British Gas-Estimate way too low-Surprise!

MikeM

Backfoot,

That I had to phone was the problem and happy is not quite what I was or even am now.

Everybody Else,

If British Gas use 'sophisticated techniques' to calculate their 'estimated' bills then how come their clever programs didn't spot that this November was considerably colder than last November and the likelihood was that I would have perhaps had the heating switched on a bit more ?.

If anything my estimate should have been high not noticeably low ?

The helpful young lady at British Gas was perhaps just joking when she said that I would 'save' money - true in a sense though as a bit more spending for me at Xmas.

Off to work now - 'bills to pay' !

backfoot

Smart guys? You must be confusing us with someone else.

Here's an idea. Why don't you get to the bottom of it, with BG?

There is a problem with EDF's billing process and although I haven't got a clue what they are doing, I am taking it up with them, and will advise readers how far I get.

Unless there is an BG IT programmer or the relevant Systems Analyst on the board, who has knowledge of their estimating process, I don't think anyone can help other than in general terms.

You have all the data, to test out if what they say, makes any sense.

Or you could just be happy that they didn't get their fast ball past you. :T

Otherwise, all you are going to get is another squabble.

backfoot

Or you could start a dialogue with the BG Company Representative who has recently posted on this Board.

Send them a Private Message to get the ball rolling.

MikeM

Backfoot,

Thank you for your suggestion - my life is probably too short to engage with British Gas on this interesting subject. Besides, I feel that they are unlikely to reveal how their arcane calculations are made as undoubtably this will be 'commercially sensitive information'.

I think the problem to be solved is that ordinary consumers cannot easily calculate how and what they are being billed for ?

My 'hunch' is that this is exactly how they like it !

backfoot

MikeM wrote: »

Backfoot,

Thank you for your suggestion - my life is probably too short to engage with British Gas on this interesting subject. Besides, I feel that they are unlikely to reveal how their arcane calculations are made as undoubtably this will be 'commercially sensitive information'.

I think the problem to be solved is that ordinary consumers cannot easily calculate how and what they are being billed for ?

My 'hunch' is that this is exactly how they like it !

Ah, so your not that bothered really?

Giving them your own reading sounds like a robust solution to me.

MikeM

In the grand scheme of things - correct - not bothered - just curious as to whether others had received estimated bills after submitting actual readings ? That's all.

Giving them my own reading was in my case, NOT robust. (Please read my original post)

An imperative email purporting to be signed by the hand of 'Mr Tim Copper - Director Online' no less, urged me on Nov 27th to submit a meter reading.

I logged on immediately to my online account and entered the figures as directed ! The web site then swallowed my numbers without complaint which it has done infallibly for the last couple of years.

And then, they ignore my reading and send an estimated bill which is strangely low ! At work three other people report exactly the same thing, so I am thinking where better to ask if the BG computer is conspiring against us - the 'Gas Four' - than on this wonderful forum.

backfoot

It's BG, they are useless. They haven't just picked on you.

Move to Npower if not happy. :eek:

Headline options:

Molehills, mountains and meter readings.
Meter reading missing - Interpol alerted.
Customer in BG shock horror story - expected good service.
Estimating the guesstimate.
Meter readings found in archeological dig.