Direct Debit Row Hits British Gas

1carminestocky

Looks like MarkyMarkD didn't do his homework - doh!

bristolleedsfan

1carminestocky wrote: »

Looks like MarkyMarkD didn't do his homework - doh!

Before he says, :wall: How would BG know about my lifestyle, several of my previous BG accounts with previous "consumption histories" are shown within my BG online paperless billing account. :wall:( in addition to numerous previous years British Gas ( Gas) accounts.)

Whats that phrase you used the other day :think: Mr 1carminestocky, "self appointed" ...........:laugh:

Im warm blooded eligible young females might be interested to know. :cheesy:

MarkyMarkD

Most "normal" people use hugely more energy in the winter than the summer, irrespective of your comments about the "not very cold" British winters.

Others have already said - lots of times - that BG don't diligently check your previous usage periods. They simply assume (I guess) that the pattern of summer/winter usage is the same for almost everyone.

That's clearly wrong for you.

bristolleedsfan

MarkyMarkD wrote: »

Most "normal" people use hugely more energy in the winter than the summer, irrespective of your comments about the "not very cold" British winters.

Ironically :rolleyes: it was of course Centrica, owners of British Gas, who suggested that people wear two jumpers to keep warm. :rolleyes:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/how-to-beat-60-rise-in-gas-prices-wear-two-jumpers-says-energy-boss-871805.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/2435874/Centrica-boss-tells-customers-'wear-two-jumpers-this-winter'.html

smidgey

I think the DD's are difficult for the customer to understand. Most of the calls at the moment are about DD increases which customers do not really understand. Classic scenario below (all amounts completely fictitious).

You have your annual reassessment in May. At this point your account is £51.62 in credit.

Your expected consumption for the year is £691.24. So

£691.24
-£51.62 in credit
£639.62 to pay for the year
£639.62 divided by 11 instalments = £58.15 (rounded to £58)

In November you have your mid term reassessment which checks that you're on track for zero balance in time for your next annual reassessment. At this point your account is £150 in credit.

Consumption is recalculated because MR that comes in at this point is slightly higher than previously expected, plus price increase from July affects consumption. Consumption is now recalculated at £1028.21 for the year

So £1028.21 for the year
-£51.62 credit you had on your account (at annual reassessment)
-£348 in payments already received (6 payments of £58) equals
£628.59 to be paid over the 5 remaining instalments
DD is set at £125.72 (rounded up to £126).

This obviously raises the question. I am £150 in credit why are my payments increasing to double what they were? It's clear to us why but not to the customer.

The DD can be reduced by 10% advising the customer that this may lead to a debit balance at the next annual reassessment which would be recouped in the next years plan. If the customer does not believe/does not want to pay this amount then of course the customer can pay the bill as it comes in each quarter.

They are difficult calls to deal with and I fully appreciate the customers point of view but it's not an option unfortunately to keep the DD at the amount what it was, it simply would not be enough.

MarkyMarkD

Thanks for your explanation - I agree!

For others' benefit, I guess that MR=meter reading.