Compensation from npower?

gemalfie

Hi Everyone

This is my first time on this forum, so I hope I'm doing this right!

A few months back my British Gas account got cancelled without my request because npower took over my gas supply without my permission. After further investiagtion, it turns out they were trying to set up an account for someone with a similar address in my village.

British Gas have since been working on reclaiming my account, but unfortunately this has taken months. This means I haven't been billed for months and I imagine will receive a very large bill when this problem is finally resolved.

The person I've been dealing with at British Gas has suggested I seek compensation from npower because of the inconvenience they have caused. Does anyone know how I would go about this?

Many thanks

fluffnutter

Who's actually supplying you the gas during this time?

fluffnutter

I'm not an expert on switching energy suppliers but it might depend on the process. Who's actually made the mistake? Clearly npower has because it's got you confused with another person. But has British Gas also make a mistake? Is authority from npower all that's required for them to close your account? By that I mean, if npower write to them to say "Your customer, Mr/Ms gemalfie wishes to close their account with you and move to us" is that enough or do they also need instruction directly from you, i.e. something signed by yourself? If they need a signature from you, then they shouldn't have closed the account in the first place. You can argue that they're partly responsible for the problem.

However.... here's another thought... are you actually entitled to 'compensation'? You might argue that a goodwill payment is reasonable (perhaps it is) because of all the hassle to sort this out but I doubt you can morally argue that you shouldn't have to pay for the gas at all. You've been using power during that time; it's been supplied by someone, and presumably you've realised that at some point you're going to be billed for this? Have you been putting money aside?

You could try arguing that you can't afford to pay a large bill at once, and as it's not your mistake a repayment plan or goodwill payment might be appropriate. However, if you've just been thinking "great, no gas bills to pay for a while" then that's a little short-sighted.

gemalfie

Hi

I have been putting money asisde for the anticipated bill, so no, I have not been 'short-sighted'. I am able to afford the bill when it arrives, but believe some form of goodwill gesture would be appropriate considering the inconvenice that has been caused.

British Gas do not consider themselves to be to blame in any way, as they received informaion from npower that I had requested for the gas supply to be taken over. I informed British Gas of the problem straight away, so my gas has always been supplied by British Gas - I just haven't had an account set up to be able to make payments for it. I am sure that British Gas will allow some form of payment plan, as I unfortunately have had a similar problem with them in the past (I don't have much luck with gas suppliers apparently!)and they have allowed me to do this.

I have never assumed that I wouldn't have to pay for my gas consumption, as that would be ridiculous. I'm just very frustrated at the hassle this has caused including endless phone calls to British Gas to try to get my account set back up.

fluffnutter

gemalfie wrote: »

Hi

I have been putting money asisde for the anticipated bill, so no, I have not been 'short-sighted'. I am able to afford the bill when it arrives, but believe some form of goodwill gesture would be appropriate considering the inconvenice that has been caused.

British Gas do not consider themselves to be to blame in any way, as they received informaion from npower that I had requested for the gas supply to be taken over. I informed British Gas of the problem straight away, so my gas has always been supplied by British Gas - I just haven't had an account set up to be able to make payments for it. I am sure that British Gas will allow some form of payment plan, as I unfortunately have had a similar problem with them in the past (I don't have much luck with gas suppliers apparently!)and they have allowed me to do this.

I have never assumed that I wouldn't have to pay for my gas consumption, as that would be ridiculous. I'm just very frustrated at the hassle this has caused including endless phone calls to British Gas to try to get my account set back up.

I entirely agree, and apologise if my earlier post seemed harsh. However, it's always a bit difficult to just get a company to just give you money. If you actually owed npower the money it might be easier for them to waive part of the bill as a goodwill gesture. However, just asking for some wedge is going to be difficult. You can't claim it's compensation (you're not out of pocket) so basically you'd only be able to say "This has been a right pain, it's your balls-up, please give me some cash to say sorry". Might not be easy. How much is the bill and how much would you think reasonable as a goodwill payment?

The really classy thing for BG to do would be to compensate you themselves and then chase npower.