Help! Nightmare with British Gas

notalotofcash

Hi all,

Im a British Gas customer (pay bills quarterly cash). Three years ago i decided to switch my electric to BG so i had both from the same supplier.
i went through energyhelpline.com which found me the Price Protection April 2010 tariff which i thought would be a good idea.
For the last 3 years i have continued with BG for both fuels but had noticed recently both bills were seemingly rising quite a lot. this seemed a bit strange for my electric bill as i though it was capped.
Upon looking at my last few bills i realised that the price per kwh had been rising. Upon further research i realised that the changes in kwh had been occuring right up to me joining BG.
So obviously i contacted BG only to be told ive always been on the standard tariff. they had no record of me being on anything but this.
I have been told i need a confirmation letter as proof so they can investigate. i honestly dont know whether i got one or if i had one and lost it (it was over 3 years ago).
Im really stuck now as i dont know how to pursue the matter.

The only pieces of paper i have relating to the matter are a confirmation by energyhelpline when i switched to BG (it says on new supplier British Gas Price protection until April 2010).
However im sure BG wont accept this as they could say this info wasnt passed on.
The only other info i have is 2 letters telling me to relax as my prices are frozen. Both have my name on them and one has a date of Mar 2006. This one states "The good news is that when you took out price protection 2010 you made sure any electricity price changes wont affect you until April 2010"

Am i just going to have to write this off due to no confirmation letter or do you think i stand any chance with the letters i have?
Any advice appreciated!

Joyful

They will accept that as a confirmation of what you signed up so send in a copy and get them to backdate the bills.

mcmn18

I agree put it in writing and send a copy of the letters in, it should be proof enough. I wouldn't give up so easily as prices have risen ridicoulously over the past few years so you should see a noticeable difference in you balance if they rebill you on the correct rates. If they refuse then contact the ombudsman.

notalotofcash

Thanks both of you. i was wondering how much difference there is between the 2010 tariff and the standard tariff over the last 3 years. I know there has been increases and decreases over this time plus i thought the 2010 one was slightly higher than the standard at the time i supposedly took it out.
Does anyone know what the tariffs differences were?
Im honestly not sure what i should be paying. I dont want to kick up a fuss then find out i owe them money!

Joyful

Before the last increase I remember getting a letter saying 2010 tariff was 30% cheaper than standard rate. In the beginning there was a higher premium but I still think you will make a saving.

notalotofcash

Thanks. Just done a bit of research and found price Protection 2010 prices on the BG website. I think this is the one i applied for over 3 years ago:

Im currently paying
Tier 1-24.839p
Tier 2-11.517p

According to this the prices are
Tier 1-13.458p
Tier 2-6.729p