British Gas

Allybongo839

I recently got a letter stating my direct debit of £25 had been increased to £80 :eek: There was also a bill with my last few months meter readings on it and the total amount which would probably have been right for a 12 bed mansion (I have 5 radiators and a cooker). I took a meter reading 2 weeks ago (which was miles less than what they had estimated for Feb!) and rang them with it.

I was told that my direct debit would be reduced back to £25 and my bank credited with £55. Neither of these were done and lo and behold another £80 goes out today.

I rang them again today and after explaining everything he put me on hold then hung up. I rang again and got another guy who was really shirty with me and said "why not keep your direct debit at £80, it might clear some of your debit". He didn't seem to understand that my 'debit' was way out because of the estimated meter readings - sigh.

Anyway to cut a very long story short he said they couldn't refund the £110 - I had to do that via my bank using the Direct Debit indemnity claim, which I did and RBS refunded me.

He said he'd put my direct debit back down to £25 and register my meter reading (again) but let's wait and see what happens next month

trickytrolleys

Why dont you just cancel your direct debit ??

JohalaReewi

Technically, they are correct. If BG (or anyone) takes the wrong amount out of your bank account via a direct debit (or takes the right amount on the wrong date), you should contact your BANK for an immediate refund under the direct debit guarantee scheme. It is the bank which underwrites the direct debit scheme not the payee, so claim from the bank.

Allybongo839

I like paying by direct debit because it's spread through the year I just wish they would accept my meter reading!

Thanks for the info on the bank though, I have never had to do this before. I just wish the first girl I spoke to was aware of it instead of telling me British Gas would refund me.

I'm sure you all know what it's like when you have all your outgoings listed and then someone takes £80 out, completely throwing your sums!

nenya

I love British Gas - they keep phoning me up asking me if i was low cost gas. Firstly, the amount of times i have told them i don't have Gas is just uncountable. Secondly i know there lying - i work for one of there biggest competitors I and know exactly how much more expenisve they are.

Has anyone seen there new advert with the rollercoaster?? Apporeate don't you think - seeing as all they do is take there customers for a bloody ride.

cLeO

And British gas prices are going up 11% from September 4th. Thats the third increase in a year :mad:
Because of this, I switched to Powergen a few days ago and they have capped my prices until March 2010.

rygon

nenya..so who do you work for ...guessing it is eon (used to be powergen).
to tell you the truth the gas market has gone up considerably the past 2 years..even to the point where the power station i work at was getting more money by selling the gas they have bought than producing electricity. What you have to understand is that British Gas are actually loosing a hell of a lot of money because of the gas prices...but british gas arent just on there own as they are owned by centrica ..who own many power stations and also gas fields..and thats where they make the really money ....and dont worry they treat their employees with the same amount of respect as their customers

nenya

n'ah - not eon - EDF.

But your right - the Gas prices are going up horrifically I do agree on that point. But it is no excuse for substandard customer services, I have a friend who works for BGas, she absolutly hates working for them...etc.

I have my own personal reasons for disliking BGas that do not stem from working for EDF.