changing to British gas. Have I made a mistake?

shandypants5

Hello everyone. this is my first ever post (gotta get it of my chest)
I am in the middle of a change to british gas for both gas end electricity, it seems to be going sour allready.
I moved from British gas years ago due to the terrible customer support, and I have used Powergen as a supplier untill now.
The energyhelpline site told me I would save by changing to BG clickenergy.
So I let them change me...(BG must have got better by now I thought)
All ok so far.
This week I received the direct debit forms and was suprised to see they were higher tha my powergen payments.???

Powergen.. Gas=£38
Electric=£46

British Gas gas=£42
Electric=£61

As I am changing to a "cheaper" supplier I called them to explain...
:mad: Oh no they havent changed, an our on the phone at my own cost before they would agree to change the DD to £40 each for gas and electricity.

I spoke with 4 people in 4 departments, having to explain the whole problem every time..
The third department told me it was not possible to change the amount as the transaction was not complete yet.??
when I asked to speak to a manager,he said that someone would call me back within 4/5 days..:mad:
Eventualy he then transfered me to another lady(begin all over again)
and she said "Oh that does seem high what about £40 pound then"

why could she change it and he couldnt ? I asked.
I dont know where you were transfered from she said...

I realy hope I havent made a mistake moving, but I guess Ill have to wait and see.

One other thing..
the energyhelpline site said I would save £180 a year.
But it didnt take into account that powergen give me a £60 a year discount for paying by DD.
So my total save will only be £120... IF it all goes to plan and BG dont overcharge me..

Ill keep you informed..:beer:

hjb123

Hope all goes well for you.

We have been with British Gas for the past 5 years - well it will be 5 years in February, our contract (a business) runs out in February and we will most certainly be leaving them them. Have already sent our termination letter in. We have had quite a few problems with them and have had to use energywatch on most of those occasions!

A_Nice_Englishman

The figures you quote are just the amounts BG want you to pay each month.

You need to compare what BG and Powergen will charge for the actual amounts of gas and electricity you expect to use.

Also, beware of paying too little each month. You will be faced with a large bill later on. On the other hand, paying too much each month means you are giving the supplier an interest-free loan.

chilli_dog

Cant help you with the price issue but i left BG after 2 miserable years with them. Customer services was, well non existent, ages on the phone being passed around from pillar to post.

Often finding myself calling them from work or going in work late after calling them, utter disgrace.

I still get a laugh from the door to door muppets trying to transfer me back to BG, they keep telling me they have built new call centres and will answer the phone within 5 rings!!

shandypants5

A_Nice_Englishman wrote:

The figures you quote are just the amounts BG want you to pay each month.

You need to compare what BG and Powergen will charge for the actual amounts of gas and electricity you expect to use.

Also, beware of paying too little each month. You will be faced with a large bill later on. On the other hand, paying too much each month means you are giving the supplier an interest-free loan.

I realise that its just a guestimate to cover the Average useage.
BUT.... If I am paying powergen an amount and BG are using a lower tarrif then my monthly payments must be the same or lower with BG...

The muppets on the phone couldnt seem to do the maths..:rotfl:

bebop

nice british gas man got me to change on friday evening from scottish power to british gas by these points, NO service charge, £97 d.d. discount, prices fixed from going up, prices will fall Dec 07, on the"fix and fall 2 offer".He said definitely will be cheaper with B G than Scotish Power. HELP is he correct, guess i can quickly back out if i need to, Any Advices??

shandypants5

hi Bebop..
check the "energyhelpline" site (there are plenty of links to it from Martins main site).

it gives you the cheapest for your usage and it lists the actual price per unit costs for each supplier.

be advised that British gas have several different prices depending on wich tariff they have you on (mine is clickenergy)
some tariffs are higher than my old supplier and some lower.
you allso need to check any discounts your supplier gives you and add them into your calculations.

I am begining to wonder if it is actually worth all the bother of changing,
I suppose any saving is good but it does seem difficult to get an accurate calculation.

A_Nice_Englishman

shandypants5 wrote:

I realise that its just a guestimate to cover the Average useage.
BUT.... If I am paying powergen an amount and BG are using a lower tarrif then my monthly payments must be the same or lower with BG...

Not necessarily.

shandypants5 wrote:

The muppets on the phone couldnt seem to do the maths..:rotfl:

No Comment!

shandypants5

A_Nice_Englishman wrote:

Not necessarily.

sorry am I missing something??
I am changing to a CHEAPER supplier with a lower tariff..
How can my monthly dd be more..?

A_Nice_Englishman

shandypants5 wrote:

A_Nice_Englishman wrote:

Not necessarily.

sorry am I missing something??
I am changing to a CHEAPER supplier with a lower tariff..
How can my monthly dd be more..?

Different companies may calculate the amount they want monthly differently, even if their charges for electricity and gas are are the same.

When I moved into my current place SWEB Energy accepted really low monthly payments to get my business. I ended up owing them money after my first year here. It didn't bother me as I have enough spare cash not to worry about such things and they had, in effect, given me an interest-free loan.

shandypants5

Sorry but the only reason I am moving is to save money.
I cannot afford them to take more than they need so I will be in credit.
if their TARIFF is cheaper then my bill should be smaller.
Or why am I changing..??