When you do an online switch....

PabloNeruda

.....with energyhelpline.com, is there anything else left for you to do? I went as far as filling in my direct debit details but then lost my nerve a little before I committed myself, and closed the link.

Do they do all the rest for me, in terms of telling British Gas (from whom I currently get both my gas and electricity) about the switch? I was basically unsure whether I can immediately phone my bank up and cancel both my direct debits to British Gas. What happends to any outstanding balances for gas/electricity already used etc? (I currently pay by direct debit, £30 per month for gas and £15 per month for electricity).

The search in this website suggested I can instantly save aound 25% with Atlantic Energy, and they have a glowing service rating too. Like I said, I almost did the switch but at the last moment was unsure if I could inadvertedly leave myself either without any supplier for a transitional period, or in debt to Britsh Gas for cancelling direct debits when I shouldn't have. On the other hand, I also don't want to be paying BOTH British Gas AND Atlantic REnergy!!

Any advice greatly appreciated, and sorry for the essay!

Ken68

Hi Pablo, you won't be charged twice.
Leave your DD's in place with BG and they will notify you when taking the last payment. In fact your bank details will be passed over to Atlantic, or the provider of your choice from BG.
Tidy up all loose ends before switching, otherwise expect complications.

You havn't switched until you click the last button, and then you have 7 days in which to change your mind.
Will take several weeks, be patient.

Mikeyorks

Ken68 wrote:

Hi Pablo, you won't be charged twice.
Leave your DD's in place with BG and they will notify you when taking the last payment..

Exactly right. You'll only complicate the situation if you cancel the DD before the final bill is settled. But do cancel it after that - easy if you bank online.

Ken68 wrote:

In fact your bank details will be passed over to Atlantic, or the provider of your choice from BG.

In respect of DD - that's not right, I'm afraid. The mandate you've created, in the past, is in favour of BG. It can't be re-used by anyone else. The new supplier must get you to complete a fresh mandate.

melbury

I cancelled my direct debit as soon as I got the switching date, even though I still owe British Gas about £100. I will just send them a cheque when I receive the final bill. There is no way I am going to let them take what they think the final bill might be on a direct debit!

masonic

melbury wrote:

I cancelled my direct debit as soon as I got the switching date, even though I still owe British Gas about £100. I will just send them a cheque when I receive the final bill. There is no way I am going to let them take what they think the final bill might be on a direct debit!

If you cancel the direct debit, won't your final bill be charged at the standard rate (i.e. without the direct debit discount)?

Ken68

I had no complications with leaving the DD in place.
Sorry Pablo, Masonic is correct, sounds more legal altho I didn't signed anything new so perhaps online confirmation is OK.

melbury

masonic wrote:

If you cancel the direct debit, won't your final bill be charged at the standard rate (i.e. without the direct debit discount)?

Hope not! That would be rather petty of them considering I have been a customer for decades and never switched before.

schiff

melbury wrote:

Hope not! That would be rather petty of them considering I have been a customer for decades and never switched before.

Yes, but the action you took was a bit provocative!

They might even conclude you'd done a runner!

schiff

Mikeyorks

melbury wrote:

There is no way I am going to let them take what they think the final bill might be on a direct debit!

.. in turn they will probably not agree to complete the switch as you have monies outstanding?