British Gas : where do I start... advice please

**G*O*S*H**

OH how I despise that Company.
We moved into our house 1st August last year.
At our previous address wehad electric via Southern electric and gas by British gas.
When we exchanged, 3 wks before moving, I notified B.Gas that we were moving, when we moving and that I wanted them to continue supply at our new address (previous owners had both utilities with Southern electric).
Gave them all the info, no problem - advised that for 16 days AFTER moving in they would take over the supply leaving a minimal bill from S.Electric for that short period.
Sure enough, when we moved in a letter was waiting welcoming us to B.Gas.
Meter readings were phoned through and the monthly DD continued.
Then, a couple of months later a bill landed from S.Electric, I thought this very odd as OH also pays electric via DD so they shouldn't be sending a bill - more likely a statement.
It was massive BUT based on estimates. I read it over and over and then saw it said gas. I get on the phone politely ask why on earth they are billing us for gas when British gas took that over. Lady was very nice, very helpful, went away, called me back.... they were supplying us!!
So, I phone BG armed with the welcome letter and ask to speak about my gas account. I have no account number so I give my address. Unhelpful lady said they do not supply. I explained that was the problem - even though they should be, I gave the authority - I have the welcome pack!!
Then I ask so where is my OH's £80 DD going?
OUR OLD ADDRESS!!!!
So for 4mths we had been effectively paying his gas bill :mad: even though they knew we had moved and written to us welcoming us at the new address. I was fuming - especially when she said it would take 6 weeks to get the money back from them, it was near Xmas and S.Electric wanted their gas bill paid naturally.
They barely apologised, said a computer error occured and we were not fully transferred and asked if we wanted to go back with them. In not so many words my reply was jog on.
Next thing, end of December, money back from B Gas, Southern Electric paid and happy. Then, early Jan a letter arrives from B Gas - WELCOME to B.GAS, a day or two later from S.Electric, sorry you are leaving us!!!
I was shocked, B.Gas had switched us to them with NO authority, I couldn't hae made it clearer I was disgusted with them, what had happened and the fact they couldn't muster and apology. Straight on the phone to B.Gas told them not a hope in hell would they supply and I gave no permission. Told it was too late - transfer made and we had to stay with them 6wks.
Today, got home to a bill from B.Gas. Maybe 3 weeks ago I let in a meter reading man for B.Gas. I open this letter and for 6 weeks the gas bill based on 'actual' was £265!
I knew we didn't have a gas leak and we haven't really had the heating on much anyway as we are renovating and most of the rads are off the walls.
I rummage in the cupboard to get to the meter and it is lower today than the 'actual' reading he took all that time ago!
I don't know whether to laugh or cry :rotfl::mad:
I feel I need to complain, really complain and I know B.Gas wont listen so who do I do this to?
How do I get around the fact our reading is lower than the actual he took (as if a 6wk gas bill can be that much)?
They really are the most terrible Company ever.
I am sorry if I have bored you all

Terrylw1

For a start, if your change of supply didn't go through, only you can authorise it at a later date. They cannot force you to stay as they have erroneously transferred you and they know that once you inform your correct supplier (SE), they will get you back with no money owed to Bgas. They do this by instigating the erroneous transfer correction process for you against Bgas and bring you back on the same day you left but a record on the error is held in the national databases. Bgas just close any account they have on the opening reading so there is no bill.

In terms of the reading, does that matter? If you go back to SE, no, but if you stay with Bgas tell them the current reading so they cannot remove that poor one by the meter reader. If they dont believe you, tell them to send a meter reader out to check. If you are unsure it will be resolved by that, be on site when he gets there to ensure it goes as you expect.

albionrovers

I'm at war with them constantly. Self-preservation is what they're all about.

macman

Yo did this the wrong way around. You can't transfer your account over. You start at the new property in a deemed contract with the existing supplier (SSE). You register with them on day one for an account and take meter readings. Once that's done, you can commence a switch immediately if you wish, which will take 4-5 weeks.
Trying to 'pre-arrange' the switch as you have done invariably ends in tears.

jalexa

macman wrote: »

Trying to 'pre-arranage' the switch as you have done invariably ends in tears.

I totally agree with that but the post describes the informed party (British Gas) acquiescing in the "pre-arrangement".

macman

Indeed, as suppliers frequently seem to do. Poor training, or encouraged by management?