Early bill from British Gas, switching to EDF not completed yet

GooliesOfFire

On 13 Nov I got an email from British Gas asking me to pay their estimated bill now (a month early). I normally paid quarterly, last time in September.

I don't understand why they want me to pay now just after 2 months.. they know I'm switching to EDF, they know what dates of my switch are - 9 Nov electricity (meter readings provided to EDF on the 9th) and 19 Nov gas (meter readings to be provided to EDF on the date).
I don't understand why the rush from British Gas. Also they say in the email that I can see my bill online.. but obviously they are to thick to realize that I have no longer access to my online account.

I rang British Gas on 13 Nov, they said they cancelled that bill and made my account 0 in debt for now... only to send be exactly the same email today.

The email says...

Dear Mr XXXXXX


Your latest bill is ready for you to view online; your account balance is £111.15 in debit.


Log in to your online account to view your payment history and see all your bills in one secure location.


If you have any questions about your bill or your account in general, please visit the Help & advice section of our website.

Kind regards



Tim Copper

Digital Director

Should I wait until 19 November and give BG a ring and tell them my metter readings.. or should I just leave it 100% with EDF?

Also I need British Gas bill sent by post as I have no access to online account with British Gas anymore.

jalexa

GooliesOfFire wrote: »

I don't understand why they want me to pay now just after 2 months.. they know I'm switching to EDF, they know what dates of my switch are - 9 Nov electricity (meter readings provided to EDF on the 9th) and 19 Nov gas (meter readings to be provided to EDF on the date).
I don't understand why the rush from British Gas.

I would have thought there was an obvious likely explanation to do with getting some money now compared with waiting:rotfl: for Edf to supply the transfer readings.

I call these "interim final bills". From time to time there has been forum talk of them (typically reports of E.ON behaviour).

Any estimated bill (and an estimated "interim final bill" is an "estimated bill") can be replaced with an actual bill if you provide actual readings. It is really up to you to take charge.

Separately, *if* (and I don't mean to disbelieve you) a supplier communication informs you to access your online account but the transfer process has blocked your online access, simply raise that anomaly only as a formal complaint in writing or by email. Make their "goolies" feel the heat:D.

GooliesOfFire

I will wait until 19th then and contact British Gas and give them exactly the same meter readings as the ones EDF has received and will receive from me on 19 November.

I thought it was supposed to be a hassle free process

I lost access to my BG online account access around the time when my cooling off period with EDF ended. At first I could have log in but had no access to bill history.. a few days later my login was no longer recognized. I assumed it was because of the switch.. I've read posts on there about people losing access to their BG online account when switching to other providers so I assumed it's the way it works.

jalexa

GooliesOfFire wrote: »

I will wait until 19th then and contact British Gas and give them exactly the same meter readings as the ones EDF has received and will receive from me on 19 November.

That is entirely up to you but is a risky process for two reasons. If you do not challenge an issued bill, whether estimated or not, payment is due by the due date. The other and arguably more important reason is that the reading you provide Edf *may* not be used as the transfer reading as it is subject to agreement between BG and Edf.

The transfer process for most people is generally hassle free. Issues arise when the customer and/or supplier try to do something "different" (or wrong).

Sending the losing supplier the transfer reading counts as doing something "different" and may end up biting you in the "goolies".

GooliesOfFire

eh.. I will leave it then for now..

I rang the BG a while ago and they confirmed it's an estimated bill. They also said they will receive meter readings from EDF within 28 days from the switching date.. maybe that's why they don't want to wait for their money so long. Also my final 2 bills will be sent by post separately as there are 2 switching dates.

Thank for help. I don't want to do anything "different". I don't want to 'upset' the process.

Also BG was asking whether i don't want to stay with them (?).. I thought it was too late for that already.