British Gas - Help!!

BillsPreston

HI,
I have recently ran up a large bill with British Gas for £2500, I say recently, I mean over quite a period of time. The reason this happened was I was just getting the estimated bills in and paying them, not realising they'd be so much different. Now I have requested numerous times an itemised bill (with dates etc...) this has failed to happen. They have threatened to fit a prepayment meter to pay off the debt and avoid any more of course. I have agreed to this and offered 50.00 per month off the debt and then just pay the electricity as I need! They agreed and in fact reduced to £48.00 per month as it's a more rounded off figure per week. So it comes to fitting a meter 1st time - just don't turn up! 2nd time they turn up but bring the wrong meter and instead of going to get the correct one I have to ring and arrange a different appointment?! So I do No. 3 the guy comes out and states they won't be able to fit a pre-payment meter where the current one is due to new regulations with the wiring?!? So I had to call again (if they can't fit a meter, they can't fit a meter!) I advised of the situation and the clerk didn't have any notification of this and advised 'can't see why they can't fit one' and is now arranging someone to call me back to arrange a 4th appointment!!!! Arghh!
I really don't know what to do, I can guarentee they won't fit the meter again, I'd even put money on it.
Can anyone suggest who I can speak to to get sorted or can I go elsewhere and just pay off the debt with British Gas seperately.
HELP!!

caz2003uk

I had a similar senario happen to me!!

I was in debt with both electric and gas with British Gas, I also arranged with them to have a pre-payment meter fitted for both utilities...

The gas meter installer...never turned up, and the Electric...well the fitter turned up but then refused to fit it, and i quote "I can't fit it there, you wont be able to reach it" I explained to him that I need this meter fitting as my problems are not getting any easier he totally refused to fit it, saying he will inform British Gas and they will have to come to an arrangement with me.

Of course this never happened, British Gas accused me of not sticking to an appointment, even though i was there and he refused to fit and i lost a days pay cos of it.....any way long story short....British Gas take me to court and get a warrant to change my meters costing me £360 per meter to fit!!

So they can't fit a pre-payment meter when I ask them, but when they take it through court and its adding another £360 to my debt they can.....

Since they've been fitted its benefitted me loads, but at the same time Im very annoyed at the way they dealt with things!

Unfortunately you can't go elsewhere as there is an outstanding balance....

Mr_Man_Full_of_Love

There is not a single person within the whole of British Gas capable of doing anything right. The whole company is just like a gigantic April Fool. I'm getting my Economy 7 meter changed for a single rate in a couple of weeks and I'm dreading them setting foot on my property never mind meddling with the electricity. Though from what I read here they're unlikely to turn up anyway. Complete bunch of !!!!!!.:)

Joyful

For anyone that has an appointment and the engineer does not turn up with no cal to advise this, you are entitled to statutory compensation.This applies to whoever supplies you. If not given within a certain timescale the amount of compensation is doubled so give the company a call if this applies.