British Gas - Unfair Estimate readings

MOneyspider_2

My latest bill showed an estimated reading (when their prices increased) - of 155 metric units over 68 days (3rd Oct - 9th Dec) & 120 metric units over 34 days (10th Dec - 12 Jan 2011). Surely this should be 2/3rd and 1/3rd of metric units used? So, 183 metric units over 68 days & 92 metric units over 34 days.

It seems that British Gas has taken an arbitrary estimate reading to cash in on the very cold weather and people being at home over Christmas. If you were away from home over Christmas then this is even more their favour.:(

spiro

No they will have spread the consumption out based on the weather and therefore the expected consumption (colder weather equals more gas used). If you were that bothered then the answer would have been to submit a reading on the date of the price change.

Is the reading for 12th on you bill an estimate or actual? If its an estimate phone them with an actual reading.

MOneyspider_2

Didn't know when they were going to increase their prices. Could have rung them to find out but didn't want to spend over 1hr on the phone trying to get an answer. I was away from 22nd Dec to 3rd Jan with thermostat turn down to 10C. How many others were away visiting relatives?
Reading taken on 12th January was an actual reading. Still think they should have been fairer over the 2/3rds : 1/3rd proportion.

Premier_2

This type of thread happens every time there is a price change.

If you can justify to the supplier why you think their estimate is incorrect and what you think a fairer estimate would be and why, then they might accept your dispute.
In the past, the difference usually wasn't worth arguing about and some suppliers even just rebilled the whole lot at the most favourable price for any customer that took the time and trouble to complain about it.

spiro

MOneyspider wrote: »

Didn't know when they were going to increase their prices.

Sounds unlikely as it was in every national newspaper on 13/14th November that BG was putting up its prices from 10th Dec (4 weeks notice).

Cardew

As said above - this is raised every time there is a price rise. Not just BG but every Utility Supplier.

The estimated meter reading at the time of a price rise is obviously done by a computer. The algorithm(program) for this has input from the Met Office as well as other factors and is independently audited.

There isn't a Utility company that won't amend those readings and issue a new bill if you give a reasonable explanation of why they are not applicable e.g. I was away for 2 weeks over Xmas.

MOneyspider_2

Thanks to all that have replied.

I did phone them same day I received the bill. Was on the phone for over 1hr whilst they tried to recalculate my bill. Finally, they came back and said that there were problems in the recalculation so I would be getting a bill for £0.01p credit - this I was to ignore. Then I would be getting a bill for £128.81 - this was more than my current bill of £126.37!! BG said I then needed to cross £128.81 out and amend the amount outstanding to £123.81 as this was all that the "system" showed I owed (do I trust this & will this generate more problems as I am just taking someone's word).

So a credit of £2.56, a sore ear for holding the phone to it for so long & my patience running very short. A letter has been sent to Mr Andy Eley, Head of Complaints. I await a reply