Anyone else having problems leaving British Gas?

ethansmummy

British Gas supply my Gas and Electric and I've been trying to leave British Gas since August 2008. Each time the new utility company informs them of the switch, they send me a bill and then reject my switch over stating my account is not clear! I'm meant to have quarterly bills but they do this EVERY month! I clear the balance then try to switch and low and behold they do it again! It's driving me crazy! If British Gas were the cheapest company in the country I still wouldn't stay with them. They are very underhanded! Surely this is not allowed?

E.ON_Company_Representative:_Helena

Hi,

I’d speak to British Gas and ask if there are any other reasons why they are not letting you go. I’d suggest taking your meter serial numbers and confirming them with British Gas.

If all the details are correct and the only reason is the debt from the last bill, you should ask for the objection to be lifted.

When you have chosen your new supplier, they will advise British Gas that you are leaving; you will then have to provide your meter readings to your new supplier. British Gas should use these to produce your final bill.

Helena

Premier_2

Raise a formal complaint with BG to establish why they are regularly billing you monthly instaed of the usual quarterly.

Note that even if they are billing you monthly, if they are preventing you from transferring to another supplier it is because a billed amount has been left outstanding for more than 28days after the due date. Make sure you pay promptly and in full any bill received and they cannot stop you transferring

ethansmummy

Helena_-_E.ON wrote: »

Hi,

I’d speak to British Gas and ask if there are any other reasons why they are not letting you go. I’d suggest taking your meter serial numbers and confirming them with British Gas.

If all the details are correct and the only reason is the debt from the last bill, you should ask for the objection to be lifted.

When you have chosen your new supplier, they will advise British Gas that you are leaving; you will then have to provide your meter readings to your new supplier. British Gas should use these to produce your final bill.

Helena

Well the first time I asked British Gas they said once my balance was clear I can switch. So I cleared it then tried to switch. The second time they claimed they didn't have the request - yet the new energy supplier said BG had rejected it again. Then a bill came. I cleared it the day it arrived. Then put in to switch again. A week later a new bill! Then I called British Gas and requested the NPAN numbers etc. I gave these to the new supplier, paid the bill and waited to hear for the change date. Again new bill arrived! This has been going on since August 2008.

ethansmummy

Premier wrote: »

Raise a formal complaint with BG to establish why they are regularly billing you monthly instaed of the usual quarterly.

Note that even if they are billing you monthly, if they are preventing you from transferring to another supplier it is because a billed amount has been left outstanding for more than 28days after the due date. Make sure you pay promptly and in full any bill received and they cannot stop you transferring

I sent a complaint in writing last week - still waiting on a response. I get my bills online so I pay them immediately via debit card. It's very frustrating to say the least! I can't wait to eventually leave them - NEVER AGAIN!

Premier_2

ethansmummy wrote: »

I sent a complaint in writing last week - still waiting on a response. I get my bills online so I pay them immediately via debit card. It's very frustrating to say the least! I can't wait to eventually leave them - NEVER AGAIN!

They have at least 8 weeks to resolve your complaint before you can take the matter further, so don't hold your breath.

As I said, if a billed amount hasn't been outstanding for over 28 days, BG can't stop you transferring on the basis you owe them money.