New British Gas policy

MarkyMarkD

Most suppliers will collect the actual billed amount by direct debit 14 days or so after billing, avoiding the issue of estimated bills.

Estimated bills can always be corrected by providing an accurate meter reading in any case, before the payment is taken.

echoecho_2

To the original poster,

Do you have a history of paying bills late? (That's not meant to come across rude, btw). I ask because some companies are now being proactive, identifying persistent late payers and giving them a bit of a nudge once the bill has been sent.

That being said, the caller should at all times, of course, be polite. If this wasn't the case, you have every right to contact British Gas to raise a complaint regarding the way you were spoken to.

However, that doesn't solve your issue of not being able to pay your bill. Ignoring the call for a moment, simply awaiting a reminder and then seeing if you can pay isn't going to help much, especially if you need help with a payment plan from BG in the future. It would be best to be proactive, contact them to set up a payment plan that works for both parties (this doesn't need to be Direct Debit). You'll find that companies are helpful if you ring them up and remain polite and explain the facts and your circumstances- complaining about the way the industry is run to the adviser won't help.

bengasman

Mr_Ted wrote: »

....I cannot express the anger i feel about this and it is about time someone got to grips with the Fuel Suppy industry to make COSTS REALISTIC, and their policies and procedures FAIR TO ALL, not everyone can pay by internet so why should those that do get fuels cheaper for one thing, AAAAARRRRRRRRGHHHHHHHHHHHH

I am so angry :mad::mad::mad:

The solution is ever so simple: in stead of spending years being angry ( BG are not going to change their ways because of you ), just change to a socially aware supplier.

Mr_Ted

lol Do socially aware suppliers exist then ???

I do think many have missed a point in this exchange and I would ask of them, what next, someone knocking your door demanding to take you to a cash machine?????????????????

cashbag

Avoid over-estimated payments by requesting to pay by Variable Direct Debit. I do this quarterly & therefore pay in arrears for my ACTUAL comsumption. The money stays/accumulates in MY bank account over the quarter instead of being at the disposal of the utility company. If I get an estimated bill (& which is payable usually in 14 days) I can phone/submit an actual reading & a new bill is issued with a revised payment date. The Direct Debit Guarantee safeguards against errors in that you have recourse to ask your bank to recall a wrong payment.

spiro

That "Now I cant say exactly what I said for fear of embarrassing a few with the language due to my instant anger but basically:-" is not going to do you any favours with any supplier. If you had politely asked why you had not received a reminder or some similar question you would probably get a more sympathetic response.

As others have said once you have been billed you have 28 days to pay after that it officially becomes a debt and they can do what they like to collect it within the bounds of the law.

BG and other suppliers offer monthly tariffs were you submit a metering reading every month and get billed accordingly which means you have to pay smaller amounts but more often. Being someone on limitied income a DD tariff has benefits unless you save money every week to cover the peaks and throughs of quarterly billing.

talulahbeige_2

I wonder what your local supermarket would say if you asked them to send you a bill in the post, and then a reminder a few weeks later for the food you bought from them rather than pay for it before you took it out of the shop?

Utility companies do send reminders quicker to someone who has a history of late payment or payment on receipt of reminder (it even has a name in utility companies!)

spinningsheep

I am indeed struggling with your thinking Mr Ted. Why would you think that BG did not have a right to ask you to pay your overdue bill? Whether it is 1 week or 1 month, it is still overdue. If your finances are such that you do not have the resources to pay for the energy/fuel you have already consumed (and as other have rightly pointed out, been given a 3 month credit facility, interest free) you should be talking to BG to arrange a payment plan and making efforts to make sure you do not get into this pickle again in another 3 months time. BG are under no obligation to offer you a credit facility at all. Just be thankful they do not install a prepayment meter against your will, then you can add trotting off down the shops every other day or week to feed the meter to your worries!
Please do not take this as a attack or anything, it's not. My finances are in a right mess, but I ALWAYS make 100% sure my basic bills ie housing, heat, light, food and water are paid in full on time or on a DD. And I am on a low income too. Bottom line is, if you can't afford it, don't use it.

Mr_Ted

It is so nice to be somewhere where there are so many sympathetic people who have got the wrong end of the stick.

As I have said, I only received the initial BILL just over a week ago and therefore their action I feel is a bit to previous, let alone as I am sure some people not of the disposition I am in would feel extremely threatened under the circumstances

I have NEVER not paid a bill but this I feel particularly given the expenses required this time of year, and I am not extravagent or a P*** Head, is a step to far!

It about time that someone, as has been amply reported in the media, huge profits on top of huge rises? tankers waiting of the coast so that they can charge more when the price rises? stopped the increases that are applied by these companies!

And finally what is your answer, freeze to death?????????????????

insanegloss

Mr_Ted wrote: »

It is so nice to be somewhere where there are so many sympathetic people who have got the wrong end of the stick.

As I have said, I only received the initial BILL just over a week ago and therefore their action I feel is a bit to previous, let alone as I am sure some people not of the disposition I am in would feel extremely threatened under the circumstances

I have NEVER not paid a bill but this I feel particularly given the expenses required this time of year, and I am not extravagent or a P*** Head, is a step to far!

What's the date when the bill was printed? Given the volume of post going through the postal system at the moment, perhaps its plausible that you received it slightly later than you otherwise would?

On another note, as per my previous post in this thread, I really would advise to look at speaking to British Gas and possibly discuss payment schemes or other regular methods of payment as has been highlighted on this thread earlier also.

Whilst I really do understand the strains on peoples finances at this time of the year, I fully believe that being open to ideas and working with, rather than against, BG and other companies you deal with is far beneficial for yourself in the long run.