Caution with British Gas illegitimate 'exit' fee

Myrtle77

I've just queried a charge from British Gas after switching from them. I was outside my fixed rate when I switched, and therefore there should have been no 'exit' fee.

However, I've been receiving a number of solicitors letters demanding a £30 payment. When I called and queried it, turns out that they automatically add this fee when you leave - even if you don't owe it to them.

Seems you have to check and take the initiative in order to get them to remove the charge!

Disgusting.

Gerrard_8_lfc

Outside your fixed rate did the contract roll over to a new fix ?

If so thats why you have a exit penalty.

Myrtle77

No, it didn't. In fact, when I called them about this fee, they readily stated that I didn't actually owe it, but that they automatically add it anyway.

Gerrard_8_lfc

Myrtle77 wrote: »

No, it didn't. In fact, when I called them about this fee, they readily stated that I didn't actually owe it, but that they automatically add it anyway.

No company adds a exit fee for no reason so Im afraid I think you have been rolled on to a new fixed deal.

If you were on standard tariff you could leave with no penaltys.

kjsmith7

Is it possible you were moved onto another fixed/locked-in product when your previous product ended? For instance, Price Guarantee December 2009 ended Dec 31 2009, and I was offered another Fixed Price until March 2011 via e-mail, but I declined. If I'd have gone on to the March 2011 tariff I'd have been charged an exit penalty if I left, as I had until January 31st 2010 to decide else I'd be locked in again. Perhaps this is what happened?

If you look at your final bill, it'll say what tariff you were on (e.g. "You're on our Price Guarantee March 2011 tariff" or "You're on our Standard tariff"). If you were on Standard tariff, you would not have been charged an exit penalty - only the gas/electricity that had used. Also, it'd show on the final bill a debit described as a 'withdrawal penalty'.