Want to switch but in debt, can I still switch??

Marclyd

Hi
I'm with British Gas for my electric and gas I switched to them a year ago. They had my direct debits set way too low (£27.00 for gas and £8.00 for electric) Anyhoo I called them earlier this year and said that I think they have my direct debits set too low they agreed (I owed £400 to gas and £400 to electric - I know I should check my bills - paperless billing but I didn't!!! I am a fool!!) and changed them to £80.00 for gas and £50.00 for electric. They said this would cover what I use and also pay off what I owe. Anyway I have now received a letter saying my new direct debit is £161.00 for gas and £87.00 for electric!!! I am on Click energy 2 and have found that it would be cheaper if I switch to click energy 6 for my gas and switch to Npower for my electric. But...here comes the question...what happens to my debt with british gas - will I have to pay it all off in one go if I switch my gas??

KimYeovil

You can try to switch but British Gas are entitled to say no. And they very probably will. (They wouldn't have much leverage to try to reclaim the debt from you if you were with another company.) You should, however, be able to switch to Click 6 until you have cleared the debt.

ex-energywatch_adviser

It is a standard part of most suppliers terms and conditions that an objection to a transfer request will be raised if there is a balance outstanding. You could try complaining to British Gas that you have been left in a position where you can't transfer to a cheaper supplier because they gave you poor advice regarding the level the DD should have been set at which allowed the debt to accrue and see whether they would allow you to transfer as a goodwill gesture.

Cardew

Marclyd wrote: »

Hi
I am on Click energy 2 and have found that it would be cheaper if I switch to click energy 6 for my gas and switch to Npower for my electric.

I thought that on the Click tariffs you have to be dual fuel only; unless you have no gas of course.

i.e. You cannot have gas from BG Click and Electricity from another supplier.

Or have they dropped that stipulation?

KimYeovil

Cardew wrote: »

I thought that on the Click tariffs you have to be dual fuel only; unless you have no gas of course.

i.e. You cannot have gas from BG Click and Electricity from another supplier.

Or have they dropped that stipulation?

Can't swear to it but it's certainly explicity listed on British Gas' own site under both individual fuel sections (in addition to the dual fuel section) as well as on the comparison sites' single fuel tabs.

Cardew

KimYeovil wrote: »

Can't swear to it but it's certainly explicity listed on British Gas' own site under both individual fuel sections (in addition to the dual fuel section) as well as on the comparison sites' single fuel tabs.

Perhaps that means you can have Click 6 gas on its own as long as you have electricity on BG's standard tariff;)