British Gas

darwins_mum

Hi all, I submit monthly meter readings on line to British gas for gas and elec.
I received a letter from them to state that a dd had been returned. I knew that there were funds in my account so rang the bank. bank advise that british gas cancelled dd back in november. it transpires that there was a large credit on my account, once this had whittled away they attempted to take payment from an old dormant account that has no money in it.
I have duly asked them what the blazes they thought they were doing and this is the response I have had:

Thank you for your email and for your time in our telephone conversation this morning.

After further investigation I have found that the claims for your electricity direct debit payment have been made to your old bank account with Lloyds. I’m really sorry for this mistake.

I confirm that the direct debit for your gas is set up to come out of your HSBC bank account and I’m more than happy to arrange the same for your electricity payments.

The charge of £21.72 was from a statement in March that covered the period 18 February 2011 to 13 March 2011. A further bill has been produced recently covering the period 14 March 2011 to 10 April 2011, the charges for this period is £20.95 the recent bills have all been based on meter reading that you have provide, thank you for doing this.

The balance outstanding on your electricity account is £42.67. Before I can set up a new direct debit for your electricity account I need to ask you to make payment of the outstanding balance. You can do this by either contacting me or by making this payment via our website. I’m so sorry for the inconvenience our action has caused. As soon as this payment is clear I will be more than happy to set up the direct debit for you.

I can see from your records that you have registered a nectar card to your gas and electricity accounts with British Gas. In recognition for the problems we have caused you I have arranged for your nectar card to be credited with 5000 points in three months time. Please accept this gesture with our apologies.

I am responsible for dealing with this matter for you. You can contact me on freephone 0800 294 3124 extension 222972 I’m in the office Tuesday to Thursday from 8.00am to 4.30pm alternatively you can respond to this email.

I am disinclined to accept their paltry offer of nectar points, and have not responded yet. and am wondering what a reasonable amount of recompense I should ask for? I am minded to be blo*dy belligerent as it is clearly their error not mine.
all help greatfully received.
DM

HappyMJ

This hasn't caused you any loss as far as I can see..... What would be better? An account credit instead of Nectar? isn't 5000 points equal to £25?

Cardew

They make a mistake, they own up and apologise, they offer you some compensation for something that has caused you no financial loss, and you think that unreasonable?

Krafty

Pay up, shut up and gratefully accept the Nectar Points..... you seem to be trying to provide a good example of the Compo society we have become!!!!

K

Gerrard_8_lfc

www.iwantsomethingfornothing.com OP heres the website your looking for not MSE.

chanz4

Gerrard_8_lfc wrote: »

www.iwantsomethingfornothing.com OP heres the website your looking for not MSE.

aint that the credit card, loan part of the forum?

Yellowcard

Some people.

darwins_mum

Cardew wrote: »

They make a mistake, they own up and apologise, they offer you some compensation for something that has caused you no financial loss, and you think that unreasonable?

Their apology and offer of compensation is not unreasonable. Far from it. What is unreasonable is the 3 month wait for recompense with no satisfactory explanation for the delay. I have become a tad bored of big business having me over a barrel.
Have a great day
DM

Cardew

darwins_mum wrote: »

Their apology and offer of compensation is not unreasonable. Far from it. What is unreasonable is the 3 month wait for recompense with no satisfactory explanation for the delay. I have become a tad bored of big business having me over a barrel.
Have a great day
DM

If their 'offer of compensation is not unreasonable Far from it.' why in the opening post did you describe their offer as 'paltry'

I am disinclined to accept their paltry offer of nectar points, and have not responded yet. and am wondering what a reasonable amount of recompense I should ask for? I am minded to be blo*dy belligerent as it is clearly their error not mine.
all help greatfully received.