British Gas never collected DD despite 3 attempts to set it up

ZakOne_2

I am looking for advice on how to handle this.

One year ago I had my pre-pay meter changed to a credit meter when I moved into my new flat.

Around the same time I switched from EDF to BG to save money. I told BG I had a credit meter. I switched online.

All seemed fine until they sent me a letter about my pre-payment meter. I called them again a set up the direct debit again (I had already done it once online) which took some time as the records they had said I had a pre payment meter. However they assured me that the DD would be collected and not to worry. They said to ignore the prepayment key they may send me.

My DD's all come out of a separate account to my current account. I just pay in £800 from my salary - there is always at least an extra £500 or more in there. I don't really check it - it is all automated.

So I have just looked this week to discover the BG have collected no money at all despite promising they would! But - they have not sent me a bill either, so I have had 12 months electricity yet paid for non!?

So now I expect a ridiculously large bill as it is an all electric flat. I am really annoyed they have collected no money at all and I am now going to be forced into a debt with them.

I spoke to a friend about this and I similar thing had happened to them but they managed to somehow get the bill cut in half as it was they electric company's fault. They seem to think I may had a good chance of this as I had at least twice had conversations about this DD they have not taken and they simply have not billed me either.

Any advice appreciated!?

Thank you, Steve

Flibertigibit

Don't suppose this is what you want to hear but I reckon it's at least as much your fault as theirs. It is your responsibility to check what DDs are going out of your account and its your responsibility to pay for what you use. Why will you be "in debt" with them? If they haven't taken the money, but you allowed for it when you put money into your DD account, there should be already be enough in there to pay for whatever you've used. But yes, you can always try and see if they'll compromise, see it your way and let you off some - you could be lucky!

ZakOne_2

Well - you are always in debt as such with a credit meter. It is just I am in 12 months of electric payment debt instead of the normal 3. I can pay it but that is not really the point - what if I could not pay it? I spent around half an hour on the phone with them setting it all up last time after already speaking with them once and doing it online as well. I am shocked they have not bothered to even send me a quarterly bill. Isn't that in their T&C's somewhere??? Shouldn't they send me a bill with a monthly DD anyway?? They have failed in the promises that they have made me...........

Joyful

Are you sure that they now have you down as a credit meter? I think there may be a problem here so would suggest you call.

davidgmmafan

Joyful wrote: »

Are you sure that they now have you down as a credit meter? I think there may be a problem here so would suggest you call.

Agree 100% with this. When a supplier takes over they simply lift the details of the meter from the national database. If those details dan't been updated to show the credit meter then BG will think you have a prepayment meter. It is a bit odd that they haven't picked up on the fact that they are getting no payments, and this is the point I would play on if you are angling for some kind of reduction as a goodwill gesture.

Whilst I agree you should've tackled this sooner I also believe it IS a scandal that utility firms (all of them) have such shoddy practices that a situation like this can occur. You have the money set aside but as you say some people may have spent it.

Clearly that would be thier fault, but I do not understand why the companies allow such a situation to occur putting them and the customer at risk. They stand to lose money, the customer could be cut off if they cannot pay, or forced back onto prepayment. Its a joke.