Trying to reduce direct debit

x_Wilco_x

I tried to reduce my direct debit with British Gas today for my Gas account as it is in credit and my current payments are far too high - I was informed I can only reduce by 10% as it is their 'strict' policy even though the person could see my calculations and see I was right! I then asked for a refund of my accrued monies to be told that would just increase my monthly payments! :mad:

Has anybody else experienced anything like this and any ideas?

Time to switch methinks :T

masonic

Just get the excess refunded every month until they get the idea.

Cardew

Welcome to the forum.

How do you see that you are in credit - on-line or on your last bill?

Without knowing any detail of your account, you can understand the reluctance of all the utility companies to reduce DDs with the heaviest winter quarter to come.

The reason why companies encourage DD payment and give a discount for these tariffs is for ease of running the account, and to keep changing the DD and/or give refunds defeats the object.

If you are seriously in credit and your DD is too high; just instruct your bank stop your DD for a month or two(without saying anything to BG)

Mikeyorks

x_Wilco_x wrote:

........ any ideas?

Time to switch methinks

That's the best idea ... if your figures are right and you really are paying a monthly sum which exceeds annual bill / 12?

tripled

The computer is supposed to calculate your bill for the next 12 months based on your previous usage. This is why they have told staff they cannot adjust it by more than 10%, to stop people building up a large debit balance. If the credit balance is less than £50, it is carried forward and included in the reasessment, hence why your payments would increase if you had it refunded.

Unfortunately the computer doesn't always get it right. The best thing to do is work out from your bills how many kwh you have used in the last 12 months, multiply it by their current rates and divide by 12, which should give you your monthly payment. Ask to speak to a manager if they refuse to agree to that figure.

If you cancel your dd, the bank will tell BG, so the computer will revert to the cash/cheque rates which will cost you more.

melbury

Just tell them if they don't reduce your direct debit immediately you will switch to another supplier! I did this with them once and they changed it there and then. However, I am not with them anymore - heaven!!

1882

It's very unlikely your British Gas costs are remotely near the cheapest so I'd just say adios and vamoose!

1882

It's very unlikely your British Gas costs are remotely near the cheapest so I'd just say adios and vamoose!

Cardew

1882 wrote:

It's very unlikely your British Gas costs are remotely near the cheapest so I'd just say adios and vamoose!

Why is it "very unlikely"?

I am with BG and, like millions of others with BG, I pay way way less than anything that is available if I said Adiós to them!

Not everyone is on BG Standard tariff.

MATH

Whoever you spoke to is talking out of their armpit! I have reduced my DD by more than 10% in the past and claiming back your credit will not make a scrap of difference to you DD amounts. BG usually adopt a policy of returning credits on request if the amount equals or exceeds two months DD total. Ring them again and speak to someone else and if they tell you the same [EMAIL="cr@p"]cr@p[/EMAIL] ask to be put through to their supervisor.

x_Wilco_x

Interesting points expressed by all - thanks... Maybe I just caught the member of staff on a bad day as I questioned her with all the above, did my sums fully with which she agreed and threatened to switch - she did not really care! She just said BG were strict about only allowing a 10% reduction... I am on Click energy duel so the tariff is pretty good for BG, still gonna switch though as their customer service is appalling and I am not just going on this incident!!!