Another Problem Now...

Popperwell

You know I mentioned joining British Gas and then first utility in an earlier post...

I have cancelled FU and it was dead easy...I have informed NPower I want to stay with them and take my electric and gas on their fixed tariff until October 2013 and it is not a bad deal and was my original plan anyhow but...

British Gas has closed it's call centre and doesn't open until Tuesday...even NPower and First Utility were surprised that they had closed their customer services for the BH...

Reading the information I have been sent it appears I only have 7 days cooling off period and by the time they open on Tuesday I may have passed that point but i's not my fault they are not open I can talk to no one.

I have tried sending e-mails to various places on their website to cover me but I don't know it will and I was not told on the phone what the cooling off period was as far as I remember.

I won't say who but someone said as I have not started my account with BG and it is not a fixed tarff but a standard tariff I will probably not incur a penalty charge and as they are closed and I cannot talk to anyone that should not go against me...

Any ideas how to proceed?

Own_My_Own

Just had a look on google and it appears it is 7 working days. BG don't seem to inform people of this.
Googled - British Gas cooling off period. Read article by The Guardian.

Popperwell

Own_My_Own wrote: »

Just had a look on google and it appears it is 7 working days. BG don't seem to inform people of this.
Googled - British Gas cooling off period.

I'm really worried now...to think I have stayed with my original choice, managed to sort out with First Utility easily who were very understanding so heaven knows what happens next...and I have no way of talking to anyone. The letter is dated 20th August but I don't think it arrived until Wednesday(22nd possibly even 23rd)but even phoning today I was covered but as there is no one there...I don't know.

I have fired off at least two e-mails via their website telling them I want to cancel and saying I think its bad that they are closed.

Found this but I can't see a date on the entry(the leaflet that arrived says 7 days)this says ten so I think I am still in the period for cancelling and as I only signed up days ago they haven't had the chance to set the changeover in motion...

Though rereading this, this is for business customers...
http://www.britishgas.co.uk/business/products-and-services/electricity/switching-electricity-sme.html

I'll not get any rest this weekend...

If I have to pay a penalty clause so be it, I've learnt my lesson the hard way...I hope tgheir call centre being closed works in my favour...

Own_My_Own

7 working days is Wed 29th. So you can ring them on Tues 28th.

Popperwell

Own_My_Own wrote: »

7 working days is Wed 29th. So you can ring them on Tues 28th.

That's assuming I right about when the letter came there's no post mark on the envelope, the letter says 20th August and I did phone about about something on the bill but I cannot remember when(so if theyt have arecord of me doing so my 7 days would run out on Sunday or possibly Monday)but as I have contacted them twice by e-mail and got a reference number back by e-mail and they are closed I hope that will work in my favour.

Then again as the letter is dated the 20th it could not arrived at theearliest until the 21st(if sent 1st class)and I don't think any company does that but I would still be ok to cancel first thing Tuesday morning...I'll be phoning 8am and be one of their first calls...

If I do get turned over I'll never use BG again...
I was happy that FU was easy to cancel and NPower were kind about things but now this...

Own_My_Own

It can not run out on Sun or Mon. It has to run out on a working day !

Popperwell

Thanks...In the end I should have just stayed with my first choice...

But you know on principle if I had to pay a penalty charge I think I would do it!

When the contract is up with NPower I'll see what they can do and I may go back FU, they were very nice on the phone and explained how they buy energy and what happens when customers leave and how they can be left with energy that they have to sell at a discount(good for customers)not good for the business as they plough profits back into their system, a bit like Ebico...

macman

No Standard tariff has a lock-in or early termination charge, so you are worrying about nothing. The word that can happen is that the transfer will go through and you'll have to spend 4-5 weeks on BG.
You really need to stop believing all the twaddle that energy 'advisers' come up with. FU are a commercial company like any other provider, they have shareholders who expect to get a dividend.
Ebico are a not-for profit company.
In future you'd be much better off doing your switches via a comp site and then a cashback site.

ollski

Are you absolutely sure Bg call centre is closed on a Saturday?. I work in a slightly different area of bg and none of the departments I deal with have been any different today.

macman

BG CS is open Saturday 10-6.

Popperwell

I have phoned every number I can find on my bills and the website and they say that they are closed for the bank holiday until 8am tuesday...I'll give it one more try but I have tried numerous times and get a recorded message telling me this. It surprised NPower and First Utility that BG was closed.