British Gas August 2013 Online Variable

stupidian

Hi,

I've recently taken out the British Gas August 2013 online variable. I was advised at the time via email and the terms & conditions that it would cost me £30 per fuel (gas + elec) to cancel the contract. I was under the impression that I had a cooling off period (although I have had no contact from British Gas to suggest so) as part of normal financial regulations around this sort of thing. But, the adviser is adamant that there is no cooling off period. I haven't received a welcome pack through the post yet, nor have I signed any contract. All comms has been through email and phone.

Can anyone tell me if what British Gas is doing is correct and legal because the guy from Scottish Power seems to think I should have a cooling off period of at least one week after the Welcome Pack arrives?

Thanks,
Ian.

Perelandra

Ts and Cs for that tariff can be found here:

http://www.britishgas.co.uk/products-and-services/gas-and-electricity/our-energy-tariffs/online-variable-august-2013/terms.html

Clauses 1.2 and 1.5 outline the timelines you have (in my view, neither the information you've received from SP nor from the advisor is correct).



NB: I work for BG, so my views will be biased. They are however my own, and do not necessarily reflect those of my employer. The statement above is not an official statement on BG's behalf.

stupidian

Thanks Perelandra.

From reading the following (I'm pretty sure I must have agreed to Ts & Cs either on the phone or online), it looks like I would have to pay to get out of the contract (or at least I'd be at the mercy of BG's "we may apply a cancellation charge" policy - not sure it's worth the risk);

1.2 Your contract with us will start:

when you and we agree on the phone that we will supply you;
when you sign your contract in the presence of one of our representatives;
when you fill in the form that we give you and post your acceptance of these terms and conditions to us; or
for website applications, once you have clicked to agree that you accept these terms and conditions.

Perelandra

Check clause 1.5 as well, that seems to give the cooling off period.

Terrylw1

Bgas have misadvised you, its clear in the standard t&c's that you have a cooling off period.