tariff rather than competitive.

As far as the way they've messed you around you should be able to get them to reduce the bill. There's a new industry complaints procedure launcing next week (Oct 1st) which ties in with the demise of Energywatch.

Call BG on or after the 1st, make sure they register it as a complaint and don't accept an immediate resolution. They should let you know their codes of practice and let you know what is likley to happen next. All companies have to follow the same type of process and should be very twitchy about making sure they're spot on with a process that is likely to be audited very quickly. This is Eons code of practice to give you an idea of what they say about it;

http://www.eonenergy.com/NR/rdonlyres/4D2A824B-964A-4A83-998D-67435953585C/0/currentwebsiteversion.pdf

Joyful

People with 2 MPANS have always been on a best fit Tariff with BG which is higher than normal as most suppliers cannot bill this properly. Sorry I can't help you with rates. Hopefully someone else may have this info.

Now I believe any one in this situation with this type of heating system is offered to go onto an E7 meter and miss out on cheaper heat rates during the day or to be transferred back to their old supplier. That was not an option in 2006.

Hana

Joyful wrote: »

People with 2 MPANS have always been on a best fit Tariff with BG which is higher than normal as most suppliers cannot bill this properly. Sorry I can't help you with rates. Hopefully someone else may have this info.

Now I believe any one in this situation with this type of heating system is offered to go onto an E7 meter and miss out on cheaper heat rates during the day or to be transferred back to their old supplier. That was not an option in 2006.

Thanks Joyful. Understand what you're saying, but I've been with BG 2 years now and ths is the first I've ever heard of Best Fit. Surely, since I have all paperwork confirming their acceptance of me onto Click, they can't back-charge me for a tariff they've not even informed me I'm on, much less got my agreement to?

"Normal" E7 would be fantastic for me, save me trying to remember to turn the darn heaters off in the morning to stop them eating power for 5 hours while I'm out! Are they able to get rid of one of my numbers then and just put me on standard E7? Just as simple as that?

Brysiewysie - Thanks for the advice, and the heads-up re the new procedure on the 1st. They failed to call me back today, as promised, so I'll be calling them on Wednesday and bashing them with it!!

Joyful

Hana wrote: »

Thanks Joyful.


"Normal" E7 would be fantastic for me, save me trying to remember to turn the darn heaters off in the morning to stop them eating power for 5 hours while I'm out! Are they able to get rid of one of my numbers then and just put me on standard E7? Just as simple as that?

Why not call and see? I think the answer will be yes. I cannot answer on the billing part though. As previously advised get through to a complaints team.

spiro

Just because you have 2 MPANs and 2 meters does not mean E10. If you supply the two S numbers from you bills (either by reply or PM) I can tell you what configuration you have (E7, E8, E10). This will then enable you to find the best deal.